Landscape Architecture Portfolio

portfolio anh luu selected

works

CURRICULUM VITAE anh luu

437 299 3346

anh.luu@mail.utoronto.ca linkedin.com/in/ngocanhluu34/

EDUCATION

Class of 2025 Class of 2017

EXPERIENCE

May 2023 - Present

Master of Landscape Architecture

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design University of Toronto, Canada

BA in Architectural Studies, magna cum laude (GPA: 3.79/ 4.0) Mount Holyoke College, United States

• Exchange Semester at Yonsei University, South Korea, Fall 2015

• Honorable Mention - Student Design challenge

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT

The Centre for Landscape Reseach, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

June 2020 - April 2022

EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT

Keppel Land Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Feb 2019 - June 2020

MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE PROGRAM (MAP)

Keppel Land Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Jan 2018 - Sep 2018

JUNIOR ARCHITECT

Laboratory for Visionary Architects (LAVA), Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Jun 2017 - Dec 2017

PROFICIENCY

AutoCAD

Adobe Suite Rhino

SketchUp

LANGUAGE

Vietnamese English Korean

QUALIFICATION

LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE

GRADUATE ARCHITECT

Elenberg Fraser Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Microsoft Office

Fabrication lab

Watercolor Sketching

native advanced beginning

Green Business Certification Inc.

Sep 2021

Growing Fire: Indigenous Space for West Campus

Design Studio, Winter 2023

Instructor: Elise Shelley, Terence Radford, Agata Mrozowski Collaboration: Bai Xi

The project creates a new landscape space that facilitates an initiation program for new students at Univesity of Toronto to learn and honor the Indigenous presence on the campus. The design incorporates Indigenous values and land-based practices, using natural elements such as water, fire, and traditionally valuable plants in Anishinaabe culture. The ceremonial plaza is the heart of the project, where students will take part in a ceremony with the Sacred Fire and learn about two Sacred Plants: Mashkodewashk (White Sage) and Asemaa (Tobacco). Located centrally on West Campus, it marks existing Indigenous landmarks and the Ishpaadina trail, while expanding the presence of Indigenous culture to the rest of the campus. With its True North orientation, the plaza’s circulation encourages entry from the East, moving clockwise through the plaza. The fire continues to bloom after the ceremony through the red and orange planting palette around the plaza and in a series of planters across the campus. The reminder to honor Indigenous presence also continues, as the students are asked to take care of the sacred plants in these planters right next to their academic life.

The project also honors water, through a water collection structure of Baakwaanaatig (Staghorn Sumac), another traditional plant in Anishinaabe knowledge, reminding everyone to honor and connect with natural resources. The decentralized elements of the project are carefully integrated into everyday life to transform the settler landscape and reclaim the Indigenous presence on this land. The act of caring for the sacred plants becomes an ongoing ceremonial process, with new students learning about these values and becoming responsible for harvesting and gifting these plants to the next incoming group. The planters and plaza are the counter-ceremony where it will never end: harvest that water, honor those plants, and create that fire.

Orientation program to educate new students on Indigenous’ presence through practices and ceremony

Plaza’s location with important Indigenous landmarks

Visualization by Bai Xi

Section showing structure of planters and water collection system

Site Plan: Ceremonial plaza with new planting palette

Ceremonial plaza in Fall Semester: Ceremonial events with Sacred Fire space (up to 100 people capacity)

Ceremonial plaza in Winter Semester: (red planting palette with Staghorn Sumac and Red Osier Dogwood)

Dentonia Park Golf Course

Design Studio, Fall 2022

Instructor: Peter North, Behnaz Assadi, Elnaz Sanati

Dentonia Park Golf Course is located on the east side of Toronto, lying between Warden Woods and Taylor Creek Park along the Taylor Massey creek. Despite having such a considerable amount of green space, the presence of the rail track and the golf course itself have created barriers that fragment the neighborhood and the green areas. Both human and non-human - wildlife and vegetation, were missing the chance to fully connect as a harmonious network. As such, a new circulation system has been designed facilitating crossings over existing barriers and uniting green space for all species. Taking into account neighborhood traffic, this new system takes advantage of the steep topography to create exciting pathways leading to the wetland area, the creek, and the lush foliage above. The design is sensitive to the Environmental Significant Area of Warden Woods and navigates around the floodplain to minimize its impact. Through prioritizing ecological health, community well-being, and long-term resilience, the project is a commitment to sustainable future, addressing the challenges posed by urbanization and promoting a harmonious coexistence between people and nature.

Circulation barrier (Golf course, rail track)

Ecological barrier (Golf Course, rail track and street system)

Study of access: Dentonia Park golf course being both a program and physical barrier for human/ non-human’s access across existing green space in the area

Study of Evironmental Significant Areas - ESA (left) and flood impacted areas (right)

Taylor Massey Creek

Existing trail

Existing trail for re-use

New multi-use path

New pedestrian path

Viewing deck

Wildlife bridge/ corridor

New circulation and program proposal connecting all the existing green space to provide acess for both human and non-human (animal and vegetation)

The site within the green space network running along Taylor-Massey Creek

Trees Golf course naturalization

At Dentonia Park Golf Course, the riparian zone will be expanded by gabion walls removal and naturalization, creating new nesting habitats filled with woody plants, meadows, and shoreline species that can withstand flooding season. This area will also act as a cleansing filter for water runoff from the golf course to the creek and offer a visual separation between the private use of the golfers and the public use of trail users, making the golf course accessible to all instead of being reserved only for golf.

Stream course and shoreline plants

Understory trees and woody shrubs

The wildlife bridge is a crucial connector, facilitating the movement of exisitng animals, vegetations. Elevated above the rail track, it seamlessly integrates with proposed multiuse trail, eliminating physical barriers for free wildlife passage between ecologically sensitive areas. It provides visitors with a unique opportunity to observe without disturbance. Adorned with selected plants, the bridge not only facilitates safe passage but also provides essential food and shelter for these species.

Container plants

Ground cover plants

Woody shrubs Wildlife bridge

Winter Garden

Plants & Design, Winter 2023

Instructor: Alissa North

Drawing inspiration from Piet Oudolf’s celebrated approach to naturalized gardens and matrix planting, this project aims to bring a stunning winter palette to a Torontonian residential house’s front yard. By carefully selecting a variety of ornamental grasses with rich copper and red tones that last well into the cold season, and strategically interspersing hardy perennials with striking stems throughout the garden, this design creates a visual feast that delights the senses year-round. The project also takes into account the unique challenges of urban gardening, including issues such as heat island effects and salt spraying, and skillfully works around existing trees to create an environment that supports both the plants and the local ecosystem. The result is a selection of species that withstand the harsh urban condition, transform with the seasons and bring a sense of natural wonder and beauty to the viewer.

Schematic planting plan - Summer

Schematic planting plan - Winter

Take-an Teahouse

Design Build Studio, Fall 2014 (Exhibition Spring 2015)

Instructor: Naomi Darling

Collaboration: Georgi Goldstein

Through the case study of Tai-an teahouse, we understand many principles in tea ceremony: Harmony (wa), Respect (kei), Purity (sei), Tranquility (jaku). The teahouse itself is the representation of these concepts. The host and guest each have their own distinctive entrance and seating, defining the person’s every step and guiding them to comport themselves in a respectful manner.

Bamboo (竹‘take’), chosen as the main element of our teahouse, perfectly embodies one of these values: the appreciation for nature at its purist. The bamboo is left untreated, allowed to age and change gradually. The bamboo also helps to create a system that looks unintentional, hiding our plan behind all the twists and curves while still having substantial structural strength. In contrast with the undulating interior layers, the simple cube form creates a dynamic experience: there is a performance split into two roles that one can only realize through the act of entering. The ceiling height and spatial quality creates a unique experience to fully enjoy a cup of tea.

designated entrance

CASE STUDY: TAI-AN TEAHOUSE

Tai-an Teahouse (1582-1583) creates a space solely for the experience of drinking tea with all the intricate rules reflected in the design but remains simple enough so that the people occupying the room are not too distracted by its form while enjoying the art of tea. It is a performance split into two roles that interact within one space: the host and the guest. The difference in the height of the ceiling creates an invisible spatial barrier. Each section has its entrance in two distinctive sizes, causing a unique interaction between the two during the tea ceremony.

Overall, the teahouse is an appreciation for irregularity in nature, with all the walls different from each other inside and different from their counterpart outside. There is no specific rule in the size and location of the windows, which creates a dynamic experience. These have become the main inspiration for our design, using bamboo as our representation.

spatial comfort

natural form created with bamboo

Thi Apartment

Construction completed 2021

Role: Project lead - Interior concept to construction

The project seeks to breathe new life into the single apartment through planning more functional space, especially the living-dining area. A brighter color palette is introduced to embody the owner’s personality and accommodate her collection. The central concept for the living space is “fluidity”: from the kitchen island flows down to the bench, the dining space, and the sofa couch, the place opens up visually, giving the occupant the complete sense of her own space. Furthermore, the module sofas add a playful note and create new functions and decoration ways for the owner, who loves gathering and always seeks to refresh her space, especially during the pandemic where the mind and eyes seek freedom.

BEFORE AFTER

Material and colour palette

Proposed spatial design

Illustrated interior scheme

Floor plan

Elevation 1

Floor plan

Bathroom details

Ars Aevi Museum

Design V Studio, Fall 2016

Instructor: Ajla Aksamija

A project to help revitalize Sarajevo after the Seige of Bosnia in 1992, Ars Aevi (“Art for the Epoch”) Museum for Contemporary Art is both an artistic and historical landmark. The site comprises of two parts:

The Sarajevo Romeo & Juliet Memorial, located next to the bridge where the first victims - a couple, died during the Seige of Bosnia, reimagines the tense moment when they crossed the bridge. Utilizing the site’s sun path, the memorial aims to evoke similar feelings in visitors at that exact time and space of the tragic event

The Ars Aevi Museum design centralizes around the “courtyards,” a notable element of the traditional Ottoman House. These “courtyards” come in different forms: lightwell, sunken garden and atrium, which help divide the space into smaller function areas and bring comfort through lighting. Following the program grid, the façade is a system of louvers & glass with a uniform design language. The result is a unified open space which is intimate enough for visitors to enjoy the art without feeling overwhelmed.

Admira Ismić and Boško Brkić, the Romeo and Juliet of Sarajevo, were two of the first few victims being killed during the Seige of Sarajevo in 1992 - 1996. Their story became sensational after the documentary retelling story of the unfortunate couple trying to find a place for them. In the end, they lost their lives on the Vrbanja Bridge. The memorial, located near where the couple fell, reimagines the tension moment they were run-

ning through the bridge, a chaotic pathway of hope and desperation, but reached by silence. It is the journey crossing all those chaos, a mix of black and white, shadow and light, and at the pivot point, all left is red and the open space, the viewer is exposed to the whole scene of this final act and what they feel is beyond their mind: there is peace, but also terror. Disappointment has to be there, and also helplessness.

Chaotic openings created from sunlight direction at 5-7pm, the time the couple fell down on the bridge.

SARAJEVO ROMEO & JULIET MEMORIAL

From the concept of the pathway in the memorial design, the Ars Aevi Museum continued the concept, walking from public to private starting from the location of the memorial, the public space to the other side if the site.

In Sarajevo’s traditional Ottoman houses, the courtyards help divide the house into smaller units for better function, lighting and ventilation. All rooms are directed toward this open space. The “courtyards” in Ars Aevi transform into different forms: lightwell, sunken courtyard and atrium, but they remain their roles, welcoming visitors to a comfortable experience visiting the museum.

The facade design continues the museum concept of structure grid and develops to accommodate shading and lighting for the buildings. Concrete cladding creates privacy and boundaries for the outdoor space. Louvers with different widths and frosted glass are also used to provide shading while still providing lighting.

Louvers with glass (wider on south side)

memorial exhibition space office + service

Cladding Frosted glass

auditorium/ class

(heavy traffic)

(light traffic)

Division of functions

Facade Courtyard - central element

Traffic analysis with division of functions. Courtyard as a central element running along circulation.

1. Main entrance

2. Auditorium

3. Atrium

4. Exhibition space

5. Cafeteria

6. Bathroom

7. Sunken Garden

8. Office

9. Back of house

10. Loading Bay

11. Public garden

Section showing facade treatment and courtyards.

ARS AEVI MUSEUM

Ground Floor Plan

Aging Together:

Inclusive Aging-in-place strategies for Toronto

Concept, Design & Curation Lead: Victor Perez-Amado, Vinaya Mani

Role: Illustrator, Design Assistant (Public Realm)

Collaboration: School of Urban and Regional Planning (Toronto Metropolitan University), Centre for Landscape Research (Univeristy of Toronto), Egale Canada, Dr Celeste Pang

(Exhibited at Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 2023)

Toronto population is growing rapidly. This rapid shift in demography poses challenges in providing supportive housing, especially for elders who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ older adults, which stands for groups: Indigenous Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex. In particular, they might have limited access to inclusive housing and fear discrimination. To address these issues, new housing models and services are necessary, including retrofitting strategies that align with the principles of aging-in-place and aging-in-community. Aging-in-place allows individuals to stay in their preferred homes for as long as possible, while aging-in-community offers flexibility in housing options and locations based on evolving needs, emphasizing the importance of chosen family and connections within the neighbourhood. The illustration presented case study at Willowdale-North York neighborhood in Toronto, where a significant population of older adults reside but lacks sufficient infrastructure to meet their needs. The study looks at current land use policy to suggest appropriate changes and propose interventions to the area. These include housing retrofits, public realm improvements, enhanced services and amenities, with the aim to improve the built environment, increase access to essential amenities, and support aging-in-place for older adults, including those from the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Public Transportation

Increasing the frequency of affordable transit options and ensuring frequent stops at major destinations can significantly improve access to essential amenities for seniors. Additionally, it is important to provide special transit options upon request.

Creative Ground Covers

Creative ground cover allows seniors and individuals with disabilities to navigate outdoor spaces safely.

Street Lighting

Enhanced lighting with energy-efficient LED lights every 20 meters in busy areas improves visibility. Different lighting heights can be utilized for pathways, steps, planters, and seating areas.

Multigenerational Apartments

Multigenerational mixed-use apartments, equipped with retail stores, healthcare facilities, voice-activated suites, mini cinemas, chess clubs, and swimming pools, provide elderly neighbours with access to daily needs in close proximity.

Street Heating System & Refuge Island

Implementing a street heating system aims to reduce trip hazards caused by snow and ice on sidewalks during winter. The inclusion of refuge islands between two or three traffic lanes creates safer streets for seniors.

Signage/Wayfinding

To enhance accessibility for older individuals, it is essential to have sufficient signage at prominent locations. These signs should feature larger text and high-contrast colours, making them easier for older people to read.

Play & Exercise for All Ages

Play and exercise spaces for older adults facilitate a wider range of motion, improve balance, build muscle strength, promote cardiovascular health, and enhance fine motor coordination.

Community Gardens

Community gardens help reduce stress and loneliness in older adults, and elements like raised planters make interaction with nature accessible and more enjoyable.

Health & Emotion Regulating Plants

Emotion-regulating plants, preferably native ones, can create a soothing environment that regulates and improves breathing, reduces allergies and asthma symptoms, and boosts serotonin levels.

Meditation Spaces

Meditation spaces can allow older adults to connect with a supportive community and combat feelings of loneliness caused by limited mobility.

Market Spaces

Existing vacant open spaces can be retrofitted to accommodate seasonal activities such as community markets and event spaces to encourage socialization.

Public Dog Parks

Dog parks offer a secure environment for older adults or individuals with disabilities who may have difficulty walking their dogs. They provide a safe space for socialization, exercise, and enjoyment.