Simba Xin Mai - Portfolio by Simba Xin Mai

S SIMBA XIN MAI A R C H I T E C T U R E

P O R T F O L I O

THE RIFT

COOLIDGE SQUARE

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P. 9

THE WOODLOT

ÑOOLA

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P.23

DBR2

THE ‘DELOREAN

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P.35

S PROFESSIONAL WORK

RESUME

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P.43

THE RIFT

CAN ADI AN CENTRE FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada UNDERGRAD STUDIO 2015 | Professor Greg Andonian Ottawa has seen an influx of immigration from all over the world, with insufficient space and resources to support the transition into Canada. The Rift seeks to provide immigrants these services, but also allow cultural barriers to be broken. The building itself acts as a rift in the urban fabric of Ottawa to create a new space for all to experience.

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E RE

KE NT ST RE ET

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Located at Kent and Albert Street, the Canadian Centre for New Immigrants houses many different programs within its space. At the ground floor, people gather at the celebrated space for different cultural events. As one progresses up the floors, there are spaces for a market place, an auditorium, hub office spaces, and a maker hall a space where people can create and build new things. Above all this are resident spaces for incoming immigrant families looking to stay temporarily until they find permanent residency. The entire space is divided by a large glass well that creates a rift in the building. This rift embodies the division that exists between cultures in Canada, but the space represents and promotes the unity amongst all peoples - to come create, celebrate, and live life together.

P L A N

LON G IT U D I N A L

S E CT I ON

FLOOR 1

FLOOR 2 11

4 10

UP DN

8 2

7 UP

FLOOR 3

FLOOR 4 14

FLOOR 5

FLOOR 6 19 23 18

22 7

01 Atrium 02 Reception 03 Seating area 04 Residential lobby 05 Celebrated space 06 Elevated walkway 07 Terrace 08 Market area 09 Art gallery 10 Party room 11 Lounge 12 Theatre 13 Multipurpose room 14 Computer room 15 Hub Space 16 Hub Space 17 Multipurpose room 18 Library 19 Multipurpose room 20 Maker hall 21 Lecture space 22 Maker space 23 Meeting room

right, top to bottom:

Rooftop terrace; Residence entrance; Celebrated space.

Top: Maker space & prototyping labs; Bottom: Residence entrance; Right: Celebrated space.

COOLIDGE SQUARE D E F I N I N G A N E W A C O M M U N I T Y S PA C E

LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts, USA UNDERGRAD STUDIO 2014 | Professor Jay Lim Teron Scholarship Nominee 2014 | Building 22 Publication 2015 Coolidge Corner at Beacon and Harvard is a dense urban fabric. As a result, there is no large public gathering space for community events. Coolidge Square proposes a new public square near Coolidge corner. A new recreation center and hub office space will be introduced into the area, drawing in the community. Welcome to Coolidge Square. 09

8 10

3 2

JOHN ST.

PLEASANT ST.

GROUND FLOOR 1 Coolidge Square 2 Reflection pool

3 Reception 4 Atrium

5 Cafe 6 Weight room

7 Meeting room 8 Library

9 Kitchenette 10 Library

FLOOR 3 12 13

14 DN UP

FLOOR 2 16 15 13

U/G 1 13

25 22

U/G 2 4

26 27

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Hub space Meeting room Green wall Library extension Rooftop garden Elevated walkway Party room Gymnasium Library extension Dance studios Swimming pool Change rooms Lifeguard room Viewing area Storage Mechanical room Filtration room Parking 12

RECREATI ON C ENTER

H UB S PACE

LIBRARY

By separating the functions and closing off the street, the buildings create the edges of a new public square. The form is then cut to provide access into the square from the residents. In order to connect the programs while reinforcing the square, connections will be made above ground. The square is duplicated within the buildings as gathering spaces become microcosms of the larger square.

left page; clockwise from top: Recreation center atrium; hub space; gymnasium

above: performance stage left: Outdoor reflection pond becomes a skating rink

THE WOODLOT AN URBAN FOREST IN THE GOLDEN MILE

LOCATION: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada GRADUATE STUDIO 2018| SUPERSTUDIO Collaborators: Miranda Fay, Edward Marchant, Yukun Bai The Greater Toronto Area is seeing an increased focus on areas in the city where redevelopment and intensification can occur. The Woodlot project proposes an urban design scheme in the Golden Mile Area in Scarborough that introduces a productive urban forest as the main driver of the plan that would promote the forestry industry, wood construction, and a new take of a forest in the city.

Urban Impacts on Tree Growth Rates

“City trees grow faster…” O’Brien, Ettinger, HilleRisLambers. 2013. “Conifer Growth and reproduction in urban forest fragments: Predictors of future responses to global change? Urban Ecosystems, 15:4. 879-891.

“Urban trees tend to grow more quickly that their counterparts in the rural surroundings...” “The benefits of growing in an urban environment seem to outweigh known negative effects...”

Grow Season Length

Soil pH

Impervious Surfaces

N2 Deposition

Soil Compaction

CO2 Levels

Construction/Disturbance

Winter Temp.

Ozone Levels

Grow Season Temp.

Road Salt

Pretzsch et al. 2017. “Climate change accelerates growth of urban trees in metropolises worldwide.” Scientific Reports, 17.1: 15403.

Recent research has shown that there are great benefits from growing trees in urban settings compared to rural counterparts, which u ltimately outweigh the negative effects that the urban environment can have on trees. The Woodlot begins to look at areas within the Golden Mile district where productive forests can begin, such as empty lots, or large paved areas. From there, development along Eglinton Avenue would be initiated to coincide with the completion of the Eglinton LRT, as well as the planting of new forest patches. The forested areas emphasize a North-South connection from the existing ravine system to the south, and the Meadoway to the north. The remainder of the site would see either redevelopment or adaptive reuse, all done in wood construction to promote the forestry industry and provide a precedent of advance techniques in this versatile building material.

EGLINTON AVENUE

4800 Pedestrian Clearway

1200 1700 Bicycle Tree Lane Opening

3300 Vehicular Lane

3200 Vehicular Lane

760 ECL

360 R.O

00 LRT

3200 Vehicular Lane

3300 Vehicular Lane

1700 1200 Tree Bicycle Opening Lane

4800 Pedestrian Clearway

000 O.W.

ÑOOLA

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

LOCATION: Tanaf, Senegal, Africa Kairo Looro Competition 2017 Collaborators : Luke Kimmerer In the spirit of the words “Kaira Looro”, the project Ñoola, meaning “Together” aims to circumvent traditional ideas about the design of sacred space by supposing a deconstructed approach to worship. In this way, a particular attention was paid to how a singular user may utilise the architectural elements differently than a small or large group. Justly, a design that provide three ‘types’ of space allows a flexibility in choice and use, as well as the opportunity for concurrent activity.

N PATTERNS OF WORSHIP / USAGE PATTERNS OF WORSHIP / USAGE 1 Courtyard (>20 Users)

2 Open portico (5-20 users)

3 Private prayer room (<5 users)

4 Abolution station

Ă&#x2018;oola is divided into 3 parts: the entry/porch, the courtyard, and the private prayer quarters. The entry is a marked by a wide opening, creating a welcoming entrance into the space. The foyer is large enough for people to have gatherings in a covered area. The courtyard is framed by a wall and the thatched-wrapped bamboo arches along the perimeter. The furthest corner of the courtyard points due east, towards the Mecca. Off to the side of the courtyard is the private quarters, an area where individuals can find a PATTERNS USAGE secluded place toOF pray,WORSHIP to worship, or/ to meditate and be still. These spaces have an open PATTERNS ceiling, coveredOF by the roof. This allows light to spill in at certain times of the day, and gives natural feeling to the space. In addition, windows made from plastic bottle ends bring colour and light to accentuate the space.

WORSHIP

ROOFING MATERIAL -THATCH -LOCAL GRASSES

ROOF DECKING -MANGROVE WOOD/ROOTS

ROOF STRUCTURE -LOCALLY IMPORTED BAMBOO

WOVEN WRAP -PALM LEAVES AND WICKER -LOCAL ARTISANRY

ARCADIA STRUCTURE -PALM WOOD

DIVISONAL/BEARING WALLS -CASSAMANCE OYSTER SHELL AGGREGATE

FOUNDATION -RECYCLED TIRES (APPROX 700) -PURE CLAY -AGGREGATE INFILL

Above: Private prayer rooms Right top: Foyer space Right bottom: Large gathering in the courtyard 27

DBR2

A urban parklet in Vanier LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada UNDERGRAD STUDIO 2016 | Professor Johan Voordouw COLLABORATORS: Andy Bako, Rachita Desai Designated by the City of Ottawa as a Traditional Mainstreet, Beechwood Avenue is intended as a lively, mixed-use pedestrian environment. Increased intensification efforts and traffic calming measures are currently being implemented by the City to contribute to the vitality of the street and to make it more pedestrian friendly. The proposed parklet design DBR2 will contribute to a vibrant and livable community by providing a contextually minded, recognizable architectural feature within walking distance of many local amenities.

The parklet forms a rolling landscape embedded with red clay pots and vegetation. The red pots are a representation of the large Vanier red pots of the Quartier Vanier Merchants Association, specifically used here for the growth of organic herbs. There are rainwater catch basins located on the west side of the parklet to promote a self-watering irrigation system into the planters and a featured dog bowl. The construction of the parklet consists of 2â&#x20AC;? x 2â&#x20AC;? wood members to form a complex but sturdy structure. The entire structure is split into 8 sections to allow for easy assembly when it is placed in the spring, and easily disassembled for storage in autumn.

Top: An artist painting while pedestrians stop by for a seat Middle: Local restaurant holding a barbecue Bottom: Light displays can be installed into the parklet to produce a spectacular light show at night.

The entire structure is split into 8 sections to easy assembly when it is placed in the sp easily disassembled for storage in autu wooden structure rests on a wood cladded s that is levelled with the sidewalk to provide a ous plane for accessibility into the parklet, an the flow of draina

featured dog bowl The dog bowl at the northwest corner of the parklet addresses increased flow of pedestrian trafďŹ c along Beechwood Ave with their canine companions. The dog bowl is constructed using vacuum formed plastic to create an elegant sculptural feature.

Left page, above, and right: Scale

model representation of the DBR2 parklet

THE ‘DELOREAN’ C a r l e t o n

i n

b o x

PROJECT TYPE: Design-build display case STUDIO 4: Professor Johan Voordouw DATE: January 2014 LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada COLLABORATORS: Daniel Kassel, Jake Murray, Sam Smallwood The “DeLorean” is a collapsible display case that was designed to fit in a 1 m3 volume, but open up to display models and drawings. The shape came from discovering that three identical pyramids could fit in a cube, and that these pyramids could in turn fold into a table. From that table form, the opening of the doors by pneumatic pistons is the final gesture that would provide the viewing space for the drawings and models. 35

frames for hanging drawings

pneumatic hinges locking mechanism tabletop for models

3-point base

A XON OM E T R I C

PROFESSIONAL WORK

Courtesy of Turner Fleischer Architects

Canadian Tire Elmira - New Build Permit application | Working drawings | Shop Drawings Review | Issuing CCO’s

Courtesy of Turner Fleischer Architects

Canadian Tire Yonge & Church - Renovation Permit application | Working drawings | Shop Drawing Review | Issuing CCO’s

Courtesy of Captial Developments

Loblaws Bathurst & Lakes - Interior Fit Up Pre-development | Landlord Coordination

Courtesy of First Capital Realty

CityMarket Yonge & Lawrence - Interior Fit Up Pre-development | Landlord Coordination | Working drawings

SIMBA XIN MAI E D U C A T I O N MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE [University of Toronto] September 2017 | Expected graduation - December 2020 BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES [Design] [Carleton University] [Co-Op] September 2011 - May 2016

W O R K

E X P E R I E N C E

DESIGNER/TECHNOLOGIST

Turner Fleischer Architects [Toronto] May 2016 - August 2017 Using AutoCad and Revit to prepare working drawings for permit, tender and construction on various projects Oversee various items in contract administration, such as shop drawing review and issuing contemplated change orders ■ Coordinate with project team, consultants, clients, and landlords in pre-development stage of projects ■ ■

JUNIOR TECHNOLOGIST [CO-OP INTERN]

Turner Fleischer Architects [Toronto] July 2014 - August 2015 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Used Revit and AutoCad to create As-Built of finished projects Updated working drawings for permit and tender packages Edited renders in Photoshop for RFP’s and client presentations Generated mass models in SketchUp and Revit for feasibility studies Created visual content for Turner Fleischer Academy classes on Adobe Suite

AV SECTION M AN AGER

Azrieli School of Architecture [Carleton University] September 2012 - April 2014 ■ ■

Created work schedules for employees of the Loan Pool Cataloged and monitored quality of photography equipment

TEACHING ASSISTANT

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design [University of Toronto] January 2019 - April 2019 ■ ■

Oversaw a section of students in the Visual Communications 2 graduate course Advised students about 3D fabrication technologies (3D printing and CNC)

simbaxmai@gmail.com 647 915 9150 1205 - 1185 The Queensway Etobicoke, ON M8Z 0C6

V O L U N T E E R I N G C O N G R E G AT I O N A L L E A D E R

The MCBC [Mississauga] May 2016- Present Ministry head for English Worship Ministry Leading music team and congregation in corporate worship for church services ■ Graphic designer for church news and events ■ ■

C O N G R E G AT I O N A L L E A D E R

Ottawa Chinese Bible Church [Ottawa] September 2011 - April 2016 Led music team and congregation in corporate worship for church services ■ Led university fellowship in group studies ■ Taught Sunday school classes to grade-school students ■

I N T E R E S T S CHRISTIANITY ■ Current member of the MCBC ARTS ■ Play guitar, drums, piano, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet ■ Drawing cartoons ■ Hip hop culture - beat-boxing, rapping, breakdancing ■ Graphic design PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY ■ Shooting and editing photos & video PUZZLES ■ Rubik’s cube SPORTS ■ Ultimate Frisbee ■ Softball ■ Curling ■ Soccer

S K I L L S Revit Architecture AutoCad Rhinoceros 6 Grasshopper Vray 3.0 SketchUp Adobe CS6 Suite Microsoft Office Graphic design Model-making Photography Ideating Hand-drawing Presentation