Undergraduate Design Portfolio - Bachelor of Environments, University of Melbourne.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS FROM DESIGN STUDIOS

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG Bachelor of Environments (Architecture) | 2014 Student ID: 531549 Application ID: 269405

01

Architecture Design Studio: Earth Cultural Discovery Centre, Herring Island 2012. Year Level: 2.

PROJECT BRIEF: This is project is part of the Architectural Design Studio: Earth. The Cultural Discovery Centre (The Centre) is a public building that celebrates the indigenous history and culture of Australia. The Centre consists of three galleries, each exhibits a theme of ‘Indigenous’, ‘Colonisation’ and ‘Reconciliation’ respectively.

There is also an ancillary amphitheatre.

Located on Herring Island in Yarra River, the Centre is to address the grim history of western colonisation, but more so to celebrate the progression of the rich indigenous Australian culture.

The intent for the Centre is to draw references to indigenous architecture, and to re-interpret it through contemporary design.

The timber colonnades structure bracing the building is a resemblance to the iconic aboriginal homes that are assembled from tree branches.

The design also pays attention to audience circulation and the visiting experience, from the moment of arrival to exiting the building.

While being a public building, the Centre speaks volumes of residential and vernacular design, signifying the land is truly home to all - both indigenous and foreign.

PROJECT TYPE: Individual work.

Programmes used: SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop

Entrance perspective render (SketchUp + Photoshop)

DESIGN INTENT:

Existing island gallery, former scout hall Herring Island

Subject site Landing point

Boarding point

Site Locality

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

STUDY MODEL - FLOOR PLAN

PROJECT NAME

Cultural Discovery Centre, Herring Island

TITLE

Design Response

03

DESIGN RESPONSE / OPTIONS The building has three distinctive yet integral parts.

Each part of the exhibition - indigenous, colonisation & reconciliation - is a succession of the previous, from a history timeline perspective. Hence the elevation of each stage is introduced, to emphasise the procession of history.

The view to each era is maintained neutral, not putting emphasise on a particular section or vice versa - this is to convey a loyal & solemn reflection for the history of the indigenous people.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

site analysis

Sketch Study - Floor Plan

ENTRANCE / ARRIVAL

(7)

(8)

Timber colonnades that brace the side of the building signifies a continuous array of trees, which are both an important natural resource and building elements. It’s a reminisce of indigenous architecture.

Sketch Study - Entrance / arrival

Design options / process sketches (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

Circulation path: loop / life cycle Circulation path: linear / progression of story Building form: elevating middle section / allow for underpass Roof form: gable / residential, vernacular Building form: continuous elevation Roof form: curvature / modern, organic Sunken site; enclosing timber elements Sunken site; timber structure elevation, enclosing whole building Sketch Study - Elevation / Facade design

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Cultural Discovery Centre, Herring Island

TITLE

Design Response

04

Main entry

Level 01:(+2200) Chapter 3: Reconciliation

Timber colonnades

Ramp

Amphitheatre

EAST ELEVATION (SketchUp)

Exit to decking space

Amphitheatre

Main exit

Windows recessed in rammed earth wall

Upper Ground:(+1000) Chapter 2: Colonisation

Natural ground level shown dashed

Main entry

WEST ELEVATION (SketchUp) Western wall to be built with rammed earth / with strip glazing, see also west elev Glazing introducing natural light into building space

Timber colonnades enclosing exterior pathway.

See also east elevation.

Continuous ramp with intermediate access into galleries

Timber colonnades that form ramped passage way to end of building Deck at Level 1 beyond Main Entrance at ground level

SOUTH ELEVATION (SketchUp) Ground Level: (0) Chapter 1: Indigenous

exhibition/gallery

FLOOR PLAN / CIRCULATION PATHS (Revit + Photoshop)

Main path of audience

internal path/ stairs

Ramped path

external path

Natural light

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Cultural Discovery Centre, Herring Island

TITLE

Floor Plan & Elevations

05

Skylight

LONG SECTION (SketchUp + Photoshop)

Chapter 3: Reconciliation Level 1 (+2200)

Chapter 2: Colonisation Upper Ground (+1000)

Chapter 1: Indigenous Ground Level (+0) Path of Travel

Entrance / canopy & column design that draws reference to indigenous architecture

MATERIALS Rammed earth is the construction of west side wall, which ties the building closely to the earth itself.

Timber, reclaimed wood is another major building material - used for the eastern side colonnades, structural walls and columns. As indigenous buildings heavily rely on timber for construction.

Weatherboard as veneer - weatherboard speaks strongly of residential architecture, though not inherently indigenous, it signifies the progression of a modern Australia, a home to the indigenous, the immigrants and the sojourners.

CROSS SECTION STUDY SKETCH Stairs acting as main form of transition between each gallery section

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

Ramp / court area forming a light passage that allows natural light pass through into the building

1. Rammed earth 2. Reclaimed timber 3. Weatherboard (fibre cement)

PROJECT NAME

Cultural Discovery Centre, Herring Island

TITLE

Design Response

06

Architecture Design Studio: Water(2012) Studley Park Boathouse, Kew 2012. Year Level: 2.

PROJECT BRIEF: Studley Park Boathouse, Kew This is project is part of the Architectural Design Studio: Water. Throughout the course, we chose a focus on one of the renowned master architects - in my case, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

This project is to pay homage to Mies’ design language & philosophy, whilst being mindful of some of the significantly different challenges in Australia.

The brief is to design a multi-purpose site which houses a cafe, restaurant, boat-hiring shed with all the ancillary facilities & back-of-house services.

DESIGN INTENT: The new Studley Park Boathouse is an architectural arena to house different tempos of life.

Capturing both the bustling of inner city suburbs (Abbotsford, Kew) and the leisure-activities centred around the Yarra River, the boathouse is a balance of the acoustic and the quiet.

The boathouse compliments the existing landscape & contours, quietly providing a resting stop for the athletic & the casual strollers.

PROJECT TYPE: Individual work.

Programmes used: SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop

North-west perspective render. (Sketchup + Photoshop)

Hand sketch study: Farnsworth House

Site Analysis: locality, roads & environment

0 NTS

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Studley Park Boathouse, Kew

TITLE

Design Brief & Site Analysis

07

MIES DESIGN PHILOSOPHY / KEY WORDS Skin & Bones Clean & logical composition of architecture. Attention to details and refrain from ornaments.

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Linearity Horizontal and vertical lines dominate the main dynamics of architecture.

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Fluid Space Less walls or partitions are used to define rooms or exclusive spaces.

Hence the transition between spaces are less abrupt. Allowing light to deflect off walls and travel in difference spaces.

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m elevated 1st floor to improve sight

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Less is More Focus on essentiality. Minimalistic approach to the aesthetics.

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APPLICATION TO STUDLEY PARK SITE: • • • • •

Attention to natural ground level Relationship with landscape / non-urban environment Means of arrival Amenities & back-of-house ancillary services Climates & Weather SITE CONTEXT ANALYSIS

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landscaped zone

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set back from bank to accommodate landscape zone - cater for cafe overspill & seating. ensure view at higher level & building structural integrity.

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boat hire / store

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boat hire / store lower & closer to bank

DIAGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENT (SketchUp)

amenities / back of house

new pedestrian path from road above

DESIGN RESPONSE: SITE

new stairs & footpath from road above to encourage pedestrian access

SKETCH: NORTH ELEVATION

0 NTS

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Studley Park Boathouse, Kew

TITLE

Design Response

08

uphill stairway to Yarra Blvd

thoroughfare

views

open circulation space inbetween zones, minimise walls, celebrate natural lights & views into cafe space.

wall above shown dashed

GROUND FLOOR PLAN - CAFE (Revit)

CIRCULATION PATHS BETWEEN DIFFERENT LEVELS (Revit)

balcony

wine bar

dining area

amenities

kitchen & cold / dry storage

FIRST FLOOR PLAN - RESTAURANT (Revit)

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

The cantilevered upper floor provides an effective shading against the northern sun. The extruded upper floor has subtly increased the building volume, allowing space beneath for movement & cafe overspill seating place.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

RENDER - ARRIVAL TO BOATHOUSE (SketchUp + Photoshop) Transition from the natural environment into the built environment. The concrete platform acts as the transition zone, views are transferred through glazing.

PROJECT NAME

Studley Park Boathouse, Kew

TITLE

Floor Plans

09

MATERIALS

to Yarra Blvd

Concrete stairs & landings to encourage pedestrians arrival downhill, introduce vantage views toward Yarra & the boathouse

Reinforced concrete, steel & glass are the signature language of Mies. These are of course also widely applied in today’s construction. The strength of concrete & the lightness of glass result in a stark contrast.

balcony

restaurant

Exposed ceiling space, maximising natural light infill to different spaces Top of Parapet

Timber & plywood elements are also introduced - mainly to interior finishing - due to their excellent acoustic nature.

They are also used to balance the cold tones of the building.

Bricks are used as a reference to Mies’ youth, where he worked in his father’s masonry business.

kitchen / BOH 1st Floor: Restaurant

(From left to right, top to bottom) Precast concrete, Polycarbonate, Timber, Brickwork, OB board or plywood, Green landscaping, Board-formed in-situ concrete.

Ground Floor: Cafe

Masonry wall is a tribute to Mies van der Rohe’s early works where brickwork make up most of the building

cafe

cafe overspill / outdoor sitting

SECTION STUDY (Revit + Photoshop) The Boat Shed The detached boat shed functions as a space for rowboats storage & hiring. Being detached from the main building gives it the opportunity to have its own identity - due to its building type.

A simplified barn-like building envelope helps to emphasise the geometric & symmetrical composition.

Translucent polycarbonate cladding is applied around the perimeter to inspire conversation between inside & outside of building - also acting as an effective light medium.

BOAT SHED ELEVATION (Revit + Photoshop)

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Studley Park Boathouse, Kew

TITLE

Section & Elevation

10

Architecture Design Studio: Fire(2014) Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre,Melbourne 2014. Year Level: 3.

PROJECT BRIEF: Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre, Cnr Bourke St & Spencer St, Melbourne Located directly opposite to the Southern Cross Station where 50,000 pedestrians walk in front of daily, the Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre is the gateway to the Melbourne City as well as an amplified tribute to the theatrical culture & history of Melbourne.

The Theatre Complex occupies about 1450 sqm and has 6 floors including one basement.

It consists of a 500-seat proscenium theatre, a 250-seat black box theatre, a 250-seat cinema, a cafe, a restaurant & ancillary function rooms.

DESIGN INTENT: Since the theatre is named after British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle & to pay homage to the Australian productions of Sherlock Holmes plays, the design inspiration is drawn from the mystery & crime genre & the era that Sherlock Holmes lived in.

The design narrative is the discovery of a mystery box. Like solving a classic crime case, audience are invited and drawn in by the light to discover what is inside.

PROJECT TYPE: Individual work.

Produced using SketchUp, Revit, Rhino(Grasshopper script) AutoCAD, Photoshop.

Laser-cut assisted physical model.

SUBJECT SITE

Site Locality Analysis (NTS)

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

RENDER (SketchUp + Photoshop)

Physical Model (photograph)

PROJECT NAME

Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre

TITLE

Project Brief & Site Analysis

11

Existing Savoy Tavern site (approx 1440 sqm) to be demolished. New underground level to be excavated.

Vibe Savoy Hotel

DESIGN RESPONSE: Given the site’s advantageous location, it is paramount to capitalise the pivot point of the building - which is the intersection of Bourke & Spencer Street. This is where it receives the most foot traffic & views from public, thus the building form & facade design need to respond in a meaningful way.

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On the other hand, Godfrey Street & southern side where it adjoins existing hotel is on the quieter side. This is more preferrable for loading area & a cafe where it breaks out from the busyness of the opposite corner.

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The building envelope is maximising the site due to the dense urbanscape, it also gives more presence to the building volume.

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The Mail Exchange (1917)

SITE ANALYSIS

Southern Cross Station (Former Spencer Street Station)

SITE ANALYSIS (sketch)

FACADE GENERATION:

BUILDING FORM The building volume form started from an extrusion from site footprint, the north-west corner then is lifted to elevate the north & west facades of the building.

This enhances experience of arrival to the building, as it magnified the entrance into the building. The building form also symbolises the effect of a mystery box, as one lifts up a corner to peek what’s inside.

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

The perforated facade is to create maximum effects when internal lights are lit at night - since most theatrical plays are night events.

The facade is generated from a photograph of Melbourne street in early 1900s.

By feeding the photo through Rhino (with Grasshopper plug-in), various openings are created according to the light/shades of the photograph. This is a modern interpretation of the same era when Conan Doyle (and Sherlock Holmes) lived and were active in their adventures.

(Refer Page 15 or building elevations)

Facade generation options (Rhino with Grasshopper plug-in)

PROJECT NAME

Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre

TITLE

Design Response

12

Mechanical equipments plant room Perforated aluminium composite cladding to glazing wall. Refer detail.

Level 05: Plant Room

Back of House circulation / storage / access area.

Includes equipment lift.

Proscenium Theatre: includes two levels of audience seating & overhead flytower

Level 04: Restaurant

Level 03: Cinema

CAFE ELEVATION SKETCH (on Godfrey Street) Level 02: Black Box Theatre

Back of House loading area from Godfrey Street

Level 01: Proscenium Theatre (upper Level)

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Ground Floor: Proscenium Theatre

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Basement: Car Park

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Basement parking (staff only) & ancillary storage spaces

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Main public circulation space / foyer

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SECTION DETAIL (Revit) External perforated metal cladding connection to concrete floor slab PERSPECTIVE SECTION (Revit + SketchUp)

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre

TITLE

Sections

13

Loading bay for heavy equipments

One-way street / Pedestrian access

Access to cafe on lower level

Public toilets:

Proscenium Theatre (Lower Level) Back of House area:

Main Entry

Main Circulation: Stairway & Lifts

Box Office

GROUND FLOOR PLAN (Revit + Photoshop) BOH circulation, amenities & services rooms

Black Box theatre

GROUND FLOOR AXONOMETRIC - Proscenium Theatre (Revit)

BREATHE-ABLE SKIN

The double skin facade (perforated metal cladding in front of glazing) allows considerable amount of natural light into the main circulation hall - while still maintaining a level of privacy from the street, and controlling light/heat transfer.

From the street, the seemingly random & inconsistent fenestrations in the facade create mystical impression upon the onlookers.

Public amenities

Fly tower to Proscenium theatre below, can be viewed from this floor

Section study through Bourke Street (hand sketch)

SECOND FLOOR PLAN - Black Box Theatre (Revit + Photoshop)

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

PROJECT NAME

Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre

TITLE

Floor Plan & Elevations

14

North (Bourke St) Elevation & West (Spencer St) Elevation

South & East (Godfrey St) Elevation

PHYSICAL MODEL (photograph)

MATERIALS Perforated metal panels help to achieve both desired night lighting effects and allow natural light and ventilation. The panels are to be coated in black for the stark contrast to the grey urban background.

Coloured glass, velvet and dark timber are to be used mainly for interior of the theatres. Drawing references to Sherlock Holme’s exceptional knowledge in chemistry and the use of velvet & timber as his apartment decor.

Weathering steel is to be used as cladding to underground cafe & restaurant. Its distinct rusty steel look is a reflection of Britain’s golden era following the industrial revolution.

SKETCH - BOURKE STREET ENTRANCE

QINGCHEN (STEVE) MENG

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO

(From left to right, top to bottom) Perforated metal cladding (powder-coated black) In-situ concrete Coloured glass Velvet Weathering steel Dark wood (Cambia Maple or similar species)

PROJECT NAME

Conan Doyle Mystery Theatre

TITLE

Floor Plan & Renders

15