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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06
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
2
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
3
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
4
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. 5
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.
6
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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