LEX (HONGKAI) YUAN
PORTFORLIO
SELECTED PROJECTS
- TRIAXIAL PAVILION - THE LIVELY INFILLS - STUDENT RESEARCH CENTRE - BONDI APARTMENTS - OTHER CREATIVE WORKS
www.masqarchitecture.com
13th June 2012
Re: reference for Mr Lex Yuan
Info Name: Hongkai (Lex) Yuan Date of Birth: 23.10.1989 Language: English, Mandarin Chinese & Shanghai Dialect
Contact Details Email: ly@outlook.com.au Address: 2/43-45 Wyanbah RD, Cronulla, NSW2230 Mobile: 0431 990 113
Educational Institutions - University of Sydney (2013-Present) - Master of Architecture - University of New South Wales (2010-2012) - Bachelor of Architecture - I had the honour to work with Professor Glenn Murcutt & Fergus Scott for graduation studio. - Port Hacking High School (2008 - 2009)
Work Experience - I have worked on construction sites as a builder throughout the past to gain experience on site and deal with building materials and techniques. - I have done a three-month internship for St. Johnsons Architects in Shanghai early 2013.
- I have worked as a bartender and waiter casually for about 5 years and I am still in the hospitality industry. Currently I am working casually for the Stables Sydney (Private Member's Club) at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Exhibition
I found him to be a very hard worker, committed to the studio and always attempting to progress his design to the next level. Lex was very responsive to comments and feedback and was always willing to learn and understand more. As a result his design skills improved significantly and he produced a very cohesive design with moments of considerable flair and competence. He has a good commercial mind for architecture always looking at his design from a realistic point of view, a trait I believe is very useful from an early stage. As such he would be a good asset for any firm and believe he would integrate successfully and be of much use and benefit.
- The TriGrid, Site Specific Art, ALASKA Projects Gallery. (2014) - The Tree Canopy, Brand X fashion show for Sydney Fashion Week. (2014) - The Lively Infills, Sustainable Architectural Research Studio project selected for exhibition. (2013) - Student Research Centre Boonoo Boonoo Nation Park, Graduation Studio project selected for exhibition. (2012) - Architecture Photography exhibition, 2nd prize. (2012)
I had the pleasure of having Lex as a student during first semester of the final year of the Bachelor Course, 2012.
On a personal level I found Lex to be respectful and diligent with a warm and friendly nature, a good organiser of his time and efficient in his manner of working. As such I would gladly recommend Lex in whatever endeavour or position he seeks without any hesitation.
Familiar Softwares - AutoCAD - SketchUp - Photoshop - Rhino - Grasshopper - WeaverBird / Kangaroo / Karamba for Grasshopper - V-ray Render - Maxwell Render - Illustrator - Revit - Indesign - Lightroom
Yours Sincerely
Ted Quinton Principal
313/77 dunning ave rosebery nsw 2018 p. 02 9662 3500 quinton margalit smuskowitz architects pty ltd
nominated architect. Ted Quinton reg no 6880
5TH YEAR 1ST SEMESTER DESIGN PROJECT
TRIAXIAL PAVILION
Key Words: Digital Architecture, Complex Geometry, Intensified Spatial Experience Location: Central Park, Sydney Design Phase: Mar. 2014 - Jun. 2014 Project Director: Dagmar Reinhardt Project Tutor: Robert Benson Project Team: Lex (Hongkai) Yuan, Harry Hill & Max Hu
‘TriAxial Pavilion’ creates an intensified experience of light, sky and structure. The tri-axial plan generates 3 ‘pocket’ spaces which fold in from a larger, shaded gathering space. These ‘pockets’ create a sense of enclosure and serenity, whilst making the inhabitant more aware of the sky beyond. The doubly curved structure is comprised of singly-curved timber structural elements, joined as a thin waffle structure. Curved ply panels wrap the structure, a gap between the panels growing with the change in sectional curves allowing the panels to remain singly curved and easily buildable. These slices in the cladding add a dynamism when the structure is traversed, creating continually varying changes in the structure’s porosity.
CONCEPTIAL EXPERIMENTS: SPACEBOX Our initial experiments looked at tensional fabric models as a method of analogue form-finding, using works by Frei Otto as an initial starting point. An elastic fabric material was pulled into tension to produce a variety of spatial gestures, if a stiff material were to replace the tensional forms and placed under a load, a pure compression structure would be created. These first experiments served as a spring board that was later taken into the digital realm where these amorphous geometries could be rationalized and understood more fully.
Layered Spaces Labyrinth Tubes This model was concerned with how the qualities of space and light could be achieved through a fluid, continuous surface. This was became important driver in the entire design process. A stocking was tied around a series of rings, these rings were then pulled in different directions to influence the space within.
2 planar surfaces were fixed at different heights within the spacebox. These planes were then pulled into tension, meeting and intersecting at points with hard, circular rings pushing through the soft fabric. A large number of interesting and unique spaces were created, however the model was lacking a sense of cohesion and scale, it lacked the control to be able to proceed further.
Connecting Rings The ideas of the previous model were translated into this experiment, however the overall form was greatly simplified. A more simplified plan was created, with columns at the perimeter forming a larger space in the centre. These columns were then cut to form intimate interior spaces open to the light above. This basic idea of inhabitable column spaces continued through into the final design.
Geometric Blocks Geometric blocks were pushed against the fabric surface to create volumetric spaces. This created a visual tension between the fluid, amorphous textile surface and the hard geometric blocks.
DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
Primitive Mesh
Primitive Mesh
Plan
Plan
Plan
Elevation
Elevation
Elevation
Axo
Axo
Primitive Mesh
Primitive Mesh
Axo
‘Kangaroo’ Physics
‘Weaverbird’ Variations
Kangaroo Physics, a real physics simulator embedded in grasshopper, was used to try and recreate some of the analogue experiments in a digital realm. Primitive meshes were created, these were then pulled into tension, similar to what was done with the fabric modelling. A variety of interesting and dynamic spaces were created, these models also acting as pure tension/ compression models. This process was useful as a digital form-finding process, however, did not provide the level of control over the forms that we were seeking.
Our next series of digital experiments used sub-division modelling to produce the final geometries, utilizing Weaverbird’s cat-mull quark subdivision process. A primitive mesh was created parametrically, one ‘leg’ was created first. This ‘leg’ comprises of 3 diamond shapes, one at the ground, one in the middle, and one at the upper boundary, with the middle diamond being much smaller than the others. These diamonds are then connected by planar surfaces, this one leg is then polar arrayed to form the tri-axial plan. Weaverbird’s subdivision then creates a smooth, continuous surface which is able to be controlled fully by changing the initial parameters of the individual leg. This process finally gave us the design control over the form we had being striving to create since the initial spacebox experimentations.
Plan
Plan
Plan
Elevation
Elevation
Elevation
Axo
Axo
Axo
Brand X Brand X served as a useful, full-scale analogue experiment, developing our initial experiments into something constrained by material properties. Our ideas of continuous surfaces, pushed and pulled by rings was able to be thought out more clearly through the process of making. The ‘pocket’ spaces created by the rings invited interaction with those that attended the event. Inhabiting these small spaces became a way of engaging with the structure, a personal, intimate space was created without the need for visual privacy.
FORM STUDY MODELS The digital variations created were 3D printed to examine formal and spatial qualities produced to inform the next round of variations. The variations were refined according to scale, size, and structural efficiency to produce a final form for the pavilion structure.
1:100 Elevation B
1:100 Plan
1:100 Section B
1:100 Elevation A
1:100 Elevation C
1:100 Section A
1:100 Section C
CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
EXTRACTING STRUCTURE & SURFACE
1. Ply waffle structure cut from 2400 x 4800mm sheets
2. Then top and bottom 2 panels spliced together
3. Steel plate connection for 2 panels
SINGLY CURVED PANELS
4. 4 panels per leg, transported to site in individual pieces
To overcome the double curvature in the panelling, we allowed a gap to open up between each panel, allowing each panel to remain singly curved. The gap between panels increases as the change in sectional curvature increases. These gaps allow for a dynamism when traversing the structure, allowing glimpses into the spaces within the columns, and light to emerge from within. The openings decrease and increase depending on the users’ viewpoint, from some views the structure appears solid and heavy, while from other views appears light and delicate.
When planning how to build the structure created, our main concerns were; to provide a continuous surface, to retain the surface curvature, and to create a system that would not distract from the overall form. We wanted to avoid any planar panelling, which would diminish the curvature of the shape, and wanted to find a way of creating a doubly curved surface without the use of membranes or casting. We decided to make the pavilion out of ‘developable strips’, a series of singly curved panels that would wrap around the structure. Firstly, we quickly compared extracting horizontal and vertical strips. What we found was that with the horizontal strips, the curvature became segmented in the inhabitants’ eye-line, and we immediately favoured the vertical strips of cladding.
a
5. Panels spliced to create leg
6. 3 legs joined together with steel plate connection
7. Plywood pieces glued together to make vertical strips
b
c
d
8. Steps of modeling singly curved panels a. 2 curves b. First curve copied across c. Curves lofted d. Lofted Surface Trimmed
The vertical structural elements were extracted in a variety of ways to produce different variations in structure and cladding. The intention was to have the gaps between panelling to vary in a gradual process, to reduce any large jumps in the size of the gaps. Another consideration was the overall width of the panels which needed to be kept within 1200 to allow them to be cut from standard ply sheets.
Complete Axo
PRESENTATION MODEL 1:10 Construction Model
4TH YEAR 2ND SEMESTER DESIGN PROJECT
THE LIVELY INFILLS
Key Words: Medium-rise residential, Commerical, Retail Location: St Peters, Sydney Design Phase: Aug. 2013 - Nov. 2013 Project Director: Glen Hill & Michael Muir Project Tutor: Professor Glen Hill Project Team: Lex (Hongkai) Yuan & Max Hu Partnership: Ove Arup & Timber Development Association
In partnership with Ove Arup & Timber Development Association, ‘The Lively Infills’ explores the innovative use of timber in a complex medium-rise residential project. The project is suspended over railway cutting adjacent St Peters station – demonstrate the economic viability of timber structural solutions allowed by lightness absent from concrete or masonry. Since timber has a post-construction workability not found with concrete, masonry or steel, the programmatic focus of the project is on the critical issue of flexibility – the capacity to shrink or grow over time to suit the changing occupant needs. The project ultimately reveals possibilities for ecologically and economically innovative solutions to transform a railway corridor into residence close to public transport.
MAPPING: OVERALL CONTEXT
MAPPING: IMMEDIATE CONTEXT & PROGRAMMING
THE FOLDING PLANE The design strategy for this project is to combine a number of basic small ‘terraced housing’ units together with a folding outdoor amphitheatre like space. The amphitheatre space would serve as a great public space for the entire community. The geometry of ground floor folds according to the street level difference, maximizes ambiguous movement, at the same time creating small pocket spaces within the overall context including - resting steps, viewing platforms, cafe, shops, as well as an open space for weekend markets.
INFILLS LAYOUTS The apartments are initially provided as raw spaces for occupants to sub-divide and fit out themselves according to their needs. The rooms are organized as functionally neutral rooms that without label to fit the demands of various uses. Future long-term expansion can be achieved by building within the courtyard envelope. Each residential unit features a split-level design, that is orientated to optimize Northern aspect, and the open-ended volumes visually connect both the city view and the Sydney Park, at the same time creating cross ventilation. The double heighted level allows deeper sunlight penetration; therefore, each individual unit receives maximum sunlight throughout the daytime in winter.
THE LIVING INFILLS The infills are L-shaped apartments orientated towards both the Sydney CBD and Sydney park. The courtyard can be opened towards the internal space offering a more private and serene outdoor environment within each individual apartment. The design for the residential units is based on the concept of the ‘shared wall’. The division between each unit consists of a structural wall that works as an infrastructure where all the appliances, services and plug-ins are hidden until used, furthermore, each shared wall serves both units, this maximizes the amount of available free space in the room, at the same time reducing the material costs and the amount of services needed.
CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
STRUCTURE AS SPACE CLT (crossed laminated timber) is the main structural material utilized in this project. Load bearing walls are pre-fabricated off site, by bonding together timber boards (western red cedar) with structural adhesives to produce solid timber panels with each layer of the panel alternating between longitudinal and transverse lamellae. Alternating the grain directions of each layer of timber reduces the effects of shrinkage and swelling, also, load may be transferred in more than one direction. The structural walls are connected by means of horizontal timber slabs, these cross members – ‘the roofs’ form stiff frameworks that are extremely stable in their longitudinal direction, as a consequence, wind forces acting parallel to the walls do not produce large stresses.
North/East Section
MODELS
PRESENTATION AND WORKING MODEL Scales & materials various
3RD YEAR 2ND SEMESTER DESIGN PROJECT
STUDENT RESEARCH CENTRE BOONOO BOONOO NATION PARK
The concept for an education centre incorporates the environmental and technological content of Bald Rock National Park & Boonoo Boonoo National Park to aesthetically blend in with the surrounding environment. The project is developed through the sensibility and response to the magnificent site. Those responses are expressed and articulated in a tectonic sense. For example, the double roof system which is an expression of transparency idea. The steel grid envelope structure system is an expression of touching the ground lightly.
3RD YEAR 1ST SEMESTER DESIGN PROJECT
BONDI APARTMENTS
Project Name : Bondi Apartments Project Address: 40 Wairoa Avenue and 35 Hastings Parade, North Bondi. Project Zoning: 2(c1) Project FSR: 1:1 Site Size: Area of 737m2, with rectangular dimensions of 18.2 x 40.5 m. In essence, the building concept for a coupled apartment and restaurant incorporates the lifestyle and cultural complex of Bondi to aesthetically blend in with the surrounding environment. The apartment complex is designed efficiently, offering luxurious yet comfortable living. This has been achieved through an integration of the natural aspects of design in the vegetation and pond features, creating a sense of peace and serenity. The apartment utilises free-flow planning to acquire sound connections between spaces. The use of materials such as timber and white concrete gives the building a lightness feeling. The restaurant is deliberately placed to provide a sense of openness and sociable environment that is highly connected with the street and surrounding landscape.
OTHER WORKS
BONDI WALL
INSIDE WORLD
USYD Urban Master Studio, Semester 1, 2013 Type: Pavilion Location: Bondi Beach, Sydney Compitition entry for Sculpture By the Sea
UNSW Architecture Communication, Semester 2 Year 1, 2009
The design of the Bondi Wall has attempted to mark as a beginning journey to the event. It has aimed to establish a strong connection between humans and nature and it has embraced the relationship between architecture and art. On such a magnificent site, the ocean outlook is the ultimate attraction. As the crowd moves along this entryway, the power of framing the view on site allows people to experience the site in a more reflective way. There are slits in the wall, narrow and refined, cut through the thickness of the wall. As a person walks passed, at one spot, where his position is lined up with the slit in the wall, for an instant, he can see the ocean. People will see a glimpse of the landscape as they come up to the slits or pass them, where more of the landscape can be taken in. It presents as the beginning of a journey and gives a sneak peek of what’s waiting for them later. By doing that, the whole site becomes more interactive, where people can step off the walkway and view out from different frames of reference. The catalogue window framed at the end completes this beginning journey.
3D SMOKE UNSW Experimental Modeling, Semester 1 Year 2, 2010 Type: 3D Modeling
Smoke is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires, but it is the theme for this assignment, because I found that the dramatic forms that smoke creates are unpredictable and surprising. Smokes are almost nothing, they created and disappeared. They change their form of beauty all the time, sometimes light layers and sometimes heavy layers. The curvy and surrounding features are the key ideas I was using in my transformed model. During my research stage, I found out that there is no sharpness to smoke, they always found curvy and floated so freely and smooth in the air. The idea of surrounding is taken from the nature form of smoke as well. There is always a centre or say a “heart” space that created the smoke. Smokes spread out from the “heart” and then have the ability to create different forms around the “heart”. Hence, the heart can be understood as a negative space.
This was a conceptual design project that experimented with individual activities within a closed inside world. The conceptual world was created by 16 cubes connected to each other and with closable openings. Fragments as individuals could have all sorts of methods to travel from one cube to another through every opening. The model was then photographed to highlight light and shadows. It dramatically transformed this idea into a piece of architecture. The conclusion of this experiment was that architecture is something that is powerful enough to change the way people live and architecture has become a part of nature that forms our world.