Space. Identity. Growth. V i e t
T h a n h
N g u y e n
2 0 1 2 – 2 0 1 5
Contents
Urban design portfolio YIW LLP, Shrewsbury University of Sheffield - Department of Town and Regional Planning
London Road
Church Road
Ho Chi Minh City Council
The Moorfoot
‘Beyond the Grotesque’
Cultural Industry Quarter
Devonshire Green
Castle Square
Statement of Intent
I have always been fascinated about cities and the stories they convey. When I was in high school, I could spend hours reading the enchanting development masterplans, then picture the changes that would occur. However, not until I started my first degree of social sciences in Japan did I realise that those impressive illustrations of motorways and skyscrapers hid more complicated issues that were not always as beautiful as their appearance. In the third year of college, I became determined that my questions about cities and our future needed to be taken more seriously, but it still took me another five years to progress to a second degree in urban planning and design in England. During those five years, I translated an architectural book, became a permanent contributor for an urban planning blog and a journal, and expanded my professional network. I became more intellectually and skilfully secure. In 2013, I graduated from the Master of Urban Design and Planning programme at the University of Sheffield with Merit. My achievement since then is to be accepted in a one-year internship programme, which I have been doing in the past ten months. I have not been involved only in design aspects but also in the preparation of planning application suite, attending meetings and public presentations. I have realised that a city is, to some extent, similar to a human being, in a sense that our development is quite often a complex process to understand and maintain our identity, and at the same time, to cope with changes and bravely move forward. And, this process exists among numerous concerns and inter-related forces, by which its complication fascinates me just as much as it challenges me. Many statements about urban planning convey its different aspects, but a phrase by Bent Flyvbjerg properly depicts the complication of urban planning: “We will always be situated in a specific context. When there is ‘we’ there is also usually a ‘they’. What is a ‘gain’ and a ‘loss’ often depends on the perspective taken, and in zero-sum games one person’s gain may be another’s loss”.
Meanwhile, the Six Senses resort where I worked as a butler during my gap year in 2010 taught me an inspiring philosophy: when your senses of sound, sight, touch, smell and taste are nurtured, they are transcended to a unique experience of place and time, the sixth sense. I, equally, have found a satisfaction in such complication of urban planning and design practices. I have always wanted a type of work that inspires me to walk down the streets, look at the buildings and move in them from different views and angles, pay attention to spatial elements that I might otherwise overlook, communicate with the people and participate in the street activities. Each project is a new exploration, a different attempt to “sense” the space in perspectives of “we” and “they”, and tell its stories in the language of planning and design. I believe that new developments can exist in harmony with historical fabrics; this is where creativity comes in to enhance the townscape. During my internship I have experienced contextual design for the project in Redditch, and in Kirton I could integrate sustainable urban drainage systems in the layout. My interests also include public space, urban conservation and home zone design, which I truly look forward to experiencing further in upcoming projects.
London Road Kirton, Lincolnshire
2015 YIW LLP
Professional Project Outline Planning Application Erection of 104 housing units on a 4ha brownfield site. The scheme offers low density settings with large gardens and parks. Features of the scheme also include a balancing pond and under-drained swales for the site is located in the Flood Zone 3 area. The design was presented in a Public Consultation in March 2015 and received positive feedbacks from the respondents.
Balconies for better view to Kirton Drain Existing mound to be exploited for gardens Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Access to Kirton Drain and Woodside Road Existing grown trees to be retained and integrated in new landscapes
Access to public footpath
•Bends as traffic calming measures •View to church
Detached units providing opportunities for bungalows as local dwelling type
Balancing pond and swales Shared space and higher density for lower priced units
Gateway units at site access to create a welcome and consistent frontage on London Road
View to Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
Park view
Pond view
Church Road Redditch, Worcestershire
2015 YIW LLP
Professional Project Detailed Planning Application Erection of 27 apartments with a 17 space undercroft car park and bike storage on the ground floor on the site of a vacated nightclub. The elevation takes many references from the surroundings: the use of brickwork and vertical openings with a stress of large outset windows. Windows on the second floor are angled for better views towards the town centre.
Horizontal stripes and ventilation splits help focus street views towards the adjacent historic building, together with large openings at the lobby they create a welcome atmosphere on street level
Rear elevation featuring balconies
Units on the second and third floors enjoy wider views through large glazes
Ho Chi Minh City Council Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Architectural Research Centre 2014
Professional Project Design Brief I was commissioned to compose a brief for a design competition regenerate of the block of the City Council.
Historical context appraisal took much of the effort because available references were scarce. The next challenge was to review and consolidate various planning policies and guidance to provide a clear indication and, at the same time, be flexible enough for creativity.
The Moorfoot Sheffield, South Yorksire
Integrated Project Spring 2013 Des Dally
Academic Individual Project Urban Design Scheme This scheme is in fact the continuation of the Area Action Plan for the site next to the Moorfoot building. According to the Financial Appraisal component, the profit of my scheme was 24.20%.
1. Existing pedestrian paths, Moorfoot building and position of historic Ellin Street
4. Re-establish route of Ellin Street to create new link to train station Move some bus stops to this street
2. Retain existing greenery
5. Expand and create new public spaces
7. Adjust masses and forms Set-backs imitate the form of the Moorfoot building and make new buildings less visually overwhelming
3. Open new view to St. Mary’s Church from major pedestrian route
6. Create landmark to exploit view from Eyre Street
Expansion of public spaces
‘Beyond the Grotesque’ Sheffield, South Yorksire
Reflections on Urban Design Practices Spring 2013 Cristina Cerulli
Academic Group Project Narrating a story of urban design through film making http://youtu.be/5ZfQB2QiV1E This film depicts the conflicting impressions of the interiors and exteriors of the buildings in Smithfield-Snow Lane area, which developers and planners might have overlooked in the decision making process. We used many colour manipulation effects to create an abstract and eerie impression of the exteriors.
Cultural Industry Quarter Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Integrated Project Spring 2013 Malcolm Tait
Academic Group Project Area Action Plan This was one of the three components of the Integrated Project, in which the others were Urban Design Scheme and Financial Appraisal. The study area is characterised by the arts and media industry with a young and dynamic population. We conducted a thorough and comprehensive analysis then proposed a visionary plan with consideration for temporary interventions.
Urban morphology
Vehicular paths and nodes
Building heights
Views and Vistas
Land use
Vegetation and watercourses
Comprehensive presentation of area analysis
Visions for the Area Action Plan
Devonshire Green Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Principles of Urban Design Fall 2012 Alex Greenbank
Academic Group Project Urban Tissue Study This study involved analysing morphological and dimensional characteristics of the largest park area in the city centre, whose major functions are retailing and student accommodation. We then proposed a building at one corner of the park, where the ground floor is for cafĂŠ/restaurants and the upper floor is for a sport centre. We also created a safe space for children and elderly people to attract more diverse park users.
1 m contour lines shows the terrain of the area
Devonshire Street
Listed building: Former Wharncliffe Fireclay Works
Vegetation as a uniting element, connecting West Street and Devonshire Green Park Windows make buildings functions apparent and friendly to pedestrians; larger glass windows for shops and café Setbacks with alternative use of bricks and white paint create a rhythm for the facade
Wellington Street
Choice of bricks respects the city’s industrial heritage. Limited façade materials increase coherence and unity
1. Follow perimeter block to create street enclosure with existing buildings and expand the park area
4. Create unity of the building form and enhance walking environments by adding a glass roof with steel frames
2. More access to and from the park
5. Expand greenery with green roofs. Façade materials should be bricks, white paint and glass, which are characteristics of buildings in the area
3. Add details to the façade by making setbacks, taking after the surrounding buildings
6. Create a playground for children where they can be looked after by parents in the café. The steps leading to the skate park soften the edge, create more accessibility and also work as a sitting place.
Castle Square Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Principles of Urban Design Fall 2012 Alex Greenbank
Academic Individual Project Public Space Survey and Design My approach for this project was to improve lighting of the area and create a proper shelter against weather conditions with reference to the history of the square.
The square is an important transportation hub where major bus and tram lines run through in the city centre
Most sounds and smells in the area are negative, which come from vehicular engines at traffic lights where cars stop and restart
The presence of sunlight affects the quality of building frontages; unlit high buildings appear to be dull and unattractive
Unnecessary lighting and clutter of light poles creates a less attractive environment for pedestrians
LED panels provide a dynamic and flexible source of lighting which make unlit facades more visually attractive; an alternative is to renovate buildings with contemporary materials such as steel and glass
Install a public art statue as an attraction of the square
‘The Hole in the Road’, underground shops and pedestrian paths at Castle Square, was demolished in 1994
Install a steel and glass structure for a larger shelter for tram riders; inspiration for the hemispherical shape comes from the historical ‘Hole in the Road’
Thank you!
Viet Thanh Nguyen vietnguyen.hcmc@gmail.com