Owen Yang Architecture Portfolio 2023

OWEN YANG

University of Waterloo School of Architecture

PORTFOLIO

Owen Yang

Degree: Bachelor of Architectural Studies

University: University of Waterloo

Cell: (647) 983-6777

Email: owenyhn2013@gmail.com

Digital Software:

AutoCAD Revit

Rhinoceros

Sketchup Pro

Summary of Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies.

- Four years of experience as architectural designer and assistant project manager.

- Proficient in digital software: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhinoceros, Vray, Luminon, Adobe Suite, Office and more.

- Experienced in collaboration as part of the team, as well as working independently or remotely.

- Self-disciplined and reliable, minimal supervision required.

- Fast at learning new things and adapting to new environment.

Experience:

JET Design Architects, Architectural Designer

- Participated in all phases of the design process for multiple projects of various types, including condos, single-family homes, subdivisions, churches, museums .etc

- Produced drawings, diagrams, renderings, 3D models, and animations.

- Created project proforma and massing packages for development proposals.

- Communicated with City and participated in SPA and permit applications.

Intermarket Real Estate Group, Assistant Project Manager / Architectural Designer

Rendering:

Lumion

Vray

Maxwell Render

- Architectural design and project management focused on a 400-acre business campus development: Cambridge IP Park.

- Generated marketing drawings and presentation materials, worked on cash flow and monthly draw for projects development management.

- Worked in a small team of 3 members, taking greater responsibilities.

- Participated in multiple consultant and municipal meetings, site visits and inspections.

Jan 2022 - Nov 2022

Toronto, Ontario

May 2019 - Jan 2022

Sept 2018 - Dec 2018

Toronto, Ontario

Other Software:

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Lightroom

Microsoft Office

GEC Architecture, Architectural Designer

- Schematic design for multiple large scale transportation projects: Edmonton Metroline, Calgary LRT (Light Rail Transit), Calgary International Airport renovation .etc

- Worked as part of the team, collaborated with other team members efficiently.

- Produced Presentation drawings, renderings, 3D digital models.

- Worked with AutoCAD extensively to produce contract documents.

Homelife Golconda Realty Inc.,Brokerage, Real Estate Salesperson

- Registered with Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.

- Licensed and insured.

Skills:

Photography

Model Making

Website Design

Workshop Tools

Hand Drawing

Laser Cutting

3D Printing

Other Languages:

Chinese (Mandarin)

Education:

Bachelor of Architectural Studies Co-op with Honours: University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

- Relevant courses: Design Studio, Urban Design, Building Constructions, Structures, Timber Design, Steel Design, Landscape Theory, Landscape Design, Digital Fabrication, Cultural History, Urbanism .etc

Activities and Awards:

CISC Architectural Student Design Competition 2019-2020: Top 10 Finalist Project.

- Project: The Ferris Tower

- Teamwork skills developed during collaboration with group members.

Jan 2018 - April 2018

Calgary, Alberta

October 2021

Markham, Ontario

Sept 2016 - Aug 2021

Cambridge, Ontario

May 2020

Toronto, Ontario

Uni-play Student Residence

The Uni-play student housing proposal is aimed to resolve the housing issue at York University, by providing a master plan of student housing that is affordable and improves the living standard of the student. The masterplan takes “Extension of Park” as the idea to bring green public spaces closer to the academic core of the campus. The ground floor is for public and student amenities, with student housing above. A system of elevated pedestrian bridges connects between buildings and rooftop gardens, as well as student recreational “Play” spaces.

Completed: April 2019.

Site

Site:

The site is located in the Southeast corner of York University’s Campus. The core of educational buildings is towards the Northwest corner, with low to mid rise student housing to the West and east of site.

Typical Floor Plan Unit Types

Regular Unit:

Premium:

Suite:

Unit Tyoology:

Accessible:

There are four unit types, Regular Unit, Premium Unit, Suite and Accessible Unit. Each Regular Unit features washing machines and a mini kitchen, which eliminated the need for an unhealthy and inconvenient shared laundry room or kitchen. Premium student unit is based on a regular unit but with additional space to accommodate students with special needs, such as music students, urban planning students, art students, or student who wants larger space. There is also a suite for mature students or students who are willing to live with someone else in a suite.

Social Spaces:

There are social spaces such as student lounge, balcony, activities room, that are arranged within each level, encouraging students to socialize and improve living quality.

Exterior Rendering:

View from the rooftop garden on one of the bridges, overlooking the pedestrian street.

NEUTRAL Community Center

NEUTRAL community building is aimed to create a neutral and safe space between the individual (community) and the political state, for the purpose of bridging the gap between political conversation and the will of the individual, facilitating political and stakeholder groups coming for meaningful action. The building should also perform environmentally at the same time. This is accomplished by the parti, site strategies, architectural languages, lighting, choice of materials, and building systems. The building should promote its significance and encourage interactions and awareness of individuals to the decision making and meeting process.

Completed: Dec 2020.

Site and Context

Stone thermal mass wall to absorb heat during daytime and releases heat at night.

Operable facade allows for natural ventilation

Park Rendering:

View from the Park. The ground floor features patio doors that could open completely to the park.

PLANTING AREA ASSEMBLY / EVENTS AREA

PLANTING AREA

HANGER DOOR (FOLD UPWARDS)

HANGER DOOR (FOLD UPWARDS)

HANGER DOOR (FOLD UPWARDS) HANGER DOOR (FOLD UPWARDS) HANGER DOOR (FOLD UPWARDS)

OPEN TO ABOVE

ELDERS ROOM

COMMUNITY BREAKOUT SPACE (COULD BE EXPANDED INTO CAFE)

STORAGE

OPEN TO ABOVE

LARGE MEETING ROOM (FUNCTION AS LECTURE HALL WHEN NOT IN USE)

BICYCLE PARKING

MEDIUM MEETING ROOM (FUNCTION AS YOGA STUDIO WHEN NOT IN USE)

CAFE

KITCHEN

RECYCLEGARBAGE

Interior Rendering:

Here is a view from the cafe, looking towards the park. In this rendering, the community breakout space is being used for an exhibition of artwork. The ground floor features patio doors that could open completely to the park.

Operable ETFE Facade:

Operable facades are in place to allow for natural ventilation and stack effect to cool the building, as well as an automatic curtain system along the south facade to control solar gain and prevent overheating.

Interior Rendering:

The corridor is almost like a catwalk, with a gap on the left side from the ground floor all the way to the top, which allows for natural ventilation and stack effect. Looking into the meeting spaces divided by the sliding panels, it creates the opportunity for the two rooms to be combined into a larger space.

EAST ELEVATION

NORTH ELEVATION

WEST ELEVATION

Exterior Building Envelope

R40 Steel Cladded High Performance Enclosure

R30 Wood Framed Exterior Wall & Roof with Wood Cladding

3 Ply ETFE Membrane

2” x 5” Steel Mullions

Curtain Wall System with Triple Glazed Glass

Concrete Fire Stair Core

Glulam King Truss for Roof Support

4 1/2” x 13 1/2” Glulam Beam

292mm x 292mm Glulam Column

Mass Timber Structure

Glazed Stair Core and Elevator

Wood Cladded and Stone Thermal Mass Wall with Insulation

3 Ply CLT Panel Floor Slab

Interior Volumes and Floor Plates

Details Diagram

Engineered Bolts

Moment Resisting Metal Connection

Moment Resisting Beam to Column Connection

In-Floor Radiant Heating Pipe Wood Nailer Self-tapping Screw

Floor Finish

Waterproof Membrane

3 Ply CLT Floor Slab

Steel Strap Plate

Engineered Bolt

Steel Seismic Beam Hanger

4 1/2” x 13 1/2”

CLT Floor Slab to Beam / Column Connection 1:20

292mm x 292mm Glulam Column

Glulam Beam

292mm x 292mm Glulam Column

4 1/2” x 13 1/2” Glulam Beam

1:20

Building Systems

ENERGY CALCULATION:

Total EUI of Building: 110 kBtu/sf x 11,200 sf = 1,232,000 kBtu = 361,000 kwh

Total Energy Generation on Site: E = A r H Pr

A = Total solar panel Area (m2) = 23m x 9m = 207 sm

r = Solar Panel Yield Efficiency(%) = 16%

H = Annual Average Solar Radiation = 1,600 kwh/m2.y

Pr = Performance Ratio (%) = 90%

E = A r H Pr = 207 sm x 16% x 1,600 kwh/m2.y x 90% = 47,693 kwh

47,693 kwh / 361,000 kwh = 13.2%

13.2% of Consumed Power is Generated on Site

Roof Catchment Area

Gutter

Rainwater Pipe

Tank Vent

Overflow Pipe Pump

Rainwater Storage Tank

Holding Tank

UV Sanitizing Sewage

Hot Water Boiler

Manifold & Header Pipe

Vacuum Insulation Tube

Hot Water Supply Pipe

Cold Water Supply

Smart Curtain System with Built-in PV Panels

Life-cycle Analysis

Life Span: Lifetime if properly maintained

Timber structure has one of the longest-lasting lifespans, when they are properly maintained, it will last for a lifetime. Timber structure, together with other wood products in a building, stores carbon in their entire lifecycle to reduce the greenhouse effect. Studies also show that the total carbon footprint of a timber building is only approximately 70% of a concrete building.

Life Span: 25 - 40 Years

ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is a modern environmentally friendly building material that is gaining popularity in recent decades. The service life of ETFE is 30 years on average, and potentially up to 50 years, which is much more durable compared to 15 years of Polycarbonate - a material. The uses of ETFE as architectural material is beneficial to the environment with an extremely low embodied carbon of 0.5kg/m2. Comparing to 1.8kg/ m2 for coated fabric and 25kg/m2 for glass.

MASS TIMBER

ETFE MEMBRANE

ETFE MEMBRANE

MASS TIMBER

Cost Analysis

ELEMENTAL COST SUMMARY

Cambridge Power House

The Cambridge Power House is a proposal for the existing Park Hill dam located in Cambridge, Ontario, with the power generation capacity to supply 500 homes.

The project consists of a multifunctional building that sits on the existing retaining wall, a shallow water playing pool which could be transformed to a skating rink during winter, a ramp that connects the island with the second floor of the building as the main access, and seating area facing the dam.

Completed: August 2018.

Design

The main structure sits on the existing retaining wall, it’s a multi-functional building featuring a bicycle repair / rental shop, hydroelectric powerhouse, cafe, skating equipment rental, as well as a sightseeing platform on the second floor.

The hydroelectric plant is glazed and displayed for people on the island platform, all the internal mechanisms such as generators and transformers are displayed to the public for educational purposes. There is also a window below the water level to show the generator turbine in flowing water.

The bike shop and repair is located to the inner side of the existing retaining wall, right beside the bike trail. The second floor is accessible from the island with a ramp, the ramp could also be used as a fishing platform.

Harbourfront Dragon Pavilion

Collaborated with Courtney Lee and Alife Frebrian.

The Harbourfront Dragon is inspired by the Greek architectural concept of Stoa, where products and goods are being sold there, the space is also a place for people to communicate and exchange ideas. This design hopes to simulate that concept by spanning the boardwalk along the Toronto Harbourfront as well as the open grass space besides it, uniting the spaces under one roof to promote use and bring people together as they walk beneath it, rest at the benches, or peruse the marketplaces that may pop up from time to time.

Completed: April 2017.

Site:

The project is located along the boardwalk of Harbourfront Square Park, in Downtown Toronto, beside the economic and commercial center of the city, surrounded by highrise skyscrapers with a relativity high density of population. The space is a retreat from the urban environment and provides a nice place for people to relax.

The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is being ranked as the ninth busiest airport in Canada, arriving airplanes will be flying passby above the water in front of the lakeshore. A lot of people would be spending an afternoon sitting on the bench and watch the airplanes flying, the high structure of the project does not obstruct the view to the airplane. The frosted glass doesn’t over isolate people from the natural environment and meanwhile protecting people from precipitation and reduces the intensity of sunlight, filters out UV light.

West View

Plan

Structure:

Ground Connection

Weathered Steel Arch

Bracket Spider Joint

Steel Tension Cable

CHS Canopy Frame

Adaptive Connection

Corner Spider Detail

Base Plate

Anchor Plates

Concrete Footing

Force Diagram

Canopy Support

Tension Cable Connection

Centre Spider Connection

4-way Cable Bracket

Frosted Glass

Chernobyl Center

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located close to the Northern border of the Ukrainian SSR in the Soviet Union, was considered the worst nuclear disaster in history both in terms of cost and casualties. My research focuses on the poor living conditions of the self-settler population after the disaster, as well as the recent trend of tourism and thriving wilderness in the region. My proposal is an institutionChernobyl Center as an intervention to tackle the problems.

Completed: August 2021.

Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster:

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located close to the Northern border of the Ukrainian SSR in the Soviet Union, was considered the worst nuclear disaster in history both in terms of cost and casualties. After the accident, a 10-kilometre radius exclusion zone was created. About 49,000 people were evacuated from the area, primarily from the city of Pripyat. The exclusion zone was later increased to 30 kilometres. On this map, the red outline indicates the border of the so-called 10-km exclusion zone, while the orange outline indicates the 30km exclusion zone.

Experts believe the areas around the power plant will remain uninhabitable for at least 20,000 years. Areas within the 10km exclusion zone are thought to be uninhabitable for at least 3,000 years, which is almost as long as human civilization. Officials say that the site will be completely dismantled by the year of 2065.

Self-settlers:

The zone contains a number of abandoned villages whose current population is made up of people who secretly resettled in the region after the evacuation. They are the people that have been living in the region for generations and are deeply tied to the land.

Most of the self-settlers live a self-sufficient life – they raise domestic animals (pigs, cows, chickens), they eat vegetables grown in their gardens and sometimes they pick berries and mushrooms from the woods. They also get water from water wells in their backyard which is contaminated. The grocery store is far away, so there is a van with groceries that comes to villages every 5 weeks.

Issues of self-settlers living condition:

• Radioactive Environment

• High age, lack of care and being forgotten

• Low Pension

• Lack of proper public facilities and water supplies

• Need to engage in hard, physical, manual labour on a daily basis.

• House in disrepair

Tourism:

Tourism in the exclusion zone is getting popular in recent years. In 2017, the total number of tourists in the exclusion zone reached 50,000 people - 70% of them are overseas visitors. Interest in the exclusion zone was sparked by the HBO miniseries TV show about the Chernobyl disaster. By 2019, that number had skyrocketed to around 200,000. Most of the tourists are taking a photo tour of the dystopian cityscape, and are not aware that people such as the self-settlers are still suffering from the disaster.

Natural Reserve & Fauna:

With the absence of human activities in the zone, wilderness is thriving, many endangered fauna and flora are observed in the zone. In 2016, the Ukrainian part of the exclusion zone was declared as a radiological and environmental reserve by the government, created to ensure the protection of diverse fauna.

Image Credit

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/06/chernobyl-disaster-photos-1986/590878/ https://chernobylx.com/those-who-returned-chernobyl-babushkas/?editorPath=blog-detail/151/those-who-returned-chernobyl-babushkas https://www.gerdludwig.com/stories/chernobyl-the-nuclear-tourist https://www.chernobyl.one/samosely-people-in-the-zone/ https://phys.org/news/2021-04-wild-horses-flourish-chernobyl-years.html

https://www.businessinsider.com/what-daily-life-inside-chernobyls-exclusion-zone-is-really-like-2019-4#he-said-he-still-believes-it-was-the-right-decision-tocome-back-to-his-village-after-the-explosion-25

Chernobyl Center:

My proposed intervention is an institution that attracts tourism, serves as a hub for tourists that is profit generating, and the profit will be used to subsidize the self-settlers and fund maintenance of the villages. It also provides a comfortable stay for tourists and makes the tours educational. Most importantly, it aims to improve the living conditions of self-settlers, as well as raising awareness to the world.

The form of the building is reminiscent of brutalist architecture which would be favored by tourists.

The circular structure contains 100 hotel units, it is elevated off the ground to minimize the footprint and provides a better view of the surrounding landscape.

The panel house structure contains 50 suites. It is a replication of the soviet era public housing concept with the implementation of prefabricated construction method that was used in the past, aimed to provide the experience for tourists that are interested in the soviet notion of living.

The restaurant is cantilevered from the circular hotel structure. The hotels, together with the restaurant, are the main streams of profit generation from the tourists.

The assembly space is located on the ground floor as a place of interaction between tourists and the self-settlers. It could also function as a theater for performance and lecturing.

There is also a small testing lab and clinic where staff will be testing soil, food or water samples collected from villages for radioactivity, and also regularly check on the health conditions of self-settlers.

Vertical Circulation:

Vertical circulation is through funcilur on this slanted tower, accessing the observation platform and a cafe located on the top of tower.

Restaurant:

The restaurant is cantilevered from the circular hotel structure. The exclusion zone has unintentionally created a haven for fauna, and flora, the view from the restaurant is framed to natural features including the Pripyat river, the wetland and forest.

Observation Platform:

On the observation platform, the view points towards the nuclear power plant, it gives the tourists a sense of participation and it is also a monumental reminder of the worst human disaster.

Programs for Self-settlers:

Vehicular access is isolated to one side of the complex, where the workshop, warehouse and garage is located. Those programs are designed to directly improve the living conditions of the self-settlers.

The wood workshop is used for carpentry projects such as house improvements and furniture for the self-settlers. The warehouse will be used to store supplies, groceries, clean food and water and then will be distributed to each village. The garage as well as trucks are the outreaching portion of the institution into the individual villages, featuring supplies truck, medical truck, repairs truck and a bus to better help the needs of self-settlers without having them travel all the way to the institute.

Model Making:

Tower of Buddhist Incense

The Summer Palace was built as a place of retreat for the royal families during the Qing Dynasty; it is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. The Tower of Buddhist Incense, a place for worship, sits on Longevity Hill and overlooks the Kunming Lake. In 1998, the Summer Palace was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and called it “a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.”

Completed: August 2018.

Collaborated with Janet Li, Quinn Li, Courtney Lee, and Weeney Lin

Background Information:

The Summer Palace was built as a place of retreat for the royal families during the Qing Dynasty; it is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. The Tower of Buddhist Incense, a place for worship, sits on Longevity Hill and overlooks the Kunming Lake. In 1998, the Summer Palace was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and called it “…a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design.”

Fabrication Process:

1. The tower is detailly modeled in Rhinoceros, referencing photos and historical documents.

2. Based on the digital 3D model, components of the tower are transformed into line works to create a laser-cutting preparation file, with the thickness of materials, human error .etc in consideration.

3. Laser-cut the materials.

4. Assemble the model with a high level of craftsmanship and precision, make adjustments and refinements to make sure all components fit.