The Interior Architecture portfolio of
Sharon Chen I am a graduate of the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design
Introduction
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Resume
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Interior Architecture Project
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Sky Forest Motel
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Fall 2018
Kaleidoscope
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Spring 2019 Junior Year Project
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Between the Moment
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Fall 2019
Hybrid Interface
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Fall 2019 Senior Year Project
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Libromat
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Spring 2020
Rhizome Fall 2020
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My name is Sharon Chen. I am the first generation immigrants of my family. I came to United States at the age of sixteen. I was always passionate in art and design. From the very young age I’ve always try to find opportunity to practice my interest of art. Starting from a piece of paper and a pencil, i can be able to create the world through my drawings, that feeling is amazing and extraordinary. In my early college life, I was a painting class teacher assistant. I’ve experienced multiple fascinating artworks and was amazed by how the art can really influence people, can express one’s personality, and communicate with one and other without any words. So in the middle of my college life I’ve decided to bring my feeling of art into the next level that is to expand this amazing feeling become reality. To really create art that can make people not just look at it, but to be in it. That is the reason for me to choose the interior architecture major. I think architecture is to create the bridge of communication and relationship between people and art. Everything is made from art, and architecture is about how to apply it to the real life. This portfolio collected 6 selected project within my four years in architectural school. I hope these works can express my passionate of art and architecture.
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Huge buildings are always stacked with one wood and one stone. Why can’t we become this wood and stone? That’s why I often do some piecemeal things.
就 是 為 此 。
Lu Xun
魯 迅
我 時 常 做 些 零 碎 事
我 們 何 妨 做 做 這 一 木 一 石 ?
總 是 一 木 一 石 疊 起 來
巨 大 的 建 築
Talents/Awards/Honors
Education Stephen F Austin High School,Houston TX
Spring 2015
Associate degree of art, Houston Community College,Houston TX Bachelor degree of interior architecture, University of Houston, TX
AIAS Houston 2020 Design Award • Libromat (project row house project) Student project award Winner
Spring 2017
Fall 2021
University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design • Libromat (project row house project) Student project award
Volunteering Tzu Chi Foundation, Historian • Recording, analyzing, and interpreting the events as recorded in sources such as photographs Fall 2011 - Spring 2015 Houston Community College Spring Branch Gallery • Gallery assistance/100 hrs Spring 2017 Culture Center of TECO in Houston • Gallery assistance/100 hrs
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University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design • Wave (woven project) Student project award
Honor member of National Art Honor Society • Membership award
James Scholarship Award • Successful academic achievement
Summer 2015 - Spring 2017
Work Experience
Skills Design Program
Grandview Construction LLC (Summer Intern) • Houston Blossom hotel interior and landscape design. Refining the architectural and MEP drawings • Advertising & Marketing planner • Graphic designer
Aug 2020 - Feb 2021
Club Demonstration Services Inc (CDS) • Advisor sales
June 2019 - Sept 2019
University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design • Lab assistant • Computer program instructor • Online tech supporter
• Auto CAD • Rhino • Photoshop • Adobe Illustrator • InDesign
• Lumion • Unreal engine • Sketch up • Microsoft office (Excel, Word, PPT)
Language Skills • English
• Mandarin
• Japanese
Interest
Feb 2019 - Present
Traveling
Painting
Houston Community College Stafford campus • Supplemental Instruction Leader in Department of Fine Art June 2017 - Aug 2017
Cooking
Photography
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Interior Architecture & Design 2018-2021
Sky Forest Motel
Sky Forest Motel is a project that consist elements of the automobile, nature and architecture. Car culture of Houston is energetic and vibrant. To integrate the automobile into the design not only express the characteristic of Houston, but also increase a taste of privacy in such transparent structure. 天空森林 The skin system and the programs of the structure are inspire by the nature Fall 2018 elements. Light and shadow effects created by the skin is to imitate the feelings of driving through the forest. The infinity pool let the water falling down to the Exploration of frame and skin are the key concept of this project. The site is an unoccupied billboard structure adjacent to a two-lane highway first floor to create the waterfall effect. The building brings the fresh nature in an urban environment. Along with having a strong relationship between existing structure and skin.
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Skin System The skin system is designed to mimic the feelings of driving through the forest. The composition of the skin system is combining the transparent panel and the solid surface together to create the unique sunlight and shadow effect. Drawing through the building can experience the moment of speed and the feelings of travel through the time by the high frequency changing of the light and dark that the skin created.
Program Diagrams
Materials Major Nature
Skin system that creates light & shadow effect Private area
Skin system
Car Movement
Car lift skin system
Secondary Nature
Sunlight
Car moment of pause
Car lift
Infinity pool create the imitation of the water fall
ISONOMETRIC
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01
0
20
30 feet
Greenery yard facing the sunlight
Similar skin system happens at the car lift from the ground level to the building
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bedroom
pool
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0
SECOND FLOOR 10
20
30 feet
greenary
car lift
diveway
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0
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FIRST FLOOR 10
20
30 feet
N
SECTION A 0
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20
SECTION B
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30 feet
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NORTH SIDE SCALE : 3/32”=1’-0”
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20
30 feet
EAST SIDE SCALE : 3/32”=1’-0”
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Kaleidoscope 萬花筒 Spring 2019
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Kaleidoscope is a project that take place in the hallway of Fine art building located in University of Houston. This project is inspire by the movie “Taxi Driver”. The project emphasize on three main architectural element. They are: Focus, layering, and contrast.
In this project, the element “focus” appear when people walk into this rectangular space. The destination of the project make people focus on the view at the end of the hall way. The project also divided into three parts and create this layering characteristics. Walking through the first installation, there will be a break between the first and second installation. Keep walking till the end, there will be a major focus point that lead the people to the destination view. Last the “contrast”, inside the installation there are multiple prisms that is reflective and create this kaleidoscope effect , however, the exterior is dark and settle. Some of the prisms will be coming out of the installation to attract people to come up and visit.
Diagrams Focus
Layering
Contrast
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N
Elevation
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N
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Floor plan
Longitudinal Section
JUNIOR YEAR
Between the Moment 在此之間 Fall 2019
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Between the moment is a project that focus on creating a moment of pause between the crowded subway and rushed pedestrians. By using technology, the relationship between people and interface start to create this unique conversation. In this largest public transport junction in Taipei city the design can slow down the pedestrians and create the moment of pause. The design not only increase the efficiency, but also reduce the anxiety by the customized culture and transparency. Between the moment make people to enjoy this moment.
Taipei Main Station 3 Beiping W Rd Zhongzheng District, Taipei. Taiwan Dimension L: 149 m W: 110 m 6 floors 4 underground floors Opened 1891-10-20 Rebuilt 1989-09-02 Electrified 1978-01-09 Architects Haigo T. H. Shen, Qi-Kuan Chen, Mao-Lin Guo
The specific location of the design will be at the ticketing booth inside the Taipei main station. The checkerboard like floor is where people sit on the ground and resting. Most people only sit on the black square rather than the white. North is the ticketing booth, west and east are the stores and the pathway to designated entrances and trains. South is the main entrance for the Taipei main station
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Diagrams
The Design have two interfaces one side is the kiosk station. People can buy tickets customized their meal, etc. The other side will be the map of the subway for better assist the tourists to know their destination
Top view of the installation creates transparency for people to still maintain their privacy and also let the light in to provide a more relax environment for people to purchase their tickets
There are two kiosk station in one units this increase the efficiency and shorten the time of waiting.
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Arrangement Arrangement of the installation are following the pattern of the station map. Six unit each on the east and west side. Three toward the main entrance. This arrangement adapt the original circulation of the main station and better organize the crowd
T I C K E T S
Customized Culture The installation also need to contain the Element of customized culture. This customized culture is emphasize on the user aspect.
Material strategies Acoustic panel for the wall to create quiet atmosphere, reflective material at the edge of the panel to attract people. Carpet floor to reduce noise, and white tube for on the top to create the interesting light and shadow effect
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Hybrid Interface 混合介面 Fall 2019
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The goal in creating this space was to make the receptionist check in process easier and more efficient as well as provide the option of a more personal and private experience. This project is about Redefining the traditional receptionist and transforms to a welcoming area. In this project our target clients are the patients of the Legacy Community Health. To redefine the reception and waiting area to customized for the patients. Such as release their anxiety by using the kiosk, and also keep the private one-on-one receptionist but is a more private cubicle.
A bar at the center of the welcoming area, and the TV is located above the bar. While the patients are waiting, they can be relax and watch TV to see if their number was on the screen or not
The sofa is curvature this design makes the kiosk better adapt its function since the kiosk can slide down and hide underneath the sofa
One-on-one private receptionist. Some people may not familiar with kiosk, so their still some cubicle area that is more private for patients to ask questions
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Kiosk
Welcome
Four simple clear design of the kiosk screen. Different languages and large icon for the patient to schedule their appointment easily. Patient can also easily find their desire service. Only four easy steps the process of schedule appointment can be accomplished.
Bienvenidos
English
Español
Select Language
CHECK IN Mental Health
Pediatrics
Dental
Vision
HIV/STD Screening
Gynecologist Vaccinations
Pediatrics
Pharmacy
Vision
HIV/STD Screening
Gynecologist
Scheduled
Walk-In
Select Appointment Type
Back First Name:
Middle Name:
Date of Birth:
Sex:
Phone: Email:
Male
Last Name:
Female
Reason for Visit:
SUBMIT
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CHECK IN
Diagrams The inspiration of the design is coming from the human cell the shape of the furniture is the shape of the mitochondria [1,2]. The arrangement strategies is inspire from the membrane of the cells. From the bar to the resting area and to the private reception desk. There are total of three main layers at the welcoming area [3]. the circulation is organized and orthogonal. This design is to help patient to easily know their direction [4].
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Doctor’s office
Floor plan
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0
20
30 feet
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SENIOR YEAR
Libromat 縕房 Spring 2020
Project Row Houses occupies a significant footprint in Houston’s Historic Third Ward, one of the city’s oldest African-American neighborhoods. The site encompasses five city blocks and houses 39 structures that serve as home base to a variety of community enriching initiatives, art programs, and neighborhood development activities. Libromat is a project that take place on the community laundry room, and focusing on the needs of single mom when they bring their children to the laundry room, their children can enjoy this library and laundromat combination space, and also be able to interact with the installation while both mother and kids waiting for their laundry to be done.
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The specific site of the project is at the laundromat of the project row house. The laundromat is open to the community. The laundromat total area is 1,760 sq ft. However, in this project the installation extend from the interior to the exterior. The exterior of the building is made out of bricks and the majority of the interior is made by the wood.
The installation is inspired by the topography and the form of waves. To create the form of the installation, the structure reference the woven technique [1]. By the woven technique, the installation can be stabilized and safe for children to climb. The furniture is design following the ergonomic guidance for adults and children to seat in their best comfortable position, and create the most comfortable condition for them to read [2]. [1]
Flat
Upper topography
[2]
Lower topography 32
2018-2021 Circulation
Library
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Materials Reinforced concrete is also used to provide deep foundations and basements and is currently the world’s primary building material. -Concrete is Economical -Concrete Hardens at Ambient Temperature -Ability to be Cast into Shape -Energy Efficiency in Production Steel is used because it binds well to concrete, has similar thermal expansion coefficient and is strong and relatively cost-effective. -Aesthetic Appeal Design Flexibility -Cost Efficiency -High Strength -Sustainable
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N
N
West longitudinal section
South transfer section
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Exploded Axonometric
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Rhizome 根與莖 Fall 2020
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Rhizome is a project that take place in the historic Houston Negro Hospital also known as the Riverside Hospital The site is located at the intersection of Elgin and Ennis Streets. In this project. There are two stages. First stage is to explore and design three different spaces that is inspire by the assigned plants, Bamboo, and its characteristics. The exploration involves on material, color, and form. The second stage is to apply the idea from the first stage on the designated hospital. Renovated the hospital into a youth hostel, the programs contain the social interaction place, private and public event, and individual rooms for the young adults.
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Rhizomatic Networks The tectonic cube is Inspired by the characteristics of bamboo’s rhizomatic networks. Every panels intertwined together create multiple individual cubicles. By extending the tectonic cube, it produces multiple interesting geometric panel that can be apply into these three designs.
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Spaces 1. Library Room size: 10’x10’x10’ Program: private library Occupation: 2 people
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2. Studio Room size: 20’x20’x18’ Program: school studio Occupation: 10 people 2. Wedding Room size: 30’x20’x18’ Program: place for wedding Occupation: 50 people
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DOCTOR SUITES
DOCTOR SUITES
First Floor
SOCIAL AREA ACTIVITY ROOM
CONVINIENT STORE
STORAGE
Lower Level
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HOSTEL ROOM
Third Floor
EVENT SPACE
Second Floor
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Lower Level
Social Area
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First Floor
Elgin street Entrance
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Second Floor
Event Space
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Third Floor
Hostel Room
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Photography Here are some photographs that inspire me when I was traveling. I’ve travel through China, Taiwan, Tibet, and Japan, and the architecture inspire by different culture is extremely amazing and inspire me a lot.
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1. Stairs of UH fine art building, Houston 2. Menil Collection, Houston 3. The Luce Chapel, Taichung, Taiwan 3
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2
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1. Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Dallas 2. Nine-Eye Bridge, Chengdu, China 3. Jänräsig, Daocheng Yading, China 4. Night view of Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan
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Thank You
Interior Architecture Portfolio | Selected works | 2017-2021
Sharon Chen | Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design University of Houston, Interior Architecture program
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