Yunyue Chen
Selected Works
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Academic Projects Tectonics Waterpath Bishan Urban Eatary Museo della Citta’ Sjó Dreki Capsule Pier Plumule Brooklyn Public Library
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Internship Projects Global Exchange Building 108++ Tropical Tower
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Personal Projects The Modern Grand Tour Still Life Photography
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TECTONICS 2011, University of Waterloo Maya Przybylski The project is a form-generating exercise through working with different media. A sequence of four processes resulted in tectonic drawings and sculptures. First step is casting a plaster cast with multiple internal voids. Second step is recording the shape of the cast using traditional hand drafting. Third step is extrapolating the lines from previous drawing and transforming them using basic rules, such as shearing, scaling, reflection and rotation. Last step is interpreting the drawing with a paper model. As paper was the only material allowed in the final model, modular construction and self-connecting mechanism were explored.
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I. cast
II. section drawing
III. transformation of drawing
IV. module
V. paper model
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WATERPATH 2012, University of Waterloo Lola Sheppard The aim of this project is to provide a park and education centre to learn about natural ways of cleaning water, with the opportunities to watch the process step by step, learn about purifying species and appreciate the clean water by the end. Based on scientific research, a structure to carry water is designed to maximize the purification rate. Water is pumped up high first for aerobic reaction. It accelerates, cools down and dissolves more oxygen as it flows down. After water passes through the buffer pond, it is carried by a shallow duct into the hot pool and deep pools. Then an anaerobic reaction begins. After the treatment process, the water will be clean enough for delicate water lilies to grow and for people to swim in. Visitors will be walking alongside the Waterpath. By the end of their visit, they will have witnessed the improvement in water quality.
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site plan
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2 3
1
4
5
floor plan
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1. lecture hall 2. lobby 3. exhibition space 4. admin area 5. cafe/gallery 6. pool
physical model
physical model detail
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section at cafe
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section at deep pond
section at aerobic flow structure
section at buffer pond
unfolded section
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aerial perspective
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BISHAN URBAN EATERY 2013, National University of Singapore Jeffrey Chan Bishan Urban Eatery’s main program is a hawker centre - an important component everyday life in Singapore. Presented with an extraordinary urban density and connectivity of the site, I decided to challenge the traditional concept of the hawker centre and experiment with an entirely new spatial organization, with the aim to create a new dining experience in the city centre. By moving the entire hawker centre underground, the existing greenery of the site is conserved, providing open space in this very dense urban setting. The entire ground level becomes an urban farm and a community space. The main hawker centre is located underground, thereby offering a unique dining atmosphere. The design emphasizes the idea of an urban farm by introducing vegetations and light to several locations. The Bishan Urban Eatery also functions as an education centre that promotes urban farming and healthy lifestyle.
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ground connection
existing condition
underground connection
proposed program layout
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structure
natural light
ground floor plan 1. capsicum 2. spinach 3. tomato 4. pea shoot 5. wheat grass 6. sunflower 7. water spinach 8. potato 9. bok choy
10. Chinese mustard 11. mint 12. chili 13. barley 14. orange tree 15. coconut tree 16. berry shrub 17. dwarf tree
section A-A
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mezzanine level plan
basement level plan
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detail - walkway at lightwell
physical model
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physical model detail
interior render - hawker centre
interior render - education centre
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MUSEO DELLA CITTA’ 2014, University of Waterloo, Rome Studio Lorenzo PignattiIn In collaboration with Jeremy Jeong The Museo della Citta’ represents a significant opportunity to revitalize an under-utilized corner of Testaccio, Rome. As part of the Wallwalk project, the Museo della Citta’ is incorporated into a larger site planning exercise. The context of the Aurelian Walls is redefined with a greater pedestrian focus as well as an emphasis on the excavation of the walls to their original height. The museum acts as a bookend on the southern portions of the wall, and further acts as a landmark providing a narrative to a fragmented space. Within the museum, a singular path takes visitors on a journey through landscape, mythology and the image of humanity before arriving at the urban form.
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existing context plan
green space
modes and access points
activities
armatures
proposed context plan
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Pyramid of Cestius
gasometer
Strategy for form: Relating to the two nearby monuments with platonic forms - the pyramid of Cestius and the gasometer - the main building of the museum takes on the form of a cube, rising above the surrounding buildings, appearing as a new landmark.
public spaces artery traffic local traffic parks
1. destination
2. excavation
3. slope
4. rise
landmark and identity residential green space cultural transportation landmarks loose identity zone
Strategy for urban connections:
Strategy for museum:
After analyzing the site, a strategy of intervention is established to increase connectivity and activate the area. An excavated linear park is created along the Aurelian wall; two piazzas connect perpendicularly to the wall walk; the traffic circle near the pyramid is optimized. The museum will act as an anchor that gives the fragmented space a new identity.
Museo della Citta’ occupies the triangular space south of the previous Roman slaughterhouse at the end of the wall walk. Ceremonial staircases lead visitors back to ground level.
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site plan
site section
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B
A
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9
7
8
6
7
12
7
10
11
3
5
4
2
1
B
A
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1. entrance hall 2. museum shop 3. atrium 4. auditorium 5. landscape gallery 6. temporary exhibition 7. seminar rooms 8. library 9. office 10. cafe 11. garden 12. event piazza
second floor view from garden
third floor
fourth floor
1. entrance hall 2. museum shop 3. coat check 4. wc 5. mechanical room 6. mythology gallery 7. library 8. office 9. imago hominis gallery 10. forma urbis gallery 11. event piazza
program public area: gallery semi-public area: seminar rooms public area with limited access - auditorium private area: library and office
roof
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circulation
ground floor - nature and landscape
second floor - history and mythology
section A-A
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third floor - imago hominis
fourth floor - forma urbis and architecture
section B-B
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SJÓ DREKI 2015, University of Waterloo Andrew Levitt Sjó Dreki is a hiker’s lodge in Iceland. The organic form of the building is inspired by the natural elements in Iceland, especially the shape of a blue whale. The name ‘Sjó Dreki’ stands for sea dragon, which is a whale. It stands out in the bleak site as a symbol of life and hope. The entire building will be prefabricated off-site. The building’s semi-monocoque structure is in its essence similar to that of a modern steel ship. All interior spaces are designed to maximize the sensuous experience. Therefore new architectural languages are invented for the entire building. Ordinary programmes such as sleeping, gathering, or even using the washroom become a whole different experience. After a long hike in the Icelandic highlands, visitors will find themselves starting a new adventure in the futurist and high-tech lodge of Sjó Dreki.
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site plan
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B
10
8
11
A C
14
9
12 15
13
2
9
1 6
7 17
4
3 A
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B
C
Lower level
1. outer vestibule 2. inner vestibule 3. storage 4. MEP 5. waste management 6. planter 7. reception 8. kitchen and pantry 9. changing room 10. treatment bay
11 dry sauna 12. wet sauna 13. storage 14. office 15. staff accommodation 16. library 17. garden 18. geothermal pool
section A-A
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B 6 A C
4
7
5 8
2
3
1
A
B C
Upper level
1. full-time residence 2. suspended planter 3. WC 4. shower 5. laundry 6. 1-person pod 7. 2-person pod 8. bunk bed pod
section B-B
section C-C
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library render
exterior render
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main atrium render
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geothermal pool render
Precedents
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upper level render
detail at facade
detail at planter
Outer plate is coated with zink-based primer in the factory. Zinc protects steel from rusting. Another layer of metallic paint of chosen colour will be painted on site after welding and sand blasting. High-performance anti-corrosive paint us widely used in steel ships. It has high durability in extreme environment.
Glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) is a composite of high strength alpha gypsum cement reinforced with glass fibers that ban be factory molded into virtually any shape or size. Guangzhou Opera House by Zaha Hadid uses GRG for the sculptural ceiling
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operative drawing
CAPSULE 2015, GSAPP Karla Rothstein The Capsules is a repository for lost and found objects between the subway platform and the ground. Each capsule is nested in a kinetic vertical structural element that is hung from above. All the vertical structures and capsules form an ephemeral matrix that is activated by the weight of the objects placed inside. Light and water from above are channeled through to further create a dynamic underground public space. The main circulation paths for subway commuters cut through this field. Additional meandering paths lead people through the field to explore and repose in a gallery of lost objects.
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material and light exploration
sectional montage
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site plan
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mezzanine level plan
platform level plan
sectional swath
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PIER PLUMULE 2015, GSAPP Karla Rothstein In botany, the Plumule is an embryonic shoot in a seed, waiting to germinate. In New York City, the Plumule is a dynamic living pier on the East River, compact, yet encoded with the logic of future growth. Modular and interconnecting, the pier network creates a recreational, ecological and educational FIeld. The Plumule begins as five artificial intertidal islands with floating wetland plant species organized in a loose grid of fixed amenity-platforms. Throughout the school terms, floating campsites accommodate NYC’s fifth graders to participate in an overnight field trip. Floating vessels with planted trees, shrubs and herbs form fuzzy edges that transform in relation to the change of seasons and provide comfort for visitors. The Plumule also supports marine species underneath the platforms and provides pockets of winter ‘hibernation’. The ephemeral nature of the pier encourages exploration and discovery of both nature and self.
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site plan
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1. piles and lattice
2. Intertidal wetland
3. walkways and amenity
planter platforms
5. camping platforms
plan
intertidal zone (flood zone)
floating platforms
herbaceous
New York aster
common threesquare
shrubs
great bulrush
pasture rose
red chokeberry
trees
swamp azalea
littoral mollusk
fish
eastern oyster blue mussel
striped bass summer flounder atlantic herring American butter fish
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arrowwood
Canada rush
red maple
American sycamore
river birch
tectonic section
physical model
platform movement
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view from East River ferry
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night time render
site section
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BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2016, GSAPP José Aragüez
The project explores the concept of spacial reciprocity. Located at the corner in the commercial zone of downtown Brooklyn, the library presents itself as a cultural spectacle. Externally, the library’s function is clearly expressed by exposing the main circulation - both people and books. On the ground level, pockets of spaces on the perimeter are designated for public use. Internally, the library is organized around two sets of spaces – A and B – divided by a single, continuous, self-supporting structure. Space A are comprised of served spaces, which are characterized by high ceilings, open spaces which are visually and acoustically connected. Space B are comprised of all servant spaces. Those two sets of spaces are reciprocal in both plan and section, and never intersect. As a result, two sets of spaces alternate between floors, creating a clear spatial logic within the building. The construction process is highly automated. All prefabricated cage-like units are assembly by robots which climb along the curve of the built parts. Two sides of the structure surfaces are treated differently to further identify the two spaces. The seams between units allow for electrical, mechanical services as well as the physical transportation of books within the library. Overall, the infrastructure integrates structure and services, and at the same time provides a fluid and sensorial experience for the library.
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existing site plan
3D printed study model
proposed site plan
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site axonometric
section typology
section typology
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ground floor plan space A/B
first floor plan space A
longitudinal section
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second floor plan space B
third floor plan space A
fourth floor plan space B
roof plan space A
transverse section
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staff office and lounge space B
main reading room space A I 54 l
roof terrace space A
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panelization study
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fragment model
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GLOBAL EXCHANGE BUILDING 2012, Toronto Diamond Schmitt Architects I joined a team of eleven members on Wilfrid Laurier Global Exchange Building at its construction drawing phase. The entire project was carried out in Revit. During my four-month internship, I worked closely with team members on floor plans, ceiling plans, stair and auditorium details, slab edge drawings and the competition entry.
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balcony detail section
balcony detail elevation
building section
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108 ++ 2014, Singapore A_collective Architects 108++ is a competition entry for Archifest pavilion design. Archifest is an annual festival in Singapore that celebrates architecture and urbanism. The theme is “crowd�. The pavilion is a continuation of the foliage along the promenade, a forest of artificial trees made of umbrellas - an everyday low-tech device and a universal symbol of shelter, comfort and community. The pavilion provides a simple way in which the public can alter the environment. It embraces both practicality and aesthetics. More importantly, the pavilion functions as a social focal point that connects individuals and celebrates architecture.
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render of pavilion
06:00 rise and shine
12:00 lunch crowd
17:00 afternoon siesta
20:00 public event exploded axonometric
24-hour crowd formation
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atrium - looking down
atrium - looking up
TROPICAL TOWER 2015, London Crab Studio Tropical Tower is a competition entry for a non-disclosed project in Brunei. A massive atrium is cut into the building, acting as an effective thermal chimney and a theatrical public space. The office uses the open plan layout. New spatial concepts for work space were explored. Plants are introduced in various locations. By inviting the nature into the building, a pleasant and more communal working environment is created in a tropical setting.
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typical office floor plan
top floor plan
section
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THE MODERN GRAND TOUR 2014, Italy
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STILL LIFE 2006, Hangzhou
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PHOTOGRAPHY 2014, Italy, Singapore
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Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation M.Arch Candidate I 2018 e yc3120@columbia.edu m 1-857-264-7769 w cargocollective.com/yunyuechen