PORT FOLIO
NICK OYASU
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Project Name:
Pier 76 - Riverfront Terraces
Semester:
08
Project Site: NYC, New York
Project Mentor: Nuria Sabate
From 1947 to 1976, two General Electric manufacturing plants discharged as much as 1.3 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson river. This highly carcinogenic chemical contaminated over 200 miles of the river, which had devastating e ects on the surrounding ecosystems, including people, that depended on the river. Additionally, despite the improvements to water quality thanks to the Clean Water Act of 1972, NYC still experiences Combined Sewage Overflows which occur when heavy rainfall overloads the system and dumps unfiltered sewage into the Hudson River.
This proposal seeks to respond to both problems by providing a site for water purification and pollution education. The site houses two filtration systems for purifying contaminated water while the museum educates visitors of the harmful consequences of pollution and strategies to reduce water pollution at home.
horizontal flow forced aeration system
acrete (concrete substitute) water repelant reduces CO2 emissions
steel decking e uent flow from HFCW
phargmites australis reedbed
clerestory window 13mm stone aggregate sprinklers distrubte water vertically
detail #1: constructed wetlands
The roof of the museum is a set of terraces which holds the constructed wetlands, a treatment system that utilizes a natural filtration process involving wetland vegetation such as reeds, soils, and microorganism to purify graywater. River water is pumped up to the roof where the water undergoes this process twice. Horizontal flow and vertical flow are both used to remove as much pollutant as possible.
rebar size #8 @ 1” dia.
Water purified from the constructed wetlands is then used to hydrate the flora on the walkable terraces on the site via sprinklers. Small water rills on each terrace level also feature the purified water, which all flow towards the end of the pier to a splash pad for water play. Visitors are able to enjoy the immediate e ects of the purification in these ways.
CENTER
Project Name: Champaign Community Center
Semester:
07
Project Site: Champaign, IL
Project Mentors: Prof. Tait Johnson
This community center is proposed for a site located in downtown Champaign to serve residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. This facility will be situated in a relatively dense context, well served by public transportation and within walking distance of residential and commercial areas. This new community center should be used as a resource for people of all ages and backgrounds providing spaces for education, recreation, entertainment, socialization and organization. Two crucial goals for this project were sustainability and longevity of the building and to create a sense of community.
The entire south facade is enclosed by a double pane Low-E coated floor to ceiling glazing that seems to levitate the concrete roof, allowing sunlight to illuminate the majority of the plan. In order to span the wide distance of the multipurpose room on the very west of the site, I utilized a wa e slab structure that was capable of leaving the room unobstructed of columns. This roof structure, which had glazed openings at the top as well as air vents, encloses the room which is sunken into the ground, providing a cooling e ect during the summer and an insulating e ect in the cold winter months.
Site Context
Columns at 26”dia. Footing at 1’
Project Name:
Mixed Use Housing Semester:
06
Project Site: Champaign, IL
Project Mentors:
Prof. Paul Armstrong, Prof. Andrea Melgarejo de Berry
The Boneyard Creek is a manmade reservoir for rainwater collection. Along this stream that stretches across the UIUC campus, there are several sections on the West that have been landscaped as greenways, consisting of walking trails, prairie grasses and small waterfalls which serve as relaxing picturesque landmarks.
Sitting just north of ones of these landscaped fens is the site for this mixed use, multi-family apartment complex. This project takes advatage of the scenery and flora by bringing it onto the property and up onto the balconies that look out onto the courtyard and the distant landscape.
Site Plan
The first floor, which is accessible from the Southern courtyard, is open to the public, including o ces, meeting rooms, a Co-Working space, event space as well as a 2000 square foot leasable retail space to the Southwest. The residents can access a secured entrance to the West where they have access to elevators that can bring them to apartment spaces. Starting from the second floor, the building is designed in a “U” shape as a gesture to direct the residents’ views towards the Boneyard Creek. Apartments on the inside of this “U” have access to a terrace that is shared among those tenants. At the roof level, users can enjoy the glazing encased lounge, complete with bar seating for refreshments.
Ground Floor Plan
South
Residential Floor Plan
Project Name:
Lincoln Building Studio
Apartment
Semester: 06
Project Site: Champaign, IL
Project Mentors:
Prof. Paul Armstrong, Prof. Andrea Melgarejo de Berry
The Lincoln Building at 44th East Main Street in Champaign underwent a renovation that enabled the 5th floor to be leased as residential loft spaces. The client was most interested in prioritizing human experience, spacial utility and occupant health.
Research shows that natural lighting is critical when considering the wellbeing of people. Simply having exposure to sunlight helps the brain to release seritonin which can improve a person’s mood, performance, energy levels, positivity and focus. This proposal attempts to harness these poitive e ects maximize the potential of the living experience and health of the occupant.
Site Context
This 450 square foot studio unit was designed with the intention of allowing plenty of the indirect, Northern sunlight into the kitchen. A tenant working in the kitchen, they are granted a spectacular view from the kitchen island, making for a calming working experience.
Site Plan
Section Perspective
Diagram
Project: Three-legged Stool Semester: 08
Project Mentors: Carl Lewis, Lowell Miller
This project was completed in a graduate level furniture design seminar. It takes inspiration from the works of American sculptor, painter and architect, Wharton Esherick, who applied the principles of sculpting in ordinary , utilitarian objects. He was best known for his free-form, curvilinear sculptural furniture. The steps involved in designing and manufacturing this project developed my skills in joinery woodturning and free-form angle grinding.
06 HURRICANE IDA RESTORATION
Project:
Louisiana Hurricane Ida Relief
Volunteer Organization:
All Hands and Hearts
Site: LaPlace, Louisiana
Volunteer period:
June-August 2022
Project Coordinator: Joseph Kirkland
On August 29, 2021, category 4 Hurricane Ida touched down over the Port Fourchon community in Louisiana. Much of New Orleans was protected by its levee system, however multiple towns outside its protection saw catastrophic flooding and storm surges.
One year later, a small team of volunteers and I dedicated our time to conducting interior home restorations. This work included mucking and gutting, installing insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, mudding, taping and painting. As a site team leader, I was responsible for setting daily progress goals, delegating tasks, and providing constrution advice in coordination with a site supervisor.
