Hello! My name is Isaac, and I am a Junior majoring in Architectural Studies and minoring in Informatics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am passionate about using my background in Architecture, Computer-Aided Design, and Fabrication to create innovative designs, solve problems, and positively impact others.
Education
08.2022 - Present
01.2023 - Present
08.2017 - 05.2021
Experience
06.2024-08.2024
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Architecture, B.SC.
Informatics Minor
Morrison Academy Taipei
09.2022-Present
07.2023 - 08.2023
Organizations
08.2022 - Present
01.2024 - Present
01.2024 - Present
01.2022 - 12.2023
09.2021 - 05.2022
10.2017 - 08.2023
Awards
10.2023
12.2023
Software Skills
Ho+Hou Studio Architects
Office Internship
- Housing Projects
- AutoCAD, Renderings, Physical models
- Museum Display Piece
U of I School of Architecture
Fabrication Lab Assistant
- Laser Cut, 3D Printing, Heavy Machinery
Woodwork, Printing Maintenance
Sami: Art, Design, Architecture
Teaching Assistant
- Architecture Summer Camp Assistant
Flashpoint Photography Club
President
Illinois Solar Decathlon
Architecture Build Team Member
The Fashion Network
Main Photographer
Eco Illini Supermileage
Body Sub-team Member
School+ Non Profit Organization
Co-founder, teacher, music and media specialist
UIUC Dean's List
Gargoyle Architecture Honors Society
2D Drafting: AutoCAD, Revit, Illustrator
3D Modeling: Rhino 3D, Revit, Grasshopper, Fusion 360, Sketchup
Presentation: Indesign, Photoshop, Powerpoint, Word, Excel, Google Suite
Interests
Photography, Pencil and Charcoal Sketching, Watchmaking, Piano Playing
01 Dajiang Housing Development
New Design Additions, Exploded View
This project in the design development stage calls for refinement in design and constant communication with the client. This residential housing project located in Taipei City has a complete redesign from the old undeveloped model. An exterior orange terracota cladding is added to complete the architect's design language, with three railing configurations for the client to choose from.
West Façade Details
East Façade Details
Balcony Sections, with different railing options
2 Floor Plan
Using early development floorplans, I revitalized outdated blueprints by creating comprehensive AutoCAD drawings, complete with precise floor plans with new additions from our firm's designs as seen in red.
Section drawing on the right translates the details needed for the main entrance. It demonstrates the scale of the entry door to the recess that forms a covered entrance.
Further design anaylsis in the façade is displayed with the material palette inspiration, and a study model for various brick configurations on the principal façade.
Material
Material
Main Entrance & Second Floor Section
Main Entrance Render
Physical Model
Material Palette Inspiration from Internet
Brick Pattern Iterations Realistic Brick Render
02
Taipei Fine Art Museum
Exhibition Interactive Piece
Straight Lines to a Curve
Concept Based On: Luce Memorial Chapel by I.M. Pei Exhibition: A Class on Space - Point and Line to Plane On Display Oct. 12 2024 - Feb. 23 2025
In Fall 2024, our firm was commissioned by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum to design an interactive architectural exhibition for children. I was responsible for creating a hands-on design piece that illustrates the design fundamentals of I.M. Pei's Luce Memorial Chapel. By constructing a bracing system that holds rods at slightly rotated angles, the model demonstrates how a curvilinear outline can be achieved from straight lines, reflecting the principles behind the chapel's distinctive form.
Columns x3
Study Model Top Plate
Rods x20
Detail A
Luce Chapel, I.M. Pei, 1963
#244, Zhongxiao Rd, Linkou District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Linkou Clinic Schematics
The client initially presented three potential sites for the clinic’s construction. After conducting a topographic analysis using surveyed data, one site was deemed too costly, while another was eliminated due to city zoning restrictions
According to the lead architect’s vision, the design was structured around a grid column system, while featuring cantilevering façades that extend from three sides. A secondary volume attached to the clinic was designated for egress, elevators, and HVAC.
The client had two primary land-use requirements: reserving half of the plot for future development and incorporating a dedicated ground-floor parking area for accessibility. As a result, the clinic was designed as part of Phase 1, alongside a parking lot.
Building Phase 1
Building Phase 2
Glass Block Façade Sample Photos From Internet
Iteration 1 of the facade design featured the use of frosted glass blocks to demonstrate transparency while keeping anonymity. The dim glow of backlight as shown in Chareau's work for night scenes would also fit the client's asthetic appeal.
After some preliminary calculations, an extruded glass block Façade would overload the truss system. A solution we found was Kalwall panels. These panels accomodate the same design purpose, with even higher material effectiveness
Kalwall Panel Sample Photos provided by Kalwall Corp.
In order to serve the purpose as a clinic and a back-of-the-house research facility, we needed to incorporate high levels of privacy into our design. Kalwall Verti-Kal™ 8" x 10' were utilized to form a translucent façade, enabling daylight from all four sides to pass through while maintaining privacy for the end-users. These panels are glare-free, thermal efficient, and lightweight compared to traditional glass blocks. Custom panel sizings are available to fit our final specifications, so is customizeable clear openings.
Maison de Verre, Pierre Chareau, 1932
Ports 1961 Shanghai, UUfie, 2015
Iteration 1: Building Façade with Glass Blocks
Iterationi 2: Building Façade with Kalwall Verti-Kal™
Mezzanine Balcony View
Lobby Amphitheater Seating
Main Lobby View
Mezzanine Level
Context
The Architecture Annex at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign stands as a testament to the rich history of the institution, yet its aging infrastructure is noticeable. The outdated facilities and inefficient layouts is time for a transformative renovation.
Process
From taking measurements of the entire building, floorplans and elevation drawings were sketched, then translated into AutoCAD. These plans were then transfered to Revit to build the 3D model. Window and brick layouts were designed digitally to reflect the real nature of the building.
Original Building Section View
Annex Intervention
Challenge
The intervention proposes a comprehensive moderinization aimed at not only to revitalize the physical space but also providing students with an optimized learning environment. While ideas such as creating coffee shops and gyms were considered, a more useful addition was chosen: a studio that provides students with equal opportunity to interact with their supervisors. The cascading studio seating allows students in the back to have an unobstructed view of the instructor and any presentations.
B-B
Drawings
Branching off from pre-existing plans of the Annex, the extension of a new studio and lecture hall can be seen in the floorplan. Sections are added to illustrate the interior space and the connection to the existing office spaces.
First Floor Plan
Exterior View, South East Corner. 9am
Renders
Utilizing TwinMotion, the existing Revit model is rendered into a realistic demonstration of the design intervention. The site was also calibrated to fit realistic sun paths and the surrounding environment
Interior First Floor View, 12pm
Interior Second Floor View, 4pm
Day and night scenes were visualized to display the space adaptility to human interaction throughout the day. Curtain windows allows daylight to shine throughout the day, while luminaires with up-lighting help contribute to the room's vertical lighting at night.
Interior Second Floor View, 8pm
Physical Model
05Library of Things
The Lawrence Avenue Culinary Exchange showcases a diverse collection of cookware from cultures around the world. Spanning an entire city block, the building offers ample space to house thousands of pots, pans, and culturally specific kitchenware. It also includes dedicated cooking areas where visitors can test the equipment and explore various cooking techniques
In the day, the space transforms into a vibrant storefront, inviting chefs to experiment with new recipes, engage with the community, and gather feedback. This dynamic environment fosters creativity and encourages interaction with the public, promoting both culinary exploration and local business.
Site & Floorplans
Floor
Floor
Given a site that stretches longitudinally, we decided to utilize a repeatitive structure that brings rhythm to the interior which also draws a self-imposed grid layout. Some truss components are filled in to seperate space while some are left hollow to enable a connection within the grid.
Ground Floor:
Features an open layout with display spaces showcasing cookware of all cultures, an interactive zone where visitors can loan kitchenware. A central communal channel creates seamless circulation, additionally accommodates live cooking demonstrations and even pop-up markets which fosters interaction between cooks and the public Features such as a reception and sitting area allows visitors comfortability, while the focus of shelving, cooking, and dining areas are in the center of the plan.
Second Floor:
Concentrates on culinary education, experimentation, storage, and maintenance. It includes rows of cooking stations equipped for workshops and recipe development. The floor is divided in two to achieve openness that was introduced on the ground floor, but also tied together by two linking passarelles
Ground
Second
Second Floor Shading System
Grasshopper Animation Shading Systems:
Utilizing the Kangaroo plug-in for Grasshopper, I developed a gravity-responsive shading system that is fully parametric and capable of expanding or contracting dynamically. Designed to adapt to sunpath and seasonal variations, the system provides shading on the second floor during the summer for thermal comfort while allowing increased sunlight exposure during the winter to enhance natural lighting and warmth.
Ground Floor Curtain System
Grasshopper Animation Curtain Systems:
The northeast section of the ground floor features three designated lots for mobile food vendors Featuring bi-fold awning windows, the space opens during the day, allowing vendors to serve customers directly from a sheltered area. At night, the windows securely close, ensuring safety and protection against harsh weather.
A brise soleil on the second-floor facade can reduce solar heat gain by shading the interior while still allowing natural light to filter through. This passive cooling strategy improves energy efficiency and enhances occupant comfort by minimizing glare and overheating. Additionally, it adds a dynamic architectural element, creating visual interest and reinforcing the building's temperature efficiency.
North and West Façade
Day Time Interior Illustration
Night Time Exterior Illustration
Transverse Section Perspective
Legend
Floor 1:
1-2 Egress
2-4 Entrance
4-6 Cooking and Storage
6-11 Transformable Cooking Space
Floor 2
1-2 Egress
2-4 Experimentation Space
4-7 Storage
7-11 Cooking Space
Longitudinal Section Perspective
Cooking Station Storage Exploded Section
06Exquisite Corpse High-Rise
Context
Blending the metabolism style with an industrial design that emphasizes exposed structural systems, this high-rise was conceptualized for 511 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, Illinois. My team envisioned the building as a recreational center designed to serve the local community. Located on a site that has remained an empty parking lot for decades, this project aims to revitalize the area into a vibrant hub of activity. The addition of this recreational center is intended to strengthen community bonds and enhance the quality of life for nearby residents Physical Model
Exquisite Corpse, an art technique pioneered by the Surrealists, involves collaboratively assembling images to create new and unexpected forms. Inspired by this approach, we began our project with balsa wood and paper sketch models, iterating through multiple versions before photographing and digitally scanning them. These scans served as the basis for exploring and collaging diverse shapes and forms, culminating in unique "kebab" pieces that were conceptually "skewered" together to inform the overall structure of our skyscraper. Two dedicated vertical volumes for elevators were put in place, given ADA requirements where buildings with over three stories and 3000 square foot per floor require these systems.
Photo Collage to Massing Model Process
Grasshopper Lunchbox Script
Structural Populating
Using the Grasshopper Lunchbox plug-in for Rhino, we generated structural components within these volumes, specifying a predetermined number of horizontal and vertical members. The design process also included experimenting with various truss configurations to highlight the rhythm of the building and its layered design.
Grasshopper-generated Structural Form
07Kankakee Gizmo
Context
Using a number of model-making techniques, this project showcases the emergence of efficient, functional, and innovative "Gizmo" architecture
As we exlore these methods, we create forms that can be translated into buildings. The model on the left employs the Slicer tool in Fusion360, which parametrically generates layers and sections for any solid volume. These sections are laser-cut and assembled into a grid-like interlocking structure. The model on the right demonstrates woodworking techniques, featuring a sculptural form that appears as two wood pieces elegantly intertwined.
Site Rendering
Design Notes
Site
Located along the Kankakee River in Illinois, USA, the project proposes an innovative design that fosters human interaction with the natural environment . The Lakeside Sanctuary draws inspiration from modularity and self-sustaining systems, culminating in a design that reflects the essence of Gizmo-style architecture
Kankakee River holds ecological importance as a wildlife refuge in the Mid-west, therefore fiting the design priorities for environmental conservation The site is designed to minimize ecological damage, balancing urban development with the preservation of the surrounding environment.
Oriented southwest, the structure capitalizes on the Kankakee River’s consistently strong winds. An aerodynamic "nose" that can have the modular openings sealed close aligns with prevailing wind directions, optimizing turbine performance and ensuring stability during high winds.
The structure features a waffle roof equipped with three wind turbines and highly efficient solar panels, enabling complete energy selfsufficiency. Its modular roof design allows residents to customize and expand the system, such as adding a rainwater collection system for enhanced sustainability and function.
