portfolio. quynh pham // 2020
contents fabricated homescapes
2
regenerative reuse
8
climate research center
14
culture facture
18
residential constructs
22
digital/physical constructs
26
college park church retrofit
32
uli hines student competition
34
green infrastructure retrofit
36
fabricated homescapes. Los Angeles is exemplary of two realities facing the nation: an increasingly diverse population and an unremitting housing crisis. The city has a majorityminority population, which comes with a number of cultural implications; from the make-up of households to how people use and perceive space. This project is a collection of buildings, unique in form yet common in construction, that are stitched together by the communal spaces in between. The project’s organic pattern encourages residents to develop agency over their individual spaces while providing common ground where shared experiences can cultivate a culture of community. Affordability is achieved through minimized living space. However, efficient and creative design layouts produce housing units generous in meeting the needs of residents. The common grounds act as a catch basin for the life that spills out beyond the confines of the units, becoming a communal living space. It is in these shared spaces where the recognition of similarities and the celebration of differences can occur.
model explorations
Throughout the studio the use of model-making as a means of thinking was critical. Shown are a series of models that explored massing, structure and construction techniques. 2 //
FABRICATED HOMESCAPES
QUYNH PHAM
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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
CHINATOWN WESTLAKE
NGEL LOS A
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
ER ES RIV
PROJECT SITE
I-1
I-110
0
HISTORIC SOUTH CENTRAL School Grocery Store Transit Stop/Station
BOYLE HEIGHTS
Alleviating Alienation through Access The project site is a surface parking lot located at the intersection of S Hill Street and W 3rd Street. It was selected due to its proximity to public transit, schools, and grocery stores. These amenities will allow residents to meet their basic needs as well as fully integrate them into an urban fabric that low-income households are often excluded from.
4 //
FABRICATED HOMESCAPES
W
2N
DS
W
3R
BR
OA
DW
AY
S
HI L
L
ST
T
D
ST
top A bird’s eye view of the project site. bottom Street-views from Google Earth. The site is a vast surface parking lot that sits in a vibrant part of Downtown Los Angeles. Sandwiched between a major vehicular corridor and parking lot, the pedestrian realm is reduced to a 10ft wide ribbon of concrete.
QUYNH PHAM
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6 //
FABRICATED HOMESCAPES
QUYNH PHAM
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night lighting and safety
Materiality that allows light to emit through will create a well illuminated environment in the evenings that provides a degree of safety in the space. Making the site always feel welcoming and safe. 8 //
FABRICATED HOMESCAPES
QUYNH PHAM
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regenerative reuse. Located in south downtown of Atlanta, the H.L. Green Building contributes little to the urban experience despite fronting three major streets. The building itself reflects the disinvestment that south downtown experienced in the wake of white flight and the retreat from cities into the suburbs. The buidling has limited transparency, especially along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, where there is no visibility into the building at the pedestrian level. The proposed design aims to reengage the architecture with the surrounding urban context in hopes of catalyzing greater activity along the streets. The design intends to literally and figuratively invert the existing building by bringing exterior materials indoor and replacing opaque walls with translucent ones to allow activity to be oriented both inwards and outwards. The design also blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors and public and private, so that instead of existing in isolation, they can embrace one another in a harmonious coexistence. The overall objective is that through the physical architectural moves, the design will achieve both environmental and social sustainability.
left
Axons depicting the building’s spatial relationship to the surrounding urban context, particulary the transit stations, as well as opportunities for entry to the building itself.
right
Massing design strategy, material inventory, and proposed strategies for repurposing materials. 10 //
REGENERATIVE REUSE
1. EXISTING CONDITION
2. SUBTRACT MASS
3. LEVEL GRADE + TRAVERSE
4. ADD HEIGHT
5. EXTRUDE SPACES
EXISTING MATERIALS :
ALUMINUM
BRICK
CONCRETE
GLASS
STEEL
MATERIAL STRATEGY :
BRICK WALL
DOORS
BRICK PANELS
DOORS, OPERABLE WINDOWS
BRICK + CIP + CMU
WINDOW
GABIONS
RECONFIGURED WINDOWS
QUYNH PHAM
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material strategy for steel
material strategy for brick
EXISTING
TO REMAIN IN PLACE
EXISTING
TO REMAIN IN PLACE
EXISTING
material strategy for concrete 12 //
REGENERATIVE REUSE
INFILL
38% REUSED ON SITE
EXISTING STEEL BEAMS AND COLUMNS TO REMAIN ON SITE
78% REUSED ON SITE
EXISTING BRICK TO REMAIN ON SITE AS ENCLOSURE AND/OR PAVERS
28%
22%
EXISTING CONCRETE TO REMAIN ON SITE AS AGGREGATE FOR GABION FOUNDATION WALL
EXISTING BRICK TO REMAIN ON SITE AS AGGREGATE FOR GABION FOUNDATION WALL
QUYNH PHAM
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ART GALLERY MICRO-HOUSING PRIVATE COMMUNAL SPACES PUBLIC COMMUNAL SPACES
4TH FLOOR
3RD FLOOR
2ND FLOOR
GROUND FLOOR
BASEMENT
14 //
REGENERATIVE REUSE
QUYNH PHAM
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climate research center. Located at the center of Georgia Tech’s campus, this project proposes the replacement of an existing parking lot with a climate research center and garden. The garden is designed around existing paths of movement and consists of a series of rain gardens lined with seat walls that invite respite, reflection, and rendezvous. The design aspires to demonstrate harmonic coexistence of that which is often diametrically opposed, nature and culture, and to heighten one’s awareness of affordances offered by both. The garden speaks to the ecological resources and processes we rely on and benefit from while honoring the historical Hemphill corridor’s longstanding tradition as a path for people to traverse. The architecture then speaks to the need for research, collaboration and innovation to address pressing climate issues. The design celebrates both nature and culture and juxtaposes the two in order to shed light on the relationship between nature and man, one of inherent conflict, dependence and occasionally harmony.
ventilation analysis
Prevailing winter winds (left) and summer winds (right) were examined to understand which building form responded best. 16 //
CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
regulating lines system
0’
20’
0’
20’
Primary paths of circulation were observed and recorded through multiple site visits. These existing lines of circulation were used to inform the paths that run through the proposed garden.
site plan QUYNH PHAM
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1
2
2
3
3
4 5
7
6
7
8
floor plan
9
ground level
mechanical room / 1 seminar/conference room / 2 restroom / 3 elevator / 4 exhibit/lounge area / 5 coffee shop / 6 office / 7 research lab / 8 lounge area / 9 classroom / 10
10
0’
20’
0’
20’
2 1
2 2
3
4 5 6
floor plan
7
second level research lab office library/commons outdoor patio/classroom seminar/conference room research lab classroom
/1 /2 /3 /4 /5 /6 /7
bottom left
Bird’s eye view of Rhino model
center
Exploded axon
right
Chipboard model, Rendering of interior space 18 //
CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
LE ROOF, DOUBLE FUNCTION nd roof assists with eling rain water to green ructure systems on site as s provides shading for the ng by protecting the roof ure below from direct LE ROOF, DOUBLE FUNCTION ht. nd roof assists with eling rain water to green ructure systems on site as s provides shading for the ng by protecting the roof ure below from direct ht.
H CIRCULATION ilding’s primary circulation is ed by a porch structure that along the southern and n edges of the building.
H CIRCULATION ilding’s primary circulation is ed by a porch structure that along the southern and n edges of the building.
M OF GREEN STRUCTURE es of terraced rain gardens lp improve stormwater y and reduce stormwater ty. A bosque of trees planted the same coordinate system M OF GREEN building provides shade in STRUCTURE rden as well as protect the es of terraced rain gardens ng from strong sun exposure lp improve stormwater south and west facing y and reduce stormwater s. ty. A bosque of trees planted the same coordinate system building provides shade in rden as well as protect the ng from strong sun exposure south and west facing s.
CTURAL SYSTEM ns are the primary structural rt along the facades that face rden in order to allow for a arent curtain wall for sight n and out of the building. The the building consists of CTURAL SYSTEM earing walls where greater ns are the primary structural y and reduced visibility is rt along the facades that face priate. rden in order to allow for a arent curtain wall for sight n and out of the building. The the building consists of earing walls where greater y and reduced visibility is priate.
QUYNH PHAM
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culture facture. Inspired by Rem Koolhaas’s Seattle Central Library and the artwork of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, this design sought to embody the design technique of wrapping. The interior spaces are not formally organized, thus creating a sense of unpredictability and curiosity to explore the different spaces, inside and out. The exterior welcomes guests with a large, open public plaza that can serve as an active or passive space. The facade of the building includes a curtainwall that allows for a visual dialogue to occur between passersby and building users. A high-ceiling foyer first welcomes visitors in the building. From the foyer, one enters the robotic murals atrium, which serves as a gallery space as well as the building’s circulation core. Escalators allow visitors to ascend and descend the building with ease, while providing ever-changing views of the robotic murals room. What lies above are various art galleries, an office space, and a performance and event space that sits on the highest level of the building with an excellent view of Atlanta’s skyline. This building will serve as a community gathering space to appreciate the robust art culture in Atlanta, and its design aims to deliver a unique experience for each visit one makes.
top
A 3D printed model showing the building in section, both with and without the exterior shell.
bottom
Building sections
opposite
Exploded axon 20 //
CULTURE FACTURE
QUYNH PHAM
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floor plan
Ground Level
0
25
50
floor plan
Second Level 22 //
CULTURE FACTURE
0
25
50
floor plan 0
25
50
0
25
50
Third Level
floor plan
Fourth Level QUYNH PHAM
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24 //
CULTURE FACTURE
QUYNH PHAM
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residential constructs. The program of the house called for an entry, spaces for dining and cooking, sleeping, bathing and hygiene, yoga, relaxation/contemplation, writing, reading, and thinking, performance/practice, as well as indoors and outdoors entertainment. A kit-of-parts design approach defined the building’s form. The composition George Braque’s 1914 painting Still Life with Violin inspired the design of the site. The organizing concept is a gradation of public and private spaces. The house is surrounded by multiple outdoor spaces for entertainment that are only partially screened from the public right-of-way. The ground level has the capacity to host the largest number of guests. As one ascends the house, the spaces become more private, with the bedroom and work space at the top.
top & center
Paper models made through the 3D abstraction of George Braque’s 1914 painting Still Life with Violin.
bottom
A foam core model of a pavilion and courtyard design used to inform the final structure. 26 //
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTS
final design model
Elements from earlier models were used to inform the final design, which was then modeled using foam core. QUYNH PHAM
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28 //
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTS
ELEVATION AA
ELEVATION AA
SECTION BB
ELEVATION CC
ELEVATION CC
SECTION DD
QUYNH PHAM
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digital/physical constructs. In thinking about the future of transportation, this project focused not only on designing a platform for drones to pick up and drop off passengers, but also on creating pedestrian-friendly spaces as part of the experience. The design provides places for gathering and viewing and includes parking for bikes and e-scooters in promotion of reduced vehicular reliance. This project utilized a wide array of digital tools and techniques which led to unexpected discoveries that moved the design along. Grasshopper was the primary operational platform, along with other software, such as Monolith, AlphaCam and Fologram. The combination of digital and physical modelling allowed new techniques and unique forms to emerge.
section perspective 30 //
DIGITAL/PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTS
QUYNH PHAM
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left
3’x2’x1’ Plywood model. After modelling the structure in Rhino, the pieces were cut with a CNC router and then handassembled.
right
PhotoShop renderings 32 //
DIGITAL/PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTS
QUYNH PHAM
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plywood model
After modelling the structure in Rhino, the pieces were cut with a CNC router and then hand-assembled using wood glue and a nail gun. This was a preliminary concept for a drone platform.
sheet metal model
After modelling the structure in Rhino, the pieces were cut using a waterjet. This model represents a section of a larger building and is meant to illustrate the wrapping quality that can be achieved through metal. 34 //
DIGITAL/PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTS
QUYNH PHAM
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college park church retrofit. The College Park First United Methodist Church partook in Professor Julie Kim’s Flourishing Communities Collaborative, an academic lab committed to community engagement and social outreach. A semester was spent understanding the existing church and developing schemes for improving the campus and retrofitting the interior to make it more accessible, both physically and conceptually. With an aging and dwindling congregation, the church sought design solutions to make the campus more ADA accessible, but also to increase and diversify the uses and users of the church. Students worked directly with the church community to devise a proposal that would introduce secular revenue-generating uses, while ensuring that the design remained aligned with the church’s core values and still accommodated the existing congregation with flexibility for them to grow. 10 students worked collaboratively throughout the semester on the project and I lead the site design work.
top left
Bird’s eye view of project site
center left
Sketch of proposed ADA accessible entrance and courtyard
bottom left
Workshop with Kyle Reis of Cooper Carry Architects and Cherie Ong of Good Places 36 //
COLLEGE PARK CHURCH RETROFIT
WASHINGTON ST
E MAIN ST
HARVARD AVE
existing site plan
1049.3
WASHINGTON ST
E MAIN ST
1046.8
1046.8 1046.8
1050 1048.5
TW:1049.45 BW:1046.8
1048.5
HARVARD AVE
proposed site plan
1049.3
1052
1046.8
1056
1057
1046.8 1046.8
1054 1054
1050 1048.5
TW:1049.45 BW:1046.8
1048.5 1049
revised site plan w/ proposed interior QUYNH PHAM
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uli hines student competition. The 2019 ULI Hines Student Competition prompted students to work in a multidisciplinary team to develop a comprehensive design and development program for a site that sits just south of Downtown Cincinnati, beside the Ohio River, and in between two sports stadiums. Working in a team of five, I worked primarily in the role of master planner. With Cincinnati ranked in the top five percent of U.S. cities where millenials are moving, the proposal focused on creating a place for young professionals to live and work, allowing them the space and support for start-ups, before moving into a more established role in the downtown area. The design tackled several issues, including finding a balance between designing at a neighborhood scale for a place that doubles as a tourist attraction during stadium events. Its location along the river also required a consideration of the site’s resiliency to climate change.
top left
Initial conceptual sketch made with pen and markers
top right
Final master plan
bottom
A portion of the final poster submission which is the product of group collaboration 38 //
ULI HINES STUDENT COMPETITION
ST MAIN
PIONEER’S PORT
THIRD
THE ECONOMIC HISTORY CENTER AND OBSERVATION DECK OF CINCINNATI
ST
ROAD DIET W/ ANGLED PARKING ON 2ND & 3RD
SITE PLAN
VINE ST
COLLABORATIVE SETTLEMENT: OFFICE & DWELLING
ASTRONOMER PARK: FEATURING SCULPTURAL SMOKESTACKS
ST RACE
D ST SECON
Y ER WA N SPENC MARIA
WAY XHALL JOE NU
MOBILITY HUB
RISE & GRIND: LIVE-WORK APARTMENTS
ROSA
ST PARKS
ELM ST
RECTIFIED WHISKEY: A DISTILLERY INCUBA-
PORTHAUS GASTROPUB & BIERGARTEN
MERCHANTS & LANDING: GROCERY & DWELLING
UT ST WALN
URBAN ALLEYWAY
Y OM WA
E FREED
SHARED STREET
SIDE WHEELER: RESTAURANT Y OM WA
W FREED
OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER
THE FOUNDRY: INNOVATIVE CONVERGENCE HUB
DOG PARK
HAVEN: RETAIL & DWELLING
DORE
THEO
Y WAY M. BERR
CARRIAGE HOUSE: CONDOS & GE PARTNERSHIP RECREATION CENTER
O HI
Y WA BY IC EN SC
SPENSIO
O
R VE RI
LING SU
PAUL BROWN STADIUM WELCOME PLAZA
N
TROLLOPE’S BAZAAR: RETAIL ARCADE
A. ROEB
DESIGNATED RIDESHARE ZONE
JOHN
FUTURE MUSIC VENUE
SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK 0
45
90
180
360
N
SCALE: 1” = 180’
TEAM 191707
QUYNH PHAM
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green infrastructure retrofit. In an interdisciplinary course on green infrastructure for students in architecture, engineering, and city planning worked on projects in the Proctor Creek Watershed. Proctor Creek has a history of considerable flooding and environmental justice issues and has become an important location for stormwater infrastructure improvements. This particular project focused on William M. Boyd Elementary School, located at the middle of the watershed, and green infrastructure strategies to mitigate flooding challenges both above and on the site.
left
Images from a site visit capture water-related issues occurring on the school grounds, which include ponding, sinkholes and erosion.
right
The site is located in west Atlanta, within a watershed that drains to the Chattahoochee River to the west. The series of images on the right shows the land changes that occurred between 1993 and 2018. 40 //
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RETROFIT
1” = 20,000’
0
10,000
20,000
1993
2002
2003
2008
2015
2018 QUYNH PHAM
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existing site plan
The school sits right at the
boundary of the 500 year flood plain.
water flow analysis
Water flows past the school to the stream to the east at relatively high velocities. LEGEND 0-10% 11-25% >25%
slope analysis
Flat areas on the school grounds cause ponding after rain events. 42 //
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RETROFIT
drainage basin map
proposed site plan QUYNH PHAM
// 43
quynh pham // 2020