Kevin Tang
design portfolio 2015
Selected Works from: the University of Toronto, Daniels School of Architecture; Dalhousie School of Architecture; and MMC Architects
Contact Kevin Tang 902 412 3153 tang.kevin@live.ca
Interlude//
live/work dwellings on the wharf lunenburg waterfront, nova scotia coordinator: brian mackay lyons Situated on the transitional threshold between land and sea, these six live/work dwellings appear to emerge from the water like docked ships to encompass the historically significant railway wharf of Lunenburg, an industrial port town and heritage site. The dwellings are part of a larger project to invent a master plan that revitalizes and re-stitches the urban fabric of the Lunenburg waterfront. The proposal attempts to organize pedestrian movement and strategize areas for new public space. The dwellings on the wharf act as a frame for a pedestrian view of the landscape, creating a moment of pause. By working through a diminishing scale of the town (1:500), to dwelling (1:50), and detail (1:5), this project looks at architectural elements of situating, served versus service, and public versus private.
Journey to Site
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Master Plan Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
In this urban scheme, the Master Plan proposes to fill in the gaps and clarify the urban fabric thus defining a central hub where three paths meet. Live/work dwellings are designed to invent new industries in the town. These dwellings engage with the waterfront architecture as well as the seascape, forming a transitional threshold between land and sea.
Atmosphere
destination...
Concept Sketches
Using the idea of sticks and skins, a steel structure emerges from a concrete base submerged in the seabed. The structure is wrapped with medal siding and glazing.
A mediator structure connects the wharf to the dwelling, allowing for public access to the upper studio space and a private entrance to the main floor.
Transverse Section
upper story work space, panoramic view of seascape main living area, entrance via wharf
bedroom and ensuite walkout personal dock, rises and falls with the tides
Orthographic Projections East
North
West
South
Typical Floor Plans
1. existing wharf 2. enclosed porch 3. living 4. kitchen 5. dining 6. powder 7. laundry 8. closet 9. master 10. ensuite 11. walk-in closet 12. stair 13. dock 14. undulating deck
14 13 12
10
9 11
1
lower level
7 4
5 6 3 8
2 1
main level
Structural Study Exploded Axonometric shingled roof
primary structure: 1 ft x 1 ft corten steel beams secondary structure: 1/2 ft x 1/2 ft steel beams floor slabs
skin: glazing skin: corrugated metal panel siding
pile caps; stabilization to seabed
piles; embedded into seabed
Model @ 1:100 (basswood)
Interior view
Fourth Element//
concrete / illumination study premixed concrete, basswood base, light bulb and wiring
Formwork
Styrofoam Negative
Front Elevation
Set Negative Mold in Formwork
Back Elevation
Concrete Pour
Removal of Formwork & Negative
Section
This project aims to generate form via the act of subtraction and maintains simplicity and purity through suppressing connections. A cubed formwork is created to act as the enclosure and styrofoam is used to create the negative space. Concrete is poured and the styrofoam is removed when the mixture is the set. The targeted result is a minimal hint of light that interact with a series of planes. The source of illumination is hidden within a rectangular prism that shines through a narrow slit threshold that breaches two enclosures. The varying angles direct to a singular beam of light through the channel and produces shadows that interact with the planes.
Three Courts//
music school at dalhousie university halifax, nova scotia coordinator: talbot sweetapple This music school, centrally located on the Studley campus at Dalhousie university, aims to be rationally organized to be created in the fewest architectural moves possible. The strategy for this is to use three courts as a way to organize, frame, and create spaces within the building. The conversation of spaces and voids are used to tie these courts together. The three courts include a large atrium, a central courtyard, and a main auditorium. These courts are also light scoops that bring natural daylight into the building. In the main auditorium, a quare prismed void penetrates through the building and creates a monumental performance space. In the central court, the natural courtyard acts as a semi private area for students, faculty, and the public to enjoy. It is also a transitional space between the more private and public side. In the final court, the large atrium acts as the main gathering area.
Site Maps: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Site on Dalhousie Campus: Robie St & University Ave
Dalhousie Campus: Site Model
Site Robie Street
University Avenue
University Avenue: Site Section
Dalhousie Arts Centre
Schulich School of Law
Dalhousie Music School
Dalhousie Dentistry
Main Level
Basement Level
2nd-4th Level (sim.)
In the main auditorium, a square prismed boid penetrates through the building and creates a monumental performance space. It brings in light framing the main audience seating area and part of the stage. Acoustically, this space resembles listening to music in a large cathedral
Perspective of skylight in main auditorium
Conservation Practice// 18th Century Little Dutch Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia Site visit and documentation of a character defining element: Storm Shutter
V-groove lumber planks
Steel / iron t-hinge with steel / iron nails
Turn staple locking mechanism (Open)
Turn staple locking mechanism (Closed)
Tranquillo//
landscape pavilion ozarks, arkansas coordinator: christine macy Located in the Ozarks mountain range along a winding trail, this structure attempts to bridge a connection between an individual and the natural landscape, forming a meditative space for contemplation. This structure incorporates themes of integration into landscape and uses form as a basis of evoking the senses. A sequence of triangulated light frame timber beams are suspended to move gently with the wind while a meandering path carves through the various curves of the structure which lets the wanderer create their own journey when inhabiting the pavilion. By looking at Thorncrown Chapel as a case study, this structure interpolates its ability to blend into its surroundings thus creating a new experience during various times of day and throughout the four seasons.
Site Analysis
Thorncrown Chapel Site 12968 U.S. Route 62 Eureka Springs, Arkansas United States
The chapel is hidden within the trees of The Ozark mountain range. This area is a physiographic and geologic highland region of the central United States. It covers much of the southern half of Missouri and an extensive portion of northwestern and north central Arkansas.
The main access highway U.S. Route 62 runs from the USMexico border at El Paso, Texas to Niagara Falls, New York, near the United States-Canada border. It is the only east-west US Route that connects Mexico and Canada. Parts of U.S. 62 follow what once was the Ozark Trail.
Currently, the only access point to the site is on Route 62 through a paved roadway that leads to a parking lot adjacent to the chapel.
A topographical study illuminates the undulating elevation of the site. The path and the chapel sits on a steep slope at the edge of a plateau.
main access highway: route 62
remove existing parking lot and infill with trees thorncrown chapel, final destination location of the new proposed counterpoint pavilion transform the paved path currently for vehicles into a pedestrian / bicycle only trail
location of new parking lot, relocate trees to old parking site
The master plan for the proposed counterpoint pavilion is to relocate the existing parking lot to the entrance of the site, transforming the paved path currently for vehicles into a pedestrian / bicycle only trail. This trail leads a visitor from the entrance of the site, through the new pavilion, to the chapel - the final destination. The attempt is to reimagine the path to be an architectural journey that compliments the vital elements of the site including the natural surrounding Osarks, the existing Thorncrown chapel, as well as the proposed counterpoint pavilion. This invigorates the currently simple roadway to a complex pedestrian friendly venture that integrates seemlessly with the fundamental site components.
Concept Model / Form Finding By manipulating the dimensions of a right angle triangle, variations of the same form were suspended on a beam in chronological order to create a modular progression. An inhabitable path interpolates the various curves and carves in between the triangulated sequences to let an individual wander through the structure.
Elevation
light frame timber beams steel anchors folded perforated metal rain screen glazed roof steel support rod carved wooden benches
Plan
Growth Simulation// site specific installation ginger root / bamboo skewers Variations of Plant Growth
This project aims to transform the perception of a space by constructing a sculptural form that relates itself to its surroundings. The process includes four steps: the selection of materials, finding a site, exploring patterns of assembly, and finally the construction itself. Limited to using only natural materials, ginger roots ranging from all shapes and sizes were selected as the material for assembly. Bamboo skewers were chosen as a component that functions to connect the pieces together. Together, the two materials work simultaneously to create interesting textures and shadows in an attempt to animate and bring the form to life. The location of the installation was built in the studio space at the University of Toronto. A cold cellar was selected because of its dim lighting and architectural detailing.
Vertical
Scandent
Hanging
Towards illumination
The final install transforms the room into an artificial growth environment as the sculptural form directs itself towards a bright fluorescent light. The viewer walks into a cold dark space and immediately faces the grotesque form to evoke a feeling of apprehension and perplexity. The chosen organic materials transform the perception of the space by creating a strong contrast between the natural materials and the constructed space. The pungent fragrance of the ginger, the jaggedness of the bamboo, and the beam of light feign life to the installation.
Site Plan
completed by myself
Midtown Plaza//
City master planning and commercial redevelopment Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Professional work completed at MMC Architects in partnership with GHA Design
Midtown Plaza site Main access avenues and highways 20 minute pedestrian radius (2 kilometers) 10 minute biking radius (4 kilometers)
Midtown Plaza is a project that aims to transform Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s downtown core into an iconic and unique city centre. A new network of public spaces throughout the plaza aims to serve citizens and tourists through all seasons with pedestrian priority streets. The goal is to improve connections to surrounding neighborhoods and reinvent a new urban centre that will sprout economic opportunities. The plan includes a multi-level parking space designed for public/ private initiatives thus increasing tourism and decreasing the number of cars in the downtown core. Moreover, a reinvented and relocated convention centre strives to bring arts and cultural growth into the city. Midtown Plaza is envisioned as a vibrant mixed-use destination in downtown Saskatoon which links the Central Business District with surrounding neighborhoods. The redeveloped site will be a desirable community to live in and provide a range of housing options for various family types. Employment and shopping facilities help extend hours of activity to all hours of the day.
Designated green spaces South Saskatchewan River
Green spaces and well designed streetscapes generate a dynamic urban environment which adds to downtown Saskatoon’s beauty. Linkages to key nearby amenities including the river, cultural facilities, farmer’s market and entertainment anchors build on Midtown’s destination draw. Ultimately, the project will help maintain the strength of downtown Saskatoon and promote the long term viability of Midtown Plaza.
multilevel parking structure hotel
restaurants retail
convention and performing arts centre
Site Plan design completed by myself and members of MMC Architects supervised by Joseph Hung, Assosiate. Post processing by GHA Design.
future office development
Renderings completed by GHA Design Model design completed by myself and members of MMC Architects supervised by Joseph Hung, Associate.
Cohesive landscaping and walkway pattern to form inviting public space.
Plaza and gathering spaces designed for community events.
Highway view of convention centre
Convention centre with roundabout for heavy tourism traffic and a walkway connecting hotel to adjacent plaza.
gong gong lithography print, oil based ink on print paper
acrylic on canvas
thank
k you.
Contact Kevin Tang 902 412 3153 tang.kevin@live.ca
Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Director Quentin
Abstraction and Atmosphere// This exploration consists of two parts. Act 1 (Abstraction) is a speculative exercise that transforms a film still into an abstracted model based on the geometries in the shot. The spacial dimensions of the shot were explored using a combination of three architectural modeling operations - extruding, layering/contouring, and folding.
Act I - Abstraction Film still to model
Act II - Plan and Section
Fold / Unfold: A generative sequence// This project examines the architectural potential of folding by learning origami and crease/tessellation patterning. A careful investigation is conducted to study the spatial and structural opportunities that can be obtained by a given sequence of folds. These techniques were then used to extract a number of steps from this predetermined sequence in order to create a new object that is a spatial evolution/ devolution/abstraction of the original. Having created the model, the process of its making is then described with a series of orthographic and oblique diagrams. The diagrams are composed sequentially
current fold
previous fold push fold direction towards
pull from
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5
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4
7
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