MAYA TAKAI
Selected Works 2019-2022
Materializing the abstraction.
I believe that the initial instinct of design intensions must be valued when it comes to architectural development. It is essentially the cumulative of my experiences, principles, the aesthetic sense, the subjective. The subjectivity is what frames my conceptual theory towards architecture, which cumulatively responds to client’s charge, environment, and building types, The ultimate goal as an architectural designer, is to convert the subjective into objective.
Through my academic years, I have focused on enhancing my repertoire of “design ideas“ , to provide and convince the needs of society. This portfolio is intended to display the exploration of my development in conceptual theory towards architecture, through my academic projects and extracurricular works.
Pin-ups
CHARRETTES
COLLEGE OF DESIGN RESEARCH CENTER
SPATIOTEMPORAL MODELING OF COVID-19
SHAPE GRAMMAR
ATLANTA WELLNESS RETREAT
WEST END AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
ATLANTA BELTLINE ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
G0THIC FIGURATION AND DEEP DECORATION
ICELAND MOVIE PAVILION
4 6 14 16 18 26 34 38 46 48
“High
Part 1 :
Postcards
from the future.
The postcards evoke “scenes” from the upcoming project, a proposal for the College of Design at Georgia Tech. These postcards were done prior to the start of design.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology 4th Year Studio
Instructor: Sabir Khan
Individual
2. 5. 1.
3. 4.
Images retrived from Georgia Tech Digital Archive
1. Hinman Research Building 1951
2. ERA 1101 Computer Rich Electronic Computer Center 1954
3. Rich Electronic Computer Center Groundbreaking 1954
4. Georgia Tech Network Calculator Laboratory 1950
5. Rich Electronic Computer Center Groundbreaking 1954
Part 2 :
The Rich Computer Center building (1971) occupies a prominent location on campus, down the hill from Hinman and across 4th St from Architecture East. Yet it has remained “hidden in plain view” since the 1970s. Now that the computers it housed have been relocated, many actors on campus have their eyes on this piece of prime real estate. The design brief asks to propose strategies for expanding the College of Design facilities at this site.
College of Design Research Center will provide a space to enhance and display the frontier research conducted by five schools of College of Design. The proposal provides various sized volumes for laboratories within the existing cascade from Hinman Research Building to New Rich Computer Building, while the architectural form is organized to follow the slope topography. The combinatory labs may shift the pedagogical focal point to research-based curriculum, as well as providing students with the experience to learn from the functional operating building.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology
4th Year Studio
Instructor: Sabir Khan
Individual
Tech Sister”
Georgia Tech’s Hinman Research Building was originally designed in 1939 as a facility for helicopter development. In 2008, the College of Design asked Historic Preservation studio, NADAA to reconfiure as a graduate architecture studio space.
Membrane form is explored through this study model. The strings are temporary fixed to the nodes, allowing for pull effect of the strings in analyzing form and tensil composition.
1. Ventilation Opening 2. Rain Water Collectioon System 3. Ventilation Louvers 4. Perforation of Existing Brick Wall 5. Elevated Structure 6. Large Equipment Labs 7. Small Labs 4.
The proposal focuses on natural system, allowing environmetal perforance central. This strategic foci will pedagogically enhance research curriculum on environmental performance for SoA to explore. Studies on natural ventilation and thermal comfort is continued in the next two projects.
FALL 2021 - 2022
Window design impact on indoor natural ventilation: CFD modeling to reduce COVID-19.
Scenario_1 Cross Ventilation
Scenario_2, Adjacent Sidees Ventilatiion
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that current ventilation design standards for most buildings may be insufficient to reduce the airborne concentrations and reduce the overall viral dose to occupants. As such, we simulated the effect of window arrangements and window types to control the natural ventilation, to impact the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles inside the building.
Scenario_3, Single-Sided Ventilation
After our research, it was deemed that spread of viral particles are affected by indoor airflow vector, caused by 1) ratio of inlet and outlet windows, 2) location of outlet relative to air circulation, 3) initial speed of inlet wind controlled by window type, and 4) initial direction of inlet wind relative to indoor air circulation.
Research Georgia Institute of Technology Vertically Integrated Project Parter/Sponsor: GTRI Perkins and Will
Team Leader, First Author
Natural ventilation study on the College of Design Research Center, Fall 2022 studio project.
Wind Analysis of Atlanta, GA
From “Mass to Air“
4. Inlet
3.
1. Inlet / Perforated Brick Wall 2. Elevated Structure 3. Louvers 4. Outlet 1. 2.
Flowrate in purely wind-driven ventilation
CFD analyis were done with grasshopper script and butterfly plug-in. The simulation produced quantitative data, of 1) COVID-19 particle room exposure ratio, and 2) number of agents exposed in a set time frame. The full experiment results are summarized here.
https://www.spatiotemporalmodelingofcovid19naturalventilation.com/
Exploration of preforated brick wall design, using shape grammar machine. The script is written with Drawscript+ program, producing variety of iteration on formalism coding.
The study also focuses on the environmental performance of the building, specifically on the effect of perforated brick facade on natural systems. The effect of opening arrangements to control natural ventilation is simulatied using CFD.
This study is part of a larger study of my studio project, which proposes an unconditioned structure for a research center in the site of the Rich Computer Center Building (1971), as a proposal for the College of Design expansion.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology
Shape Grammar Instructor: Athanassios Economou Individual
Ice-Ray Skeumorphic Variation Study
Type 1 : Isometric Ice-ray Machine
Type 2 : Rod Machine
Type 1 Machine is inspired by the Ice-ray grammar. It is modified in a dynamic way, in that the brick which is a 3D object is considered as a 2D isometric drawing. The machine operates based on added joint configuration of the bricks. Each iteration determines the new system for the next brick in x-y direction.
The ruin of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War, is located at Sweetwater Creek State Park, Georgia. Since then, the foliage has taken over the abandoned site, as it has become a significant landmark of the hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River.
In this site, a welnesss retreat is proposed, including baths, sauna and accomodation. Light structure emphasizing the trees are now taking over the site, while the heaviness of the brick ruins express the history that essentially sits on the site. The tensil force of verticality represents the abstraction of the gravity, which is defined throughout the project.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology
2nd Year Studio
Instructor: Julie Kim
Individual
of Gravity
Study Model, Foliage Taking Over
The trees; as it pushes the ground with its roots but also reaches up to the sky, creates a tensil force of verticality that represents the abstraction of gravity. The project allows visitors to realize and feel their own bodyweight in contrast to the architectural spaces, creating a poetic-like atmosphere as one spend their weekends at Sweetwater Creek, just outside of Atlanta.
WEST END AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT
Peeples St Development is a proposal for an affordable housing complex on the former site of a public school in West End, Atlanta. It includes one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom units for fresh graduate, single-family, families of various sizes, as well as an open public space for mixed use.
The open space allows for a public concert, after-school program, and a space for flea market/bazaar on weekends where small locally owned business can sell their handmade products. The mixed-use space can provide a space to help local program/ business run and be successful on its own.
SPRING 2022 -
Academic Project Georgia Institute of Technology 3rd Year Studio
Instructor: Ryan Roark
Individual
Residentials across Peeples St SW
Precedent Study
Interpretation of Brunswick Centre London, Patrick Hodgkinson, 1972 Molded with rockite cement
Type 1_apt. B
b.
Type 1_apt. A a.
a.
Each unit acts as an individual housing component rather than apartment units. They are composed of two floors with a double height living room that is open to the sky. The open living room can be covered, creating a flexible use for the space, in addition to the protection from rain.
Collage with Precedent Study
-La Muralla Roja, 1968 by Ricardo Bofill -Enrico Fermi School, 2019 by BDR bureau
The enclosed “exterior” living room can provide a sense of unity with nature within a busy city of Atlanta. The separated rooms between two floors allows for a more privacy within household, furthermore, provides a vertical circulation which allows for an enlarged feeling of the space as one would move throughout the building units.
The Beltline Musicans Colletive is located on at the intersection of the Atlanta Beltline and North Highland Avenue that simultaneously comprise both a bridge and a portal. This unique / complex topography allows for a three-dimentional challenges that enhances its characteristics. The breif of the building includes music production and performance, an artist-in-residence, and café.
The project is developed through exploration of different artistic medias; music, art, dance, and architecture, to encounter and reflect each other.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology
3rd Year Studio
Instructor: George B. Johnston
Individual Project
As the Atlanta beltline proposes a new light rail project, the facade perpendicular to the beltline resembles the old Atlanta Union Station, which was unfortunately demolished in 1971.
Iron Column on Beltline
Phil Proctor, Installed in 2014
Corinthian column weighing over 13 tons, this 23-foot tall iron sculpture was created entirely out of historical railroad artifacts. The column represents Atlanta’s architectural and railroad history. The structure also recalls the Corinthian columns on the façade of the former Union Station, the city’s main railroad station, demolished in 1972.
Collage with Étienne-Louis Boullée, Visonary Works
This project is developed through research and design, specifically working on the problem of decoration, which has been banned from architecture since the early 1900s. (“Ornament and Crime“ - Adolf Loos) With decoration generally being viewed in direct opposition to depth, the project focuses on how it can charge the atmosphere and space itself.
The project is divided into two parts. First being the research phase of figuration and configuration, where the C, J, S-figures are extracted and analyzed from Gothic Tracery. Then, the design phase focused on proposal for a newcomers club in the site of Chicago, to help immigrants be better acquainted with the chicago community.
Academic Project
Georgia Institute of Technology 2nd Year Studio
Instructor: Lars Spuybroek
Partner Project with Kayla Rinoski
1. Beauvais Cathedral, France, 13th C
2. Amiens Cathedral, France, 13th C.
3. Bordeaux Cathedral, France, 14th C 4. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, 14th C. 5. Strasbourg Cathedral, France, 13th C. 6. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, 14th C. 7. Church of St Peter and St Paul, England, 14th C 8. Canterbury Cathedral, England, 12th C. 9. Exeter Cathedral, England, 13th C. 10 Meaux Cathedral, France, 13th C
Figuring
Symmetrical Asymmetrical Deep Undeep
C-Figure
J-Figure S-Figure
Machine 2
Machine 3
Machine 4
The eight-storey building is proposed in the corner site of Chicago, developed from C-figure “sheets“ created with Machine 4. The density of configuration determines the circulation paths within the structure. Ornament, decoration, charges the space: it does not wrap it, rather, ornament permeates space.
“Ornament and Crime“ -Adolf Loos
Node Diagram
6. RESIDENTIAL FUNCTIONS 2800 SF Guestrooms, (6 @ 300 sf ea.) 1800 sf Guest Suites, (2 @ 500 sf ea.) 1000 sf
5. WELLNESS FUNCTIONS 4000 SF Locker Rooms, (2 @ 400 sf ea.) 800 sf Fitness Room, 800 sf Urban Garden, 1200 sf Counseling Center, 1200 sf
4. MEDIA | INTERACTIVE FUNCTIONS 3600 SF Reading Room, 900 sf Interactive Rooms ,(4 @ 150 sf ea.) 600 sf Gallery, 600 sf Auditorium Multi-media Space 1500 sf
3. DINING | ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTIONS 4250 SF Expresso Kiosks, (6 @ 75 sf ea.) 450 sf Lounge/Bar, 1200 sf Café Restaurant, 1200 sf Kitchen/Laundry Area, 600 sf Staff Lounge, 200 sf Staff Lockers, 600 sf
2. SERVICE | CORE AREAS 2700 SF Mechanical | Electrical Room, 400 sf Tel | Data Closet, (@50 SF/level) Custodial (@ 50 SF/level) Service | Loading area, 300 sf
1. RECEPTION | ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS 1580 SF Lobby Wait Area, 600 sf Reception, 200 sf Coat Room/Storage,180 sf Administration Zone, 600 sf
Chicago has one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the country. The Newcomers Club will provide each member with opportunities to become better acquainted with the community.
“Worm’s Eye Perspective into Slots”
Precedent: Sportbars, 1997, LTL Architects
Instead of simply wrapping the large volume with the sheets as if the are merely facades, they are multipled throughout the volume. The density of patterns create flexibility within spaces, allowing for programs to successfully adapt, as well as creating pathway within.
The nodes of “apple“ configuration patterns are thoroughly considered as it will become the structural nodes for beams.
The Iceland Movie Pavilion competition asks for a place to introduce visitors to Icelandic cinema, as well as to offer fans a place to gather and share their passion for film. The concept is developed with the idea of camera obscura, the view towards the volcanic mountains (real) is reflected to the cinematic screen. (artificial) Small gallery space with a bar to cater guests are included in the center of the paviliion.
A. B.
Buildner Architecture Competition Team Project with Alex Zhang, Linna Xia Role: Representation, Concept Development
The next 4 pages showcase selected series of projects and conceptual proposals for my hometown Mashiki, Kumamoto which was severely affected by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake disaster. As the Mashiki will go through town redevelopment for the upcoming years, this proposal will visualize the future townscape of Mashiki.
Individual Proposal Projects
Kiyama Shrine
Bunka Kaikan
Rebuilding a home for my family with BROCK architecture firm in Kumamoto Japan. The significant contribution I’ve made is the plan proposal, which recreates the atmosphere and circulation paths of our “old house“ built in mid Showa-era, in a cost-efficient and modern way. This project was built in 2019, and currently working on our exterior landscape design.
Built Project, 2019
Residential Architects: BROCK architecture firm Contribution: Plan Proposal Material Selection Study Models Post-Representation
Precedent Study
La Muralla Roja, Alicante, Spain Ricardo Bofill, 1973
“Danchi”, 団地 is a Japanese public housing complex provided by government authorities. Although danchi were the symbol of Japanese modernism in the 1950s-1970s, now the danchi serves as a lonely and sterile places, where neighbors rarely bothered to communicate with each other. This residential project will propose a new style of prefabricated housing complex, by experimenting with form composition to create intertwined courtyards within.
Sibling 1
This project was initially designed for Mason Building courtyard on Georgia Tech Campus. As I found similarity in the site environment, the study carrel prototype is now placed in the unused park within the public housing complex in Mashiki, Kumamoto. The addition will create a quiet workspace for young adults outside.
A.M. Desk Light
P.M. Desk Light Summer Wind
Kumamoto Proposal Project / Academic Project Georgia Institute of Technology 1st Year Studio
Instructor: Michelle rinehart
Individual
Thank you. Maya Takai
Georgia Institute of Technology Birthdate 12/05/2000
Application Portfolio for M.Arch 1
