ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORK 2012-14
KONRAD TAI
CONTENTS SYNTHESIS
SOLID, SURFACE AND LINE
DIRT
SITE FORCES AND TOPOGRAPHY
FIELD OPERATION
SITE FORCES , URBAN CONTEXT AND PROGRAM
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
54 UNIT MID-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
CALA
ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM AND EDUCATION CENTER
LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION
MOSQUE AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION CENTER
PHOTOGRAPHY
SYNTHESIS
PROGRAM: BUTTERFLY PAVILION
THE EXPRESSION OF ARCHITECTURAL FORM IS RARELY SINGULAR OR HOMOGENEOUS. IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING THE SCALAR AND SPATIAL VARIETY DEMANDED BY PROGRAMMATIC AND SITE CONCERNS, FORMAL SYSTEM MAY ALSO COHERENTLY INTEGRATE AND TRANSITION BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS MODES OF EXPRESSION – I.E. SOLID,SURFACE, AND LINE.
SITE PLAN
SYNTHESIS PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
SECTIONS CUT PLAN
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
OUTDOOR SPACE
OUTSIDE EVENT AREA
INDOOR CAFE
BIOLOGIST WORKING ADMIN SPACE/BATHROOM
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
BUTTERFLY HABITAT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
OPERATION THE PAVILION IS FORMED BY LAYERS OF SOLID, SURFACES AND LINES. THE HABITAT IS LOCATED AT THE SOLID CORE, THEN THE SOLID IS BREAK DOWN INTO SURFACES FOR OTHER PROGRAM, WHICH LOCATED AT THE PERIPHERAL OF THE SOLID. THEN THE SURFACES
SYNTHESIS
DIRT
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY GARDEN THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL RECONSIDER THE NORMATIVE INTERPRETATION OF BUILDINGS AS ISOLATED FIGURES ATOP IF A STATIC HORIZONTAL GROUND PLANE. THE PROJECT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: THE FIRST PART WILL EXPLORE 3-DIMENTIONAL SITE REPRESENTATION. THE SECOND PART WILL EXPANDS THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDE PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES BY PROPOSING AN COMMUNITY GARDEN.
THE CONCEPT OF THIS PROJECT IS TO COMBINE THE GRID FROM THE STREET AND THE GRID I CREATED FROM DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE SITE, THEN GENERATE THE PROGRAM FROM THE GRID.
DIRT
SHORT SECTION
LONG SECTION
CUT AND FILLED IT IS OPERATION COMMONLY USED IN ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER ROCK AND EARTHMOVING OPERATIONS IN WHICH THE MATERIAL EXCAVATED AND REMOVED FROM ONE LOCATION IS USED AS FILL MATERIAL AT ANOTHER LOCATION.
DIRT
CENTRAL PAVILION
SITTING AREA
PLANTING BEDS RESTROOM
PLANTING BEDS
DIRT
FIELD OPERATION
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY MARKET THIS PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE THE INTERFACE BETWEEN SITE, PROGRAM AND THE URBAN CONTEXT. WEDGED INTO A VACANT SITE WITHIN THE URBAN FABRIC OF LOS ANGELES, THE PROGRAM FOR THIS PROJECT CONTINUES TO EXPLORE THE CYCLE OF FOOD PRODUCTION TO INCLUDE FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND PREPARATION.
DESIGN PROCESS
ORIENT THE BOXES ACCORDING TO TRAFFIC FLOW OF SURROUNDING SITE
UNFOLD THE BOXES, TURNING THE “BOXES” INTO NEGATIVE SPACE, THUS CREATING INTERNAL CIRCULATION TO CONTROL THE INTERNAL EXPERIENCE
ARRANGE ENCLOSURE AND PROGRAM IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CIRCULATION PATH TO ENHANCE INTERNAL EXPERIENCE
FURTHER EDIT THE PATH AND THE PROGRAM TO ACCOMMODATE CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF SITE. FOR EXAMPLE: WIND, SUNLIGHT, STRUCTURE, ETC
DESIGN INTENSION THE INTENTION OF THIS PROJECT IS TO COMBINE DIRECTION OF THE CIRCULATION FLOW ON THE EAST SIDE AND CHINATOWN AND CREATE A SINGLE CIRCULATION PATTERN FOR THE MARKET. BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL LOCATION OF THE SITE, THE DESIGN CAN PROVIDE SEVERAL ENTRY POINTS: THE ONE FOR CHINATOWN, ANOTHER FOR DOYLE PLACE, AND THE LAST ONE FOR BROADWAY. TRIANGULATED ROOF ON TOP OF THE MARKET CAN BLOCK DIRECT SUNLIGHT BUT STILL CAN PROVIDE NATURAL LIGHTING. PUNCHED OPENINGS ON THE FAÇADE FACING SOUTHWEST CREATE MOMENTS OF POROSITY; AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE NATURAL LIGHTING AND ALLOW COOL WIND TO COUNTERACT WITH THE HOT AIR. ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY LARGE AND HORIZONTAL OPENINGS ARE LOCATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRUCTURE. FOR THE PROGRAM, THE MARKET IS PUSHED BACKWARD INTO THE BUILDING WHICH CAN FULLY EXPERIENCE THE TRIANGULATED ROOF. CLASSROOMS ARE LOCATED AT THE CANTILEVER STRUCTURE ON THE ENTRY POINT FOR CHINATOWN. LARGE OPENINGS ON THE CLASSROOM CAN PROVIDE SUNLIGHT AND EXPOSED IT TO THE PUBLIC AT THE SAME TIME. SPACE UNDER THE CANTILEVER CAN BE SERVED AS THE GATHERING SPACE. AS THE GUESTS CONTINUE TO WALK THROUGH THE BUILDING, THEY EXPERIENCE THE CONTINUITY OF THE TRIANGULATED ROOF. THE DINING AREA IS LOCATED AT THE ENTRY POINT FOR DOYLE PLACE. IT IS SURROUND BY THE SEVERAL PATHS WHICH EMPHASIZE THIS IS THE DINING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
FIELD OPERATION
LECTURE HALL
CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
ADMIN SPACE
DINING AREA
COFFEE SHOP
MARKET
GATHERING AREA
CUTPLAN @ 10’
1st FLOOR
ELEVATION
2nd FLOOR
3rd FLOOR
SITE PLAN
SECTION FIELD OPERATION
SITE TRAFFIC LOAD PATH
STRUCRURE DIAGRAM
AS THE BUILDING IS BEING LIFTED UP, STRUCTURE ELEMENTS BECOME ONE TRUCTURE DIAGRAM OF THE ESSENTIAL PART IN THIS PROJECT.
PEDESTRIAN
AFTERNOON
SUNSET
MORNING
SUN AND WIND DIAGRAM TRIANGULATED SUN ROOFAND AND PUNCHED OPENINGS CAN PROVIDE NATURAL LIGHTING WIND FLOW DIAGRAM AND VENTILATION FOR THE BUILDING.
FIELD OPERATION
LECTURE HALL
DINNING AREA
RAMP TO LECTURE HALL
SECOND FLOOR
MARKETPLACE
CLASSROOM AREA
ENTRANCE
FIELD OPERATION
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
PROGRAM: MID-DESITY HOUSING
THIS PROJECT I WILL DEVELOP A DENSE URBAN HOUSING SCHEME THAT EXPLORES THE POTENTIAL FOR SITE, TYPOLOGY, HISTORIC PRECEDENT, NATURE, ORGANIZATIONAL IDEAS, ORDERING PRINCIPLES, CIRCULATIONS, MATERIAL STUDIES, AN SYSTEM INTEGRATION TO INSPIRE FRESH COMBINATIONS AND WELL-REASONED FRAMEWORKS FOR THE DESIGN OF DOMESTIC SPACE. AS THE NECESSITY TO HOUSE GROWING POPULATIONS INTENSIFIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY, ARCHITECTS MUST CONTINUE TO RE-THINK CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES AND OFFER IMAGINATIVE POSSIBILITIES AND INVENTIVE PROGRAMMATIC COMBINATIONS THAT ADDRESS BOTH THE LIFESTYLE AND ACTIVITIES OF A DENSELY URBAN, MULTI-CULTURAL AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE POPULATION.
THE SITE LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF WILSHIRE BOULEVARD , AT 7TH AND IROLO, THIS SITE CONTEXT ALREADY SUPPORTS A DENSITY COMPARABLE OR GREATER THAN THE MID-RISE PROJECT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
SITE DIMENSION: 310’X135’ SITE AREA: APPROXIMATELY 42000SF
N
SITE PLAN
1-BEDROOM UNIT
LONG ELEVATION
2-BEDROOM UNIT
3-BEDROOM UNIT
SHORT ELEVATION
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
N
GROUND FLOOR
LONG SECTION
2ND FLOOR
3RD FLOOR
4TH FLOOR
5TH FLOOR
6TH FLOOR
SHORT SECTION
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
PENETRATION/SLOTS
WIND PENETRATION
1-BEDROOM UNIT
CIRCULATION
LIGHT PENETRATION
EXTRUDED BALCONY
LANDSCAPE
2-BEDROOM UNIT
3-BEDROOM UNIT
SUMMER SUNRISE
SUMMER SUNSET
WINTER SUNRISE
WINTER SUNSET
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
(urban)SLOT APARTMENT
CALA
PROGRAM: SCHOOL AND ARCHITECTURE MUSEUM THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT TO CREATE A BUILDING THAT ENGAGES WITH THE URBAN LIFE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. AS THE SITE IS LOCATED AT A SPECIAL CORNER CONDITION, THE BUILDING WOULD SERVE AS AN ICONIC BUILDING TO DEAL WITH THE TRANSITION OF DIFFERENT LIFE STYLE AROUND THE SITE (FINANCIAL CORE TO HISTORICAL DISTRICT). AS A RESULT, THE BUILDING ITSELF ALMOST REPRESENT AND BECOME THE TRANSITION ITSELF; WHERE THE BUILDING IS SEPARATED INTO TWO PARTS. THERE IS A GROUND-BUILDING THAT SIGNIFY THE URBAN SOCIAL LIFE IN LOS ANGELES AND THE TOP BUILDING IS A MORE PRIVATE PART OF THE BUILDING.
SITE
LIGHT TRAFFIC
HEAVY TRAFFIC
SITE RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL OUTDOOR PARKING INDOOR PARKING LIBRARY
SITE
SITE
SITE
SITE
THE SITE IS LOCATED AT S HILL ST AND 4TH ST. IT IS SURROUNDED BY MULTI-STORY BUILDINGS AND SITS OPPOSITE TO ANGEL’S KNOLL AND A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE GRAND CENTRAL MARKET
MASSING MODEL IN EARLY STAGES
CALA
B
A
B
A
N
SITE PLAN
START WITH STACKING PROGRAM
TURN THE PROGRAM MASS INTO FLOOR PLATES
OUTSIDE ENVELOP
INNER SKIN
GROUND BUILDING AS A URBAN SOCIAL SPACE
ALL OTHER PROGRAMS ARE LOCATED INSIDE THE SKY BUILDING
OPENING FOR SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE
3 POINTS OF ENTRY
SUNLIGHT STUDY
MULTI-FUNCTION
RETAIL
EXHIBITION
ADMINISTRATION / OFFICES CLASSROOM / TRAINING LOBBY
VISITOR CIRCULATION
STUDENT CIRCULATION
STAFF CIRCULATION
UNDERGROUND CIRCULATION
ENTRY FROM CAFE
ELEVATOR CORE
STRUCTURE
LIBRARY
CAFE
CALA
PLAN @ 11’
PLAN @ 56’
PLAN @ 84’
PLAN @ 98’
SECTION B-B
CALA
3D SECTION CHUNK
METAL CAP WATER PROOF MEMBRANE STUD WALL
STAINLESS STEEL GUTTER CONCRETE PAVING WATER PROOF MEMBRANE RIGID INSULATION
CONCRETE METAL DECKING
DUCTWORK WIDE FLANGE STEEL BEAM MAIN RUNNERS
STEEL ANGLE
CONCRETE FINISH METAL DECKING C-CHANNEL BOLTED WIDE FLANGE STEEL BEAM VERTICAL HANGER WIRES
DUCTWORK
T-BAR
SECTION A-A
CALA
NORTHEAST ELEVATION
NORTHWEST ELEVATION
CALA
CALA
CALA
LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION PROGRAM: MOSQUE AND ISLAMIC STUDY CENTER THE OPERATION TO LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION IS TO BRING GREEN SPACE ALONG THE PROGRAM INSIDE THE EIXAMPLE BLOCKS, SO THAT THE GREEN SPACE BECOME THE SHARED SPACE BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY AND BARCELONA COMMUNITY. THE CONCEPT FOR THE OVERALL DESIGN IS HAVING FOUR GENERAL VIEW POINT ON THE EDGE OF THE MIDDLE BLOCK AS THE STITCHER, TO PROVIDE VISUAL AND CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE THREE BLOCKS. FOR THE LAST PHASE, THE MAIN FOCUS WOULD BE ON THE MOSQUE. THE CONCEPT OF THE MOSQUE IS TO CREATE AN OCCUPIABLE ROOF THAT WOULD BECOME A COURTYARD FOR THE TWO COMMUNITIES IN BARCELONA. ACCESS TO THE MOSQUE WOULD IN MORE PRIVATE WAY. PEOPLE HAVE TO WALK DOWN THE RAMP THAT IS CONTINOUS AROUND THE MOSQUE. PRAYER SPACE FOR WOMEN WOULD BE AT THE SECOND FLOOR AND PRAYER SPACE FOR MEN WOULD BE AT THE LOWEST FLOOR AS THEY COULD HAVE MORE INTIMACY WITH THE MINBAR.
FOR OUR GROUP, WE PROPOSE TO LOCALIZE THE DELOCALIZATION(PROGRAMS) BY PUTTING BUILDINGS INTO THE COURTYARD INSIDE THE EIXAMPLE BLOCK, SO THAT THE PUBLIC SPACE CAN BE SHARED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE BUILDINGS, WE DESIGN SEVERAL PATHS AND SKY BRIDGES THAT PROVIDE PHYSICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BUILDINGS, AT THE SAME TIME EMPHASIZING THIS PART WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER PART OF THE CITY.
PEDESTRIANS - HIGHER ACCESSIBILITY
4.VII.Pi
STREET TRAFFIC HIGHER ACCESSIBILITY
M
M
M
SITUATED NEXT TO PUBLIC PARK RESEARCH CENTER
A NARROW STREET WITH LITTLE SHOPS CONNECTING THE PROGRAMS
THE MEETING POINT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAM
SITUATED NEXT TO PUBLIC PARK AND LIBRARY
SITUATED NEXT TO MARKET
LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION
MEETING AREA CENTER FOR ISLAMIC CENTER RESIDENTIAL UNITS COMMERCIAL MOSQUE
MASSING LOGIC
PROPOSED PLAN
THE CONCEPT OF THE PROPOSED IS PLAN IS TO USING THE MIDDDLE BLOCK TO PROVIDE VIEWING AND PHYSICAL CONNECTION TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH BLOCK. AS A RESULT, THE PATH IN THE MIDDLE BLOCK WILL ACT AS A CENTRAL AXIS TO CONNECT THE REST.
THE HIGH POINT IN THE MIDDLE BLOCK WOULD PROVIDE VNEWING CONNECTION TO THE OTHER BLOCKS
PART OF THE BLOCK IS BEING REMOVED FOR ACCESSIBILITY
MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER
B
B
MOSQUE PLAN @ -4m
A
N MECCA
MOSQUE PLAN @ 30m AT THE LATER STAGE, I SHIFTED MY FOCUS ONTO THE MOSQUE FOR FUTTHER DEVELOPMENT. IN ORDER TO CREATE A SHARED ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN REGULAR BARCELONA COMMUNITY AND THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, I PROPOSED AN OCCUPIABLE ROOF WITH GREEN SPACE THAT CAN BE USED FOR BOTH COMMUNITY, AT THE SAME TIME, THE LIVING CONDITION FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE BLOCK WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED.
MOSQUE PLAN @ -7.5m LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION
STRUCTURE
CONCRETE SLAB
OCCUPIABLE FLOOR
METAL CORREGATED DECK
RETAINING WALL
GROUND LEVEL SPACE
THIN METAL PANELS
UNDERGROUND PATH
SECTION A-A
ACCESS FOR MEN ACCESS FOR WOMEN
ACCESS TO ROOF
GREEN SPACE
ACCESS TO MOSQUE
THE RAMPING ROOF IS INTENDED TO BE USED BY BOTH COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE FOR THE MOSQUE. THE OPENINGS ARE LOCATED AT GAP BETWEEN DIFFERENT SLABS. MOREOVER, THE ORIENTATION OF THE SLABS ARE PURPOSELY POINTING TO THE DIRECTION OF MECCA, AS A SYMBOLIC RELATION TO THE RELIGION. SINCE THE SLABS ARE POINTING TO MECCA, THE MOSQUE WOULD NOT GET MUCH DIRECT SUNLIGHT, WHICH WOULD BE OPTIMAL FOR A PRAYING AND QUIET ENVIRONMENT
OPENINGS
SECTION B-B
LOCALIZING THE DELOCALIZATION
SECTION PERSPECTIVE
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY HAS BEEN ONE OF MY IMPORTANT HOBBIES IN MY LIFE, IT CAN SHOW HOW LIGHT REFLECT ON DIFFERENT MATERIAL, AND HOW LIGHT CREATE SHADINGS IN DIFFERENT PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH I AM TRYING TO EXPLORE IT THROUGH ARCHITECTURE.
ROLLEIFLEX 3.5F F5.6, T=1/30s THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN THE GARDEN BEHIND THE SUPREME COURT OF HONG KONG
ROLLEIFLEX SL35 F8, T=1/125s THE BOX OFFICE AT SHRINE AUDITORIUM
PHOTOGRAPHY
ROLLEIFLEX 3.5F F8, T=1/125s THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AT THE TEA MUSEUM INSIDE HONG KONG PARK
ROLLEIFLEX SL35 F5.6, T=1/30s USC
ROLLEIFLEX SL35 F8, T=1/125s KE YUEN LOCATED AT GUANG-ZHOU
PHOTOGRAPHY
END