SEBASTIAN CHENG
PROJECT SUMMARY
Pacific Northwest Multicultural Community Services (PNMCS), a non-profit organization which specializes in assisting resettlement of refugees with housing and social services, has a new project at Rose City Park in Portland, Oregon. The project’s goal is to create a community center that welcomes immigrants and provides them with tools necessary for them to transition toward life in a new city. The building is a Type V, wood frame construction, and must contain plans to include a community center and four residential units which are separated by a two-hour fire-rated dividing wall. Additionally, the community center’s space will include a lobby, cafe, community room, social service offices, classrooms, computer lab, and a new elevator. Each of the four residential units will have the same design and include a living area, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and three bedrooms. The concept behind this project is organic rebirth. The project is named Ovum because this idea is based on the cycle of life. An aging bird lays an egg, which through growth and nourishment, hatches as a newborn chick. My initial research on birds showed a parallel between cell behavior and how people interacted with one another. Additional research showed the symbiotic relationship of organs in a bird’s body, which correlated to the way I wanted to design each space, as they would complement each other. The first aspect of my design focuses on ambience. All the public spaces with higher noise levels use open space without walls on first floor. Spaces which require better noise insulation are located on the second floor with more enclosed rooms. A second point of consideration was natural lighting, because it gives energy to both plants and humans. I placed public spaces on the east and south sides utilizing curtains to gain as much natural lighting as possible. The natural light is gentler to the north, so I designated rooms on that side of the building for offices and classrooms. I opened the second floor and added a glass dome in order to allow more light into the lobby. The third focal point for my design is the water, because it is an essential nutrient that allows organisms grow. As Portland has a high annual rainfall, I implemented a reclaimed water system to reuse the rainwater. The final point of emphasis for this project is the aesthetic design. The organic lines within the space are designed to accentuate the concept of liveliness. The lines represent the flow of the energy and that makes the community center seem more alive. Real plants are used in the trims and walls, to represent the idea of the symbiotic relationship of organs. These four aspects of the design create a more vibrant refugee center. Because of the biophilic design and spatial planning, the building and users operate together as a unified ecosystem. The project meets the conceptual goal of rebirth and at the same time helps refugees integrate into their new environment.
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Ovum
CONCEPT
The egg-shaped concept for this project, the Ovum, captures the essence of life. The design represents the users progression as they journey into the next chapter of their lives. The structure conveys vitality, movement as well as connection and will appeal to refugees and locals while rekindling their enthusiasm for the future.
PROGRAM: REFUGEE CENTER AND RESDENCIAL HOUSE EXISTING BUILDING TYPE: TYPE V, WOOD FRAME LOCATION: ROSE CIT PORTLAND DESIGNER: SEBASTIAN CHENG
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1ST BLOCK DIAGRAM
2ND BLOCK DIAGRAM
CURTAIN WALL
RAIN CANOPY
FACADE SYSTEM
Metal Grid Patterns
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IMSPIRATIONS
The lobby is the main drawing point of this project. Its focal point resides in the organic cicle line from the lobby to the dome’s peak at 34 feet above. The lobby has parallels with its egg shape as the ongoing activities of the users within the lobby represent the growth and transformation from an embryo to a baby chick.
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
BUILDING ELEVATION A-1
C
C3
C2
DE W RE
IKEA
DESIGN WITH IN REACH
T1
T3 DESIGN WITH IN REACH
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The interior elevation shows that there is no walls separating rooms to create a consolidated space. The floor finish of lobby will use white paint for its first layer and grey paint as second layer. After that apply resin on top of two paints. BUILDING ELEVATION A-1 FIRST FLOOR
WALL PAPER
COFFEE SHOP
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
BIOPHILIC WALL
GIBSON GOLD
DARK OAK
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IMSPIRATIONS
D2
F3
F3
DESIGN WITH IN REACH
SHAW CONTRACT
PIONEER MILLWORKS
TERRAMAI
CANVAS RUG
FINISHING
FINISHING
NT OB OPE
Mag Table
ELO
T4
W
CONCEPT SKECHINGS
MMUNITY CENTER FLOOR PLAN
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
B
B
W BELO
NIS
OPE N TO
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On the left hand side of the stairway is the reception desk for the second floor. It is a functions as a small library, concierge lounge and a check-in desk. The design’s purpose is to create a lively feel which draws the attention of people entering the building towards the biophelic trim and upwards along the pendant light to the peak of the dome. This natural progression of looking up through the greenery and light fixture is created so that they will have a feeling of hope and rebirth.
NIS
BUILDING ELEVATION A-1
BUILDING ELEVATION A-1 2ND FLOOR
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
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CONCEPT SKECHINGS
L2
C7
T5
MCGUIRE
MCGUIRE
DANISH DESIGN STORE
NIPOMO SCONCE JONATHAN BROWNING
MEDIUM ROUND CONCRETE STOOL
EJ 190-191
D5 BEACHCREST HOME Azalea Park Fish Wall Décor
IMSPIRATIONS
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
LIVING ROOM
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The residential design also builds on the idea of hope and rebirth. Unlike the areas for public use, which are open and promote interaction, the residential quarters are private and comfortable. Just as the rest of the Refugee Center, all private rooms lead towards a centralized common area for residents to intermingle.
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
DINING ROOM