Shixun (Peter) Wang Architecture Portfolio 2024

MATERIAL SYSTEMS

CONSTRUCTING THE DOMESTIC & COLLECTIVE

DESIGNING FROM THE RIPARIAN ZONE

CRITICAL INVOLVEMENTS CO-OPS

An architectural interpretation of the work by indigenous artist Ursula Johnson, An Architectural Model, Site-less. 2024

An exhibition center for large art installation, 909 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON, CA 2023

A Tiny Home Initiative, 93 Melvile St S, Cambridge, ON, CA 2021

A Community Building to foster collaboration and tackling complex issues, 235 McCaul St, Toronto, ON, CA 2020

A Parametric Construct, 56 Water St S, Cambridge, ON, CA 2019

A Parametric Device, A Conceptual Design Object 2019

A Student Housing Project, Vanier Ln, North York, ON, CA 2019

A Landscape Architecture Project to revitalize a former gravel pit 43°08’50.6”N 80°19’47.4”, Brantford, ON, CA 2017 Student Competition projects I participated 2024 - 2017

CV

employment

01/2021 -- 05/2021

Toronto, ON, CA

01/2020 -- 04/2020

New York, NY, USA

05/2019 -- 08/2019

Berlin, DE

09/2018 -- 12/2018

Toronto, ON, CA

01/2018 -- 04/2018

Beijing, BJ, CN

Giannone Petricone Associates

| Architectural Intern

Worked individually on conducting feasibility studies on site surroundings, created diagrams, technical drawings, 3D models, renderings and shadow study for project developments, edited and sent design packages to clients with edited diagrams and drawings.

HLW LLP

| Architectural Intern

Worked closely with team to create 3D models and technical drawings with Revit BIM, edited details of interior on plan elevations, assigned, tested finish materials in 3D in Enscape for internal review. Used Grasshopper for Rhino to produce parametric patterns for building interior.

Sauerbruch Hutton Architects

| Architectural Intern

Worked closely with team director to created facade pattern design with Rhino and Grasshopper. Complete sectional perspective drawings with renders for competition review. Conducted site study and modeling of topographic model for fabrication in laser cutting and CNC.

Philip Beesley Living Architecture System Group

| Architectural Intern

Fully responsible for digital fabrication processes including water-cutting and laser-cutting metals for final production. Worked closely with team to develop industrial design product for sound installation, completed several detailed drawings for paneling and internal discussion.

Buro-Ole Scheeren

| Architectural Intern

Took primary lead in developing 3D models for site massing, and built physical models in various scales. Developed statistic diagrams of program area and concept diagrams. Managed to work between multiple design groups at the same time with both precise comprehension of design task and concise, consistent communication.

awards & distinctions

05/2023

Toronto, ON, CA

06/2017 -- 08/2017

Waterloo, ON, CA

05/2017

Cambridge, ON, CA

John and Myrna Daniels Foundation Opportunity Award Scholarship

Celebration 2017: Legacy Project

Top 10 out of 20 by a four members group. Lead designer for a landscape project

CISC Student Design Competition

Top 10 finalists | academic scored 95%. Designer for mechanical systems and detail of the pulley.

contact

+1 (647) 822-1862

sx.wang97@gmail.com

sxun.wang@mail.utoronto.ca

OAA Student Associate

education

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design Master of Architectural Studies (MARC)

09/2023 -- 09/2026

Toronto, ON, CA

University of Waterloo School of Architecture

Bachelor of Architectural Studies (B.A.vS), Honours, Co-op

09/2016 -- 09/2021

Cambridge, ON, CA

skills

Digital Rhinoceros 3D

Revit

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Grasshopper for Rhino

V-Ray Render

Enscape

Auto Cad

Arch GIS

Houdini FX

Processing 3

Fabrication

Laser Cutting on wood, metal 3D Printing (FDM, SLA)

Hands on wood-working

Language

English

Mandarin

Letter of Recommendation for Peter Wang

Berlin, 19.07.2021

I am pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Peter Wang, who worked in our studio as an intern from 06.05.19 – 23.08.2019.

Peter was working on the following projects and competitions:

Brighton College Theatre, United Kingdom – Cultural mix-use building including Theatre and spaces situated for students and professors (Competition)

- research on facade design, colour and pattern design

- Facade studies via collaging and 3D modeling (Rhino, Photoshop)

- Renderings of various design options (Rhino, vRay)

- completed sectional perspective drawings (illustrator)

Quantum, Hamburg – Mix-use high-rise with residential tower and museum space

- research on conceptual façade options

- testing for possible tower form (Rhino)

- developing patterns for courtyard façade (Rhino)

- physical building block models in 1:1000 and 1:500

Peter Wang has shown a very good understanding of all tasks assigned to him and executes them with great care to our fullest satisfaction. With his distinctive conceptual understanding and with his excellent abilities in drafting and model making his contribution to the projects he is working on is very valuable and productive.

Peter Wang joined the office with profound knowledge of both image processing programs and CAD programs and he quickly learned to work effectively with our drafting tools.

Knowing the personality of Peter and having seen his professional performance, we can recommend him without any reservation.

Sincerely,

Leonardo Allings sauerbruch hutton l.al@sauerbruchhutton.com

The Artifact and the Room

The Artifact and the Room

a room for Ursula Johnson

- MARC 1B Design Studio Course Project Jan.2024

- Coordinated by Behnaz Assadi | MLA, BFA

- A Team project of 3: Shixun (Peter) Wang, Sadi Wali, Ryan Wong

Sweetgrass is a powerful ceremonial plant cherished by many Indigenous nations. When braided together, it can also create a beautiful basket. There is an Indigenous concept called Netulkulimk, which Ursula Johnson describes as ‘self-sustainability through responsibility, considering the impacts of harvesting resources with naturally made objects.’ Through the act of braiding, there is love, attention, kindness, care, and gratitude for Mother Earth. In our room, the shaving, pounding, and splitting of the ash-wood log are intensified by the heartwarming atmosphere of the hand-woven basket architecture.

Her performance, Mi’kwite’tmn (Do You Remember), manipulates and deconstructs the image and function of Mi’kmaw basketry, using traditional techniques to build non-functional forms. Our non -

Media

- Rhino, Enscape

- Basket Weaving

- Wood Working

- Hands-on Model Making

structural woven architecture conveys this message through its material qualities. To support this woven architecture, we draw inspiration from the traditional construction methods of the Haudenosaunee longhouse. The hierarchy within the wall assembly of our building is inspired by the frame structure and cladding of the longhouse. Through our exploration of the traditional techniques of both the longhouse and basketry, our room captures the ancestry, identity, and cultural practices that Ursula Johnson’s work aims to portray by learning from Indigenous ways of making.

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Artifact and the Room

The 1:20 model stands at 3 feet tall, resting on a 43” by 43” base plinth. The structural elements are crafted from 1/8” plywood, while the building is clad with 1/32” maple veneer. Inside the enclosure, a hand-woven architectural volume is suspended. The concept of a non-structural woven architecture draws inspiration from Ursula Johnson’s work with non-functional baskets. In her piece ‘Mi’kwite’tmn,’ she defiantly chopped expensive ash wood into splinters to reject stereotyping and labeling of her Mi’kmaw basketry background. In our architecture, the enlarged woven ‘basket’ serves as a magnifier—an intricately handcrafted piece resembling an enclosing element but refusing to perform the role of a structure.

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Artifact and the Room

Hand Sketches

Process Models

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Artifact and the Room

“There is such tenderness in braiding the hair of someone you love. Kindness and something more flow between the braider and the braided, the two connected by the cord of the plait. Wiingaashk waves in strands, long and shining like a woman’s freshly washed hair. And so we say it is the flowing hair of Mother Earth. When we braid sweet-grass, we are braiding the hair of Mother Earth, showing her our loving attention, our care for her beauty and well-being, in gratitude for all she has given us.”

- Robin Wall Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Artifact and the Room

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Artifact and the Room

a room for Ursula Johnson

The Forum

Sea Shape

- MARC 1A Design Studio Course Project Dec.2024

- Coordinated by Julia Di Castri

The Project Forum aimed to establish an expansive exhibition space dedicated to large-scale art installations. The primary objective of this studio was to delve into exploring the spatial conditions resulting from the dynamic interplay between stereotomic volumes and the delicate structure of wooden thin shells.

In my project, Sea Shape, I placed a significant emphasis on crafting diverse spatial experiences centered around inverted belly-vaults constructed from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels. These inverted vaults, meticulously raised and interconnected between two volumes, functioned as versatile spaces, housing a café, conditioned gallery area, office, and artist studio. The area beneath all the vaults followed a gently curved sloped ground, providing an outdoor setting for the display of arts.

In envisioning this space, I aimed for it to be bathed in natural light, with the warm tones of the wooden cladding of the vaults creating a striking contrast against the concrete walls on either side. The interstitial space within the two side volumes served as a circulation area for visitors to access the vaults, with each passageway carefully curated to play with light and shadow, cultivating an ephemeral atmosphere for those traversing within.

The intricate relationship between the two material systems manifested, as the wooden bellys seamlessly integrated into the negative space within the concrete. This integration resulted in belly curve openings on the facade, creating a dialogue between positive and negative volumes and leveraging the interplay of light and shadow to evoke a captivating and dynamic spatial experience.

Sea Shape

Media - Rhino, Enscape - Adobe Suite

- Laser Cutting

- Hands-on Model Making

The Forum

The vaulted spaces were meticulously designed following a structured 3’ by 3’ grid. The oblique slash not only added a touch of sophistication to the space but also allowed for the creation of a sweeping curve that enhanced the overall aesthetic.

Sea Shape

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

Media

- Rhino, V-Ray

- 4B Design Studio Course Project May.2021

- Coordinated by John McMinn

- Built in the course of august 2021

An assemblage designed to cater to remote dwellers encompasses three variants of tiny homes. Those keen on establishing a communal living experience can collectively construct the framework that interconnects life around each unit, thereby transforming it into a shared living system. This communal approach fosters a sense of community and shared resources.

The inclusion of a rooftop patio and sauna serves dual purposes by not only enhancing the overall living quality but also providing an alternative space for activities and communal gatherings. The workshop facility facilitates residents in upgrading or repairing their housing components, promoting self-sufficiency within the community.

- Adobe Suite

- Wood working

- Real-life construction

The versatile framework also allows for small adjustments, such as benches and tables made from simple materials, to be incorporated, further improving the living conditions for the community. This adaptability contributes to a more responsive and inclusive environment.

Diversifying the tiny homes based on size and capacity adds another layer of flexibility. The 14’ x 8’ and 14’ x 9’ variants, with a shared design, cater to individual couples, while the 21’ x 10’ variant, featuring a unique typology, accommodates a single-family with a child. This thoughtful variation addresses the diverse needs of the residents and enhances the overall inconclusiveness of the community as it grows and evolves.

the assemblage

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

the assemblage

1. A Sauna House;

2. Prototype 14’* 8’, 14’* 9’;

3. Mini-Workshop;

4. Prototype 21’*10’

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

The 14’ x 8’ and 14’ x 9’ Tiny Homes embody the ethos of customizable, multi-functional, simplicity. Their interior design maximizes space and functionality. The 14’ x 8’ module featuring a bed loft accessible through a staircase crafted from the kitchen top, stools, table, and bed. The furniture, including three stools doubling as a walkable stair, is deliberately minimalistic, allowing for material efficiency and high capacity to customize. Residents can easily replace or add components, fostering adaptability. The interior philosophy emphasizes space-saving while encouraging diverse usage of each element.

tininess 14’*8’, 14’*9’

TYPE 14’ 8’

TYPE 14’ 9’

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

The 21’ x 10’ Tiny Home features a cylindrical design with bed lofts in two towers and a central living area open on both sides. Ideal for single families (capacity under four), it creatively arranges bedrooms accessed by ladders above utility spaces. The central living area, open to two patios, maximizes natural light and ventilation. Opening the patios extends the living space seamlessly, offering versatility for indoor-outdoor activities. This design prioritizes functionality while fostering a harmonious blend between interior and exterior living spaces.

the

21’*10’

HANDS-ON DESIGN BUILD

Section AA, Showing the foldable ladders accessing bed loft, and the lifting gate panel

Section BB

the 21’*10’

LISTENING TO THE OTHER

underground green

- 4A Design Studio Course Project Sept.2020

- Coordinated by Andrew Levitt

Located on McCaul St, amidst the bustling center of Toronto, this project functions as a community center designed to host events that foster collaboration and communication within the community. The programming aims to bring people together to confront injustice collectively, fostering collaboration between individuals and their adversaries as they strive towards building a more equitable society.

The sunken green space serves as an alternate entrance to the basement, to better connect the underground program with floors above.

A parti for the gathering space, two adjacent meeting rooms have articulated acoustic panels, making a combined open space to facilitate large events for the community.

underground green

LISTENING TO THE OTHER

PARAMAT PARASITE

PARAMAT PARASITE

- 3B Design Studio Course Project Dec.2019

- Coordinated by Maya Przybylski

The project places a strong emphasis on a compassionate approach to the site, focusing on the synergy between the site traversing experience and the material system. Building on insights from my phase two project, I delved into the custom bending of sheet material through grain manipulation. In this structure, a ring system was developed, incorporating bending on the inside to create an enclosed wall, an opening facing the river, and torsion at the transitioning point. These rings form a tunnel connecting two elevations, enhancing the traversing experience by offering engagement and safety. The rings’ design allows them to unfold into

Media

- Rhino, Grasshopper

- Adobe Suite

a J shape and be joined together by four pieces, facilitating transport and assembly.

The grain manipulation involves piecing together smaller plywood sheets with varied grain orientations, connected by puzzle-teeth joints to ensure stability. This meticulous craftsmanship corresponds to the site landscape, transforming the act of walking through it into a meaningful experience. The artificial parasite bridges the gap between the community and the once-estranged site, amending the uneasy walking experience. The amalgamation of the strange and the familiar creates a cohesive and improved environment.

PARAMAT PARASITE

PARAMAT PARASITE worm

East west section Blown up

1:100 Sectional Plan, showing part of opening orientation

PARAMAT PARASITE

Drawing shows the morphology of the unfolded pieces, showing where and how bending happens, how the shape of the unfolded pieces affect the forms of bending.

MATERIAL SYSTEMS

MATERIAL SYSTEMS

- 3B Design Studio Course Project Sept.2019

- Coordinated by Maya Przybylski

A series of studies delved into understanding emergent geometry and depth, revealing the significance of sub-swarms and their intricate movements. The focus shifted towards designing a scripted, vector-based path-seeking system to simulate the autonomy observed in the natural process of vector movement. This involved the interplay between center positions, object vectors, and range indicators.

The first iteration of the egg-producing system employed mono-genetic materials, blending flexibility and stiffness to create a transformable system. The actor, serving as the active force, disrupted the formula matrix maintained by material forces, prompting a responsive change in shape or observable mass. Inspired by the Self-Assembly Lab’s Transformable Meeting Space project,

Media

-Rhino, Grasshopper -Adobe Suite

lattice structures were crafted using round and flat reeds of varying sizes, allowing for contraction and expansion based on total deformation.

The second iteration adopted a more discrete method of fabrication. Utilizing a single material property, multiple bands were crafted from sheet materials, introducing a pinch in the middle to naturally form an egg shape. To assert control and create an otherworldly appearance, the pinch followed an undulating pattern, giving the sculpture an artificial yet captivating aesthetic with rigid looks and facades interlocking in an alien manner.

HOUSING

- 3A Design Studio Course Project Apr.2019

- Coordinated by Lola Sheppard, Dereck Revington

A house, the quintessential abode for dwelling, nurturing life, preserving self-integrity, and fostering maturity, becomes a pivotal space for students. In the realm of education, stagnant living impedes progress; thus, a student residence should propel individuals to explore, fostering ambition and mobility.

For a creator, a vision serves as soulful inspiration, mobilizing inner creativity to manifest material wonders. Dwellers, including students, benefit from exposure to disturbance and inconsistency while maintaining a sense of security. The challenge lies in balancing these elements. Guiding vision and encouraging movement through space are crucial aspects. Individuals move, observe, create, and their productive figures become displays inspiring others.

A house should open its doors to the public, rejecting immobilization that can corrupt the atmosphere. Friendly community members should register and borrow space for various purposes. The student community should see the house as a common residence, a place to create, access study halls, workshops, and live cohesively.

Drawing inspiration from the concept of the Ark, which moves through waves while securing lives on board, the Ark in Reverse aims to free imaginations and mobilize them, echoing the divine manifestation of imagination.

Terrace within

Terrace within

Workshop/Maker lab Studio

Study Hall

Residence

HOUSING

1 2 3

York University

Subway Station

41 stop at Pond Rd

Site 01

Pond Rd

Introducing four distinct unit types ranging from a 3m span to 9m span in length. The two-story units are meticulously designed to accommodate a larger number of residents, promoting collective living while maximizing floor areas for programmed spaces and communal gatherings.

The floor structure will feature Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, acting as a two-way slab diaphragm. Positioned on a 6m x 6m grid, the panels will be point-supported by glulam columns. To prevent vertical load transfer through the CLT panels, steel connectors will be strategically placed between each panel. The result will be a floor plate resembling a CLT canopy that seamlessly runs through the entire length of the building. This design not only ensures structural integrity but also contributes to an aesthetic continuity throughout the structure.

DESIGNING FROM THE RIPARIAN ZONE

- 2B Design Studio Course Project Dec.2017

- Coordinated by Jane Hutton, Lola Sheppard

The post-industrial site along the Grand River presents two distinct challenges: reclaiming popularity to attract the public once again and reflecting on its anthropogenic character to honor its historical significance.

Cyborg-Scape endeavors to reconnect people by providing an outdoor playground for exploring hybrid systems. It also serves as a site for the longterm natural processing of massive waste, including stormwater runoff, in this abandoned former gravel pit.

The intention is to explore the social possibilities within a transient state of nature, where a natural

landscape can adapt to suit unique social needs. The cyborg concept integrates both machine and living human tissues. The artificial lozenge grid represents the machine, powered and driven by natural forces to animate and shape the variable landscape. The grid is manufactured before introducing water, which then erodes the soil to create retreats and gathering spaces for human occupancy. This symbiotic relationship between the artificial and the natural elements fosters a dynamic and adaptable environment for social interaction and ecological revitalization.

CYBORG-SCAPE

CYBORG-SCAPE

THE RIPARIAN ZONE CYBORG-SCAPE

THE RIPARIAN ZONE

Drought-resistant wetland plants contribute to water purification by efficiently absorbing nutrients, aiding in the ecological balance.

Common-Reed

Cattails Spikerushes

Broad-leaved Pondweed bulrushes Pondweeds

THE RIPARIAN ZONE

Gravel Pit Forest

Long Section, showing the progression of the water and the architecture in the landscape

A site plan showing planned project over the former gravel pit

The Legendary Highway 14 Tower Competition

Through the Reeds

- Hosted by Buildner Archtiecture Competitions

- In

Collaboration with

Yunle (Lee) Chen, Seung (Michael) Kim

Nestled amidst nature's whispers, our envisioned observatory tower, "Through the Reeds," emerges as a poetic testament to the harmonious coexistence between human observation and the rhythmic dance of the marshland. Evoking cherished childhood memories, it stands as a gentle intrusion into the landscape, inviting visitors to reconnect with the pure, unbridled joy of the past.

Crafted with wood slate fins and corrugated metal panels, the façade mirrors the undulating water and resilient reeds, weaving a narrative of the marsh's vibrant ecosystem. As daylight weaves through open slats, dynamic shadows unfold, painting an ever-changing mural that mirrors the transient beauty of the marsh.

At its entry, a newly installed water pond reflects

the tower's essence, transforming into a communal stage in winter—a shimmering skating rink beneath the open sky, inviting the local community to partake in the timeless tradition of gliding over frozen waters.

A gradual ascent leads visitors towards observation decks, seamlessly blending with the boardwalk, drawing wanderers closer to the heart of the marshland. "Through the Reeds" intertwines past, present, and future, weaving human-nature threads, offering a sanctuary for reflection and connection with the unfolding chapters of the natural world.

Through the Reeds

CISC Steel Competition

lotus

- Top 10 Finalist

- 1B Building Construction Culminating Project, 2017

- Coordinated by Terri Boake

- In Collaboration with Changfeng (Sheldon) Chen

Project Lotus stands in Taihu Lake, Jiangsu, China, incorporating a traditional cultural and economic component, the cormorant fishing, ingrained within the community.

The dynamic project adapts its form throughout the day to cater to various events, addressing both spatial constraints and contextual needs. Lotus's structure offers convenience for both land visitors and lakeside fishermen. Inspired by the bio-chronological nature of the lotus, the building accommodates local cultural arts events, fostering activities such as dancing, tea practice, and communal dinners, providing a prolonged experience for visitors.

Media

- Rhino, V-ray

- Adobe Suite

The design aims to rejuvenate the region and revive the declining local fishing industry amidst rapid urbanization. By encouraging urban dwellers to appreciate traditional culture, the project seeks to infuse new energy into the community, promoting the significance of cultural values in the modern age.

Co-op_Sauerbruch Hutton

Sept.2018 -- Dec.2018

I made significant contributions to two noteworthy projects: the design competition for Brighton College, featuring a student theatre with integrated study spaces, faculty offices, and a lecture hall, and a government-commissioned high-rise project in Hamburg.

In the Brighton College competition, I led the design of facade options. My responsibilities included generating design alternatives and creating color schemes for the cladding using Grasshopper in

Rhino. Additionally, I successfully completed the 1:200 perspective section of the theatre.

For the Hamburg project, my role primarily involved model building using foam and cardboard. I also contributed to the project through the creation of diagram drawings. These experiences enriched my skills in both design and practical aspects of architectural projects.

Sauerbruch Hutton

Sauerbruch Hutton

Co-op_PBLA

Sept.2018 -- Dec.2018

During my time with Philip Beesley, I actively contributed to the design and fabrication of various ongoing artworks. I dedicated a substantial amount of time to designing components for art installations using Rhino and Grasshopper, followed by hands-on fabrication utilizing tools such as waterjet cutters and laser-cutting beds. In Philip Beesley's design philosophy, creating drawings for fabrication is a crucial step in the overall process. I gained valuable insights into generating unfolded drawings for 3D components, enhancing my understanding of their physical characteristics and how they seamlessly assemble together.