Portfolio|2018

NICOLE REN WEI MIN

PORTFOLIO 2018

BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTS University of Melbourne, 3 year course

2018

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA King George V School

2015

EDUCATION 2018 BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTS (mjr. Architecture) achieved Second Class Honours A

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE PROFILING TEAM 2018

GRAND MALAYSIAN BALL TEAM 2018

2015 INTERNATIONAL BACCLAUREATE DIPLOMA achieved 41 - 98.9 ATAR equivalent

KING GEORGE V SCHOOL

EXPERIENCE 2018

ST MARY’S COLLEGE Girl’s volleyball coach

2016- 2018 ST MARY’S COLLEGE (Casual) Kitchenhand

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DANCE SPACE (2017) CONCEPTUAL (academic) GROUP

EXTRANEOUS EXTRACTION (2018) CONCEPTUAL (academic) GROUP

2017 ST MARY’S COLLEGE Residental Mentor

ABOUT ME

My interests includes photography, books, film, volleyball, futsal and adventures.

Mobile +61 426582010 E-mail niccren3@gmail.com

RENAISSANCE COLLEGE HK Year 4 Teacher Assistant

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

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2018 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE PROFILING Catalogue Team

SEEKING SOLITUDE (2018) EDUCATION (academic) INDIVIDUAL

2018 GRAND MALAYSIAN BALL Publicity Officer 2017 - 2018

FUTSAL UniMelb Mixed Casual League

2016 - 2018

VOLLEYBALL UniMelb Mixed Casual League

Through the Looking Glass: A Masquerade Ball 2018

20 May, 1997 I am Malaysian-Chinese, and the youngest of three, born and raised in Hong Kong.

Whilst the oldest brother graduated Masters with Accounting and Finance and the second brother also with a Bachelor in Accounting and Finance, I recently graduated from the University of Melbourne, with an Architecture Major in the Bachelor of Environments.

DEC 2016 - JAN 2017

15 GRAND MALAYSIAN BALL (2018) COMMITTEE

16 PHOTOGRAPHY

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DANCE SPACE

(2017)

University of Melbourne, Year 2 TYPE GROUP

Conceptual Nicole Ren, Madeleine Archer, Sze Kei Lai

The project is about creating a physical representation of personal space that a person can wear in response to a certain environment or situation – a sort of second skin. Often depicted as defensive and an area to protect, this project’s concept looks at the dynamism of personal space and how it evolves through dance, from clubbing to the tango.

final model

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The chosen material system that formed the basis of the project was skin and bone, where I analysed and reconfigured an umbrella into a sketch model.

Various iterations of 3D Rhino models were produced to visualise aesthetics and methods of construction. (by Madeleine, Nicole and Sze Kei)

stage 1

inital concept sketch by Nicole

stage 2

inactive stage

active stage

active stage

inactive stage iteration 2

iteration 1

first prototype by Madeleine and Nicole

stage 3 The prototype’s relationship with light was explored as it is a performance piece as well. However with a person, the model feels static and cage-like.

We felt we had strayed from the original design and looked to simplify the process to find a more elegant solution. iteration 3

stage 4

iteration 4

rhino model of first prototype

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Testing material tension for ‘skin’ component.

fishing line Incorporating movement proved to be difficult, instead the design became a snapshot. The undulating elements account for the distances which the user felt most comfortable with close proximity.

The design was form-fitted to the model, alluding to the subjective qualities of personal space. rhino model iteration by Nicole

wool

plastic cord final model by Nicole and Sze Kei, modelled on Madeleine

Each element of the final design is tilted at an angle, to replicate a non-linear motion of dance. The bones are rigid pieces the black blends into the background and the main focus is the skin and the smooth curves that wrap the body in a swirl of movement.

final rhino model by Madeleine and Nicole

elastic

For its sensory effect, this design plays with the light and how the change in density in certain areas allows glimpses of the human body. Densely packed string is hence able to look like a flow of fabric.

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EXTRANEOUS EXTRACTION

(2018)

University of Melbourne, Year 3 Studio Air LOCATION TYPE BRIEF

GROUP

Rushall Station, Merri Creek, Melbourne Conceptual Propose a building for the site that is the product of a developed Grasshopper definition, an understanding of the site, and a developed program that is unique for developed reasons.

Nicole Ren, Katja Wagner

This studio relied on the unpredictability of Grasshopper and reversed the design process by deciding the program after the form was created. Each week a new brief was given, leading to a series of small projects that allowed us to explore functions and definitions. The studio, ironically named Control Freak, required relinquish of control over design and numerous trial and errors.

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Weekly exercises were done to explore the capabilities and mechanics of Grasshopper. Various iterations of a single form were created to test new functions. (Iterations below by Nicole) reference curve

order of loft

A B C

1 2 3

A B C

1 2 3

orientation of curves C A B

A B C

B C A

elevational view of train hitting sculptures

STAGED PERSPECTIVES (Katja and Nicole)

A FRAGILE ABSENCE (Katja and Nicole)

BRIEF PROGRAM

BRIEF PROGRAM

West Side Story Stage/ Pavilion

The architecture orchestrates views and experience of the audience.

A B C

1 2 3

voronoid function

pipe function

facet dome

Using Ladybug’s radiation analysis of the site to script the final form

0.020

0.040

perspective of steel mesh and timber habitats

WAITING TO BECOME (Katja and Nicole)

THE POINTED RECLAMATION (Katja and Nicole)

BRIEF Waiting for my life to become a cigarette advertisment

by Michael Gromm,

Butterfly metamorphosis PROGRAM Anti-program

BRIEF PROGRAM

N I C r E N & K AT j A W A G N E r | T U T O r I A L 7 , S T U D I O A I r

0.010

The aluminium structures are shaped by its surroundings and its interaction with them.

delauny edges

WA I T I N G TO B ECO M E

0.001

Cities & Eyes 5, Invsible Cities by Italo Calvino Sculpture

Prickly Pear A habitat for flora and fauna

Aside from being an agricultural pest, the prickly pear was a shelter for animals, used in red dye and made prickly pear jelly.

Its transition between forms and interruption of the current station program but not replacing it creates an anti-program.

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EXTRANEOUS EXTRACTION

section showing above and below ground

plan

diagram of construction elements by Katja

The project utilises real life data and parametric tools to shape the final form and the concept of extraction from the prickly pear.

The main structure is a system of spikes, filled with aggregates layered in size to gradually filter out the impurities in river or rain water like dirt and sand. Filtered water travels through the central pipe towards a storage tank as part of the neighbourhood’s own water supply; helpful in droughts or just everyday use.

The system could potentially ease flooding and facilitate the growth of flora and fauna, making the area the perfect for observing and analysing the species that inhabit there. Glazed clusters of spikes house observation decks, where embedded within the structure they can act as a shelter.

Hopefully, the system will eventually cease to become a mere water filtration system and be a habitat for small animals and overgrown with plants, turning into a natural ecosytem.

perspectives with coloured and sewn renders

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Cluster of glass spikes and observation decks that act as a bridge to the other side, render by Nicole

2 years after construction, render by Katja

Clusters of glass spikes showing the interior of the spikes, render by Nicole

final model

The final model represents a part of the system, where sections can be drawn out to reveal the internal layers of the spikes. prototypes 5 years after construction, render by Katja

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SEEKING SOLITUDE

(2018)

University of Melbourne, Year 3 Studio Fire

LOCATION TYPE BRIEF

University High School, Melbourne Education VCE building and sports stadium for student and public use

Seeking Solitude aims to improve the experience of Uni High Students by focusing on the lack of bridges, study spaces and most importantly a place to get away. The gap between Y11s and Y12s is sought to be bridged by creating a space that would be just for VCE students, as Year 12s are allowed to leave school whenever they want but Year 11s are not.

This is achieved through creating a VCE only space on the Northern boundaries and immersing students in the dappling canopy of Gum trees and views to the horizon. Light also filters through translucent corrugated plastic into rooms of pale timber, illuminating with a soft glow the learning and study spaces.

view of new VCE building from fitzgibbon street

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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

LIFT

LIFT

LIFT

AEROBIC STUDIO

AEROBIC STUDIO

IMAGE & STREET PRESENCE

1

Located southern boundary to maximise the northern sun and most used entrance

2

Bridging the new and old buildings

RECEPTION GYM

GY

OFFICE

NURSE

NURSE

STORAGE

STORAGE

STORAGE

STADIUM GROUND

STORAGE

STADIUM UNDERGROUND

! VCE STUDENTS ONLY !

STORY STREET

3

Shift to the North, creating a grassy space for VCE only and opening South for future development

LECTURE HALL 1 OFFICE 1

LECTURE HALL 2

4

Underground stadium and image making entry on corner of Royal Parade and Story St

ARTS TECH

LIFT

OFFICE 2

ADMIN

STAFF ROOM

ROYAL PARADE

ELEVATED WALKWAY AND OPEN GROUND FLOOR PLAN FOR EASIER CLASS TRANSITIONS

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Courtyard created around an existing tree and voids help with natural cross and stack ventilation

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Providing private entries onto site for VCE students to ‘sneak’ on or off site

GROUND FLOOR GTAC

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HEAD OF VCE/ SUB-SCHOOL CO-ORDINATORS LIFT

MEETING RM

Classrooms are arranged to accommodate different pedagogy styles. Some can open up into double rooms for cross-pollination or open out to a breakout space to aid a more informal learning style.

MEETING RM

TERRACE MEETING RM

SENIOR COMMON ROOM QUIET ROOM

HEAD OF VCE/ SUB-SCHOOL CO-ORDINATORS

INDOOR SOCIAL SPACE

LIFT

CANTEEN/ SHARED STUDY SPACE/ GALLERY

BRKOUT CLSRM 2

KITCHEN

MEETING RM

EXTERNAL STUDY SPACE

CLSRM 8 CLSRM 3

CANTEEN/ SHARED STUDY SPACE

MEETING RM

TERRACE MEETING RM

CLSRM 5 CLSRM 1 BRKOUT CLSRM 4

WORKSHOP 2

CLSRM 9

CLSRM 6

CLSRM 10

ATRIUM/ STUDY SPACE

CLSRM 7

KITCHENETTE

SENIOR COMMON ROOM

ATRIUM

BALCONY

ART TECH

WORKSHOP 1

CLSRM 11

BRKOUT

BRKOUT

m 0 CLSRM 8

main space CLSRM 5

shared space

main space

HEAD OF VCE/ SUB-SCHOOL CO-ORDINATORS

1:200 N

LIFT

STAFF ROOM 2

shared space

shared space

CLSRM 6

CLSRM 9

6

8

main space

10

main space main space

main space

CLSRM 10

ATRIUM

SECOND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

4

main space

main space

main CLSRM 7 space

2

EXTERNAL STUDY SPACE

CLSRM 11

BRKOUT

THIRD FLOOR

1:200 N m 0

2

4

6

8

10

main space

BRKOUT

TIMBER FRAMES ALLUDE TO NATURE

The connection with Art Tech is a flexible space that can be transformed into a gallery or study space or else a secondary canteen. The space is enclosed by a black aluminium structure so that from a distance, the VCE building stands alone alluding to the idea of separating the rest of the school from VCE.

The stadium is pushed underground to save field space above. The roof crashes through the ground and is used as seating for the basketball courts above. A void in the first floor allows natural light to stream down to the show court below.

CLSRM 8

main space main space

EXTERNAL STUDY SPACE

CLSRM 5

TIMBER FRAMES ALLUDE TO NATURE CLSRM 9

CLSRM 6 TIMBER FRAMES ALLUDE TO NATURE

CLSRM 10 CLSRM 7

ATRIUM

CLSRM 11

BRKOUT

ROYAL PARADE

LONG SECTION 12

DESIGN CONCEPTS TIMBER FRAMES ALLUDE TO NATURE AND ESCAPE

SHORT SECTION

The focus space of each floor increases in privacy to provide opportunities for hanging out, collaborative work or individual study. The spaces are kept comfortable with natural light and cross or stack ventilation.

story street view from a classroom CONSIDERING HEIGHT HIERARCHY TO ALLOW MORE VIEWS

A PHYSICAL SEPARATION external study space

THE ETHEREAL EFFECT

watching the field

watching the field ATRIUM ALLOWS NATURAL VENTILATION AND LIGHT INTO THE BUILDING

first floor atrium

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1

ARTS TECH

2

STORY STORY STREET STREET STORY STREET

PHASE 1: New VCE building with extended walkway + Sports Stadium Relocating basketball courts + landscaping 2 PHASE 2: 2 2 and Y9/10 common rooms Convert GTAC to Y7/8 2 Renovate canteen + buildings with new classrooms + shared space

1 2

2 2 2 3 3 3

ROYAL PARADE

1 1 1

PHASE 3: Demolish old building to open up space PHASE Create PHASE 1:1: nice green strip to link EBSS + Uni High PHASE 1: building with extended walkway + Sports Stadium New PHASE 1: building NewVCE VCE with extended extended walkway walkway + + Sports Sports Stadium Stadium New VCE building with Relocating basketball courts landscaping New VCEPHASE building withcourts extended walkway + Sports Stadium Relocating basketball ++landscaping 1: Relocating basketball courts + landscaping

ROYAL ROYAL ROYAL PARADE PARADE PARADE

ARTS ARTS ARTS TECH TECH TECH

3 3 3

1 1 1

1

ARTS TECH

3

3

STORY STREET

ROYAL PARADE

3

1:500 site model

1:500 site model

1:50 classroom

1:50 classroom

1:1000 MASTERPLAN

N

MASTERPLAN

m 0

10 20

30 40 50

Relocating basketball courts + landscaping development employs solutions obtained from the new VCE PHASE 1PHASE VCE building with extended walkway + Sports Future Stadium PHASE 2: 2:New 2: PHASE Convert2:GTAC to Y7/8 and Y9/10 common rooms Convert GTAC GTAC to Y7/8 and Y9/10 common rooms Convert andbasketball Y9/10 common rooms ++shared Relocating courts landscaping Convert GTAC to Y7/8buildings and Y9/10 common rooms Renovate canteen with new classrooms space Renovate canteen canteen + + buildings + shared space Renovate buildingswith withnew newclassrooms classrooms + shared space Renovate canteen + + buildings with new classrooms + shared space PHASE PHASE 3: 3:PHASE 2: open up space PHASE PHASE 3:3: building Demolish Demolish old old building to to open up space Demolish old building to open up space Demolish old building to openEBSS up Y7/8 Create green to + Convert GTAC to and Y9/10 Create nice nice green strip strip to link link EBSS + Uni Uni High High Create nice green strip UniUni High Create strip to to link linkEBSS EBSS+ + High

2 3

building. Older buildings are reappropriated into classrooms revolving 1:1000 MASTERPLAN around atriums with ample breakout or study spaces, whilst 1:1000nice MASTERPLAN 1:1000 MASTERPLAN bridges become shared and habitable spaces.

m 0 10 20 common roomsN 20 30 30 40 40 N 10 20 30 40 N mm 00 10 Renovate canteen + buildings with new classrooms + shared space

PHASE 3: Demolish old building to open up space Create nice green strip to link EBSS + Uni High

50 50 50

1:1000 MASTERPLAN

N

m 0

10 20

30 40 50

1:500 final model

1:500 final model

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GRAND MALAYSIAN BALL AT

P E N I N S U L A insta e-mail fb

GMBVIC

21ST SEPTEMBER, 2018

INFO@GMB.COM /GRANDMALAYSIANBALL WWW.GMBVIC.COM

recreation of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ book prop cover

a treasure hunt poster for participants to find around the city

a bookmark gift for attending GMB

(2018)

Student Organisation

LOCATION Peninsula ROLE Publicity Officer All designs displayed were done individually by the applicant.

GMB is an annual event held at Peninsula, with 450 participants from around Melbourne and is supported by eight Malaysian Student Organisations.

In a team of three designers, we were tasked to design promotional material such as social media posts, posters, tickets, flyers and props used in a promotional web series in the theme of this year’s ball - Through the Looking Glass: A Masquerade.

a social media competition post: alice depicted in previous ball themes

Through the Looking Glass: A Masquerade Ball 2018

GRAND MALAYSIAN BALL

GMB flyer

Our warmest thank you for making this GMB a special and memorable one.

series of promotional instagram posts

Your attendance is a gift we will treasure forever.

Yours sincerely,

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Flachau, Austria, 2018

Melbourne, 2018

Melbourne, 2018

Munich, 2018

Da Nang, Vietnam, 2017

Da Nang, Vietnam, 2017

Stuttgart Porsche Museum, 2017

Da Nang, Vietnam, 2017

Grampians, Melbourne, 2018

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