www.synthesis-dna.com
LOS ANGELES
LONDON
SDA | Synthesis Design + Architecture 2404 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 9E Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA studio@synthesis-dna.com T: +1 213 438 9967
SDA | Synthesis Design + Architecture Unit 2.6 Rockwell House, 10-14 Hewett Street London EC2A 3NN United Kingdom studio@synthesis-dna.com T: +44 207 193 7263 F: +44 207 681 1107 1
EXTERIOR SKIN OF KEELUNG HARBOR BUILDING - Keelung,Taiwan 2
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CONTENTS
01_PROFILE
05
02_PEOPLE
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03_SELECTED PROJECTS
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04_INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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05_ COMPANY DETAILS
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PROFILE
POLYFOLD PARTITION Calgary, Canada 4
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PROFILE
SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE
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PROFILE
OUR OFFICE LOCATED - American Aement Building, Los Angeles, USA 6
SYN•THE•SIS
PROFILE
_ 01
noun \’sin(t)-thə-səs\ a: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole b: the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole c: the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth
PROFILE
SYNTHESIS
PROFILE Synthesis is an emerging contemporary design practice with over 20 years of collective professional experience in the fields of architecture, infrastructure, interiors, installations, exhibitions, furniture, and product design. Founded in 2011, our work has already begun to achieve international recognition for it’s design excellence. Our diverse team of multidisciplinary design professionals includes registered architects, architectural designers and computational specialists educated, trained, and raised in the USA, UK, Denmark, Portugal, and Taiwan. This diverse cultural and disciplinary background has supported our expanding portfolio of internatinoal projects in the USA, UK, Russia, Thailand, and China. VISION Our work focuses on the merging of creative and intellectual design processes with intelligent fabrication and construction techniques to create beautifully crafted designs. We like to refer to this territory as “digital craft”, where the exchange between the technology of the digitally conceived and the artisanry of the handmade is explored. As our name implies, we see architecture as the composition of multiplicities to form a cohesive vision – both on a tectonic, conceptual, and ideological level. We view each project as a unique opportunity to integrate diverse and often contending conceptions and constraints into a coherent whole. Our process explores contemporary design as an expression of contemporary society and cultural values that seeks to enhance the way people experience the built environment by capitalizing on the potential of time, space, and form to affect and inspire those who inhabit it.
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We believe in design that is driven by integrated performance. Though architecture is by definition static, its visual, spatial, structural, material, environmental, economic and social affects are intrinsically dynamic. Integrated performance, the manner in which a single design actively fulfils the full array of its intentions, defines the performative aesthetic for which we strive. This interest in what we call “Informed Form”, carries forward the legacy of architects like Frei Otto, Antonio Gaudi, and to explore the non-linear relationships between geometric logic (form, geometric organization, variation, optimization, etc), materiality (material composition, fabrication, etc) and performance (structural, environmental, aerodynamic, etc). PROCESS Our team designs through collaboration. Our role is to facilitate the dialogue between architect, client, user, engineer, fabricator, and builder to effectively lead a synergized design development marked by a seamless flow of idea, strategies and solutions pertaining to all HISTORY Originally founded in London January 2011 by Alvin Huang, Synthesis Design + Architecture is a forward thinking international design firm exploring design at the intersection of Performance, Technology and Craft. Following an appointment as a Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Southern California, Alvin subsequently relocated the office to Los Angeles where the firm was incorporated in October 2011. Since its founding, the office has expanded to include a team of seven full-time designers with a diverse global background and wide range of experiences. The design trajectory and ethos of the office is rooted in balancing both the experimental and the visionary with the practical and the pragmatic to achieve the extraordinary.
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DISTINCTIONS
SYNTHESIS
Perspective Magazine 40 under 40, Nomination 2013 Nominated award highltighting the generation of talented individuals under the age of 40 who will lead Asia’s design industry in the next two decades (award pending)
Prospectus #220, Shortlist 2013 1 of 5 designers shortlisted out of 250+ submissions to compete for a public art installation at Spaceport America in New Mexico
Wallpaper* Bespoke, Selected Designer 2013 1 of 3 international designers handpicked to collaborate with Austrian sunglass company Silhouette to design a limited edition sunglass series
Rami G. Holland 30 for 30 Cultural Pioneers 2012 Named as 1 of 30 of the most culturally invested, relevant and emerging designer names of 2012 who will doubtlessly have a major influence by the time 2030 comes around. Within the list are independent designers, heritage design houses and curators of fashion, photography and art.
Dale Taylor Visiting Lectureship, U. of Calgary Faculty of Environmental Design 2013 Alvin Huang awarded a Visiting Lectureship to lead workshop/installation in Digital Fabrication and emerging design technologies Shanghai Wuzhou International Plaza Design Competition, 1st Prize 2013 1st place winner of invited international design competition for 180,000sqm mixed-use development South Broadway Arts District Public Art Competition, Shortlist 2013 1 of 5 designers shortlisted out of 200+ submissions for a public art installation in Denver (final award still pending) Architizer A+ Awards - Residential Interiors, Finalist Chelsea Workspace is 1 of 5 finalists out of 233 submissions
2013
Architects Journal Small Projects Award, Shortlist 2013 Chelsea Workspace is 1 of 24 Shortlisted projects out of 233 submissions
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D&AD Award for Environmental Design, 2009 ([C]Space Pavilion by Alvin Huang + Alan Dempsey DRL10 Pavilion Competition Winner, ([C]Space Pavilion by Alvin Huang + Alan Dempsey
2008
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PROFILE
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PROFILE
Shanghai AAC, USC/Tongji, Shanghai, China 2011 Invited Lecture Department of Theoretical & Applied Aesthetics, Univ.of Lund, Sweden 2011 Invited Lecture The Bartlett, University College of London 2011 Invited Lecture ETH Zurich, Zurich Switzerland 2010 Invited Lecture D_Lab, Architectural Association, London UK 2010 Invited Lecture New Technologies in Digital Architecture, Tel Aviv Univ.Tel Aviv Israel 2010 Invited Lecture and Panelist SYNTHESIS World Architecture Festival –Barcelona Spain 2009 Shortlisted presentation Digital Architecture London, SELECTED LECTURES The Building Centre, London UK 2009 SimAUD: Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design Invited Lecture and Panelist Conference, San Diego 2013 Faculty of Architecture, HKU, Hong Kong 2009 Keynote Speaker Invited Lecture Design Matters Lecture Series 2013 Dessau Institute of Architecture, Dessau Germany 2008 University of Calgary, Canada Invited Lecture Invited Lecture SIMAE Conference, Inst for Advanced Arch. Catalonia, Faculty Pecha Kucha @ USC, Los Angeles, USA 2012 Barcelona Spain 2008 Faculty Lecture Invited Lecture and Panelist Jumpstart Series, UCLA AUD, Los Angeles, USA 2012 Faculty of Architecture, Xiamen Univ, Xiamen China 2007 Invited Lecture Invited Lecture Tongji University College of Architecture + Urban Planning, Shanghai, China 2012 Invited Lecture SELECTED INSTALLATIONS China Shanghai Architectural Design + Research Institute, “Additive Subtraction,” Appropriate/Mutate/Innovate Shanghai, China 2012 Beijing Architectural Biennalle, Beijing, China 2013 Invited Lecture An exhibition exploring featuring novel designed objects LA Firms Design China, LA Forum, Los Angeles 2012 constructed from everyday objects Invited Presenter “InformedForm: Geometry, Performance and Craft” Serial Series, Woodbury University, Burbank, CA 2012 Kasian Gallery @ University of Calgary, Canada 2013 Invited Lecture 1:1 Scale prototypes of form-found minimal surface Digital Futures Conference, USC Tongji University, structures Shanghai, China 2011 “Minimal Relaxation”, The Art of Spatial Architecture Keynote Speaker MOCA Shanghai, Shanghai China 2012 Temporary form-found tensioned roof canopy and landscape as part of an exhibition that explores relationshps between art and architecture.
MEDIA
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_ 01
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
“Synthesis : Exploratory Practice + Applied Research” Kasian Gallery, Calgary, Canada 2013 The Architects Journal Small Projects Review, The Building Centre, London, UK
2013
Dwell on Design, LA Convention Center, Los Angeles, USA
2013
ACADIA 2011: Integration Through Computation, Calgary, Canada 2011 Digital Futures Exhibition, Shanghai, China 2011 FABRICATE, The Building Centre, London UK
2011
Input/Output, Temple University, Philadelphia USA
2010
Digital Architecture London, The Building Centre, London UK
2009
Digital Thinking: Parametric Prototypes, Xian China 2009 Advanced Architecture Biennale, Settima/Tokyo Japan
2009
DRL X, Architectural Association, London UK
2008
Beijing Architectural Biennale, Beijing China
2008
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PROFILE
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PROFILE
PUBLICATIONS
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SYNTHESIS SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (BOOKS)
WRITING
“Integrating Digital Materiality: Drawing Logic” by Alvin Huang Fabricating the Future Tongji University Press, Ed. by Philip Yuan + Neil Leach
2011
Commercial Landscapes 2013 Hong Kong Polytechnic Intl Press, Edited by Loya Lu Top Space & Art IV Art Power Intl Publishing, Ed. by Diana Lee
2013
Contemporary Digital Architecture 2 2012 “The [C]Space Pavilion: An Experiment in Digital Craft” Links Intl Press, Ed. by D. Kottas by Alvin Huang 2009 9 Problems in the Form of a Pavilion Fabricating the Future 2011 Architectural Association Press, Tongji University Press, Ed. by Philip Yuan & Neil Leach Ed. by Dempsey and Obuchi
SELECTED INTERVIEWS & PROFILES
“Analyze Bliss: L.A. studio Synthesis uses number crunching to profoundly subtle effect.” by Julia Cooke, Surface Magazine, USA, March/April 2013 “Predicting the Future of Architecture: A Roundtable Discussion” by Jun Zhang, Urbanism + Architecture Magazine, China, October 2012 “The China Construct: Translating expectations into reality in a fast-changing China” by Guy Horton, The Architects Newspaper, USA, 7/18/2012 “The Intern Catch-22: The Practice of Architecture and Unpaid Internships” by Sam Lubell, The Architects Newspaper, USA, 7/6/2012 “Architects Talk About Materials” by Peter Woo, Domus China, China, June 2011 “New Practice Profile #83 - Synthesis Design + Architecture” by Richard Waite, The Architects Journal, UK, September 2011
FABRICATE Edited by Ruairi Glynn
2011
Contemporary Digital Architecture Design + Tech. Links Intl Press, Ed. by D. Kottas
2010
AD (Architectural Design): Turkey: At the Threshold Ed. by M. Hensel, article by M. Garcia
2009
Dig. Architecture: Passages Through the Hinterlands 2009 Edited by Ruairi Glyn
SELECTEDPRESS (MAGAZINES + NEWS) ArchDaily, “Craft in the Digital Age” by Guy Horton, USA, Feb. 18, 2013
ArchiWorld Magazine, Korea, March 2013 Architects Journal, “Anglo-American Rising Star Completes Thai Plaza”, by Tom Ravenscroft, Evolo Magazine, “Rethinking the Waterfront”, by Marija Bojovic, USA, February 2013 Architects Journal, UK, “Newcomer Synthesis Wins Huge Chinese Job”, by Richard Waite, Jan. 29 2013 The Architects Newspaper, “Synthesis wins competition with ‘Urban Canyon’ Concept”, by Sam Lubell, USA, Jan. 22 2013 Evolo Magazine, “Celebrating Luxury”, by Marija Bojovic, USA, January 2013 Stylus Magazine, UK, January 2013 Future Laboratory Magazine, UK, December 2012
Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techn. 2009 Princeton Arch. Press, Edited by Lisa Iwamoto 9 Problems in the Form of a Pavilion 2009 Architectural Association Press, Edited by Alan Dempsey and Yosuke Obuchi AKT: Design Engineering Actar, Edited by Michael Kubo and Hanif Kara
2008
DRL X: 10 Years of the Design Research Laboratory 2008 Architectural Association Press, Edited by Tom Verebes
The Architects Newspaper, USA “Minimal Relaxation has Maximum Impact”, Oct 2, 2012 Dwell Magazine, “Hidden in Plain View”, USA July/August issue 2012 Design Bureau Magazine, USA, June/July issue 2012 The Architect’s Newspaper, USA “Synthesis Design’s Bespoke Office”, February 3, 2012 Detail Magazine, Germany, December 2010
AD : The Information and the Argument Edited by Michael Chadwick
2004 PLOT, Germany, March 2010 Mark Magazine, UK, July 2008 Icon, UK, May 2008
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PEOPLE
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PEOPLE
SYNTHESIS DESIGN + ARCHITECTURE
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PEOPLE
Zaha Hadid Architects, London UK 2004-2006 Lead Designer Architectural Association, London UK Synthesis Design + Architecture Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA Led the design and development of the 10,000sqm Master of Architecture + Urbanism, 2004 2011Pau Mediatheque in Pau, France (1st place design Founder + Design Principal competition in 2004) and the Aqua Series for University of Southern California, Los Angeles Established international design and consultancy practice Established & Sons. Contributed as a key team Bachelor of Architecture. 1998 focused on the integrated application of material performember on numerous competitions including: the mance, emergent design technologies and digital fabriHighline in NYC, Connecticut Science Center, and Harvard University, Cambridge, cation in contemporary architectural practice. Recently SOHO Forum in Beijing, China. Secondary School Program in Architecture, 1992 completed interior project in London, UK. Current comAECOM, Los Angeles, CA, USA 1998-2002 missions include projects in Lampang, Thailand, BangDesigner kok, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Key design team member and Construction Thailand, and Quanzhou, China. American Institute of Architects Administrator for the 32 story BMC Software Phase IV Amanda Levete Architects, London UK 2008-2011 Member office tower. Responsible for responding to all RFI’s, Director attending site meetings, producing punch lists and the Appointed one of three founding directors by Principal Arizona Board of Technical Registration production of all Elevations, Sections, and Curtail Wall Amanda Levete during the transition of the office from Registered Architect #53260 related details. Future Systems to Amanda Levete Architects. Led the design and development of the 145,000sqm Central Embassy project in Bangkok, Thailand, the 10,000 sqm ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS Corian Super-surfaces interior in Milan, Italy, and the 40m USC - School of Architecture, Los Angeles, USA span Spencer Dock Bridge in Dublin, Ireland, among Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), 2011others. Further responsibilities included publicity, recruitment and coordination of the office’s design research Architectural Association/Tsinghua University, Beijing, agenda including the application of parametric modelling China and digital fabrication processes throughout the office. Tutor (AA Global Visiting School), 2010 Future Systems, London UK 2006-2008 Lead Designer Chelsea College of Arts - Interior & Spatial Design, Designed and developed numerous projects including London, UK the 145,000sqm Central Embassy project in Bangkok, Diploma Tutor, 2006-2007 Thailand, the 40m span Spencer Dock Bridge, and the 2,000sqm Clyde Lane House. Responsible for all furniture and product design including the Drift In/Out Benches and Swerve Table for Established & Sons, and the Black + Lite lamp for Swarovski.
EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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PEOPLE
ALVIN HUANG, AIA is the Founder and Design Principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture.
He is an award-winning architect, designer, and educator specializing in the integrated application of material performance, emergent design technologies and digital fabrication in contemporary architectural practice. This exploration of “digital craft�, is identified as the territory where the exchange between the technology of the digitally conceived and the artisanry of the handmade is explored. His wide ranging international experience includes significant projects of all scales ranging from hi-rise towers and mixed-use developments to bespoke furnishings. Prior to forming Synthesis, he gained significant professional experience working with Amanda Levete Architects, Future Systems, Zaha Hadid Architects, and AECOM.
Alvin Huang
Founder and Principal
Alvin received a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory (2004) in London and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California (1998) in Los Angeles. His work has been widely published and exhibited and has gained international recognition, including being selected to represent the UK at the Beijing Biennale in 2008. In 2009 he was awarded a D&AD Award for Environmental Design. Alvin is currently a Tenure-track Professor at the USC School of Architecture in Los Angeles. He has also taught design studios and master classes at the Architectural Association (London), Tongji University (Shanghai), Tsinghua University (Beijing), University of Lund (Sweden) and Chelsea College of Art (London). He has been an invited critic and guest lecturer at various institutions in the UK, US, Germany, Spain, Sweden Israel, Switzerland and China.
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PEOPLE
EDUCATION
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SciArc), LA, USA Masters in Design Research (MediaSCAPES), 2011 Bartlett School of Architecture, London, UK Graduate Diploma in Architecture (RIBA PART II) 2006-2008 Commendation (Honors) in Design Bartlett School of Architecture, London, UK BSc in Architecture & Built Environment (RIBA Part I) 2001-2004 Honors in Design Escola Secundária do Lumiar , Lisbon, Portugal High School, Final Average grade 18 out of 20
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Architect Registry at Stiching Bureau Architectenregister (SBA), Netherlands, 2010
TEACHING
Architectural Association, London, UK Day workshop/seminar for Undergraduate Inter 3 on Real Flow/3ds max, February 2010 Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK 4 day workshop/seminar on Real Flow/ Rhino/3ds max Fluid Dynamics Simulation software, November 2009 Ecole Speciale d’Architecture, Paris, France 2 day workshop/seminar on Real Flow, Sep. 2008
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Imaginary Forces, Los Angeles, USA October 2011 Designer Project: WWZ teaser ad 3dimensional graphics design Thailand, and Quanzhou, China. Electroland, Los Angeles, USA June 2011 Volunteer / Exhibition setup Set up for SKATE 1.0 a sound and light exhibit @ the A + D museum in LA Part of the COME IN! 2: SURF.SKATE.BIKE exhibition Amanda Levete Architects, London, UK June 2009- May 2010 RIBA PART II Architect / Architect Norreport transport Interchange, Copenhagen, Denmark Competition/Concept Work News International Headquarters, Wapping London 270 million pound refurbishment of a desused printing Press in Wapping, London, to house new offices for The Times, The Sun, News of the World, Myspace among others. Responsibilities: Stage D Stage E / As part of the News Facade Team, I was involved in concept and detail design development, coordination with consultants, production of specifications, drawings and imagery, etc. Zaha Hadid Architects, London UK July 2008 - June 2009 Lead Designertect Tripoli People’s Conference Hall, Libya Schematic Design (concept design) and Enabling Works Stages Detail Design Responsibilities: Landscape and external areas design package Concept design to detail design development. Coordination with consultants. Drawing package and report preparation.
Ecole Speciale d’Architecture, Paris, France Portfolio Presentation and Seminar Jan. 2008 and Sep. 2007 Southbank University, London, UK Portfolio presentation and seminar,
October 2006 18
Wilkinson Eyre Architects, London, UK Feb 2006 - June 2006 RIBA PART II Architect / RIBA PART I Architect Projects: Hotel & Business Centre, Praia, Cape Verde Hotel Guarajuba, Brazil Assistant to Wilkinson Eyre’s Bridge Team: Cork Docklands bridge Bridge in South Korea (competition) Stratford-Upon-Avon canal bridge (competition) 7 pearls development in Dubai Footbridges in New York (competition) Maggie Centre in Oxford: Initial design studies Paradise Street Development Area, Liverpool (Bus Station, Car Park, Ticket Office) Responsibilities: Involved from Planning to construction on site. Concept design to detail design development. Coordination with consultants / Drawing package and report preparation.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
NOTCOT.ORG Liminoid Ecologies Exhibition Oct 2011 (http://www.notcot.org/post/43506/) Experimenta Design 2011 Bienal, Lisbon, Portugal Sept - Nov 2011 (Project Liminoid Ecologies) Frodig Arkitektur, YARD gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark Sept - Oct 2011 (exhibition) SciArc Graduate Thesis Show / SciArc Graduate Thesis Publication, Los Angeles,USA SciArc Spring Show, Los Angeles, CA, USA - Liminoid Ecologies April 2011 Experimenta Design 09 Bienale, Lisbon, Portugal September 2009 (‘ECTO1 - a mediator between the urban inhabitant, the city and the environment’ as part of the bienale’s TANGENCIAIS program) ACXT Prize January 2009 (Finalist for the International Award for International Diploma) Bartlett Summer Show June 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003 & 2002 (slade school of art, London, UK)
PEOPLE
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Filipa Valente joined SYNTHESIS as an architect in Los Angeles in November 2011. Filipa is
a native of Portugal and a graduate from the MArch and BSc in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London UK as well as more recently from the Masters in Design Research on Architecture and New Media Art (MediaSCAPES) through the Southern California Institute of Architecture. She is a licensed architect in the Netherlands. Through professional experience Filipa has had the opportunity to work for different architectural practices around the world holding positions at Zaha Hadid Architects, Amanda Levete Architects and Wilkinson Eyre Architects in London. She has also taught workshops on fluid dynamics study applications in design and portfolio preparation at the AA (London), ESA (Paris) and Oxford Brookes University (Oxford).
Filipa Valente
Architect
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PEOPLE
EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Southern California Institute of Architecture P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S Co Principle and Founder Marcelo Spina Master of architecture 2009-2011 May. 2010- Jul. 2010 Intern Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan Working as assistance designer of ‘Lucent Saddles’ in Becholor of Architecture exhibition at the 2010 Venice Biennale. Involved in the Award Excellent Performance in Design Thesis early design research and the fabrication process by us2001-2006 ing CNC and computational tools. Working as assistance designer of the Kaohsiung Maritime Cultural & Popular Music Center International Competition in Kaoshiung Taiwan. Designed and developed master plan and visualization for competition proposal. Daniel Tai Architects Associate Aug. 2007 - Oct. 2008 Designer Join Daniel Tai Architects Associate as architectural designer. Responsible for Shanghai Yungtay Engineerine CO. Elevator Testing Tower. Shanghai, China as project designer. Also a project designer of Yuan Ying Buddhism Temple, Changhua, Taiwan. Collaborated with Lu Yu -tong’s calligraphic house which was in an exhibition of twenty contemporary architecture projects in the site of “20 Next-Gene Houses” in Ao-d, Taipei, Taiwan. Also the Interface Vendors of Material Library for setting up a standard material library in the office. Stonehenge Architects International Office Aug.2006 - Jun. 2007 Designer Joined Stonehenge Architects as design team member. Majorly responsible for the project, Pauian Archiland office building in Design Development , Construction Documentation and Interior Construction Documents. Also involved in numerous high-rise condo building in Taipei, Taiwan in Construction Documentation stage.
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SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
NAAB exhibtion at Sci-arc, Los Angeles, USA Mar. 2012 (“Fashion Museum Omotesando”) Published in Limited Edition publication “EVOLO SKYSCRAPERS” (“Fashion Museum Omotesando”) Oct. 2011 Sci-arc Graduate thesis weekend exhibition Sep. 2011 (“Breeding Unfamiliarity”) Evolo Website online Magazine Jul. 2010 (“Fashion Museum Omotesando”) Florence Festival On-line Exhibition 2006 Dec.2006 (“Undergraduate Thesis”) Exhibition in Huashan1914. Creative Park, Taipei, Taiwan Jul. 2006 (Undergraduate Thesis exhibition) EAward Excellent Performance in Design Thesis, Jun. 2006 (Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan ) Workshop of Florence Foundation Oct. 2004 (“Florence Foundation” Award the best design of school)
PEOPLE
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Chia-ching Yang joined SYNTHESIS in December 2011. She has a Masters Degree from the
Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Architecture from Ming Chuan University in Taiwan. Her previous professional experience includes P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S, Stonehenge Architects, Daniel Tai Architects, and D.Z. Architects. Working in those offices gives her the insight of materiality and construction experience. Her previous experience let her focus on studying architecture visualization of materiality in related to different scale of environmental context in Sci-arc.
Chia-ching Yang
Architectural designer
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PEOPLE
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA Bachelor of Architecture Degree, Cum Laude August 2006 – May 2011
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Synthesis Design + Architecture Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA Nov. 2011Architectural Designer Designed and developed numerous large-scale retail/ lifestyle centers including Central World Expansion “Soi Central” in Bangkok, Thailand and Ocean City Leisure club in Quanzhou, China. Also designed/drafted fabrication methods for facade in Lampang, Thailand. DLR Group WWCOT, Santa Monica, CA, USA Aug. 2011 Independent Contractor Key designer for 30,000 sf. Los Angeles Valley College Multi-Purpose Center (competition, 2nd place). This design/build collaboration involved Building Information Modeling with Revit and communication in all phases with engineers and contractors. Produced complete drawing set for Design submittal and coordination with contractors. John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects, Los Angeles, CA, USA Oct.-Nov. 2011 Architectural Designer Key design team member for 75,000 sf. UCLA Biomedical Library (competition 2nd place). Created renderings/ drawings for all design documentation and communication. Designed and modeled 75,000 sf. Clean Tech Innovation Campus in Los Angeles, a multi-disciplinary office/collaboration space for green technology along the planned “green corridor” in Los Angeles. RCDF Studio, Los Angeles, CA, USA May 2011- Oct. 2011 Architectural Designer Designed and developed 30,000m2 Hydroponic Vertical Farm Tower (Finalist, International AWR LOFT Competition) in London, UK. Designed and developed a private 4,000 sf. duplex residence featuring a hydroponic wall and powered by a parabolic solar collector array. Created all renderings/ drawings for design documentation and communication.
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Frederick Fisher and Partners, Los Angeles, CA, USA Jun. 2007-Aug. 2009 Architectural Intern Key design team member for Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion, at Colby College, a 20,000 sf. Art exhibition and studio space for student artists. Contributed in design meetings, renderings, and physical models. Contributed design drawings for 50,000 sf. Leo Baeck Temple expansion and renovation in Los Angeles.
DESIGN AWARDS
International Design Competition Finalist
Sep. 2011
(AWR Farm Tower with RCDF Studio)
“Little Tokyo Design Week” Los Angeles, USA July, 2011 (Senior Thesis Design Project) Raymond S. Kennedy Award for creative innovation 2011 (Senior Thesis Design Project) Thesis project published on Evolo.us Arch. Blog, June 15, 2011 “Emergent City”
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society for Architecture Graduates 2011 University-wide Global Scholar 2011 Italy Study Abroad Project
SuckerPunchDaily.com
July 13, 2010
“Emergent Porosity” project published
USC Italy Spring 2010 study abroad project published in TALE&A, an Italian architecture magazine 2004 USC SCion Merit-Based Scholarship 2007 - 2011 2nd Place, USC campus-wide “Library of the Future” design contest Oct., 2007 Published in Contemporary Digital Architecture 2, by Dimitris Kottas (Forthcoming) “Emergent City” Thesis Project and “Emergent Porosity”
PEOPLE
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Joseph A. Sarafian joined SYNTHESIS with the opening of its Los Angeles branch in No-
vember of 2011. Joseph has worked at such firms as Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects, and Koning Eizenberg Architecture in Los Angeles. Following his graduation from the University of Southern California, Joseph worked at RCDF Studio, DLR Group WWCOT, and John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects. Joseph has had projects published on Evolo, and Suckerpunchdaily, and in Little Tokyo Design Week, among others. His use of parametric techniques provides a consistent medium for the realization and implementation of his design ambition.
Joseph A. Sarafian
Architecutral designer
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PEOPLE
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PEOPLE
TEAM
SYNTHESIS CURRENT: Behnaz Farahi Tehran, Iran Kais Al-Rawi Toronto, Canada Kurtis Nishiyama Calgary, Canada Timothy Harmon Michigan, USA PAST: David O. Wolthers Denmark, Copenhagen Thomas T. Jensen Denmark, Copenhagen Jurgen Strohmeyer Vienna, Austria
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SELECTED PROJECTS
TOWER FACADE OF XIAMEN DEAMECITY - Xiamen, China 26
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SELECTED PROJECTS
SELECTED PORTFOLIO PROJECTS
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SELECTED PROJECTS
CENTRAL PLAZA LAMPANG
Lampang, Thailand
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
Lampang, Thailand Facade Design + Interior Design Central Pattana Public Company LTD Currently in Design Development Start of planing 2011 Completion 01. 2013 Program Area: 6,000sqm Central Plaza Lampang is located in Northern Thailand, just outside of the famed city of Chiang Mai. The facade design of this 60,000sqm shopping center attempts to capitalize on the buildings freeway side location by promoting a sense of visual movement and moire through the installation of a dynamically evolving steel diagrid lattice. The dynamic arrangement of this lattice is carefully calibrated to transfrom from opaque to transparent to expose and reveal deliberate moments based on the perspective of the viewer. Similarly, the interior design of the 3 story shopping center focuses on the arrangment of atriums and sculpting of soffits to create lateral visual connection between floors and encourage movement through the space. The idea of a dynamic field which stimulates movement is also applied to the arrangement of lighting fixtures in the exposed ceilings and the patterning of the terrazo floors.
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The development of the project has been calibrated to fit tight budget and construction limitations in the rural region of Northern Thailand. Synthesis Design + Architecture has completed the Concept Design and Schematic Design phases for this project, which is currently in Design Development. The estimated project opening will be in January 2013.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
FOLDED METAL SHEETS
FACADE MOCK-UP
NIGHT VIEW
EXTRUDED ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS ALUMINUM SILL PROFILES
L BEAM
PRESSURE EQUALIZED PRECAST PANELS
SUPERSTRUCTURE
FACADE AXO Rev
Date
Description
Rev
Date
Description
Rev
Date
Description
30
Drawing
0
Facade Concept Diagram 01
Issue Date
2
Conceptual Design
Drawn
D
Central Longan
SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture. Do not scale, only figured dimensions are to be used. If in doubt ask. All dimensions are in millimetres unless otherwise noted and
SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture
UNIT 2.6, ROCKWEL
SELECTED PROJECTS
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INTERIOR VIEW
PAVING DIAGRAM LEVEL1PAVINGDETAIL 111 CENTRAL LONGAN FACADE + INTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPT DESIGN STAGE 02 AUGUST 2011
INTERIOR VIEW
REFLECTED CEILING PLAN 31
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SELECTED PROJECTS
SOI CENTRAL
bangkok, Thailand
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status: Program Area:
_ 03
Bangkok, Thailand Retail and Lifestyle Center Central Pattana Public Company LTD Currently in Design Development 12,000 sqm
This project is an expansion of the existing CentralWorld Shopping Center in Bangkok, the third largest mall in the world. With 4,000 sqm of enclosed retail and 8,000 sqm of restaurants and bars facing an open-air protected courtyard, the project looks to capture the sophistication and atmospheric vibrancy of “al fresco” dining in European cafe culture and pair it with the energy and intimacy of the Soi’s of Bangkok to define a new contemporary Soi culture of sophisticated outdoor dining and lively pedestrian streets for Central World. A fluid open air trellis flows through the open air courtyard and provides the effect of dappled light which filters through it to protect from the sun while allowing open air experience and producing ambient lighting and atmospheric effect. Given the unique position of the project facing the high traffic condition of Ploenchit Road and the BTS Skytrain and Skywalk, the facade and roof serve as a the graphic identity of the building while acting as a veil which reveals and conceals views. We are proposing a twisted horizontal louver facade system which will incorporate graphics, signage, identity and environmental and visual performance into a beautiful and elegant skin. The primary driver of our formal organization and design concept is the continuous flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic along Ploenchit Road. This unique urban condition is amplified by the presence of the elevated BTS Skywalk and Skytrain. Our design seeks to channel these flows into the project through multiple skybridge connections and swirling atrium conditions.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
EXTERIOR SOLID FACADE
EXTERIOR PERFORATED FACADE
EXTERIOR FACADE BAND PLANTERS
EXTERIOR FACADE - FRAME DETAIL
TERRACES - WOOD CUTOUTS
FACADE MATERIAL DIAGRAM 34
SELECTED PROJECTS
HANGING GARDEN
RETRACTABLE CANOPY
CORRIDOR - WOOD SOFFIT
OPEN WOOD JOIST SOFFIT
CORRIDOR - WOOD FLOOR
BALLUSTRADE PLANTERS
GLASS SHOPFRONT
INTERIOR MATERIAL DIAGRAM 35
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SELECTED PROJECTS
SOUTH ELEVATION BLOW-UP
SOUTH ELEVATION 36
SELECTED PROJECTS
BRIDGE BLOW-UP
SOUTH WEST BRIDGE VIEW
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OCEAN CITY VISITOR CENTER
Quanzhou, China
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Location: Program: Client:
Quanzhou, China Visitor Center, Restaurant Tower Quanzhou Ocean City Tourism Development Company Start of Planning: 2011 Status: Currently in Concept Design Program Area: 5,000sqm The design of the Ocean City Visitor Center responds to its beautiful beachfront site by incorporating the fluid language of the ocean, integrating the built mass with the natural landscape, and providing privileged views of the pristine sand beach and the surrounding development of Ocean City. The fluid and dynamic lines created by these natural phenomenon will provide a visual connection between the project, the landscaping, the beach, and the South China Sea. Rather than consider the visitor center, the tower, and the sculpture plaza as three distinctly separate structure each of them is viewed an articulated moment within a continuous field of flow which visually and literally connects the surrounding buildings, the beach, and the sea. These articulations are merged into a constant morphing, peeling, and blending of the natural topography to form landscape, boardwalk, building, plaza, stair, bridge, portal, and tower. This continuous experience blurs the boundary between skin/structure, and roof/wall/floor, and interior/exterior, and ultimately bridges the gap between the road, the beach, and the sea to create a unified and visionary entry experience to Ocean City.
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PEDESTRIAN ACCESS VEHICULAR ACCESS PEDESTRIAN EXTERIOR CIRCULATION PEDESTRIAN INTERIOR CIRCULATION VERTICAL CIRCULATION
CRICULATION DIAGRAM 40
SELECTED PROJECTS
LOBBY PLAZA SCULPTURE PLAZA UNDERGROUND PARKING TOWER ITALIAN RESTAURANT POOL BEACH SHOPS PHASE II CHINESE RESTAURANT SPECIALTY RESTAURANT TEA BAR
PROGRAM 41
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SELECTED PROJECTS
XIAMEN DREAM CITY
Xiamen, China
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Start of Planning: Status: Program Area:
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Xiamen, China Mixed-use luxury retail, entertainment, and Hospitality Private 2011 2011 - Concept in Progress 3,000,000sqm
The design concept for Xiamen Dream City integrates the project with its beachfront site by materializing as a series of buildings imbedded within an urban landscape deck that appears to emerge from the beach itself. The contour lines of the natural topography of the site are conceived as a dynamic vector field which has been activated by the strategic placement of key programmatic elements. These elements act as invisible forces which disturb the field and re-organize the arrangement of the contours to form a continuous and rippling surface of undulating dunes, canyons, and valleys which define a network of public plazas, linear gardens, and winding pathways at surface level. Below the surface, the deck peels away to reveal the contents of the low-rise buildings embedded within the landscape. The dynamic and cascading effect of the openings articulate a series of protected terraces, waterfront views, and sculptural north-facing rooflights for the retail, dining, and entertainment venues at lower levels.
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SITE CONTOURS
PROGRAMATIC FORCES
PROGRAMATIC FORCES
CIRCULATION + VIEW VECTOR 44
SELECTED PROJECTS
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NEW TAIPEI CITY MUSEUM OF ART
New Taipei City, Taiwan
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
New Taipei City, Taiwan Museum of Contemporary Art Childrens Museum Community Center New Taipei City 2011 - Competition
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The New Taipei City Art Museum is conceived as the architectural expression of a dynamic and fluid lifestyle/art experience. It is not only a museum of contemporary art; it is an architectural and civic landmark that shapes the visual and spatial experience of the visitors to the museum, the users of the park it inhabits, and the citizens of the city it represents. It is a dynamic building that is inherently connected to the identity of New Taipei City, and furthermore augments that identity through its iconic presence. The design of the museum challenges the conventional notion of a museum as a centralized network of enclosed galleries each to be experienced in serial fashion, but instead proposes a gradient network of continuously connected and articulated spaces with no start and no end. The programs of both the Contemporary Art Museum and the Children’s Museum are arranged as closed loops of continuous programmatic experience. Each of the loops has been deformed into a three dimensional helicoidal knot which peels away from the ground and cantilevers out to sculpt dramatic interior gallery spaces and define partially enclosed outdoor exhibition spaces. The two knots nest within one another, creating programmatic tangencies articulated by peeling transitions and surfaces where they overlap, thus opening the closed condition of the two loops into a single continuous spatial network.
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ORGANIZATIONALCONCEPT:
+ LOOPING PROGRAM GRADIENT
= GEOMETRIC OPERATION (HELICOID + KLEIN BOTTLE)
= CIRCULATION + PROGRAM GRADIENT DIAGRAM
PROGRAM GRADIENT APPLIED TO FINAL GEOMETRY
- TUBULAR SPACE FRAME STRUCTURE - GLAZED CERAMIC LOUVRE SYSTEM - SKY BRIDGE TO YINGGE STATION
- PERMANENT GALLERIES - TEMPORARY GALLERIES - SPECIAL EXHBITION SPACES
- OUTDOOR EXHBITION SPACES - LOBBY - LIBRARIES - LECTURE HALL - SHOPS
- ADMINISTRATION - STORAGE - PARKING - CONCRETE BEAM - CONCRETE PILE FOUNDATION 48
SELECTED PROJECTS
OUTDOOR EXHIBITION SPACES
GALLARY 49
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NEW KEELUNG HARBOR SERVICE BUILDING
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Keelung, Taiwan
SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status: Program Area: Engineering:
Keelung, Taiwan Harbor service building Port of Keelung, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. 2012 - Competition 140,000 sqm Buro Happold
Inspired by the geometric patterns of Taiwanese Hen Cages and the structural shells of luxury racing yachts, the building takes shape in a dynamic gradient form that transitions from exo-skin to exo-skeleton in response to programmatic content as well as performative requirements. Thus, what appears to be formal expression, is actually “informed form” which responds to the integration of weather, urban context, program, circulation, and sustainability through integrated design responses that inform the building orientation, spatial layout, façade design, and choice of material and structural system. The building progam is divided into three primary experience groups and cyclical sequences. These three groups share programmatic overlaps and transitions which allow exchange between groups. The building strives to generate an efficient operational strategy using passive techniques that manipulate the natural environment for the benefit of the internal environment. The building is orientated into the prevailing wind direction which allows the air flow to be tuned around the flanks of the tower between the main structure and the façade.
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The majority of structural components will be prefabricated and shipped to site for erection which will offer a better control on quality of workmanship and finish as well as a faster construction schedule. Materials and components will be sourced locally where viable to minimize shipping distances and therefore the carbon footprint of the construction. The external components will be designed to resist the marine environment of the harbor and serve the lifetime of the building with minimal maintenance required.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS The concept for this building explores the use of modern materials and composites. Due to the local expertise in carbon fiber, certain aspects of the building will implement the use of this material due to its inherent strength to weight ratio. Where viable, the carbon fiber will be used within the structural design to increase structural efficiency.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
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Stressed Skin double curvature
structural performance
Shallow Gridshell diagrid stress lines
structural performance
Air Intakes diagrid stress lines ventilation performance shading performance
Perforated Skin diagrid stress lines daylighting performance
Deep Gridshell structural performance
shading performance
FACADE SYSTEMS AND TOWER STRUCTURE
Glazing:
- Low-E glass - Self-cleaning - Controllable louvers and shades - upported off each floor plate
Opaque surfaces (Carbon Fiber): - Excellent strength to weight ratio - Stressed skin span - Exellent in tension
Systems:
- Solar shading - Rain screen - Acoustical control - Integrated natural ventilation requirements - Rain collection - Cleaning and maintenance
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SELECTED PROJECTS
CIRCULATION OF USERS
PROGRAMMATIC TRANSITION
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SELECTED PROJECTS
LOOP- DESIGN PROCESS PROGRAM SELF-ORGANIZES ALONG CIRCULATION PATHS Rather than consider the programmatic arrangement as the organization of platonic programmatic elements, we have considered the program as a self-organizing system of agents of programmatic pixels which aggregate based upon weighted connections to specified anchor programs. Starting with the typical bubble diagram to define relationships, the placement of specific anchor programs re-distributes the transitional programs into gradient fields of varying densities and distributions of pixels rather than hermetic zones with defined boundaries and thresholds.
INITIAL BUBBLE DIAGRAM
RESPONSIVE DIAGRAM
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SELECTED PROJECTS
DAEGU GOSAN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Daegu, Korea
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client:
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Daegu, Korea Public Library Daegu Metropolitan City Suseong-gu Office Status: 2012 - Competition Program Area: 3,100 s.q.m.
Our proposal for the Daegu Gosan Public Library challenges the conventional understanding of the spatial and social experience of a public library as a series of discrete reading rooms with defined thresholds and cluttered stacks. We propose an intelligent, open, and integrated library experience which supersedes the media storage methods of the past and changes the library space into a hybrid environment through ubiquitous information resources, integrated furnishings and active communal social spaces. The architecture is designed to enable and embody the spirit of open-source exchange and collective knowledge through free-form geometries, open plans and integrated amenities. We have minimized the thresholds between spaces, floors, and functions to consider the library as an active, continuous, and fluid field of social, cultural, and intellectual discourse. Contrary to the convention of defining the building program as a composition of platonic spaces with controlled adjacencies, we have approached it as a varied and constant programmatic gradient which allows programs and uses to bleed into one another, thus facilitating constant physical, visual, and social exchange. Conceptually and literally, the ground field of the site swells, peels, and multiplies vertically as a continuation of the adjacent park and urban fabric. This constant sectional change is articulated as a smooth vertical gradient which merges floors, ramps, stairs, terraces and furnishings into an inhabitable and ergonomic landscape culminating in an open-air roof-scape lounge and terrace overlooking the city of Daegu. The boundaries between floors are blurred, as the continuously walk-able surface which unifies the many spaces of the library facilitates circulatory, physical and visual connections both internally within the network of spaces and externally with the surrounding context. Circulation through the library is coupled with the various programs and generates a fluid transition between different environments allowing users to freely browse the books on display while simultaneously being able to sit and use their laptops, tablets, and smart phones on the ubiquitously distributed Wi-Fi network, or locally transmitted blue-tooth hot spots.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
SECTION BLOW-UP 58
SELECTED PROJECTS
RAMP CONDITION
RAMP CONDITION
SEAT/BOOKSHELF CONDITION
RAMP CONDITION
STAIR CONDITION
SEAT/BOOKSHELF CONDITION
DESK CONDITION
STAIR CONDITION
DESK CONDITION
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SELECTED PROJECTS
CHENGDU LOTUS POND MARKET DEVELOPMENT
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Chengdu, China
SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client:
Chengdu, China Commerical/ office building Jinniu district market development and service center Status: 2012 - Competition Program Area: 290,000 s.q.m.
With two sites, two retail podiums and three towers, our primary design intent was to unify the various programs, buildings, and parcels into a single and cohesive identity. Inspired by the flowing ribbons and choreographed movements of traditional Chinese Ribbon dances, our proposal for the Chengdu Lotus Pond Development seeks to recreated the elegance of the flowing ribbons and the notion of the projects form not as a collage of platonic objects, but rather as a choreographed composition of dancing surfaces which come together, peel apart, and are in constant yet synchonized movement. Architecture emerges in the space between (both inside and outside) the choreographed surfaces. The project is articulated as a collection of dynamic bands which simultaneously wrap the two podiums, connect the two sites (in the form of 3 connective sky bridges), define a unifying external courtyard and merge the horizontal (2 retail podiums) with the vertical (3 office towers). The wrapping moves of the retail podiums articulate two opposing external courtyards which collectively form a single courtyard experience that starts at ground level at the pedestrian street and dips down to a lower ground level that spatially unifies the two sites visually at upper floors and literally at the ground and lower ground levels. In order to reduce the carbon footprint of the project, cut and fill construction techniques are proposed to redistribute all excavated earth on site to avoid relocation. The dynamic gradient pattern of the facades is inspired by the pulses and gradient intensities of urban traffic conditions. As an intense urban develoment, we want to capture the intensity of the city and make it graphically legible in the facade of the building. We utilize the gradient conditions to articulate the differences between horizontal and vertical, opaque and transparent, curved and straight. The continuously varying tesselation pattern is designed to attract visual interest that follows the geometry and embraces they dynamic nature of the projects urban condition. The facade is proposed as a variable gradient of three primary facade panel finishes, in two curtain wall systems. The atrium condition of the towers is proposed as a double glazed unitized curtain wall system with low-e glazing. The rest of the facade is an aluminum panel system with clear glazed and reflective glazed inserts where required. The varying pattern of the facade has been 61
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designed through a parametric 3D model which allows for the rationalization and optimization of the facade into the maximum number of repeated panels in order control cost.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
MATERIAL AND FACADE SYSTEM LOW-E DOUBLE GLAZED UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM
REFLECTIVE DOUBLE GLAZED UNITIZED CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM CAST IN PLACE WHITE CONCRETE STRUCTURE BASE
CONCRETE PAVING WITH INTEGRATED STAIRS CONCRETE PAVING W/ INTEGRATED PLANTERS ANODIZED ALUMINUM PANEL CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM
GLAZED SKY LIGHT
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128 CHENDGU COMPETITION
MATERIAL PALETTE AN SYSTEMS
SELECTED PROJECTS
AERIAL VIEW
COURTYARD
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SHANGHAI HUTAI ROAD DEVELOPMENT
Shanghai, China
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
Shanghai, China Mixed-use office, hotel, retail, entertainment & lifestyle development Hong Kong Wuzhou International Group Co., Ltd. Invited Competition (First Place) 180,000sqm Program Area: $250,000,000 USD Contract Value: Synthesis Design + Architecture (Design Architect) Design Team: Shenzhen General Architectural Design Institute (Executive Architect, Structural Engineer, MEP) OneView CG (Vizualisation) Project Credits: Alvin Huang (Design Principal), Chia-ching Yang, Joseph Sarafian, David O. Wolthers Situated along Huatai Road in the third ring of the urban metropolis of Shanghai, the Shanghai Wuzhou International plaza embodies the energy and vibrancy of the cities distinct urban environment. Inspired by traditional Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang, the development is organized as two nested volumes which have been broken apart to reveal a flowing canyon condition which connects the project to the urban fabric of the city. The northern block features an enclosed 4 story luxury retail shopping podium anchored by the corporate headquarters of developer Hong Kong Wuzhou International Group and a 5 star hotel tower. The southern block is composed of a 4 level retail, lifestyle and entertainment complex anchored by two office towers. The fluid canyon condition connects the two entry plazas of the site with a “river” stand alone detached retail units with a network of connective skybridges. Integrated landscaping, furnishings, and lighting within the canyon hard-scape are arranged in pulse like formations which stimulate and encourage visual and pedestrian activity.
The dynamic patterning and fluid pattern of the cladding embody the pulses of activity and urban energy of the city to merge façade with roof and podium with tower. The façade is to be clad with RHEINZINK standing-seam titanium zinc panels, while the roof system utilizes RHEINZINK double standing-seam titanium zinc panels. The roof area is equipped with interior gutters at its lowest points and is covered with perforated standing-seam profiles to protect it from soiling. The building material needs no maintenance because of the material’s patina, which develops during the course of natural weathering and protects it from corrosion. The patina is a layer of zinc carbonate, which regenerates itself.
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MallMall B (South) B (South)
L04L04 - F&B, - F&B, Cinema Cinema
MallMall A (North) A (North) L04L04 - Signature - Signature F&BF&B (high (high endend restaurants) restaurants)
L03L03 - Local - Local brands brands
L03L03 - Lifestyle - Lifestyle
L02L02 - Local - Local brands brands
L02L02 - Bridgeline - Bridgeline Brands Brands
L01L01 - High - High street street Brands Brands
ANCHOR ANCHOR STORE STORE L01L01 - International - International Luxury Luxury (LV, (LV, Chanel, Chanel, Prada, Prada, etc)etc)
SUB-ANCHOR SUB-ANCHOR STORE STORE SUPER SUPER MARKET MARKET
Freestanding Freestanding Retail Retail L01L01 - boutique - boutique retailretail L02L02 - Restaurants - Restaurants L03L03 - Restaurants - Restaurants
L00L00 - Super - Super market, market, banks, banks, sundries sundries
STORES STORES FREESTANDING FREESTANDING RETAIL RETAIL HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OFFICE TOWERS TOWERS HOTEL HOTEL
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SELECTED PROJECTS
AERIAL VIEW
ENTRANCE PLAZA
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SELECTED PROJECTS
PUSHKINSKY CINEMA
Moscow, Russia
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SELECTED PROJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
Moscow, Russia Facade Renovation Private 2011 - Competition pending
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This proposal to redesign the facade of the Pushkinsky Cinema places the face of the landmark venue behind a sculptural veil which acts as a dramatic backdrop to Pushkin Square and an iconic face to the cinema. Inspired by the screened views, geometric intricacy and flowing surfaces of a “Russian Veil”, the design contrasts the imposing presence of the Brutalist architectural icon by simultaneously enclosing and revealing its contents behind a delicate yet robust open air lattice materialized as thermoformed sheets of DuPont Corian. The composite effect of the varied orientations of the hexagonal screen components creates a rich and dramatic moiré effect which dissolves from opaque to transparent and back again as one moves around, through and within the building. This dynamic effect encourages visual interaction and connectivity between the cinema and Pushkin Square by simultaneously revealing and concealing the contents of the cinema through a multiplicity of varying and directed views into and out of the lobby.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
HANGING SLOT DETAIL
MODULAR ASSEMBLY CONCEPT
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THERMOFORMING CONCEPT
SELECTED PROJECTS
VIEW VECTOR DIAGRAM
ELEVATION
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
CHELSEA WORKSPACE - London, England 72
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
SELECTED PROJECTS
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SELECTED PROJECTS
[C]SPACE PAVILION*
London, England
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SELECTED PROJECTS
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Location: London, England Program: Temporary Pavilion Client: Architectural Association Status: Commissioned in 2008 Awards: Completed in 2009 DRL10 Pavilion CompetitionWinner, 2008 D&AD Award for Environmental Design Winner, 2009
[C]Space is the winning entry in the AADRL10 Pavilion competition. It was selected by the jury for the proposals radical use of material, it’s expression of form as a continuous transformation of furniture to floor, walls and roof structure; and it’s constructability within a tight schedule and budget. The design was proposed to be entirely constructed from Fibre-C, a thin fibre reinforced cement panel that is normally used as a cladding solution. The striking presence of the pavilion invites inspection from a distance and upon closer interaction reveals its ambiguity through the merging of sinuous curves, structural performance, and programmatic functions into a single continuous form. As you move around, the surface varies from opaque to transparent, producing a stunning threedimensional moiré. The surface encloses while also providing a route through for passing pedestrians blurring the distinction between inside and outside. The jointing system in the pavilion exploits a simple interlocking cross joint which is tightened by a set of locking neoprene gaskets. Consultation with the Fibre-C technical department, structural engineers AKT, and extensive material testing were required to develop the design. In parallel to the digital modelling, numerous rapid prototypes, scale models and full scale physical mock-ups were built to develop the design of individual elements and test the tolerance and fit of entire assemblies. Since its erection in 2009 the pavilion has been widely published and exhbited as a seminal project within experimental architectural discourse, particularly in regards to digital fabrication and parametric modeling techniques. *designed in collaboration with Alan Dempsey of Nex Architects
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To facilitate the assembly of the pavilion, three dimensional working drawings were produced. These are not presentation drawings, but rather, a set of instructions with which to approach each successive stage assembly.
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The C_space Pavalion went through sixteen revision with in 5 weeks, occurring in correspondence to ongoing engineering analyses of the compressive and tensile stresses on the elements of the pavilion, carried out in collaboration with Adams Kara Taylor. These diagrams indicate the structural information coded into the elements, and served to make decisions with which to feed back to each successive set of design revisions.
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SELECTED PROJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
CHELSEA WORKSPACE
London, England
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status: Program Area: Credits:
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London, England Bespoke desk and storage system for a home office Private Completed in 2011 7sqm Alvin Huang (Principal), David O. Wolthers, Jurgen Strohmeyer, Thomas T. Jensen
This home office for a private personal investment advisor responds to the clients brief of a discrete yet sculptural design solution for a home office by conceptually draping a dynamic surface over an orthogonal arrangement of the required home office elements including a work desk, storage units, printer, paper shredder etc. Set within a tiny 7sqm room in the client’s Chelsea flat, the design intent was to minimize the imposing presence of the boxy storage requirements the client required by disguising them within a sinuous form that emerges from the walls of the room. As the owner desperately wanted to reduce the visual clutter of “stuff” within his work space, storage for books, filing cabinets, printer, shredder, electrical cabling, phone, internet, and lighting controls are all concealed within the volume of the construction. The space is organized around the lone window in the room, in order to provide the client with a pleasant view and ample natural daylighting. The glow of natural light from the window further serves to articulate the geometry of the installation through the play of light and shadow. Constructed with a strict budget of 7000GBP, the fluid geometric form is articulated as a series of alternating CNC milled birch plywood ribs which are pre-fabricated into modular units and spray finished with a clear lacquer. These units are hung on a series of z-clips bolted to the interior wall, and held in place by self-weight. Horizontal
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spacers, which stabilize the open ends of the plywood ribs, are arranged in a pixelized graphic pattern representing a world map, where the owner (a seasoned world traveller) can map out his travels. The project is the result of an intense collaboration between designer and fabricator. This dialogue was made possible through the exchange of 3D files not only as design deliverables, but as production and fabrication documents. The result merges the digital with the handcrafted to produce a stunning result.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
EXISTING PARTITION WALL INNER VERTICAL SPACERS HORIZONTAL Z CHANNELS CNC MILLED BIRCH PLYWOOD PROFILES SWING DOOR STORAGE DRAWERS OUTER HORIZONTAL SPACER W/ GRAPHIC PATTERN
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EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC ©
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SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture. Do not scale, only figured dimensions are to be used. If in doubt ask. All dimensions are in millimetres unless otherwise noted and are to be checked on site.
CHELSEA WORKSPACE
Drawing
111 A 21D 311
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
Issue Date
10.10.2011
Scale
NTS
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Drawn
AH/DW/JS
Checked
AH
SYNTHESIS Design + Architecture California 90057 Tel +1 213 438 9967
2420 Wilshire Blvd Suite 9E, Los Angeles, studio@synthesis-dna.com
INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
basic program arrangement
program elements blended to one another and the existing wall
blended curves are lofted to create seamless surface
surface is sectioned to create 3d form from 2d profiles
program elements blended to one another and the existing wall
blended curves are lofted to create seamless surface
surface is sectioned to create 3d form from 2d profiles
0.1 FORMAL EVOLUTION DIAGRAM basic program arrangement
0.1 FORMAL EVOLUTION DIAGRAM
world map graphic
point sampling of map
points converted to spacer
spacers projected to geometry
point sampling of map
points converted to spacer
spacers projected to geometry
0.2 GRAPHIC MAPPING DIAGRAM world map graphic
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS 0.2 GRAPHIC MAPPING DIAGRAM
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CHELSEA WORKSPACE
Drawing
111 A 21D 318
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS
Issue Date
10.10.2011
Scale
NTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
MINIMAL RELAXATION
Shanghai, China
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status: Program Area: Credits:
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Shanghai, China Temporary Canopy and Landscape Installation for rooftop terrace MoCA Shanghai Completed in 2012 160 sqm Neil Leach (USC/AAC Program Director), Wendy Fok (Univ. of Houston/We Designs), Alvin Huang (USC/Synthesis Design + Architecture) Students - Ethan Barley, Chi Bhatia, Gabby Gertel, Ty Harrison (Canopy Team Leader), Luya He, Justin Kang (Landscape Team Leader), Michelle Kraintz, Xiaoyun Li, Xinyue (Amber) Ma, Arjun Mahesh, Xiaojin Mi, Nicole Stitzel, Yimeng Wang, Sahar Youdai, Chaoxun Zhang
The design of this temporary installation reinterprets the traditional Chinese garden to activate the roof terrace of the MoCA Shanghai as an undulating and responsive multilayered landscape. The upper (canopy) layer simultaneously produces gradient spatial conditions and framed viewing portals which curate views of the surrounding hi-rise towers, while the lower (landscape) layer articulates a series of back-lit sculptural ground forms which subdivide the terrace and provide atmospheric effect through responsive color-changing LED lighting effects. Inspired by the work of Frei Otto, the entire project extends his body of design research into physical and digital form-finding processes for minimal surface structures through dynamic mesh relaxation techniques. The canopy examines the potential of gravity forces and internal tensions to derive geometry by relaxing a tensioned net, in which every web member reveals its load path to express its funicular form in multiple dimensions. It is further articulated by a series of carefully calibrated apertures, each oriented to frame a specific view out of the roof terrace to frame a selected tower in the surrounding skyline. Each aperture responds to a corresponding landscape feature which swells out of the ground plane of the roof terrace. The flowing membrane of the landscape, in close relation with the hanging net, gives a new character to the terrace. The landscape consists of a fractal forms divided into the grid-like geometry from the net above. This forces the eye to fill in the voids creating a fluid geometry. The four sides and the base are intentionally flat and matte to show the clear division but the sixth face is where the form finding properties of the shrink wrap are revealed. The different edge conditions of the four sides of each box create a unique geometry on its sixth and most visible face, when seen as its whole, creates a fluid and undulating surface.
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The combination of the spatial acrobatics of the canopy in confluence with the emergent landscape swelling out of the ground plane creates a series of gradient spatial conditions which articulates the continuous roof terrace space into series of relaxation zones, each focused on a curated view of the surrounding skyline. The final installation was realized through a series of tensioned net structures to articulate an undulating roof canopy and a series of shrink-wrapped plastic skins which articulate a generative landscape. The undulating landscape is embedded with color-changing LED’s connected to motion sensors, with color changing responses to express intensities of occupation. The highly successful installation activated the previously under-utilized roof terrace into a popular summer evening destination, while also serving as highly visible civic landmark viewable from surrounding high-rise towers. The temporary installation is a commissioned work for the exhibition “MoCA Mock-ups: The Architecture of Spatial Art”. The entire project was designed, fabricated, and installed by a team of graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Southern California’s American Academy of China summer studio.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
POLYFOLD PARTITION
Calgary, Canada
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
Calgary, Canada Free-standing wall partition ACADIA Conference Competition 2011
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The design of this dynamic wall partition was focused on the challenge of creating a three dimensional freestanding wall partition made entirely from flat sheet material. Composed entirely of a network of stacked 3D polygons, the density of the partition articulation responds to the curvature of the surface, whereas the orientation and aperture size are driven by specific view vectors from within the gallery space. Key views are highlighted, while other views are blocked. The entire assembly is made from 3mm thick polished aluminium sheets, laser cut and etched for folding and assembly notation, and hand-folded and assembled.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
BEHAVIOR PERFORMANCE BY GEOMETRIC ADAPTABILITY
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
SYSTEM PROPERTIES
ASSEMBLY - FOLDING
TESSELATION BY CURVATURE ANALYSIS
SEQUENCE:
01 CNC CUT ALUMINIUM SHEET
BASE CURVES 02
FOLD + ATTACH
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LEAVE ONE END OPEN
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ATTACH TO NEIGHBOUR FOLD AND FIX
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QUADRILATERAL CONNECTIONS FOR STABILITY
CURVATURE ANALYSIS
CURVATURE / REGULAR HEX TESSELATION
CURVATURE / HEX TESSELATION BY BEZIER
CURVATURE / HEX TESSELATION BY SINE
CURVATURE / HEX TESSELATION BY SINE SUMMATION
06
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
SINK
Xiamen, China
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
Location: Program: Client: Status:
Xiamen, China Sink Private 2011, ongoing
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The SINK project is perceived as a customizable, embryological form highly adept to mass production. The SINK seeks to alter the performance and user experience of public restroom hand-washing by being operated only by sensors - meaning users will never actually come in contact with the sink – minimizing the problem of bacteria transferring from person to person. Water faucet and soap dispenser is hidden inside the sink itself. In addition the SINK addresses the problem of cleaning – by consisting of smooth surfaces, rounded corners and by being mounted on the wall with all drainage and egress being conceiled – the SINK is easy to clean. Conceptually, the form is derived from the relationships between a set of points that create the overall diagrammatical shape. Via a parametric setup angles, lengths, widths, heights can be altered to change the appearance of the SINK but never the function.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
349 199
149
1
R9
7
R1
276
R1
287
7
R33
11
2
R42
R30
202
11
R 34 8
R10
50 +900
500
R5
900
R3
78
R3
18
R18
21
687
R5
ELEVATION -FRONT
ELEVATION -SIDE ELEVATION - FRONT 1:10
ELEVATION - SIDE 1:10
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
META LAMP
Los Altos, California
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Location: Program: Client: Credits:
Los Altos, California Suspended Light Feature Los Altos College School of Sciences Alvin Huang (Principal), David O. Wolthers, Joseph Sarafian
The Meta Lamp is a bespoke suspended light feature for the Los Altos College School of Sciences. It’s form embodies the expressive, generative and organic aesthetics of microorganisms studied in the Life Sciences (D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, radiolarians, and diatoms), while its generative design process employs the computational, material, and fabrication technologies developed in the Engineering Sciences (metaballs, parametric modelling, translucent resin, and SLS rapid prototyping). The result is a stunning light fixture that encourages dynamic visual interaction and has an iconic presence within the stairwell of Los Altos College.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
LIGHT SOUECES
ENDOSKELETON
EXOSKELETON
LIGHT INTENSITY// CURVETURE ANALYSIS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SEAT
New York, USA
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Location: Program: Client: Credits:
New York, USA Outdoor furncture design The Battery Conservancy Alvin Huang (Principal), David O. Wolthers, Joseph Sarafian
The Rock N Roll Chair is an ergonomic, iconic, and (most importantly) fun chair for New York’s Battery Park!! The uniquely elegant design sparks visual interest, encourages interaction, and is highly mobile while utlilizing an economic, responsible and sustainable manufacturing process. The stackable pod shaped design can be “rolled” into two different seated “rocking” positions – an upright chair position that is perfect for group discussions and a low slung lawn chair position that is perfect for individual lounging in the park. Both positions feature an ergonomic form that hugs the user and provide maximum comfort for extended sitting in either a static or rocking condition. The perforated pattern of the skin reduces the weight of the chair while placing more material where the structure requires more rigidity, this simultaneously produces a stunning moiré effect which encourages visual interaction. With a monotone outer skin, the colored inner skin appears and disappears as one moves around the chair. The proposed color schemes reference New York’s professional sports legacies, providing a splash of color, fanaticism and local identity. Inspired by the 111 Navy Chair by Emeco, the proposed fabrication process utilizes recycled glass bottle flakes combined with glass fiber and non-toxic color pigment. A composite of 65% rPET plastic and 35% glass fiber pellets, is melted down and injected into a rotational mold. Once the mold is loaded, the mold is rotated/revolved, tempered and cooled. The entire process takes approximately three minutes and takes 111 recycled bottles out of landfill.
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
THE HOME TEAMS:
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INSTALLATION AND OBJECTS
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MOULD ASSEMBLY
MOULD ASSEMBLY
extrusions
BI-AXIAL ROTO MOULD
pour recycled coposit liquid material
extrusions
BI-AXIAL ROTO MOULD BI-AXIAL ROTO MOULD
MOULD MOULD ASSEMBLYASSEMBLY
RIGID RIGID FORM FORM
pour recycled coposit liquid material
RIGID FORM
extrusions
perforations
BI-AXIAL ROTO MOULD
pour recycled coposit liquid material STACKING
POSITION 1 36O degrees rotation
POSITION 2 270 degrees rotation
ROLL
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POSITION 1 O degrees rotation rocking
perforations
(ROLL)
POSITION 2 rocking
05_
CONTACT
COMPANY DETAILS 聯絡方式
LOS ANGELES SDA | Synthesis Design + Architecture 2404 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 9E Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA studio@synthesis-dna.com T: +1 213 438 9967
LONDON SDA | Synthesis Design + Architecture Unit 2.6 Rockwell House, 10-14 Hewett Street London EC2A 3NN United Kingdom studio@synthesis-dna.com T: +44 207 193 7263 F: +44 207 681 1107
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