Vi Xuong | Architecture portfolio

01

Chapels of Elements

Software: Rhino , Basic Grasshopper, Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator Location: Pershing Square, Los Angeles , California, US

Program: Public Library

Although the environment in LA is vibrant and active, a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association reveals that the population still experiences stress levels that exceed healthy standards. This is often caused by an unbalanced lifestyle, resulting in stress and inflammation. Therefore, it is important to have a place in LA where people can regenerate their lifestyle and routines.

Envelope and Facade Three Chapels and Floors

Design Strategy:

Given the project prompt called the “unLibrary”, the Chapel of Element will focus on encouraging and providing space for the community to unwind and regenerate their energy beside learning. Besides the Chapel of Elements is an exploration of form and function relationship.

The Chapel of Elements is a transparent box that contains the four basic elements of nature: wind, light, earth and water which represent the balance in nature. Each element is embedded into a chapels according to the light quality and and air circulation in the building.

MainLobby

Indoorwaterfeature

Meditationcenter

CHAPEL OF WATER

The Water Chapel is placed in the center of the building in between the Wind and Light chapels. By integrating mulitple environmental factors such as sun beams, wind breeze, and water movement; the library provide a holistic and harmonous atmosphere.

Moreover, when incorporating synthetic waterfall with windflow, it allows the building temperature to drop due to the moisture in air and the process of evaporation. In addition, the use of sunlight helps illuminate and put emphasis on the water movement.

AAT Acrylic Panels

Meditation Center

Botanical garden

Water pipe

Artificial waterfall for passive cooling strategy

Plumbing System and HVAC

Chapels of Elements

By working in harmony with the natural forces around it, this space has the potential to be a sustainable and restorative oasis in an urban environment.

CHAPEL OF LIGHT AND EARTH

By using geometry such as the truncated cone and cyclinder, it allows the light chapel to filter and receive the most diffuse light from the top. The light chapels will be the place the hold art exhibition and gallery. Besides functionality and aesthetic. The Earth chapels is created for community to read their book in this library and learn about plant in real time.

Coffee shops and lounge spaces

Roof Garden

The Cactus Garden

Art Gallery

Ground level

Public hygiene station

The Palm Tree Garden

Fourth Floor

1. Dance room

2. Mehcanical room

3. Open study space

4. Sitting area

5. Art gallery

6. Department of Art, Music, and Literature

Thrid Floor

1. Common study area

2. Mechanical room

3. Palm Garden

4. Sitting area

5. Computer lab

6. Children’s Literature

Second Floor

1. Mechanical Room

2. Reading Space

3. Open study space

4. Sitting area

5. Department of Science, Technology

6. Green House (hydronic garden)

7. Cactus Garden

Community Spaces

Besides functionality and aesthetic, chapel of element is an experiment in exploring spatial design that influence human’s behavior. Thinking about factor such as light quality, air circulation, the building is designed to enhance sensory experience. Unlike conventional libraries where books are stacked and silence is enforced, the Chapel of Elements is a departure from this norm. Here, visitors are encouraged to express themselves, explore the space, and connect with others in a more interactive and engaging environment.

Ground Floor Plan

2. Coffee shop

3. Open study space

4. Sitting area

5. Department of History

1. Book store Chapels

Advisor : Jeff Ponitz

Are you guys here? I’m at the Wind Arch

Isn’t that cool buddy!? A waterfall from the roof

What is that arch up there ? Let’s go check

Dang...the wind from this arch feels great

How’s your review for final test ? Stressful, but at least this waterfall calm me down a bit

Oh man I would not survive the LA summer without this cooling system

1. Theater / Lecture Room

2. Common Space

3. Open study space

4. Sitting area

5. Aquarium

6. Green House

(hydronic garden)

7. Cactus Garden

8. Palm Garden

9. Computer Lab

10. Metro Entrance

11. Wind Chapel

Integrated Wall Section

Wind and Sun Angle analysis

The Wind Chapel is driven by the characteristic of the existing metro entrance. Since this space have the most movement and interchange among locations, air circulation, and conversation. The building also want to continue this sense of movement by having a set of experiencial stair that connecting the ground to the third stories of the building. Moreover, the stair is covered with a wind-facade that is semi expose to the extrior and allow wind to continue its flow into the building.

Synthetic waterfall with public study space

Ground floor earth chapel looking at underground and upper level

Round Sound

Software: Rhino , Lumion, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator

Location: MacArthur park, Los Angeles, California, US.

Program: Mix-used high-rise residential

The project explores the characteristic of an ellipsoid shape, which enables sounds to be projected and echoed easily. By utilizing this geometry, “Round Sound” investigates in composing a piece of music that celebrates and emphasizes the mundane sounds and underrepresented voices within the community In MacArthur Park, Los Angeles. Vertical Circulation Public Parks

Advisor : Stephen Phillips

Advisor : Stephen Phillips

“Round Sound” is a rethinking urban and mix-used housing with integrated formal design. It is an experiment of carving and nesting to introduce gaps that bring light and ventilation into high rise building. Carved out area would serve as outdoor spaces for the pubic. Creating cavity along the building allows light to be introduces into the interior spaces through different direction.Therefore, it is important to have a place in LA where people can regenerate their lifestyle and routines.

The ellipsoid geometry are community space that interweaving into the residential area of the mixused building. This approach enables individuals to enjoy a blend of mundane sounds and speculative conversations, fostering a sense of community and social interaction within the building.

Advisor : Stephen Phillips

1.

2.

3. Music Studio

3.

4.

5. Theater

6 Hotel

7

Residential Housing

Study Hall

Meditation Center / Gym

Multipurpose Hall

Dance Studio

Cafe/ Restaurant Floor Plan

DVC [Art]chitecture

Software: Rhino , V-ray, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator

Location: Telegraph Ave, Oakland, California, US.

Program: Mix-used high-rise residential

Behind the futuristic zinc panels and curtain glass walls is a green courtyard. Art and Architecture are co-exist element, two separated blocks are blended together with a common courtyard. This share space is for students to exchange, recharge, and connect, as well as, reminding students that art and architecture has the same goals which is reflecting nature and surrounding.

Main lobby

Courtyard stair

Chanel-glass Wall

6” Steel Column

Zinc Panel

Metal roof Curtain glass wall and Rain-screen

Ventilation Diagram

The transitioning from ground level to second floor became more exciting with the variation of view. Switching from only seeing stair when you first entering the lobby to seeing trees at the park when you keep going up, Taking full advantages to observe the park under different height and perspective

30 Diablo Valley College Architecture Team Member: Jiang Yi

Review

Tube holder

Holders are for propating station. This could be used to hold spice when prepping

Foraging Delight

Tools: Rhino, CNC Machine, 3D Print

Material: MDF Board, PLA fillament

Program: Cal Poly CAED Furniture

Competition & Exhibition

Mezzaluna

Herb chopper are used to process big pile of herbs. Haft moon shape with handles makes allow a rocking movement to cut herb.

Mushroom knife

Forager can pick mushroom with this knife. The curved shape of the blade makes it easy to get to the mushroom stem.

Prepping bowl

The bowl is designed to have multiple curvature for different purposes. Bowl can be use to prepare salad with harvested lettuce.

Mortar and Pestle

Forager can pair masher and bowl to grind harvested plant to produce medicine, spices, and natural dye.

Berries picking tool

Can be used to harvest cranberries, lingonberries, blackberries, and currants.

Catching yourselves putting items in your shopping cart mindlessly?

Shopping has become more accessible and convenient when the human lifestyle is busier. However, the pandemic has helped most people understand the significance of human instincthunting and gathering, or in this case, foraging. Although foraging takes time and effort, it is proven

to be better for human mental health. Bread making, food preservation, and home gardening have become hobbies and saving strategies for many become hobbies and saving strategies for many for a lot of people. Besides, it’s starting to become a conversation starter that helps people connect. In response to this notion, the Foraging Kit is designed to be a cabinet, coffee table, and preparation station.

Advisor : Angela Bracco

Hypothesis Foraging Station that hope to replace shopping cart

CNC

Medium-density fibreboard

Mushroom foraging knife

Propagation station or spice rack

Berry Picker

Food preparation bowl

Masher

Mezzaluna

Front Facades made with four layers of MDF

Dimension of cabinet:

Height: 24 inches

Width: 17 inches

Length: 18 inches

MDF thickness: 3/4 inches

Solar Bench

Tools: Rhino, CNC Machine, 3D Print.

Material: Donated Timber Tech Plank, Steel Angle, Galvanized Sheet Metal.

Location: Cal Poly Building 5, “Legacies Courtyard, San Luis Obispo, California.

Design Strategy:

The Solar Bench is a sustainable and innovative addition to the Architecture Building, demonstrating how renewable energy can be integrated into daily life. The Solar Bench is situated in the courtyard of the Architecture Building and has been designed to harness the power of the sun. By carefully observing the solar path, our team has developed a roof design that celebrates and maximizes the use of solar energy. The roof features a perforated pattern that diffuses sunlight, allowing users to read, study, or do homework comfortably while sitting on the bench.

Advisor : Jonathan Reich

Counter Sunk with 5/16” x 3” Hex Bolt

2”x 2” x 1/8”

Existing Steel Angle

2”x 2” x 1/8”

Additional Steel Angle

2”x 2” x 1/8” Steel Angle with 5/16”x 1” Hex Bolt

2 x 3 Wood Blocking

6’ Electrical Grounding Rod

Grounding wire clamped to grounding rod

West Side Gutter in Background

Sun-power E20 435w Solar Panel

Rendering of finished solar bench

Sunpower E20 435w Solar Panel

Eave Flashing

22 Gauge galvanized sheet metal

22 Gauge galvanized perforated sheet metal West side gutter

“B”= Existing bracket

PV Panel Mounting Strip

5/8 inch Plywood or Planking

2x3 Wood Purlins

2x3 Wood Blocking

8 ft height

Concrete Wall

Angle Steel

2”x 2” x 1/8”

Grounding Rod

Gutter

22 Gauge Folded

Galvanized Sheet Metal

PV Equipment Cabinet

B-1

Advisor : Jonathan Reich

Solar Bench Roof Hood & Gutter 22 gauge sheet metal (= 1/32” (.028”) thick)

Team members:

Contact: Cal Poly Professor Jonathan Reich

Email: jreich@calpoly.edu Tel: (805) 801-8848

Vi Xuong

Hayley Kim

Jared Lemon

Bertille Istasse

Clothilde Roux

Hem Edge

Hem Edge

Installing steel bracket

West-side Shading

Hem Edge No Hem Edge

Water jet perforated metal roof No Hem for 6”

Can be cut out of 60” x 72” piece

Solar Bench Roof Hood & Gutter 22 gauge sheet metal (= 1/32” (.028”) thick)

Back Cover

Long Gutter

Connecting Piece

Cedar House

Software: Vector work, Photoshop

Location: 501 Cedar Rd,Bolinas, CA, US

Program: Residential Housing

Build-able Area: 3.800 S.F

Using indoor courtyard and butterfly roof to bring in the most natural light to this the small resident. The transparent walls allow us to see the green garden from entrance, kitchen and living room space.

Advisor : Joseph Lambert

Typical Window Sill Typical Deck Framing Fascia Typical Foundation

Sketches and Photography

Advanced study of drawing techniques Using freehand and mechanical drawing methods to explore perspective drawing, shade and tone, color theory and composition. Further apply to future rendering.

Abstract Structure

Using 2 points perspective to illustrate an abstract and futuristic architecture on top of an existing building Pen and Watercolor on Paper. 18”x24”

Advisor : Iro Ciesiolkiewicz

Future city

Utilizing personal theory of the five skin layers based on “The Five Skins of Man” by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.I propose a sustainable approach to urban planning and architecture. Specifically, I hypothesize that incorporating vertical gardens into commercial spaces can effectively reduce carbon footprint. Furthermore, utilizing renewable energy sources to power public transportation can further enhance the sustainability of our cities.

Watercolor/ Ink/ Guache on 18”x24” Arches paper

Sun shading system

A combination of regulating lines, section, elevation views. Using the color purple to illustrate the shady area, and Siena brown for highly lighted area.

Sun shading system

A combination of regulating lines, section, elevation views. Using the color purple to illustrate the shady area, and Siena brown for highly lighted area.

Going on photo walk and transforming ordinary objects into abstract cinematic photo has been a great way for me to expiriment with composition, lighting and creative thinking.