Repetition

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design works by thomas nguyen

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table of contents design statement professional

3 - 16

academic

19 - 34

competition

35 - 38

other design

41 - 44

resumĂŠ

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galileo’s pavilion p. 5

dallas art & fashion institute p. 21

kulturhus p. 29

lawrence art center p. 31

steel competition p. 37

nature’s canopy p. 33

constellation p. 41

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Design Statement John Dewey’s “learning by doing” has been my philosophy for learning and I believe this philosophy can also be applied to design as well. A person can learn design through lectures, sketching, computer programs, etc., but a person cannot fully understand the design until they physically interact with it or actually build it. When the designer understands how a design comes together and its effects on others or its surroundings, that is when it becomes good design.

Good design can increase productivity and morale whereas poor design can lead to increased costs and inefficiency. I believe architecture is more than just drawings on paper, renderings or even buildings in an urban setting. Architecture is not only building harmony between the needs of a structure’s inhabitants and the environment, but also how it is constructed and all the details and finishings. There are different ways buildings can be constructed, but all the details that come together to make up the end product or building is what makes it beautiful.

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professional work harmony is achieved through many forms, and in architecture this is no different. through my designs i emphasize how harmony is achieved through repetition. it is with repetition that unity is formed from the many parts. when each of the many parts can relate to each other, harmony is created. without this relationship between the parts, chaos is created.

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budding flowers 8.5� x 11� ink on paper

galileo’s pavilion studio

804

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this year's project, located on the johnson county community college campus, is a response to the goals of the JCCC center for sustainability combined with the need for additional classrooms at the ever-expanding college. It is a unique opportunity to create an inspired learning space which also serves as an information center for the campus and the community at large. the galileo pavilion will become a landmark for JCCC's sustainable initiatives, acting as a node from which students and the public can interact and learn of the institution's environmental integrity that extends to every corner of the campus. the new building is not simply one among many, but an icon that leads the rest of the campus by example. the interior spaces function as classrooms, student lounge/coffee bar, and interactive display space. the façade of the pavilion is clad in slate panels which are reclaimed chalkboards from regional school districts. other design features include the use of passive heating and cooling systems such as thermal mass, rainwater harvesting, living wall and green roof trays in addition to active systems such as photo voltaics and a wind turbine. the galileo pavilion is expected to be studio 804's fifth LEED Platinum and third passiv haus certified building.

overland park, ks completed july 2012

site located close to the center of campus, the site had an

existing sculpture (galileo’s garden) that occupied the majority of the site. with heavy traffic around the site we needed a design that will engage the public and create spaces that are inviting.

galileo’s garden an art piece located near the heart of campus that was created by

dale eldred to commemorate galileo’s “absolution.” the sculpture measures the time and position of the sun throughout the year.

original site

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the initial design phase began with the studio splitting into groups consisting of 3-4 students to program and design the new building for the college. our group designed a rectilinear building with a classroom on each end flanking the lounge in the center. this design will incorporate both LEED platinum and passiv haus’ standards into its design. the surrounding campus buildings are all clad in red bricks with an uninviting and cold feeling. this building needs to be different and feel inviting for both the users and passers-by. our attempt in creating this feeling with our design was by designing a transparent building which will make the classroom feel open and less of an enclosed space, therefore making the space feel inviting. to shade our building from the sun and heat in the summer months, we designed a double-envelope building with louvers in between the two envelopes on the south side. on the other three sides perforated metal screens will help shade the interior space. to help achieve LEED platinum and meet passiv haus standards, we use both active and passive systems to help reduce the energy load and have a well insulated building.

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active systems 1 photo voltaic panels 2 wind turbine 3 energy recovery ventilation

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passive systems 4 use of direct and indirect sun 5 stack ventilation 6 thermal mass 7 rainwater collection 8 green roof 8

after several collaborative sessions between the groups, we came to a conclusion with a cohesive design combining ideas and designs from each group. our first iteration for the final design was a u-shaped building with the sculpture being wrapped by the classrooms. gabion baskets clad the majority of the building allowing for a limited ambient light into the spaces. our second iteration we removed the gabion baskets and added two options for the faรงade--eco-cladding and slate. we added a green wall to the three spaces to help purify the air and lighten up the spaces. our final iteration was the continuation of the previous with the details worked out and integrated sustainable designs. we chose recycled slate as our faรงade and recycled glass for our curtain walls.

section drawing of lobby space plan of collaborative design

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rendering of collaborative design

construction started january 4 2012, two weeks before the spring semester started. working from 6:30 am to 7 - 8 pm, six days a week, the building was completed mid-july 2012. through the seven months of construction, we learned and experienced the differences between construction documents and the actual construction of what was drawn on those documents. we also learned the importance of communication between the architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, plumbers, electricians, etc.

This experience is very valuable because it can make any project’s execution be smoother knowing how to communicate with all parties properly and resolving any issues that presents it self early on in a project. building layout

pouring the foundation walls

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installing the deck

installing the curtain wall structure pouring the crawl space slab

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installing EPDM

installing the slate faรงade installing roof deck and parapet

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the building’s facade is reclaimed chalkboards that have been collected throughout the region since the early 1920’s. each chalkboard was cleaned, cut and sealed to different sizes with respect to each coursing for the interior and exterior façade. the curtain wall glass is all recycled glass from a canceled moshe safdie project located in downtown kansas city that we acquired through planet reuse. the glass louvers were designed to sit at a 22 degree angle to shade the interior space from the sun during the summer months and to allow direct sunlight into the space during the winter months. several sustainable features were integrated into our design. a rain garden is located west of the garage to collect the building’s rain water run off. the water cistern is buried in the ground east of the building where the wind turbine is also located. on the roof, we have 44 photo voltaic panels and green roof blocks to help with heat island effect. the pv panels and wind turbine combined will offset around 70% of the building’s energy consumption. curtain wall installation

light fixture installation

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glass louvers installation

rain garden water cistern installation

wind turbine installation photo voltaics

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floor plan

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finished lounge

finished classroom southwest view

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photography photography is a powerful form of media. it has the capability to capture any event at any given time. the cliché “a photograph speaks a thousand words” proves to be true. a photograph can tell a story by the way it is composed. photography has always been an interest of mine and throughout this portfolio i have presented selective photographs that i have composed to tell its own story. these photographs have been taken throughout the past few years from across the world.

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osborne chapel|baldwin kansas

turning torso|malmo, sweden

chapel of the holy cross|turku, finland

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kastrup sea bath|kastrup, denmark

academic works

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DALLAS FASHION INSTITUTE

site: dallas arts district is dedicated to stimulating the economic and cultural life of the region through the development and promotion of the district. started by the dallas downtown inc., the dallas arts district mission is to serve the community and provide leadership in:

- determining priority issues for the district as a whole.

- convening stakeholders and interested parties to identify

opportunities to improve delivery of services and quality of life in the district.

- increase awareness and access to the dallas arts district. dallas over all is lacking a sense of character, but with the arts district it is a beginning to create an identity for itself. process diagram

+ MUSEUM site model 1/32�=1’ chipboard, MDF, plexi, and dry branches

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program: design a (dallas) fashion institute (DFI) that will house 80-100 students, supporting faculty and administration. a museum will be incorporated in this institute that will house and display a large collection of neiman marcus garments (mostly dresses) that date back to 1938. this building will help develop and promote the fashion scene in dallas. DFI will be made up of different components that will help aid the students in experiencing the world of fashion education.

solution: many renowned architects have made their presence in this area designing truly unique buildings contributing to the arts district. i.m. pei, norman foster, renzo piano, joshua prince-ramus and rem koolhaas, and several others have all designed significant buildings in dallas’ arts district. to have the same impact that their projects have made, this institute will need to have its own identity yet be able to fit inside the arts district without overpowering any of the surrounding buildings. a central courtyard will be the main focal point of the institute is designed for students to gather and mingle while promoting outside activities and events for the city. the entire institute will be separated into two wings (education and public) by an iconic 7 story glass tower which doubles as the main vertical circulation. the facade of the institute was inspired by how clothes are made in layers and parts. the perforated screens will act as shading devices for the tower which has a similar language as to the fabrication of clothes. the museum and multipurpose space will be on the main floor on the most southern side to invite passing pedestrian into the space. the large floor to ceiling windows open to the outdoors so events can be both indoors and outdoors, promoting the main idea of outdoor activities and events. for the community.

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structure diagram

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south elevation

circulation diagram

east-west section

HVAC diagram

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ground floor

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first floor

second floor

third floor

fourth floor

night rendering of main entrance

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double glazed windows wood flooring floor joist 2’ centers

suspended ceiling metal mesh poured concrete 3” corrugated metal flooring

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1/2” = 1’ wall section model

aluminum frame for mesh

wall section of front entrance

southwest perspective

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frederiksberg kulturhus site

frederiksberg alle 41 1820 frederiksberg, denmark

program design a culture center with an integrated metro stop

solution

frederiksb

platanvej

erg

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designing two wings dividing the space by level of activity with an atrium connecting the wings and a large public plaza in front. the northern wing is for spaces with higher activity levels (lobby, cafe, exhibition, and restaurant) and the southern wing for the lower activity spaces (digital and reading room, smaller exhibition, offices and meeting room). there are two entrances to the metro. the main entrance is accessed from the exterior and the secondary entrance is inside the building which is designed to help invite the public into the building.

above: gallery space rendering

above: reading space rendering

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904 arts

CENTER

site

empty lot (205’ x 107’ with an 8’ elevation change) on the 900 block of new hampshire street in downtown lawrence, kansas

program

design an extension to the existing lawrence arts center

solution

after researching the current arts center, we found out that they needed a lot more storage and gallery space. the galleries form the core of the extension. the public spaces are street side, while the private educational spaces are secluded at the rear of the building. the aluminum façade serves several purposes: a façade, a sun screen, a partition between the gallery and space around it. this joins the old lawrence arts center and new extension. above: 3/16” = 1’ scale detailed model of rentable studio and supporting spaces basswood, aluminum, acrylic sheets, steel rods, MDF base, and battery powered LED’s

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above: perspective night rendering

above: 1/16� = 1’ scale model basswood, aluminum sheets, acrylic sheets, and steel rods

above: rendering of catwalks to galleries and studios

DN

UP UP

DN UP DN

UP

9th st.

DN DN

new hampshire st.

west elevation

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1/4” - 1’ scale model MDF board and aluminum

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site

nature reserve at the KU field station and ecological reserves (KSR) in lawrence, kansas

PROCESS

program

to design a space for gathering, meditation, reflection, music, exhibition, and classroom. also to design a nature trail to the different parts of the sites.

solution

after extensive research on the site, it was fitting for the open structure to be an organic form. using origami as the precedent study, i starting the design with origami pieces, then from that i incorporated the origami structure into the canopy of my design. the way the structure sits on the site and the way the canopy flows from the tree line to the open prairie becomes the transition from the forest to the open area. the tallest part of this canopy represents the trees and the lowest part of the canopy represents the entrance to the structure and nature trail.

precedent studies

above: calculation for aluminum canopy

above: structure study

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competitions

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the louvre|paris, france

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ACSA

steel competition january - may 2010 The urban experience is saturated with distractions and toxins. This urban residue collects inside the inhabitants of the city manifesting themselves in disconnection of the mind from its body and surroundings.

Urban Filter is a Re-Ligare Institute that cleanses city dwellers and reunites them with themselves and their surroundings. It fosters a sense of self and community. Urban filter functions like a marine sponge, bringing visitors through a central atrium. The path from first to ninth floor is a transformative journey of detoxification and refocusing, culminating in a complete reconnection of mind and body.

precedent

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site: 100 east lake shore drive chicago, illinois program: design a steel structure in an urban environment that serves as a place where people come to heal their body, mind and soul

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galileo’s pavilion|overland park, ks

other design works

other design works

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constellation to reduce a building’s energy load, everything from mechanical equipment, renewable energy, insulation, windows and even lighting needs to be considered on how it can help reduce the load.

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to keep a similar language with the campus, the design of this light fixture was intended to tie back to the permanent art piece, microcosm by leo villareal, at the nerman museum’s front entrance.

overland park, ks

P R E C E D E N T

leo villareal’s microcosm at the nerman museum, overland park, ks

mock-up using traditional LED lights

leo villareal’s multiverse at the national gallery of art, washington, dc

LED’s and fiber optics are used to help reduce the lighting load and incorporate the same language as villareal’s art piece. the fiber optics are coupled in groups of 36 strands to redistribute the light emitting from the LED. each fiber is set in a 4’ x 8’ x 1/8” steel plate that is perforated on a 4” x 6” grid, a total of 1,536 fibers are set in the lobby fixture. 64 LED bulbs, rated at 3 watts each, makes the entire lobby load 192 watts, where as if we were to use fluorescent or other LED can lights the minimum load would be 300 watts. the two vestibule have similar light fixtures, the only difference is the perforation grid is 6” x 6” giving the light fixtures a sense of hierarchy. the vestibules fixture only uses 12 LED bulbs each, cutting the total load to over 60% of the minimum needed if LED can lights were used. the vestibule light fixture will also be the first in the country to use LED and fiber optics as both general and emergency lighting.

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Thomas Nguyen 927 S. Clifton Ave Wichita, KS 66044

316-213-6544 tvnguyen16@gmail.com

Education

Experience and Skills

Master of Architecture with a Minor in Business

- University of Kansas, Lawrence|KS - Danish Institute of Study Abroad Copenhagen|Denmark (Fall 2010)

Work Studio 804 Dan Rockhill Lawrence, KS - Collaborative designing, detailing, coordinating,

and construction - Construction and finishing of the entire project - Lead the electrical and lighting portion of the

project

August 2011 August 2012

Architectural Computing Services and Support Beverly Victoriano Lawrence, KS - Troubleshoot printers/plotters - Assist students with computer issues

August 2009 May 2012

Computer Renderings

David Griffin, Lawrence, KS - Produce computer renderings

December 2009

Host/Server at Jade Mongolian BBQ Steve Nguyen, Lawrence, KS

August 2006 October 2008

Pharmacy Technician Heartland Home Care, Wichita, KS - Filled prescriptions

May 2006 July 2006

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- Microsoft ∙ Excel ∙ PowerPoint ∙ Word

- General building construction and fabrication - MIG welding - Basic carpentry work - Laser cutter operation - 35mm photography and dark room experience - Language - English (fluent) - Vietnamese (proficient)

Activities and Honors - Tau Sigma Delta - Ralph B. Scammel Scholarship - Social Chair ∙ planned and coordinated all events/

2009 – present 2011 – 2012 2011 – 2012

parties for KU’s AIAS chapter

- AIAS - OAS Scholarship - Science Olympiad ∙ Member of Mission Possible team

2009 – 2012 2006 – 2008 2004

- Robotics Team

2002 – 2005

∙ Construction team

References Dan Rockhill Dr. Kapila Silva Denton Nichols

- Computer: - Google SketchUp - Adobe ∙ Photoshop - AutoCAD ∙ InDesign - 3DS Max ∙ Illustrator - Revit (basic)

785-393-0747 785-864-1150 785-766-1654

- Soccer Captain of JV team - Sunday school volunteer

2002 – 2006 2001 – 2006

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