SIMON CHEN
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN DESIGN PORTFOLIO
SELECTED WORKS YEAR 1 rendering, model making, photoshop, construction detail
BIRDWATCHER’S BLIND 4
model making, solar study, spatial arrangement, landscape design
BIRDING CENTER 6 YEAR 2
Rhino, spatial arrangement, landscape design, rendering, photoshop
COMMUNITY LIBRARY 8
spatial arrangement, landscape design, rendering, urban planning, community strategy, concept masterplan
URBAN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT 12 YEAR 3
research, abstract, diagrams, 3D modeling, parametric design, rendering, adobe illustrator, rhinoceros
AIR CARGO FACILITY
3D modeling rhinoceros, construction details, structural system, rendering, model making
ROWING CENTER
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16 YEAR 5
URBAN FABRIC | LINKING CITYSCAPE
Urban design, city planning, sketchup, rendering, rhinoceros, A REVITALIZATION photoshop, illustrator, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, spatial arrangement 22
OF LONDON
LONDON BATTERSEA REDEVELOPMENT
Urban design, city planning, rendering, rhinoceros, photoshop,NEW illustrator, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, spatial arrangement 26
EMBASSY QUARTERS
SOFTWARE SIMON SAYS...
In my academic and professional experiences, I have become trained in 3D modeling and graphic design programs. I am proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, and some experience in Flash. I am also capable in Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, 3DS Max, Rhinoceros, Google Sketchup, and Google Earth. I have strong interest in Architectural Design with much consideration with sustainable solutions, landscape design, and urban scale. With much experience in design software, my passion is in schematic design, 3D modeling, and photorealistic renderings. I also have professional experience through the UTSOA Professional Residency Program with HKS in Dallas during the 2013 school year. The program fulfills school credit while gaining office experience.
AUTOCAD
SKETCHUP 3DS MAX GRASSHOPPER
ILLUSTRATOR INDESIGN FLASH
GRAPHIC DESIGN
PHOTOSHOP
EXPERIENCE
RHINOCEROS
3D MODELING/DRAFTING
REVIT
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BIRDWATCHER’S BLIND SPRING 2010 | LOIS WEINTHAL
Program_ Design a structure for bird watchers to watch birds without being seen. Develop in further detail the main structural connection in the bird blind. This is to act as a stand-alone structure that requires little to no maintenance and can act as a solar shading structure as well. The same striped language can be used to design a water catchment system in case of precipitation. Concept_ I positioned my bird blind along the river to catch the Killdeer’s migration pattern. Since the Killdeer’s flight pattern is horizontal, I designed my structure to allow peripheral views. My structure is constructed with steel columns that have lumber clamped, allowing for movement. The dynamic structure allows for multiple views and can change depending on the season or the lighting.
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BIRDING CENTER SPRING 2010 | LOIS WEINTHAL
Program_ Continuing with the activity of birdwatching, the birding center will introduce bird watchers to the site and become a resource for information. The center will include an exhibit space to showcase the natural ecosystem of the area as well as diversity in bird species. The bottom corridor will include offices, classrooms for lectures, and a gift shop. Concept_ The birding center focuses on two important yet different views: towards the pond, and towards the treetops. Birdwatchers enter the nature center from ground level, descend down the lobby to be faced with a grand stair case to include stadium seating and stairs. I planned for a separation of experienced watchers from the first-time visitors by providing a direct access to the exhibit space that lead straight to the observation deck. Less experienced visitors will be brought into the heart of the center with access to classrooms, offices, and learning resources. The idea is to bring visitors to a new environment to relax and focus on their interest and passions in bird-watching.
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COMMUNITY LIBRARY FALL 2010 | EVA SCHONE
Program_ Along with improvements in public transportation, Austin has been developing certain neighborhoods and zones in order to attract more inhabitants. By designing a library in East Austin, we hoped to foster a sense of community for the neighborhood so people can enjoy the benefits of educational books and community resources such as job postings. Concept_ I explored the duality between public functions such as a performance or interactive space, and private program like a quiet reading area or lecture hall. The public stage is located at street level to attract pedestrians into the library, and draw them toward the outdoor reading garden in the back. The library facade is composed of large panes of glass to allow for views to the back courtyard in order to encourage visitors to explore. The adult book collection will be in the main atrium lobby while children’s book collection is located in the west corridor and is designed to maximize informal areas and promote children activities.
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ENTRANCE AND PUBLIC COURTYARD
CHILDREN’S STACKS
GRAND ATRIUM
URBAN COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT SPRING 2010 | JUDITH BIRDSONG
Program_ To revitalize a community along Airport Blvd in Austin, TX. The community required a layout that encourages pedestrian activity. Airport Blvd acted as a physical and pyschological barrier with minimal vegetation and pedestrian activity. The goal was to form a sense of community and develop a center where residents can utilize without having to travel far from home. The center acted as a business district where professionals can live and work closeby. Concept_ My aim was to design a permeable neighborhood to stimulate pedestrian access through the community. My focus was to make the creek the heart of the community so residents can enjoy the natural green open space with a sense of meandering and discovery. Residential zones were connected to busy commercial districts for convenience. There was a cohesive idea of discovery and exploration in the site that is manifested in the winding roads and slow speed limit for vehicles. Building masses are arranged to frame certain views that draw visitors throughout, but also hide unattractive views of the busy cars along Airport Blvd. This design will also provide a sense of refuge and security by creating pocket parks and spaces. Residential neighborhoods are also safer with more eyes upon a central courtyard. The concept of discovery is also incorporated into the multi-residential building and the unit floor plans as a zig-zag arrangement.
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COMMMUNITY CONCEPT
SITE MODEL
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AIR CARGO FACILITY FALL 2011 | CLAY SHORTALL
Program_ Exploring the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, we researched topics ranging from flight patterns and wind data to runway lengths, security, and air cargo converyor belts. By using the information to extract a parametric design that could be located in different sites that experience the same design process. Concept_ Researching shipping companies such as UPS, FedEx, United, Delta, and DHL, I analyzed relationships between wind speeds, vehicular cargo volume, air cargo capacity, company demands, and necessary flights, abstracting the information into an organic form representing the total shipping capacity of each company. I used Grasshopper and Rhino to extrude certain forms that were shaped through research data. The abstracted form then became a roof that provided information about the research data concerning the amount of air cargo vs vehicular cargo vs capacity.
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ROWING CENTER SPRING 2012 | JOHN BLOOD
Program_ The rowing center would serve as a boat storage for the UT crew rowing team, where they can also practice and train during the offseason. The center would also include spaces for public events such as a banquet room and grand stadium seating for spectators. Concept_ My rowing center aimed dissolve the datum between land and water, “bridging� the public users and the athletes. The hike and bike trail runs along and through my boathouse to maximize interaction between the two user groups. There is an idea of separation between experience levels through height of landscape. Hikers and bikers can pass through the center and be able to observe the row team to gain a level of interest. The members of the rowing team will load and access the center from a different entrance on the bottom level. The center is designed to allow for boats to be loaded and unloaded with efficiency. By orienting the pathway length-wise, boats can be docked with ease.
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LONDON, VAUXHALL SPRING 2014 | SIMON ATKINSON
DESIGN TEAM: KUAN HE, YOKO SHIMAJUKO, BING LI Program_ The Vauxhall neighborhood in London plays a vital role in the revitalization of the area River Thames and future development along the Albert 8 Embankment. The Vauxhall site is referred to as the missing link in the holistic renewal of the city. Fronted with a major railway that separates the neighborhood from the river, the site presents a variety of challenges. The fragmented parks around the site and along the railway must be relinked and several art galleries have been proposed nearby. Concept_ The surrounding site offers an abundant amount of public open green space that is unfortunately hindered with the uninviting railway. The strategy for our scheme is to connect the surrounding green spaces by offering residents a grand urban fabric. Our design demands a more permeable railway that encourages movement from east to west and improves the foot traffic in the area. Our scheme will draw the neighborhood residents towards the riverfront as well as invite outside visitors to undock at the ferry, walk across the sky bridge, and explore our site. The issue that our team faced was the connectivity between all of the pocket parks and how to connect them to lead residents along the greenscape. The idea of improving quality of life was introduced into our scheme with a series of green walls and vegetation along the perimeter.
Economic Feasibility Previous schemes tend to show a larger residential density that seems to discourage a sense of community with the lack of public spaces. Our plan will offer one grand public space, a mixed-use complex for office workers and residents to occupy. The plan is economically feasible since it will offer more office space for lease to large companies that located in a revitalized area. By introducing commercial and retail units, employees and surrounding residents will be working in the vicinity of restaurants, bars, and shopping, providing convenience in accessibility. Businesses would also have the option of investing in the residential units to become a corporate campus where employees can live and work in the complex, offering more economic incentive to help develop the plan.
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NINE ELMS REDEVELOPMENT SPRING 2014 | SIMON ATKINSON
DESIGN TEAM: PATHIK JOSHI, JIANZHOU SONG, JUANSHI LI, BING LI Program_ Currently, the locals from the neighborhood feel a strong disconnect to the River due to the intrusive railway and lack of North-South pedestrian connections. Lack of landscape and no connectivity. The site will develop rapidly in the next 15 years and will attract visitors from international background as well as local neighborhoods; therefore, so the scale of the design should fit both user groups. Concept_ The concept of the new embassy corridor will be to guide local residents towards the river by introducing water into the land. Our scheme will draw the locals from the south towards the riverfront, invite Chelsea residents to walk through the embassy axis to explore the market and site, and attract an international presence through the water connections across the embassies. As a celebration of the River Thames, water was considered because of the potential it can serve in practical and aesthetic purposes. Practically, the water can improve the sustainability through the addition of energy generation, rainwater storage, wastewater treatment, and transportation. Experientially, flowing water channels can provide a sense of movement and direction throughout the site. Water will be used in our scheme for the following purposes: 1. Energy Generation (Hydroelectricity) 2. Passive cooling/District heating 3. Water storage from rainwater collection 4. Wastewater management (At floodgates) 5. Overflow Basin for Thames 6. Transportation (Market goods and tourists) 7. Landscape scenery and experience for tourist attraction
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POWERSTATION CHANNEL
CANAL EXPERIENCE
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GREEN SPACE
PROGRAM CONNECTIONS
WATER USAGE
SITE CIRCULATION
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WATER SYSTEMS
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SIMON CHEN Simon.Chen@UTexas.edu
ACADEMIC
The University of Texas at Austin
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Dual-Degree Program: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Architecture Major: Architectural Engineering, Honors Major: Architecture Overall GPA: 3.38/4.00 Business Foundations Certificate, McCombs School of Business Business GPA: 4.00/4.00 “With Highest Distinction” Certificate Computer Programs Drafting/Design: Autodesk: Revit, AutoCAD, 3DS Max; Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, InDesign; Rhinoceros, Grasshopper; Google Sketchup, Google Earth; ArcGIS Engineering: RAM Structural, RISA, STAAD. Pro, Microstation Web Design: HTML, CSS, jQuery, Wordpress, Adobe Dreamweaver, Sharepoint Personal Skills Fluent in Mandarin-Chinese, Violin (15 years) Activities and Honors “New Faces of Civil Engineering” Awarded by National ASCE.......................................................Spring 2013 Global Architecture Brigades- Built medical clinic in Honduras....................................................Winter 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers- Secretary, Steel Bridge.......................................................Fall 2010 - Spring 2013 Chi Phi Fraternity- Treasurer, Social Director, Philanthropy Chair.................................................... Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 American Institute of Architecture Students.............................................................................Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 “Architype Travel Prize, Lawrence Speck Award” Presented by UT School of Architecture.........Spring 2012 Habitat for Humanity.................................................................................................................... Fall 2010- Fall 2012 Alpha Lamba Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi- Honor Societies, maintained 3.5 GPA........Spring 2010 “Runner-Up” Award- La Reunion TX Design-a-Studio Competition.................................................Summer 2009 Architectural Engineering Institute............................................................................................Fall 2008 - Fall 2009
Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemical Inc.
Civil, Structural, Architectural Engineer Intern Houston, TX | Summer 2012, Summer 2011 Checked shop drawings and vendor prints for steel reinforcement and revised errors Designed embed plates for a compressor deck and determined loading on steel members Prepared final drawings issued to construction using Microstation Advanced company department website with design through Sharepoint software Collaborated with the Piping group on pipe supports and connections to the structure
Diamondback Masonry, LLC
Cost Estimator Austin, TX | Fall 2012 Estimated construction cost of masonry materials and labor with 3-D modeling software, Tradesmen’s Master Estimator and send out bids to general contracting companies Managed project logistics such as scheduling, quality control and material shipments
Projects for Underserved Communities
Project Manager Austin, TX | Fall 2010-Spring 2011 Created and implemented design and scheduling for improving infrastructure such as pavilion and playground in the underserved community of Soyo, Angola Raised capital from large corporations to fund project expenditures
WORK STATUS U.S. Citizen
PROFESSIONAL
HKS Inc.
Structural and Architectural Intern Dallas, TX | Summer 2013, Fall 2013 Built a structural analysis model in RAM Structural software for a 190,000 sf hospital Designed embed plates in concrete shear wall using Hilti Profis Anchor and RISA Base Drafted and revised construction documents for Westin hotel in Austin, TX Modeled architectural and structural elements in Revit model
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