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U R B A N D E S I G N A R C H I T E C T U R E PORTFOLIO by Ngo Nguyen Minh
2 | Academic Projects
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NGÔ NGUYÊN MINH
Urban Designer/ Architect My name is Minh. I’m a graduated architect from KU Leuven (Belgium). I used to work as a junior architect in a Vietnamese architecture design firm, specialist in urban design and mixed-use projects. I was inspired by the principle of “Form follows function” which my proposals are grounded on and designed based on their intended purposes. In addition, I’m open for knowledge and opinions in discussion and teamwork.
PERSONAL INFO D.O.B 07/11/94 Nationality Vietnamese Relationship Single
CONTACT Mobile +84379687168 Email mindo.kts@gmail.com Address 81/23 Ho Van Hue, Phu Nhuan Dist., Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
EDUCATION 2012-2015 Bachelor of Urban Design, HCMU of Arch, Vietnam [associated program] 2015-2016 Bachelor of Architecture, KU Leuven, Belgium [graduated with Cum laude] 2017-2019 Master of Architecture, KU Leuven, Belgium [graduated with Magna cum laude]
SKILLS AutoCAD Advanced in drawing models, exporting architectural drawings and managing multiple drawing files and linkages SketchUp Advanced in building up architectural concept model, urban context and managing mutiple 3D drawings. Adobe Photoshop Proficient skill in finishing architectural drawings and retouching image. Adobe Indesign Proficient skill in arranging and laying out to deliver digital or physical presentations, posters, and booklets. MS Office Upper intermediate in using Word and Excel. Languages Native speaking Vietnamese and proficient in English.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000226118381 https://www.instagram.com/ nguyenminh0711/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ nguyen-minh-ngo-6b960811b/
EXPERIENCE 2016-2017 Former architect at MIA Design Studio, Vietnam
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CONTENT
Urban Reforestation [housing typology project]
6
Antwerp New South Forest [redesigning strategic vacant landscape project]
11
The future Ca Mau city edge redefinition [bachelor dissertation project]
23
Future Foreshore Cell [the 2040 vision of Cape Town, South Africa project]
36
Sisophon, Cambodia [resilient urban development against the backdrop of large-scale transitions]
44
Remediating Chicago Riverscape [master dissertation project]
60
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6 | Academic Projects
URBAN REFORESTRAION | housing typology project |
The urban design studio focuses on the development of a concrete strategy and of aspatial model for the development of a sizable urban fabric. It intends to develop a dwelling tissue with qualitative housing typologies and accompanying public space, taffic system, parking accommodation, etc. on a specific site (approximately 20 ha). The design exercise is based on the development of a proper spatial logic (that can not be deduced from the context as such). At the same time the newly developed urban fabric has to be integrated in its urban/spatial context, which requires an intensive sensitive reading and interpretation of the existing surroundings. The studio requires the student to argue which type of residential environment/urban fabric would form a meaningful complement to the building stock of the studied city. This residential settlement, which forms the bulk of the programme, has to be complemented by the necessary amenities in order to constitute a qualitative residential environment.The time horizon for the development is the medium term. The spatial structure should therefore be conceived in a manner in which it can evolve over time. The first phase of the overall plan should be worked out in detail (including the design of the public space, the choice of materials, etc.) The urban design studio is organised as a classic design studio. Students will work in both groups and individually.
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single unit
masterplan with units combination
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Location And Existing Conditions
ho chi minh city
district 8
study site
second floor plan
section AA’
Individual Unit Proposal
first floor plan
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type 2
type 3
Units Combining Concept
open space network
new development with surrounding context
type 4
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ANTWERP NEW SOUTH FOREST
| redesigning strategic vacant landscape project |
The project area covers 29 hectares and is situated in the south of the city of Antwerp. Formerly occupied by the goods railway, the relocation of its activity to the north of the city has created the possibility of a new urban development on this site. This exceptional strategic site is located at the intersection or juxtaposition of new urban projects that will transform the future of the city in coming decades. On the one hand, the project to remodel the quays of the river Scheldt (thereby improving the relation between city and river); on the other, the Groene Singel (a large green ring accessible from the periphery and from the inner city, connecting six existing parks). Other recent interventions such as the construction of the new court building, along with future projects (football stadium, Blu-Gate business park, etc.), are transforming the areas around the project site. The project is based on the development of a new district for the city of Antwerp in the boundaries between; the quays of the river Sheldt in the northwest, the ring road R1 in the Green Single in the southeast, the inner city in the eastern site and the future development of the Blu-Gate business park in the southwest. Occupying an extension of 29ha. the project will be developed from urban design (with special attention to the design of public space) to the definition of its most significant housing typologies.
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foresting the green single & new south.
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Analysis and urban strategy Antwerp is a city within a region with enormous traffic flows. The ground, water and air are all polluted. In short, the ecology of Antwerp is at risk and has had hardly any enhancement in recent years. The city of Antwerp itself has many wonderful parks and nature landscape along side the ring road and the southern west bank of the river. However, there is disconnection between them. On a neighborhood scale, the “New South” area has a major existing green space with big old trees, which have great value and potential for a eco-city development. According to the site situation, this area can be considered as a transition between the old urban area and the large South forest of Antwerp. In order to enhance the city ecology and to provide green linkage within the city green network, a new woodland structure can be applied to develop New South area as a part of city that lives in an urban forest. This type of urbanity brings new living environment atmosphere for the crownded city of Antwerp and be a today’s green structure
part of city green lung.
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Phase I - Preserve existing trees
Phase II - Expanding current & foresting new forest
Phase III - Adding infrastructure and public programs
Phase IV - Clearings and housing development
Concept And Master Plan In a first step, the whole site and beyond will be planted with trees. (Except two predetermined clearing with public program.) Then, in order to be flexible for upcoming changes, a set of clearing and housing development rules are put into place. This ensures different scenarios are possible in terms of building types and intensities, while maintaining the quality of the forest. The site will be divided into different parcels. On these parcels, maximum 35% of the forest can be cleared; avoiding to clear the permanent forest. After that, buildings can be built on maximum 50% of the clearings: the rest of the clearing will be a collective space. The buildings must have underground parking on their parcel within 100 meter from the main road. Moreover, the vegetation next to the building should be low and can be maintained by the resident as a collective garden. Two buildings should not be closed to one another than than their height, to avoid shadow problems. Lastly, each building offer at least two views: to the forest and to the collective clearing for example. The rules by tested on their extremes by creating different scenario’s, for instance in everyone wants to build as close to the river, or make the largest clearings. Finally, a mixed scenario was developed into a detailed design, that demonstrates the unique and qualitative living environment.
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Rules on how to make clearings and how to position buildings on the forrested parcels and 3 scenarios.
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public facilities
pedestrian and cycling
trees arrangement
topography
quay design Thinning
of
the
for-
est towards the water, change in forest type due to richer soil and wetter condotions.
section from the quay to inner site
elevation of the site (view from opposite river bank)
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infrastructure and building height
forest arrangment
programs and shadow study
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zoom 1 - ground floor plan
typical floor plan
zoom 1 - section
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zoom 2 - ground floor plan
two typical floor plans
zoom 2 - section
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Antwerp quay elevation from old urban area to the southern forest (view from opposite river bank).
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THE FUTURE CA MAU CITY EDGE REDEFINITION | bachelor dissertation project |
The Ca Mau city has flat geographical conditions in the city core and it continues to decrease when moving further to city periphery and rural area with several major lowest land in specific place (compared to the city condition). With major river and canal system, these lowlands obviously become one of the most flooding area of the city. With the proposal of the city government, the future masterplan, the city was announced to be reoriented as a linear city considering main axies as rivers, canal and roads. This type of development is also similar to the traditional urban fabric of Ca Mau where major activities occurred along traffic network (both on land and water). In contrast, there are large areas dedicated for residential usage expand further into several lowland areas in suburb area. The result of this development will cause major problems for future development on these areas. unless having strong infrastructure that could adapt to city conditions. Although Ca Mau has been negatively affected by major water network system, this network is also one of the city’s unique characteristic with promising potential. With the living tradition of Ca Mau residents, these rivers and canals are the main water source, supplying water for the whole area main economy activities which is production of rice and other agriculture products. The agriculture production is not only the main daily activities of local people, but it is also considered as a massive productive landscape area - a city’s identity. Beside rice production, there are other agriculture production that play important role in improving the quality of water, preventing saline intrusion - city protection and gain income, which is the mangrove forest. Both the water network and local production are crucial elements that have potential to structure city future urban fabric. Through analysising the main problems of the city and its potentials, the strategy come out with the idea of choosing topography and geographical conditions as a tool to frame the city edge and to solve the problem of urban sprawl and enhancing existing fabric. According to several lowlands of the city, the city edge is framed by considering the existing conditions of specific lowland and its context, following the characteristic of topographical situation. With this topographical tool, these lowlands have opportunities to become strategic areas that structure its surrounding context, dealing with problems of neighboring areas, framing new developments of the city and preveting city expansion into flooding risk areas.
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city scale analysis problems and potentials of the city The Ca Mau city has flat geographical conditions in the city core and it continues to decrease when moving further to city periphery and rural area with several major lowest land in specific place (compared to the city condition). With major river and canal system, these lowlands obviously become one of the most flooding area of the city. With the proposal of the city government, the future masterplan, the city was future master plan expansion periphery of the city
announced to be reoriented as a linear city considering main axies as rivers, canal and roads. This type of development is also similar to the traditional urban fabric of Ca Mau where major activities occurred along traffic network (both on land and water). In contrast, there are large areas dedicated for residential usage expand further into several lowland areas in suburb area. The result of this development will cause major problems for future development on these areas. unless having strong infrastructure that could adapt to city conditions. Although Ca Mau has been negatively affected by major water network system, this network is also one of the city’s unique
geographical condition analysis
characteristic with promising potential. With the living tradition of Ca Mau residents, these rivers and canals are the main water source, supplying water for the whole area main economy activities which is production of rice and other agriculture products. The agriculture production is not only the main daily activities of local people, but it is also considered as a massive productive landscape area - a city’s identity. Beside rice production, there are other agriculture production that play important role in improving the quality of water, preventing saline intrusion - city protection and gain income, which is the mangrove forest. Both the water network and local production are crucial elements that have po-
water network and existing South potential productive area
tential to structure city future urban fabric.
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city scale strategy redefining city edge Through analysising the main problems of the city and its potentials, the strategy come out with the idea of choosing topography and geographical conditions as a tool to frame the city edge and to solve the problem of urban sprawl and enhancing existing fabric. According to several lowlands of the city, the city edge is framed by considering the existing conditions of specific lowland and its context, following the characteristic of topograph-
Defining topography condition
ical situation. With this topographical tool, these lowlands have opportunities to become strategic areas that structure its surrounding context, dealing with problems of neighboring areas, framing new developments of the city and preveting city expansion into flooding risk areas.
Applying cut and fill process
Structuring surrouding urban fabric
Enhancing existing urban fabric
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existing conditions
open space network
new development surrounding lake edge
water treatment network
site scale strategy redefining south edge With conditions of the South site, the topography plays important role such as defining city edge, preventing urban expansion further to the south by giving a gigantic reservoir to stop urban expansion. Depending on different conditions of the area surrounding the edge (or water body), there will be different area attached to the water body such as city gate, new urban tissue, productive area and new living environment of living within the forest. These area are connected by a major promenade with dedicated for public activities. After using existing contour line to frame the lake, the strategy considers surrounding conditions of the area to provide new development that could adapt with the situation as a new city gate nearby highway, new high density area to cope with the future expansion pressure of inner space with open space network attaches to the lake, and the forest as an element to stop urban sprawl (beside the water body) and to filler water and give different living environment. The reason to put housing in the forest in south edge of the reservoir is to stop sprawling by urban fabric as new preventing element.
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Zoom position
Exisiting situation
Concept and phasing diagram
landmark area zoom in urban design The strategy of zooming in the landmark area is to show the transformation of a linear expansion to different type of development that distribute to existing fabric and at the same time, giving an signal of transition. By being placed besides the national high way - the main gate to Ca Mau city from the further south of Viet Nam, this strategic area has a characteristic as an open area, where welcomes people as well as plays a role as the ending point of Ca Mau city to open to an area of productive landscape of the South. In order to achieve objectives of the strategy, the proposal includes placing the 15-storey buildings and 5-storey collective housings following the framework of existing productive land pattern. In order to achieve objectives of the strategy, the proposal includes placing the 15-storey buildings and 5-storey collective housings following the framework of existing productive land pattern. This area also contains the open space with the including of public facilities which will serve not only for new residents but also local resident from the south of Ca Mau. Besides that, several open pathways both connect the private garden of the existing residents to the more open atmosphere. The strategy is to use the existing pattern of rice field to define urban block and to create connection with existing fabric and highway to give flexible accessibility to the new area. With each pattern, there will be 50% of space for built space and the rest for open space. Base on the framework, each block will be connected by the main promenade that also links with surrounding areas, including existing fabric. The idea is to have a romantic shape of main car path in the area is to give accessiblity to all buildings and at the same time to limit the vehicle speed. To prevent isolation from build up new high-storey development near existing typology, there will be space for transition area to create more flexibilty to access lake bank open space.
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5 storeys 15 storeys housing plot
15-storey complex typology
private space
public space
5-storey complex typology
transition from private space to open space
activities of inner open space
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zoom position
exisiting situation
concept and phasing diagram
market area zoom in urban design The strategy for this area is mainly about the existing pattern of rice fields which is potential for setting appropriate framework for a new neighborhood that have characteristic of existing structure and its logic. Another role of the zoom site is to reflect the strategy of dealing with existing production activities which is one of the main vcharacteristic of Ca Mau city. To be specific, the pattern of rice field is selected to be the framework of urban block and housing plot for the high density area development by applying the reverse of paddy field pattern with urban fabric. The reason to have a traditional market combining with floating market by utilizing the existing industrial platform is its strategic position which is in the middle among the areas of productive landscape, high density resident. People can do their small trading activities with from their own gardens and productive fields with the outside people on their boats. The next to existing street intensively is doing as the connection for people from other places to transport and buy goods. Beside being selected as reference framework for other area development, the existing urban fabric and production activities is kept as preserving the identity image of Ca Mau. The strategy come up with utilize the platform of industrial platform to transform its function to be a new market that serve for the whole South area, connecting with the existing fabric by the productive pathways as main circulation for good transportation to enhance the reason to keep existing by providing new necessary open space. The proposal typology for the new market consists of two typical type of traditional typology: the on-land market and the floating market. The on-land market is the existing platform of industry that is regenerated to be come a platform for commercial activities. The floating market is traditionally attached with the adaptive housing type which usually locates along riverbank or canals in Ca Mau. By having two types of market typology, the zoom in area have opportunity to reflect the local identity of living on water of Ca Mau city.
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market typology II
market typology I housing plot
private space
market typology I
market typology II (adaptive housing - floating market)
public space
transition from private space (productive land) to public space (market)
activities of market
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zoom position
exisiting situation
concept and phasing diagram
high density area zoom in urban design The strategy of high density zoom in area are to reflect of what is studied from the pattern of the market area by applying its logic and framework affordably and to provide major linkages with existing urban fabric through system of open space that are connected, guiding activities of inner open space to the lakefront. The transition from urban area to rural area appears mostly in this place. As that, to continue the urban sprawl from the existing with the huge potential for new type of urban development, the area were chosen to be the densest placement of housings for private owners as what existed. The concept to form up urban tissue is to continue the pattern fabric of beside productive landscape areas but with the reversed functions and appearance of new space - less dense housing to more dense, the space for productivity to space of service and public activities connect the lakefront, the tracks between the paddy field to the alleys between housing. All of them are being filled with the characteristics of the Vietnamese rural - urban. According to the existing structure of rice field pattern of the market area, each block have few single housings, and the rest of space is for productive land. By applying the reverse of the existing structure to achieve the strategy of an area with high density, the space for productive land will transform to be space for housings and the built space of existing fabric becoming un-built space as private garden or local open space. The productive path way become a system of inner path or alleys between housings and also connect with the existing structure. With the area of the lake front, the framework is applied similarly with complex buildings instead of single housing. There are two types of typology for this area: complex buildings and single house. The single housing is studied from the existing fabric and typical row house of Ca Mau context which have its facade is mainly use for commercial and a small private backyard garden or nearby one.The complex buildings mainly situates on the lakefront with no more than 5 storeys so that there will be more open space for activities on the lakefront. the ground floor is used for commercial to attract more activities.
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5-storey apartment Single house housing plot
private space
5-storey apartment typology
single house typology
public space
transition from private space (housing) to public space (pedestrian path)
transition from private space (housing - private garden) to public space (lake bank)
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Zoom position
Exisiting situation
Concept and phasing diagram
forest area zoom in urban design The strategy of this fourth area concentrates on another element to stop urban expansion beside using water body. In order to utilize potentials of mangrove forest, the strategy also focus on how to provide new living environment within the forest. This new type of urban fabric is considered to be new type of elements to stop urban sprawl. The mangrove forest is not only doing as the element to stop urban sprawling, a boundary for the city development but also the water purification system for Ca Mau. The urban block of living in the forest environment is framed by the existing paddy fields, and several existing forest pieces. Therefore, living in the mangrove forest provides potential opportunities for doing the clearing (30% of each block) and placing housings (70% of built space). Living in the forest also provide friendly traditional environment to Ca Mau city in general because of mangrove forest benefits. Public facilities and open spaces serve for both new habitats and also local worker from industry in here. The strategy is to utilize the profit of the new nature which contains both aqua and plant to frame the last urban and also give a hand to prevent the saline intrusion and sea level rise. With the similar framework of other zoom in, the pattern of paddy field is kept to develop block and housing plot. According to concept of living in the forest, the block is defined by existing pattern of productive land. Each forest block has 30% of clearing and 70% of clearing is for housing. In order to give flexibility and accessibility in the forest, these clearings attach to the main road and the lake front. In addition, the wadi system is also applied along with the pattern as way for water from river to come in and to be filtered in the mangrove forest. There are two types of forest housing, which are also studied from traditional Ca Mau housing. The single housing typology I is belonged to the clearing that attach to the main road, which has private garden that connect with forest and facade for commercial activities. The single housing typology II is located near the lakefront, with the extension of the house to the water. Instead of having garden like typology I, this type can have space for aqua agriculture that happens on the lake.
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Single house typology I
Single house typology II housing plot
single house typology I
private space
single house typology II
public space
transition from private space (private garden) to public space (shared forest garden)
transition from private space to public space (forest and lake bank)
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FUTURE FORESHORE CELL
|the 2040 vison - Cape Town, South Africa: future urban prototype |
Cape Town 2040 Within the discussion in studio, 2 drivers are selected personally, which are the lack of water and the development of technology. Water crisis has become a main problem of the whole country of South Africa. The lack of water could generate several negative impacts on different aspects of economic, environment and social, resulting a number of critical problems. On the other hand, the development of technology has become globally. Technology has been applied in many aspects for better outcomes. The combination of these 2 drivers is ideal for planning a future scenario of Cape Town in 2040. In 2040, if the lack of water were continuing to happen and South Africa technology had developed rapidly, the scenario could be that sea water become a new water resource which can be filtered by the help of technology. Therefore, to utilize this alternative water source, it is necessary to explore and expand the water network of the city. As a consequence, the future urban tissue could be changed in order to adapt with the water network. The process of water treatment has several steps for different types of water quality, these steps are potential to become a tool that can structure surrounding urban fabric.
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Just city “Just city” has many different definitions. Just city can be defined as a “sharing city”. In terms of sharing, there are also several aspects of this definition: physical and non-physical aspects. In order to understand specifically about sharing, there is one of the most visible element to observe human activities, which is “sharing” space. These urban spaces are influenced by 2 major elements: the local characteristic of the city and what the city need in the future. These sharing spaces are reflected strongly by the relationship between private and public.
Five thematic drivers
Selected design drivers and chosen scenario planning
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Just City Position
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urban vision Within the period of analyzing existing conditions, there are three major aspects, which are: existing programme, historical value and existing circulation network, can be considered as crucial trigger elements for design approach. The foreshore site of Cape Town has a strong characteristic of CBD area reflecting in the high density of mix-used programs. In contrast, the seafront area is empty with only a few of warehouses, thus lack of liveliness. Cape Town foreshore also has a unique historical background relating an image of a port city, there used to be a strong engagement between local inhabitants and the waterfront through various activities. Since the construction of freeways and several train tracks along seafront, this area has become less vibrant as in the past., thus giving challenge for future proposal. Moving to the existing situation of circulation network, there is a high density of car movements and isolating large scale infrastructure of freeways within the foreshore area, which should be taken into account as initial approach for 2040 vision.
project As a response to Foreshore’s context, one typical area of the site, which has similar characteristics as other areas, is selected in order to develop an urban typology that can cope with current problems of foreshore and reflect the 2040 vision concept. Therefore, a set of principles is developed to structure the future urban prototype. Using water as a crucial element, new urban tissue is based on the process of sea water purification process. Within this water treatment process, there are several steps with different qualities of water that require different types of surrounding spaces, which is structuring future urban tissue.
Urban analysis maps
With the goal of revitalizing the seafront, the current circulation network has been shifted, the ground level is dedicated mainly for future public transportation network, cycling paths and pedestrian movements. Car movements will flow on the freeways, which connect to same level of adjacent buildings to maintain accessibility and demanding of parking.
Chosen pilot location of future urban prototype
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Prototype principles
Future Urban Prototype
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architectural intervention Within the zoom-in architectural developing phase, a set of urban prototype principles is applied as well for architectural proposal. In order to increase the permeability and reconnect the city with waterfront, the ground level is opened up, providing visible connection to seafront through network of cycling and pedestrian paths. Additionally, water element play a key role to develop architectural concept in both function and aesthetic aspect. Therefore, underground levels of building are used for water storage and technical management, ground floor and second floor are dedicated for public usage that can be integrated with surrounding open space and landscape. Other floors above second level are used for offices or residential housings in order to meet with future demand.
Architectural Concept
Architectural proposal
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Building programme and fuction
Longitudinal perspective section
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SISOPHON, CAMBODIA
|Resilient urban development against the backdrop of large-scale transitions |
The project focused on investigating existing socioeconomic and infrastructural setups linked to agricultural activities and the water management which cater towards it. The following research questions served as a guide throughout the development of the projects. - What are the challenges and potentials of the city in the context of future development? - Which elements could be utilized for cyclic design to approach a flexible and sustainable development for the city? - Which local identities/ living styles are crucial to trigger or enhance cyclic design process? - How can we develop a socially inclusive and safe city that can help overcome the distrust between native/local inhabitants?
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46 | Academic Projects
Railway
Private garden
Housing
Railway
Road
Circulation network
Section 1: The relation between the existing railway and household Housing
Private garden
Road
Sidewalk
Section 2: The relation between household and road Housing
FrontRoad door occupation
Building footprint
Private garden
Section 3: The relation between 2 blocks
water ditch
Private Housing garden
Spontaneous garden
River
Water network
Section 4: The relation between the river and household Road
Green network
Front yard
Housing
Storage Back yard
Section 5: The common organization of existing plot
Ricefield
Urban design - Architecture Portfolio |47 project location The site includes 2 blocks which are located at point where the river, the railway and the main road are joined at a point. In addition, there is a university area located next to research area. According to the urban farbric of the west side of Serei Sophon city, each houseplot within this area has their private garden, green space that forms a kind of inner private territory which was filled with all kind of local vegetations. Along the road, there is a system of water ditches which are used for collecting runoff water.
Existing plot in block II
Single plot concept Each household plot shares a part at the back of their territory. These small individual space form a kind of shared space in the middle of the block as new area for openspace and public usages. The shared space is also has a system of reservoirs and water ditches that serves for the common use of local residents.
Proposal plot in block II
Shared space Scenario 1
Shared space Scenario 2
Shared space Scenario 3
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urban block concept Shared spaces in between the two blocks are functioned as water storage area that include several reservoirs. These reservoirs are not only used for collecting runoff water but they also help to prevent flooding when the river level are extremely high.
Shared space
Private space
Infrastructure (Road)
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City existing topography The city topography decreases towards the river. Alongside river bank, there are also several low land areas which will be flooded in the future scenario when river level rising.
Future Expansion Of Railway Infrastructure According to future masterplan, there will be an extension of the railway width, which leads to the consequence of relocating local residents living next to the railway.
Strategic Low Land Area Based on the topographical condition, the proposal is aimed to use several lowland areas as strategic spaces that are suitable to multiple uses and to prevent flooding.
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Proposal: City Water Management Network These lowland areas are transform into a system of reservoirs that collect water in wet season and prevent extreme flooding scenario.
City River Promanade Beside the use of flooding protection, the new reservoir system is also potential to make way for the new city river promanade that connect the center to west landscape.
Resettlement Scheme By applying cut and fill process, the existing urban fabric is reinforced to accommodate with futere population of the area.
Urban design - Architecture Portfolio |51 water management strategy The water management and agriculture strategy encompasses a myriad of elements all interconnected through water networks. Each project took in the elements best suited for the location in which each person in the group is working on.
Agriculture landscape & Water management Strategy
River
Ricefield
Wetland
Fishpond & garden
Reservoir
Rice
Vegetable
Fruit & vegetable
Flaura & fauna
Others
Others
Fish & livestock
Polluted water (after irrigation)
Purified water (by aquaplants)
Polluted water (after irrigation)
Purified water (by flaura & fauna)
. Collective housing . Warehouse . Individual housing
. Individual housing . Shared platform
. Complex . Market . Public space
Types of product
Quality of water Main water source
Types of Space/ Housing/ Facilities . Collective housing . Warehouse
Existing research area
Applying shared space scheme
Applying new water system
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zoom-in area Water management scheme
Agriculture system
By joinning different water qualities from several sources. It is neccessary to have a system of lock to control the water level of reservoirs.
In order to ultilize the use of reservoir system, the area surrounding reservoirs are used for planting different types of local garden.
Wet season
Dry season
1st BLOCK
2nd BLOCK
Urban design - Architecture Portfolio |53 Water natural purification
Aquaculture system
Due to different uses, water sources need to be cleaned to reuse for other purposes. A system of aquaplant are located in the reservoir in order to naturally improve water quality. These new vegetation are also used as food and material.
In addition, due to the large scale of water figure, it is also suitable to have a small scale of fishfarms that serve for local residents’ economy.
1st BLOCK
2nd BLOCK
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1st block - community hub
Fishfarm house
Common storage
This typology are used for local fish farming activities and also connected with pathways network in the community hub.
As a concept of shared space, it is neccesary to have common storage for locals in order to accommodate with the production system.
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Community house Beside production activities, a new public house for local residents is applied. Together with other typologies, this cluster generate a familar atmosphere which emphasize on traditional agriculture system and water living.
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2nd block - agricultural hub
7
1 2
3
8 4
5
8 6
Farmhouse This typology are co-operated with the agriculture landscape. The ground level are opend for different cultivating activites and workshop area for tourists, the 2nd level are used for group meeting and sight-seeing.
1 - rice field
3 - vegetable area
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Resting place
Retail typology
In order to serve for tourism, it is neccessary to have a kind of canopy located next to agriculture field that serve as a place for collecting products or simply taking a sit.
There is also other typology that serves for economy activity. These elevated house use their facade for trading and form an image of floating market.
2 - bamboo area
4- fruit area
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2nd block - agricultural hub
5 - coconut area
6 - lotus area
8 - floating market
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7 - fishfarm area
8 - meeting house
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R E M E D I AT I N G CHICAGO RIVERSCAPE
| master dissertation project |
“Landscape urbanism practice on urban parcellation based on stormwater utilization process.” The aim of the master dissertation is to focus on exploring possibilities for the city of Chicago which is nowadays not only a place for production and distribution but also is a place for living and experiencing, particularly the city river that used to be strongly attached with industrial activities. The paper initially focuses on the water issue of global context and the current problems and threats of Chicago river. The research goes through several city mappings to understand existing urban conditions and possibilities for future development of the river. Accordingly, the urban strategy of utilising the potential of stormwater and the water purification process is followed up to solve water problems, remediate Chicago riverscape and to avoid environmental issues while bring people closer to the river through new landscape and urban implementation. A set of urban design guidelines are developed for particular programs at the river bank to achieve the urban concept. The Rezkoville site, which was formerly a rail yard locating at river edge, is one of the crucial point in the urban concept in terms of generating multiple accesses to the waterfront and providing new way of living in the forest in the heart of the city. The idea of forest urbanism and rule-based urbanism will be explored within the site, giving shape for the new masterplan of Rezkoville. This strategy of healing river scape and the concept of forest urbanism can be an alternative method to soften the city of Chicago, as its 1837 historical motto “City in a garden”. In particular, there are 2 building clusters with mixed-use program in the masterplan are studied to explore the relationship between architecture and forest context. The ground level and the lower part are dedicated for more public and working activities, relating to the surrounding green environment through their view and connection. Each floor of this part of building has one common outdoor space to integrate with the forest context, providing social interaction platform. Above forest canopy, the upper part of buildings are residential areas which have more introverted and private characteristics and their view is linking with the iconic view of Chicago. Within this residential part, the internal courtyard was introduced at each floor, providing the open linkage to the residential floor that has public amenities while maintaining the privacy for local inhabitants. In general, it is not only about living with nature but this typology is also working on thematic visuality and experience.
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62 | Academic Projects Chicago water context The city of Chicago has high rate of rainfall and along with the densely development of the city, these water becomes runoff that can not infiltrate to the ground and discharge directly into the underground sewer system. Within this sewer network, stormwater and waste water are combined. Therefore, in a scenario of large storm, the excess flow of the network will be discharged to the river, causing pollution and impacts to city health.
current situation
“hard surfaces vs soft surfaces�
the city deep tunnel
The process of transforming pervious surface to impervious land according to new development has been increasing, causing the rapid rate of stormwater and runoff volume. As a consequence, the hydrologic factors of the landscape has been changed by reducing soil penetration and local vegetation evapotranspiration. This problem causes extra amount of stormwater adding to the current sewer system, leading the result of flooding and damage of the combined sewer network and other negative impacts such as stream erosion, downgraded water quality, vernacular landscape and habitats destruction, etc. In order to solve current problem and prevent further negative impacts, it is necessary to design and improve stormwater management infrastructure and facilities. The tunnel and reservoir plan of Chicago (TARP) is a major network of civil engineering project that targets to solve flooding problem in downtown Chicago and to prevent the raw sewage from polluting Michigan lake by storing storm water and sewage temporarily into reservoirs. According to its location, it requires a major cost and complicated method to maintain this network. In case of heavy rains or storms, the sewer system becomes full, it will discharge into city waterway (Chicago river). Therefore, this waste water management network is not enough to protect and maintain the current water resources. It is necessary to explore and research for a new way of utilizing stormwater as an alternative resources through green infrastructure network, to reduce the pressure on existing city infrastrucutre.
Urban design - Architecture Portfolio |63 Chicago urban context The city of Chicago has been famous for its grid structure as one of the city characteristics. In particular scale of Chicago urban pattern, the river has an important role as a linear water-based flowing movement especially in the city’s industrial period. With the present of city water element, the grid structure broke down at the river edge through a series of large scale building footprint of industrial program. On the other hand, the industrial era of Chicago has been shifting into several kinds of recent development. Therefore the riverfront should have become a place for public program that connect the entire city, bringing inhabitants closer to the city natural elements. Chicago urban morphology map
highway and railway network
current Chicago river occupation
One of the most iconic images of Chicago is the railway network which strongly attaches to the city urban fabric. In addition, a large number of residents chose to go to travel throughout downtown Chicago and the Loop by train each day. The image has been captured as a familiar Chicagoan experience for both citizens and visitors. Meanwhile, the city is also embedded with its highway network consisting of 7 major intestate highways, which is crossing through the entire Chicago, radiating from city centre. The current river spaces are majorly occupied by various programme with not so many accessibility towards the riverfront. The industrial sites located mainly at the South side of the city and at Goose Island. These lands are mainly used for making building material, boats and light industries. According to the block size and building fabric, it is difficult to get public access to the South branch river. Along with the industrial sites, infrastrucutre areas such as railways and other transportation company are also isolating the river space, denying the waterfront accessibility of local inhabitants and visitors. In the city center, there is an attention in putting public infrastructure such as walkways and open spaces along the river bank but they are only connecting a few blocks. The river walk is fadding and stopped at the point where the river splitting into 2 other branches.
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Storm water
Waste water
Housing
Industry
Complex
Treatment plant
Current network
Separated network Current and proposed drainage system
1
2
3
4
5
5
urban strategy Separate current drainage system Base on the lack of accessibility of the river space and the current water management system, the strategy come up with the aim to separate the current tunnel water management network. The storm water that comes from rain will be harvested and reused for other purposes, thus reducing the water pressure on the underground tunnel and existing water treatment plant. The new management network of storm water is more than just pipes and ditches, the variety of harvesting typologies can be designed and constructed according to particular urban conditions. Therefore, the natural soil condition can be improved and the river is less threaten by waste water outfall, thus preventing flooding and polluting drinking water source at Michigan lake. The management network of stormwater as green infrastructure can be applied through the built environment to harvest, storage rainfall and then infiltrate into the ground. This type of infrastructure consists of natural elements in terms of urban forest, parks, wetlands, and other vegetation types to observe rainfall. In addition, green storm water network includes permeable surfaces as pavement or street, green roofs, rain gardens, cisterns, bioswales to harvest rainfall.
Utilizing stormwater resource 6
7
water purification process 1. Rain (stormwater source)
5. Uses 6. Waste water treatment
2. Catchment (flow) 3. Storage (stock) 4. Water natural purification
7. Discharge (river)
After separating storm water network, this amount of water can be considered as an alternative resource, which has high potential for several usages. By using the process of water treatment as a framework, the potential of storm water can be explored through each steps of retreating water. Each phase of this process has particular type of water quality such as raw water, purified water, waste output, and after-treated water, thus requiring different spaces and landscapes.
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highway as storm water catchment
railway as storm water catchment
Treating and purifying stormwater at river edge
Remidiating riverscape through natural water purification process
Urban design - Architecture Portfolio |67 Existing urban fabric, new development are structured & implemented by functional landscape
Applying urban strategy on Chicago urban context The grid of Chicago is built for continous movement and flow for transportation, which also means it could be the grid for the movement of water. Therefore, it is potential to utilize the grid structure as secondary stormwater collector and transfer them into bigger water collector which can be attached with the network of highway. Beside the highway network, the city of Chicago is strongly attached with the railway network, which also can be another stormwater collector. With both railway and highway as water collector, this system can reduce major pressure on existing underground water network. According to third and fourth step of water treatment process, after collecting stormwater through highway and railway system, the water will be stored and treated at the river bank site. In order to purify collected stormwater, the riverfront space is arranged according to the treatment process, which requires different types of area for particular functions, thus shaping different type of landscape. Both landscapes and functions are considered with the existing urban fabric in order to provide better living space and outdoor activities at the river. By considering existing urban fabric and the water treatment process, there are several opportunities to enhance the quality of waterfront through adding or adjusting the program at the treatment site, giving more accessibiltiy to the river through landscape system. After purifying process, stormwater can be used to supply part of water demand in the treatment site. Afterward, the waste water will be retreated again at treatment plants in the South before let it go back to the river.
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urban design guidlines Industrial area Catchment
Storage & purification
Uses
Retreat At the South side of the river, in the future when the function of industrial buildings is outdated and shifting into new program, the scale and platform can be used to integrate the new function of water treatment plant, new residential areas or public facilities. Therefore, all of the new program has to achieve the landscape framework to avoid repeating river isolation.
Discharge
Residential area
Catchment
Storage & purification
Uses
At the existing residential neighborhoods, it is neccessary to have clear accessibility to the riverfront in order to welcome the inhabitants to use the river space. Therefore, the connection between river and residential areas is important. These connection can be integrated with the water network to provide better walkways with natural system while contributing to the process of purifying water.
Retreat
Discharge
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Water network
Pedestrian network
Water network
Pedestrian network
Utilizing existing industrial structure
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Commercial and Office area
Catchment
Storage & purification
Uses
The office and commercial sites located along the riverbank can also be part of the water process. These spaces are difficult to establish new parks or reservoirs to capture the water. Therefore, the collecting system can be applied within the building itself by using several floors or basements as water technical levels, to collect, store, and transfer water to the South for further treatment. It is also important to connect existing walkways of this areas with adjacent riverfront.
Discharge
Transportation and Utility area
Storage & catchment
The transportation areas is directly attached with the collector system through highway and railway, thus it is possible to integrate the infrastructure platform with additional function of catchment system, where the water can be slow down and initial treated through different permeable surfaces.
Discharge
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Water network Permeable surface 1
Pedestrian network
Water network
Pedestrian network
Permeable surface 2
Roof catchment
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Park and open space area
Catchment
Storage & purification
Uses
Discharge The park areas along the river is not only function as green aesthetic patch. These spaces have high potential to develop natural purification system which is similar as industrial area but with different types of landscape. According to the soil condition, these park space can provide a network of satellite reservoirs to capture water or prevent flooding. With the framework of vegetation and water system, it is possible to explore architecture intervention that can be embedded in the context, providing public programs such as green infrastructure, education, natural preservation.
Retreat
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Open floor Water network
Water floor
Pedestrian network Mixed-use floor
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defining Rezkoville masterplan
7. Open Ground Floor
1 2
3 4
1. Floodable area 2. Natural preserved area 3. Wetland 4. Forest buffer
6. Building Orientation
zonning functional landscape
5. Courtyard N
1 2
3
4. Building Height
1. Pedestrian network 2. Road network 3. Railway
adding circulation network 3. 50% Building Footprint
2. 30% Clearing
defining block planning rules
1. One Block Scale (100M X100m)
In order to form a masterplan for Rezkoville, it is crucial to understand the existing structure of the city and the surrounding neighborhood which provides fundamental axes to set up new connection for the site. By considering the surrounding roads and the original one-mile grid of Chicago, the intermediate grid of 100m x 100m was formed as basic block for site planning. According to the urban strategy, in which the Rezkoville site plays a role as an urban storm water wetland park. The process of water filtration through natural landscape of forest, wetland, natural preserved area and the river was applied. Rainfall will be collected from surrounding context and treated at the site before discharging to the river With the aim of bringing people to the riverfront, a network of pathways and elevated pedestrian bridges was established to the site. The pedestrian bridges are connected with existing streets of Eastern neighborhood, which is also densely populated residential area. The main accessibility for car and public transportation will be a curved road which goes into the forest landscape, thus the noise will be observed by tree and travel speed will be slowed down due to road shape. With the complete development of landscape and additional circulation, each block will be redefined by a set of block planning rules to ensure both the natural characteristic of the proposal and demanding future development for the site can be blended together.
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architecture proposal: Building cluster
General concept
Building Footprint
Building Cluster I
Building Cluster II
Volume
Programme
Open Floor
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Building Linkage
Office Common Space
Residential Courtyard
Final Concept
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building cluster masterplan
building footprint
volume
Cluster I
Cluster II
Rain garden at rooftop level
rain harvesting roof Soil Filter fabric Reservoir layer Thermal insulation
Rain garden at intermediate level
Protection course Structure deck
rain garden
Vertical garden
Native plants Root zone (water infiltration) Gravel reservoir (water storage)
Wetland park in front of building cluster I
green wall Storage Plant Moisture matt Treatment
Wall Irrigation line Rain water
Wetland
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utilizing stormwater concept Beside the landscape strategy, each building in cluster is additionally having a system of collecting rainfall, following the initial concept of water purification process. Storm water will be harvesting through building green roof, vertical garden and terraced rain garden located at several points of building. Afterwards, storm will be captured at the basement water facility then using for flushing toilet or irrigating plants. The outcome grey water will be sorted and retreated at basement by other water treatment facility. Finally, clean water will be discharged to the wetland to improve soil condition and ground water resource. The development of flora and fauna along the wetland provides a friendly environment for local inhabitants’ activities. Harvesting rain elements The series of harvesting types is not only functioning as a water collecting system, but it also provide space for the growth of native plants in terms of shrubs, ferns and trees. By this way, the vernacular characteristic of landscape can be preserved within the development of architecture and reflecting Chicago identity through its nature. The system of harvesting stormwater provides a set of different types of space that create a wide variety of activities and occupations, spreading from residential housing scale to larger common space of office program and to the urban scale of wetland area.
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programme
open floor
building linkage
Rooftop view at building cluster I
Rooftop view at building cluster II
space variety Shared garden
Building cluster II ground level Cafeteria
A view from street in forest towards building Community Space
20th FLOOR
Playground
12th FLOOR GROUND FLOOR & MEZANINE
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open floor concept According to the initial zoning program of the architectural concept, the residential program is above and the office program is the under part of the building. Therefore, it is important to define the public program of each particular area and its connection. The ground floor of building clusters are dedicated for public program, thus allowing major movement of pedestrian through multiple accessibility. In addition, the ground floor has double height, which allow for an extension of a mezzanine floor for additional public program. Back to the residential program, the lowest level of apartment volume are dedicated for residential public amenities such as shared garden, children playground, community space. Moreover, there will be bridge connections between open floor of different buildings, to give more space for local inhabitant’s communal activity. The linkages are bridging from intermediate floor levels to roof levels of other buildings. Open space variety With the concept of rain garden from the storm water strategy, there are several opportunities to integrate the function landscape with other types of productivity into planting areas of the building. These garden spaces can be a place for local people’s cultivating activity or a place where they can communicate with neighbors. Along with agriculture activity, there are also spaces for communal events for dwellers as workshop or commercial areas or children playground. These spaces located surrounding rain gardens, which allow for a round circulation for various activities and movements.
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office common space
residential court yard
final concept
A view towards Michigan lake
Residential internal courtyard
30000
19th FLOOR
10000
10000
10000
typical office floor plan
15000
35000
A view towards North forest
50000
30000
10000
10000
10000
typical apartment floor plan
7650
12350
10000 50000
12350
7650
A view towards South forest
Office outdoor common space
4th FLOOR 5th FLOOR
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programme concept The programs of building in cluster are defined according to the surrounding landscape and urban context. The height of tree canopy determines different shades of light, accessibility and privacy, which are applicable for particular type of program. Residential program Residential program requires its own privateness, and at the same time describes the local inhabitants’ living space as a home. It should be a place where inhabitants want to stay and experience the indigenous characteristic of being a Chicagoan people. Therefore, the program was located at the upper part of buildings, above the forest canopy, where they can have their own privacy. Meanwhile, each apartment has its own iconic view of the city of Chicago. In addition, it is crucial to maintain the openness at a certain point for the residential in their public space, so that an internal courtyard was added at the residential program part of building. By this way, the local dweller can have more natural light and space for social interaction between neighbors. The courtyard was connected with the residential public floor situated at the lowest level of each residential program. One of the most important target of the design for residential program is the input of ecological value from natural landscape, while maintaining the local characteristic of the city of Chicago through providing familiar experiences and images. Office program The lower building parts are dedicated for office program and public facilities. The program is surrounded by major greenery atmosphere, which brings a calm atmosphere for focusing and working. The layout of typical office floor maintains the openness of the floor by allowing circular movement. In this way, the workplace for worker would not be narrow, and allow social interaction. Additionally, each office floor has an outdoor common space, which provides a space for outdoor activities, taking fresh air during break time. In conclusion A proposal of architectural intervention of Rezkoville masterplan, along with Chicago stormwater urban strategy both aimed at bringing back the value of Chicago river to the city, making river spaces become a home for the citizens. The river used to be a place for industrial activities which left the waterfront as Chicago’s backyard. Nowadays, it is important to realize how much the river be to the city, it is not just a unique natural resource of Chicago but this is also one of the most iconic images that reflect the place identity.
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