06. Grace Peck Terrace Renovation
First Interstate Center for the Art was originally design for the The Expo ‘74 in Spokane, WA by WMFL, the former company of Integrus Architecture.
Most of the interior finish, mechanical & systems were intact as the original condition.
This 22 million-dollars project aimed to revitalize one the most prominent symbols in Downtown of Spokane.
The focus of this renovation included Lobby, Rehearsal Room, curtain walls and roofs.
I was a project architect for this project from SD to CA.
I was in charge of most of the drawing production, presentation, code compliances, also worked for CA & consultant coordination.
07. O-Dome
- Published in SHINKENCHIKU May 2010, - Published in Architekton, June 2010, Frame#76, September 2011,
This project was a work with the students who belonged to Masahiro Harada laboratory at SIT. I contributed to the overall process, design, presentation and construction. The round shaped sheets of plywood, which are 1.6 mm thick, compose the O-Dome. Because of this simple method, anyone can construct and dismantle it easily and quickly (it takes less than five minutes to dismantle).
The round shaped sheets of plywood, which are 1.6 mm thick, compose the O-Dome. The shape of each component is similar to a paper cup which does not have a top or bottom. This is the reason why the whole shape becomes a dome. Each component is soft, and becomes slim at the bottom. This allows each component to fix itself to be a part of the architecture. The clamp connects each component. Because of this simple method, anyone can construct and dismantle it easily and quickly (it takes less than five minutes to dismantle). In addition, the paper cup shape of each component makes stacking possible. Thus, it is easy to carry each component.
08. Phoenix Artists’ Condo Proposal
The comeptition required from 8 to 18 units for the artists to stay and create their art works. The gallery space was also the must.
Because the site is located at low crime rate area, I have designed the condos with a lot of open space which interconnects both outer and inner yards. The puropose of this design was to expedite the artists to communicate each other.
Design Diagram / Isometric
The inspiration for the design also stems from the work of Donald Judd. He left minimal boxes of concrete structures which have no title. The form of his work is exactly the same form as (a). Bending the form of (a) by 90 degrees, form of (b) was created. Furthermore, (c) was generated by uplifting one edge of the box figure so it can reach to the second floor level. (d) is the mix of (b) and (c); 90 degrees bent and one side lifting.
The principle of this design is extremely primitive; the air warmed up inside of the housings keep going up into upper space and coming out from the windows at the top
Simulation of wind flow in an Ordinary House
The principle of this design is extremely primitive; the air warmed up inside of the housings keeps moving into the upper space and comes out from the windows at the top floors. Consequently, air comes into the inner space from the entrance at the first floor as wind.
This housings' design utilizes this primitive fundamental for energy efficiency. Thus, there are less burden on the environment. Since the climate in Phoenix is hot in summer, and relatively warmer than other states in winter, the design concept is mainly focused on summer.
Energy Sustainability
This apartments’ design is a primitive idea for environmental sustainability. Our technology enables us to use solar, geothermal, and water energy. I have focused on the wind, but not the making of energy from wind power. Wind comes into the inner space from the entrance, and goes out of the opposite side of the “tube”. I do not propose using solar panels because making and abandoning the solar panel will contaminate the environment the same as other technologies. Our society today greatly depends on technology, but this is the time to think of nature again.
Scale; 1 / 750
Design Concept
I proposed this project not only to satisfy the necessity of the multi-family housing, but also to design the sustainable space of Phoenix. For improving the residents’ environment, the plan has semi-open space in the inner yard to be a community space. This semi-open inner yard gradually connects its own space with the exterior space so that these apartments will not be a massive space-consuming building, which would overwhelm the neighborhood. Because the site is at the low crime area in the surburb of Phoenix, the design does not intend to create a closed community. After conducting a survey of the area in Phoenix, I found few spaces for multi-family apartments. Most apartments are meant for single-families. Thus, I have paid attention to the point that the apartments will be neighbor-friendly, and appreciated by surrounding neighbors.
Donald Judd, a history-making minimal artist, left the cutting-edge masterpiece. Judd left the unnamed work – simply lined-up rectangular concrete boxes with void – in concrete. This work became the basic idea of my plan. See design diagram to the left.
Bird View from South - West
Consideration of the meaning of designing an apartment in the area, the design should create the comfortable space for every renter. At the same time, I meant for the design of the apartment should produce a meaningful place to live together.
View from North - East Corner
Courtyard
Plan and Construction
As the "Design Diagram / Isometric" on page 7 shows, there are only four types of the basic forms of the walls. This is meant for lowering the budget, and expediting the procedure of the construction and material assembly. However, nevertheless, the space made by the simple principle of the design doesn't produce a monotonous space, but a complicated and enriched space.
1st Floor
2nd Floor
3rd Floor
09. Creminas Fortress Conversion Proposal
This design was submitted as a competition idea for the renovation project of the Fortress of Cresmina in Cascais, Portugal.
The fortress has a hexagonal shape with stone walls as the boundary.
Half of the outer walls still remained, but the other parts were in ruin.
I have proposed an idea to convert the fortress into an art center.
All of the remaining walls had to be preserved (transferring the walls was prohibited).
During the 17th and 18th centuries, in order to strengthen the defense of the Tagus bar, nine fortifications and batteries protected the approach to Lisbon, the Tagus bar and the Lisbon harbor. Its main objective was the quartering of small garrisons that hindered the landing of enemy forces, while alarming the reinforced critical points in the defense of Lisbon. The Fortress of Cresmina is an example of military architecture, isolated, on a rocky point of a cliff, on the southern edge of the Cresmina beach. It was one of the fortresses for strengthening the coastline of defense, each located in the most strategic areas. From 1795 the Fortress of Cresmina began to lose its military significance and was disabled in the nineteenth century when the artillery was removed and the fortress was abandoned. The Fortress of Cresmina has a polygonal plan with six sides of different dimensions. The quarter and powder storehouse were located at the rear. Access was made through a single door and there are still traces of two small rectangular spaces and the pavement slabs are still visible. Currently vacant, the Fortress of Cresmina is in advanced state of ruin.
Since the fortress has a hexagonal form in its plan, the design was meant to enhance the space the fortress originally had. To do so, the hexagonal form had to be maintained for the renovation. By planning the center column at the barycenter of the hexagon, the large cantilevered roofs could cover all rooms without any columns except the corners. Furthermore, extra attention was paid to keeping the atmosphere of the ruins. Consequently, the height of the new design had to be a similar level to the existing walls. The texture of the exposed concrete walls was chosen as the finish so the new construction could match the old stone walls.
View from East; Entrance
The gallery space and the l obby are planned to be used for exhibitions. Since artists will be invited to stay here and create their artwork, their art work will be also exhibited in those space.
View from West; Art Gallery and Work Shop Space
A - A' Section; Art Gallery, Cafe, Reception and Restroom (1F; from left to right)
Lecture / Performance Hall (B1F)
In Artist Pavilion, the invited artists will stay here for months and create their art works. Exhibitions for them will also be held in the gallery space.
Artist
10. Sketch & Hand Rendering
Interior Drawing:
Copic Marker + Color Pencil + Photoshop
Korekiyo Takahashi House, Tokyo, Japan: Black Pen + Water Colors
11. Parklet
I have been a member of YES (You Experience Studio), Spokane since 2016. I was involved in five parklet projects installed on the streets of Spokane. My role included design, presentation, construction and legal advice as a concultant. We aimed to open the car-dominating cityscape of the Downtown.
Pilot Projectin Front of
Orlison Brweing, 2017
First Pilot Projectin front of Madeleine’s Café & Patisserie
First Pilotin
The history of the parklets in Spokane started here - we have also educated people in Garland Street Fair by exhibiting the same parklet. This also persuaded the City to pass the bill to allow people to build and install parklet on the public roads in Spokane.
The of the parklets in Spokane started here - we have also educated in Garland Street Fair exhibiting the same to pass the bill to allow to build and install on the roads in Spokane.
