nicole chen SELECTED WORKS 2018
U N I V E R S I T Y O F W AT E R L O O S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E 1
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contents Work Experience / Recommendations |
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1. Vitreous Library | 8 2. Ocean Oculus | 16 3. Regina Downtown Wayfinding Signage | 24 4. Orchid Off-Grid House | 32 5. Passageway House | 38 6. Urban Retreat | 44
Other Works | 48
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Hi! My name is Nicole Chen and I am an undergraduate student at the Waterloo School of Architecture. Prior, I studied for two years at the Waterloo School of Planning and I have had 2 cumulative years of work experience in the fields of architecture, urban planning, marketing, and design. To me, thoughtful design is an essential and necessary component of healthy societies. My passion lies in how we can use design in the built environment to benefit the lives of its users, inspire its onlookers, and improve its urban context. I am always looking to gain new experiences to become a better designer, and I would love to continue growing at your firm while contributing to its success.
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nicole chen 306.351.2685
nicolewchen.com
n39chen@edu.uwaterloo.ca
E DU C ATION UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 09/2017 - Present
Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours, Co-op Excellent Academic Standing 1A Dean’s List 1B, Ranked in top five percentile of class
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO SCHOOL OF PLANNING 09/2014 - 08/2016
Honours Urban Planning, 1st and 2nd year Dean’s List 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B Ranked in top five percentile of class
W O R K EXPERIENCE 05/2018 - 08/2018 Regina, SK
P3ARCHITECTURE PARTNERSHIP
Student Architect Produced visualizations, presentation drawings, construction sets, and site documentation for various projects, including the renewal of the historic University of Regina campus. Re-designed proposal graphics.
REGINA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 09/2016 - 04/2017 Regina, SK
Urban Planning Assistant Tasked with the creation of a comprehensive wayfinding signage system for Downtown Regina. Primary designer of the system’s visual identity, using AutoCAD and Adobe Suite. Produced a series of maps and graphics and coordinated the installation of phase 1 signs.
REGINA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 05/2017 - 08/2017 Regina, SK
05/2016 - 08/2016 Calgary, AB
SK IL L S
Program Coordinator Developed and implemented winter and summer public programming plans for for Regina’s City Square by connecting with various community organizations to provide free events for the public. Designed promotional material, updated website, and ran social media accounts.
CIR REALTY
Marketing Assistant & Designer Worked with a team of real estate agents to design a range of marketing materials, including client packages, online advertisements, social media graphics, and other print materials. Maintained website by writing a series of informational articles and copywriting listings.
Fabrication
Software AutoCAD Revit Maxwell VRay Photoshop Sketchup Grasshopper
Rhinoceros 5 Bluebeam Weaverbird Illustrator InDesign Microsoft Office GIS
Model Making 3D Printing 3D Scanning Foam Cutting
Other CNC Milling Laser Cutting Hand Drafting
Fluent Cantonese Photography Graphic Design Sketching Writing
LE AD ERS H IP & INVOLVEMENT 05/2015 - Present 09/2017 - Present 09/2018 09/2017 - 04/2018 01/2016 - 04/2016 09/2015 - 04/2016 09/2015 - 12/2015 09/2014
Artist and Co-founder of WCTN Art Collective Published BRIDGE Author and Member of BRIDGE Centre of Architecture & Design Waterloo Architecture Orientation - Media Coordinator Waterloo Architecture Student Association - Events Coordinator World Wildlife Fund University of Waterloo Chapter - Communications Director University of Waterloo Chinese Student Association - Marketing Executive Environment Student Society Coffeeshop - Volunteer President’s Scholarship for entrance average of 90+ 5
November 10, 2017 Re: Nicole Chen To Whom it May Concern: Nicole was employed as a Planning Assistant/Program Coordinator with the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District from September 2016 through August 2017. During her time with us, she took on multiple roles and proved to be a highly capable, motivated individual with a flexible skillset. Her main task was the creation of the Regina Downtown Wayfinding System. Nicole handled this project with great enthusiasm and eagerness, developing a system of district maps, signage typography conventions, and design renderings using AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. She also selected key sign install locations within the downtown district and met with sign fabricators and other stakeholders to handle the successful realization of the project. In addition, Nicole provided assistance to several other RDBID initiatives. She created a multitude of graphics to present research and information to the general public; oversaw summer event programming and permit submission; handled annual pedestrian count data, maps, and reports; maintained spreadsheets and databases for analytical research purposes; and cheerfully built partnerships with downtown stakeholders, sponsors, volunteers, and fellow staff members in the production of various RDBID events and initiatives. Nicole consistently demonstrated a readiness to learn and to take on major projects. She completed her tasks to a high level of quality and maintained a great dedication to detail, her work often going above and beyond what was assigned. I have no hesitation in recommending her to any future employer. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 306.359.7541. Sincerely,
Judith Veresuk Executive Director
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Architecture. Interior Design. Planning. P3Architecture Partnership 2292 Dewdney Avenue Regina, SK S4R 1H3 t. 306.757.1669 f. 306.352.0004 James Youck Architect SAA, MAA, MRAIC, AIA Patrick Kelly Architect SAA, MAA, MRAIC, AIA Chris Roszell Architect SAA, MRAIC Luigi Mazzotti Senior Technologist Dip. Arch. Tech. Wyatt Eckert Senior Technologist Dip. Arch. Tech.
September 30, 2018 Nicole Chen Designer | Architecture Student University of Waterloo, School of Architecture Cambridge, ON, Canada 306.351.2685 Sent via email: n39chen@edu.uwaterloo.ca
RE: Letter of Reference To whom it may concern, Nicole joined our firm in a summer term position starting May 2018 and worked with us until the end of August 2018 in the role of designer. Nicole was provided a broad range of opportunities which included work in design, preparation of presentation materials, working drawings, contract administration assistance and field work. Nicole is a strong architectural designer with excellent graphic skills. Her attention to detail, confidence, clarity of communication and ability to work independently with little direction allowed her to participate in multiple teams on multiple projects with ease. She enhanced her team participation with cooperation and diligence, adapting easily to an open studio environment. Nicole will be a talented asset to any design firm and we would have no hesitation in welcoming her back to join the P3A team. Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Sincerely,
Wyatt Eckert Principal
www.p3arch.com 7
1. academic work
vitreous library
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1B Architecture Studio April 2018 Location: Toronto, ON Supervised by: Donald McKay
nicole chen
A highly permeable public space, the Vitreous Library provides endless opportunities for interaction, gathering, and discovery. Nestled between a bustling intersection and a quiet residential area, the transparent public face of the building invites onlookers inside, where more private coves can be found deeper within the building. From the street, its interior programs are visible to passerbys, forming an open dialogue with the exterior environment. A glass reading room juts out of the library’s back facade, which opens out into a green space. Spaces between the building’s interior and exterior merge into one; boundaries between interior spaces vanish. Within, spaces and furniture are flexible and non-prescriptive. Users can pour into the excavated theatre/ lounge seating area to enjoy a performance, or to recline and read a book. Moveable furniture encourages social interaction and adpative uses of the library’s varied spaces. Users have the freedom to use the library in whichever way they deem fit. The space inside becomes a space for everyone, where boundaries do not exist and social interactions multiply.
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vitreous library
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plans
Basement
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3 4
2
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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academic work
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Main 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
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| nicole chen
Staff lounge Conference room 1 Conference room 2 Bathroom Theatre / lounge seating Entrance to theatre Storage Program room
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2
3
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Entrance vestibule Front desk Children’s Bathroom Theatre/lounge seating Sun reading room Youth
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Upper level
3 4
10
1
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Photocopiers Moveable seating Computers Bathroom Balcony/seating
features
Basement access to theatre
Moveable seating
Performance/lounge space
Private and collaborative work spaces
Balcony seating
vitreous library
Conference rooms & Staff Lounge
Outdoor sun room
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academic work | nicole chen
Performance / Lounge Area
Longitudinal Section
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vitreous library
Interior View
Front Elevation
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Cross S
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nicole chen
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academic work
vitreous library
Section
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2. 1B Building Construction April 2018 Location: Raja Ampat, Indonesia In collaboration with Christa Hu Supervised by: Terri Meyer-Boake th Christa Hu
nicole chen
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academic work
ocean oculus
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The onslaught of human pollution and overfishing in ocean habitats has caused the widespread deterioration of coral reef ecosystems around the world. These stunning systems are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth, despite the fact that they occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor. Most notably, the Raja Ampat archipelago, located in the Coral Triangle of the Western Pacific Ocean, is home to the richest marine biodiversity on the planet. Current unsustainable practices are threatening the livelihood of this location. Even recreational activities such as snorkeling can harm these delicate systems. OCEAN OCULUS proposes a new way of observing coral reef systems, relinking humanity to the ocean, without disturbing its livelihood. A submerged shell of steel and acrylic allow viewers to immerse themselves in these fascinating environments, offering an intimate method of observing reef species and providing valuable education about marine life.
ocean oculus
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nicole chen
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academic work
aa
structure
bb The observation station uses treated steel to create a stable submerged structure composed of a floating deck, supported by a ring of buoys; and a steel diagrid shell, which frames a series of transparent acrylic panels. Further stabilization is provided by a ballast tank located on the bottom of the structure. The shells are linked by a series
of modular floating walkways, allowing for the easy passage of pedestrians from land to ocean. The close proximity of the Raja Ampat islands is ideal for this modular setup, as it also provides a link between land masses.
RAJA AMPAT CORAL REEFS, INDONESIA
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ocean oculus
Plan aa - Upper Observation Platform and Connecting Walkways
Plan bb - Submerged Steel Diagrid Shell
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C Diagrid to ballast tank and interior platform connection
nicole chen
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academic work
A Walkway to platform connection
B Beam connections on platform
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Force diagram
A
B
C ocean oculus
Exploded Axonometric
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View from i
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nicole chen
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academic work
ocean oculus
have u seen my son
inside shell 23
3.
nicole chen
| professional work
Employer: Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Date: Nov 2016 - August 2017 Location: Regina, SK Programs used: AutoCAD, Illustrator, InDesign
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regina downtown wayfinding Employer: Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Location: Regina, SK Sept 2016 - April 2017
Working as a Planning Assistant with the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, I was assigned the task of designing Regina Downtown’s first-ever wayfinding system. After conducting a series of studies on the district, its movement patterns, and its landmarks; I designed a system of maps and graphics aimed not only toward quick and easy pedestrian navigation, but also toward highlighting the district’s most important landmarks. The resulting design uses a distinctive colour palette, a highly legible typography scheme, and clear maps and directions for users. After overseeing the installation process with sign fabricators and the City of Regina, the first series of signs have already been installed as a crucial part of Regina Downtown’s Strategic Plan for Growth.
rdbid wayfinding signage
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PANEL B1
PANEL A1
district identifier street name
major landmark directionals
PANEL A2
PANEL B2
downtown event promotion space
vicinity map
PANEL A3
PANEL B3
vicinity map business listing
nicole chen
| professional work
walking distance in minutes
district map
downtown identity photo
major district landmark listing
side A
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side B
rdbid wayfinding signage
installed phase 2 proposed sign future location
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IL S RA
WAY
ST
Casino Regina
N Delta Regina Hotel
Wingate by Wyndham Regina
N Cornwall Centre
Empire Hotel Regina Transit Information Centre
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11 50
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Saskatchewan Transportation Company 65
96
91
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T H AV E
1 1 T H AV E 19 49 24 87
81 30
Neutral 82 Ground 3 Gallery 15
58
80
63
59 74
60 21 1 42
Creative City Centre
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77
17 55
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52 26
1 2 T H AV E 93
92
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Regina Public Library
Victoria Park
S C A RT H S T
City Hall
33 79 73 38
78 62
Tourism Regina
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20 72
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66
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nicole chen
69 34 23
88
45 16
City Square Plaza
T H AV E
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7
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61
84
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31 83 44
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Double Tree By Hilton
Ramada Plaza 95
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V I CTO R I A AV E N U E
TO R I A AV E N U E
Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame
Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan
CULTURAL 1. 2. 3.
19. 20. 21. 22.
4.
23.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
AV E
24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
Quality Hotel
41. 42.
62. 63.
43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54.
64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79.
EATERIES 55. 56. 57. 58.
FINANCIAL 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93.
ACCOMMODATIONS
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94. 95.
SERVICES 96.
80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85.
59. 60. 61.
H ALIFAX ST
AV E
OSLER ST
BROAD STREET
H A M I LT O N S T
S C A RT H S T
CORNWALL ST
LO RN E S T
SMITH ST
MACINTYRE ST
AV E
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76
48 68
70 5
40 46
13
67
25
90
86
Globe Theatre
H ALIFAX ST
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22 2
OSLER ST
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Holiday Inn Express
BROAD STREET
Regina Downtown BID
94
10
ROSE ST
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89
H A M I LT O N S T
Royal Canadian Legion
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F.W.Hill Mall
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85 12
CORNWALL ST
LO RN E S T
SMITH ST
MACINTYRE ST
| professional work
57 71
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1
28 Mata Gallery
features
The podiums feature two distinctive maps: a district-wide map (following page) and a focus map (left), intended to give context to the pedestrian’s location relative to the rest of the district. It relays the pedestrian’s immediate surroundings within a 5-minute walking radius, listing landmarks in the immediate vicinity. The District Map highlights main public landmarks in the downtown using a clear graphic scheme and colours.
The middle panel (Panel 2) serves as a promotional space for downtown events on side A. The graphics are printed on a removable vinyl to allow for quick removal and re-application. The focus map is housed on side B in 11x17” format.
rdbid wayfinding signage
The two exterior faces of the podium are divided into three distinct sections: The topmost panel (Panel 1) is reserved for directional cues, relaying information such as street names, directions to adjacent landmarks, and predicted walking times to each one. It uses the Ciutadella font, well-known for its legibility and versatility for use in identity system applications.
The final and lowermost panel (Panel 3) is the largest, allowing for images 15 x 32” in size. On side A, it displays a series of high-resolution images of the downtown throughout various stages of its development, relaying a timeline of its growth. Side B is reserved for displaying the district map. Since the initial research and development process began in November 2016, ten of the podiums have been successfully installed with graphics in the highest-pedestrian traffic areas in Regina’s Downtown. The remaining phase 1 signs are awaiting city approval and permitting. Right: First podium installed in May 2017
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nicole chen
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professional work
rdbid wayfinding signage
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4. 1B Environmental Building Design April 2018 Location: Orchid Island, Taiwan Supervised by: Terri Meyer-Boake In collaboration with Riling Chen
nicole chen
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academic work
orchid house
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Working in the field, performing research, necessarily takes place in locations where standard urban services such as energy supply, water supply and sewage are not available. Many researchers need to perform their tasks for longer periods of time, and in locations where the weather is severe, making “tenting� or temporary lightweight accommodation unfeasible. The Orchid Off-Grid House provides a more sustainable and long-term solution for researchers to engage in their work. Relying on passive strategies and active systems, the home minimally impacts its environment, while providing a comfortable environment for its inhabitants.
orchid off-grid house
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nicole chen
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academic work
Cross Ventilation
Sun angles
Intended for inhabitation by ocean researchers, the Orchid house is situated on a beach on Orchid Island, Taiwan. The off-grid home provides sublime comfort to its inhabitants through various passive strategies to keep its interior cool and shaded in the hot-humid climate. The home is raised on stilts and overlooks the ocean, utilizing northern winds to cool the home via cross-ventilation and stack effect. Its high ceilings allow hot air to escape through a series of high windows, made easier by the design of lowered interior walls. A ventilated double roof is also utilized to shade both the large patio space and the roof itself,
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further lessening the cooling load requirements of the building. The double roof structure also shades the home from intense east, south, and west sun angles, while still allowing daylighting to be used as the primary form of lighting. Entirely independent in its water and electricity needs, the home is powered by a series of photovoltaic panels situated on the south-sloping double roof. The sloped roof structure also enables efficient rainwater collection for its water purification and storage system.
North Elevation
orchid off-grid house
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1. 2. 3. 4.
Entrance from beach Bedrooms Work space Outdoor workspace/ patio
5. 6. 7. 8.
Kitchen/ dining Bathrooms Photovoltaics system Water systems
Plan
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Wall Section
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nicole chen
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academic work
orchid off-grid house
Interior View
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5. 1B Studio February 2018 Location: Cambridge, ON Supervised by Donald McKay In collaboration with Valerie Vincente, Chi Un Lee, & Arabella Cuvin
nicole chen
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academic work
passageway house
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A pair of homes connected by a sunny book-lined path, the Passageway House promotes connection and learning between four unalike people who have lost their homes. As they strive to find better lives for themeselves, the House provides the tools necessary to build themselves up: knowledge through books, and companionship through beautiful common spaces. Derived from the long, narrow site, the parti of the house is a linear path that connects both houses. On the interior, the path is lined by a ceiling-to floor, wall-length bookshelf, and is illuminated by a long skylight on the sloped end of the roof. As the rooms of the house open out to this space, the focus of the house turns to community and education. The home is designed to be assembled from pre-fabricated compnents, so that it can be easily built and duplicated.
passageway house
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First Floor Plan Bathroom Bedroom
a
b
b
nicole chen
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academic work
2. 6.
a Ground Floor Plan 1. 2. 3.
1. NARROW SITE WITH EAST AND WEST STREET ACCESS
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Kitchen Bathroom Dining
2. ONE UNIT PER STREET ACCESS
4. 5.
Living Mechanical
3. SLOPE ROOF & ADD SKYLIGHT
4. SPACE UNDER SKYLIGHTS BECOME COMMON SPACE
5. SPACES CONNECT INTO CONTINUOUS PATH
passageway house
Interior Rendering aa- Passageway to adjacent house
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Exploded Axonometric
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nicole chen
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academic work
passageway house
South Elevation
Longitudinal Section bb
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6.
nicole chen
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academic work
urban retreat
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1A Studio October 2017 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Supervised by: Rick Andreghetti A quiet respite from the bustling activity of the city, the urban retreat offers a space for two users to rest, perhaps between classes or after a long day’s work. The parti is a separation of space into levels of rest. As the user approaches the building, a pergola provides the first level of rest - a moment of shelter from the elements. Upon entering, the second level of rest manifests itself in the form of a communal study space. A seating area constructed in the space under the staircase offers a secondary, more private seating space within the room. The third level of rest appears on the second floor, a more intimate space for private study. The fourth and final level of rest appears on the topmost loft floor, a darkened room for the user to sleep.
urban retreat
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academic work | nicole chen
Hand -Drafted Exploded Axonometric
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Ground Floor Plan
Pergola Detail
Second Floor Plan
Loft Plan urban retreat
Basswood Stair Detail - Private Seating Area
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other works
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installation
nicole chen
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installations
(g)listening
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Nuit Blanche 2018 Project #56 September 2018 Cloud Gardens, Toronto, ON In collaboration with CITYLightsToronto and artist David Rokeby
Under the direction of Canadian artist David Rokeby, I worked with fellow architecture students, lighting designers, and electrical engineers to design and set up an interactive lighting installation for Nuit Blanche 2018. Located in Cloud Gardens Park in downtown Toronto, the unique space, containing architectural, water, and natural features, presents a dialogue between nature and the city. This project expanded on this conversation using interactive lighting to transform the park into a dynamic play of energy ricocheting, rippling, and caroming around and among these elements. Several microphones stationed around the park allowed the visiting public to trigger and channel this play of visual energy across the canvas of the park using their voices.
g(listening)
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Lighting Plan
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nicole chen
| installations
(g)listening
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other works
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public art
nicole chen
| public art
alley door
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“Silk� August 2018 Regina Downtown Alley Door Design Project | Regina SK Selected Artist
In an initiative to discourage graffiti and promote the use of urban alleyways, the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District selected local artists to create artwork for alleyway doors. The artwork, to be printed on a stick-on vinyl material, will cover the full length of the several specially selected doors in alleyways downtown. When asked to partake in the project, I wanted to draw on the richly coloured patterns found on traditional Chinese silk - I believed its bright, illustrative quality would work to liven up the typically dark space. The resulting design was a unique pattern using a more contemporary style. The illustration is to be installed before the end of 2018.
alley door
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other works
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public art
“我会记得” August 2017 Regina Downtown Traffic Control Box Art Wrap | Regina SK Selected Artist
nicole chen
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public art
traffic box
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Appearing at almost every intersection, traffic control boxes are responsible for traffic light signal phase changes. Because they are rather unsightly, the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District selected local artists to create artwork for these boxes. The theme was “Community.” As a selected artist, I wanted to create a piece that would recognize the contributions of early Chinese immigrants to the development of Canada, particularly through their work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. This history - told through the lens of the migrant Chinese worker - was rarely elaborated upon in any of my history or social classes throughout my education. My piece serves as a reminder of the fundamental contribution Chinese Canadians made to the development of the country. The piece is composed of a series of peonies, the national flower of China, and western red lilies, the floral emblem of Saskatchewan. Together, they symbolize harmony between two communities with very different pasts. The piece was created in a style reminiscent of traditional Chinese paintings, in hopes of introducing more eastern art styles to the local art community. The flowers are arranged over a prarie scene, through which a train track meanders through.
traffic box
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thank you for your time
email: n39chen@edu.uwaterloo.ca phone: 306.351.2685 website: nicolewchen.com