part I
architecture
s tat e m e n t of purpose 2017
To whom it may concern, My name is Sun Yen YEE, I am a RIBA Part 1 architecture student from Newcastle University and I am looking to engage further in the field of architecture after the more comprehensive understanding through the post-degree practical experience I acquired. I hereby attach a copy of my resume and portfolio for the application to your university for the next step of my career which is the RIBA Part 2.
This is one of the most important parts of architecture learning and concept developing, informal discussions among peers also always help to improve and identify parts that were sometimes overlooked. Besides, working as a team with colleagues during my practice months trained me well in coordinating with different parties while maintaining a good spirit myself to help contributing to a better working atmosphere for everyone.
I went to the university exhibition and I am very interested in the way students express their design through various methods which inspired me that representation of architecture is without boundaries. The creative process of developing design work in each of the units are captivating and are definitely crucial in enhancing my design skills whereas the intense and yet inspiring working environment is also key to push me to improve further.
Lastly, the cognitive learning environment provided in your university is very attractive to me and I look forward to be part of the architecture family in the university to train myself in becoming an architect.
Thank you.
From the experience of my degree studies, I became more enthusiastic towards the design developing process rather than just focus on the final result. Personally I find the process Yours faithfully, of exploring and testing valuable and it is the fundamental in order to achieve a rational answer, and I really enjoyed throughout the discovery processes. I also value the working environment with colleagues especially the Sun Yen YEE idea exchange between students and tutors. (Sun)
profile RIBA Part I
Education History Newcastle University BA (Hons) Architecture // 2013 - 2016 [First Class Honours] INTO Newcastle University Foundation in Architecture //2012 - 2013 [1st]
Employment History Studio Asean // Nov 2016 - Present 40, Jalan 20/14, Paramount Garden, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Grimshaw KL // Feb 2017 - May 2017 Level 9, Menara RKT, No.36 Jalan Raja Abdullah, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Arkitek TM // Aug 2015 - Sept 2015 2, Lorong Ikan Lais, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Sun Yen YEE // Sun yee-sy@hotmail.com +6016 3137 911 14a, Jalan Rumah Pangsa 1, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
contents Academic Portfolio
+ academic
//
oo. artist comunity studio (material research prototype) 01. paper art and research facility (graduation project) 02. university social hub (prospect and refuge) 03. youth rejuvenation home (living on the edge) 04. house for young family (place and displaced)
+ practice
//
oo. TRX (Tun Razak Exchange Lifestyle Quarter) 01. SS2 row house renovation (domestic)
Prologue
R
ecent shifts of architecture towards the obsession of sophistication and conceptual
visualization raises poeple's concern on the gradual loss of connections and qualities in relation to the earth, people, and material.
The studio Material Poetics focuses on
experimenting with material to gain a deeper understanding to foster an intimate relation throughout the design and building/making process. The dissertation theme "Human Memory and Architecture" is furthered explored throughout the studio work and inspired the selection of a delicate and unconventional material for building - paper, which associates with the idea of memory through paper recycling where the paper is being dematerialised and altered in its form of existence. Paper, being weak, thin, and impermanent, provides the initial direction for the material exploration and then further informs the development of design
paper
works.
material poetics Primer
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Studio 05
No8
Material Research Exhibition Primer
To make an extraordinary material special, is banal. To heighten one’s awareness of a humble material like brick, is poetic.
No9
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Adam Caruso, 2008. The Feeling of Things
Textures and Affection a paper adventure
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Findings of research and exploration to understand the material from both physical and philosophical aspects.
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why paper ? a ppr o a ch a n d c o n c ept The world would not be unique without the presence of material which gives characteristic to every objects we perceive as matter. Material creates a special relationship with the objects
Vision
around and this includes human. The properties of paper being commonly perceived is experimented and challenged to interpret it in unconventional way by juxtapositioning the common and the uncommon perception in people's mind.
T
he 'Primer' forms the foundation for the development of the project through a series
In relation to the main theme of dissertation studies
of intricate tests and discoveries. The findings
which explores the relation between memories
from the researches are collated and analysed
and human, something that does not last forever
thoroughly to produce a series of interrelated
possesses special value and vice versa. Thus
characteristics in terms of physical appearances
paper translate well in the attempt to develop the
and philosophical perceptions
argument.
These outcomes of the material research
also inform the base line for the design project through a small scale design prototype. The findings are interpreted into architectural intentions and incorporated in the design. This approach is to emphasise on the relevance of material as a 'matter' rather than just a visual, and to expose users to the 'presence' of material by creating a space that establish a connection to people.
“ In order to design buildings with a sensuous connection to life, one must think in a way that goes far beyond form and construction. � Peter Zumthor, 1998 Thinking Architecture
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Materialize
C
arrying the understanding of material from Primer phase, the qualities and properties of
paper as a material are translated into architectural elements that could be introduced into human life. Being an unconventional building material, paper has the ability to bring unexpected qualities when being integrated in respect to its potential characteristics. A small-scaled prototype - a maker's workshop situated in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne will be built to showcase the properties of paper explored throughout the Primer.
HUMANISM Ralph Erskine
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Visualising prototype Staging Design Project 01
No12
paper
hobby room regeneration
crafts
Design approach c o n tex t a n d c o n ten t its
understand the spatial qualities and connection
reputation after the housing redevelopment by
to the living quarters to inform the design project
architect Ralph Erskine. The Byker Wall project
along with the findings from paper properties.
Byker,
Newcastle
upon
Tyne
gained
emphasised on the communication between users and designers and aimed to create an
In accordance to the adjacent Ouseburn Valley
intimate relationship between the dwellers and
Regeneration Project, this prototype - an artist
the dwellings. This provides an example of how
studio aims to rejuvenate the hobby rooms
human becames emotionally connected to a
tradition through a reintroduction of craft-based
building and the crucial aspects
art culture.
Byker is also unique for its introduction of hobby
The project is excecuted to discover how spaces
rooms interweaved within the residential grain.
can affect people perceptions and emotions
These hobby rooms are mapped and analysed to
through the manipulation of a material.
b y k e r
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No13
Byker paper studio An endeavor to establish the awareness on one of the most abundantly used materials in daily life, and learn from it.
/01
/02
Academic Project Portfolio 01 Design
/03
No14
Fragments Fragments of paper prototype are incorporated in the design of the paper studio to showcase their specific characteristics.
01
02
03
Think Tower
Papercrete Room
Paper Truss Workshop
A private tranquil inhabitable "obelisk" for the celebration of solitude.
Crushed recycled paper from the community is added into the concrete mix before being casted as the wall for the living area.
Crushed newspaper insulation is filled in between the paper truss portal frames. Translucent polycarbonate cladding on the outside exposed the materials and expressed different ways of paper application.
v
Solitary is fundamental for the assimilation of thoughts and ideas for creations. Cardboard tubes connected using steel joings to form a selfsupporting lattice structure. Thin crepe paper is attached to and work as light filter to alter users' mood when wandering up the tower.
Besides, the roughness of papercrete surface due to paper fibre contrasts with the delicacy of paper. Uncommonly thick wall constructed from papercrete symbolizes the sense of protection and secureness for the sleeping chamber.
Paper truss portal frame: paper are compacted, rolled and glued to strenghten it to form cyclinders before connected to steel joints to form a truss system, Smaller weak elements are connected together to create a rigid large structure.
Journey
Visual Interceptio n Tower visible from distance signifies the place over 'there'. Angled walls create partial visual break but "do not block out the sense of progression beyond." - Gordon Cullen
Journey
Stillness
and
Movement
Tranquil space that captures light, energy, and movement outside for the contemplation of the artist.
Journey
Shrine
of
Thoughts
The thin coloured crepe paper are layered and strengthened with glue, before being trimmed to fit into the cardboard tube structure. Sunlight is filtered and recreates a feeling of stained glass effect in cathedral.
Journey
Free
the
Mind
Winding journey up the "think tower" developed from the idea of layering paper and the interweaving of paper fibres. Thoughts are processed and evolved along the journey to the top to help in creativity, enhanced by different light qualities.
gradient
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Living quarter made of papercrete with various thicknesses in juxtaposition with the light and translucent skin of the contemplation tower .
No20
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construction
details
connection
1:20
1:1
Timber is used for the main structure along
A translation of the interweaving structure of
with the fact that it is also the primary source
paper fibre at micro scale to human scale. A
material of paper making. Shigeru Ban's works
process of creating strength by joining small
as precedents also proved the posibilities.
identical elements into a interconnected lattice.
The Path of Enlightenment
Paper Thoughts
No23
Paper art & research facility edinburgh college of art extension Realisation//Graduation Project
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Design Project 02
No24
Aim methodology
Theory Art
Craft Make
Design Architecture
Industry
To identify and to soften the boundary between these aspects to achieve a comprehensive whole.
Practice
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No25
e d i n b u r g h
J
u x t a p o s i t i o n
old & new
paper making - raw and processed
Old Town to the south of the railway station consists of medieval organic "fishbone" street pattern with narrow closes, wynds and courts. New Town to the north is of planned grid development intergrating gardens and privatepublic open spaces.
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This contrast resembles the paper making process where raw, organic plant fibres are fed into the process and transformed into fine, clean, and polished paper products.
No26
a Tribute to Geddes Trilogy understanding the city
"
To study the whole place as it stands, seeking out how it has grown to be what it is, and recognizing alike its advantages, its difficulties and its defects.
place
programme The layering of activities in relation to the main themes to raise awareness on the possiblities and potential of paper.
"
work
folk
Patrick Geddes
material
designing
making
showcase
paper recycling plant
studio
workshop
public exhibition space
context interpretation
Anon, 19th Century
No27
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'rags make paper, paper makes money, money makes banks, banks make loans, loans make beggars, beggars make rags.'
On Site O
rthogonal glulam timber grid derived from the the facade proportion of the Edinburgh College of Art while the ETFE funnel is inserted into the grid to collect rainwater which will then be reused in the paper recycling and testing process.
programme c o n tex t a n d c o n ten t
C
onsidering the issue of increasing amount of generated waste and the relationship with paper, and the recent collaboration of the architecture school and school of art at Edinburgh University, the project aims to connect all of these by associating each of them with a certain aspect of the building. Housing a small scale recycling plant , the building serves as a facility for art and architecture students to test and experiment on paper as material. Wokshops, studios and labs are provided for the material exploration to take place while the whole programme is driven by the idea of material life cycle.
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The process of paper making from tree pulp to paper and then recycled into paper products before decomposing back to the nature is reflected on the layers of activities taking place. Waste and building services management are made pronounced in a way that the pipes and vents are positioned exaggerately to emphasise the importance of waste management as it has critical impacts to environment. No28
Juxtaposition
town-material-space
'Stained glass' or coloured paper light filter attached to cardboard tube single layer lattice to filter and shade sunlight.
No29
cardboard tube stair tower paper tube lattices 'cave' papercrete storage tower
papercrete external skin for lift core
crepe paper light filter(around ETFE)
translucent paper curtain
crushed newspaper insulation wall
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paper inhabitation Paper Moments
No30
Fragments integ ration
1/papertube lattice 2/papertube lattice mock up 3/cardboard tube balustrade 4/papercrete storage tower 5/recycled paper lamp 6/paper sunlight filter 7/raw paper tunnel 8/paper cloud light 9/recycled paper ceiling
Collage T
he disruption of forms and materials to reflect the uncertainty and infinite possibilities with paper. With transparency and lightness as the common perceptions, this facility can show the public how paper can be perceived differently.
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form j u x t a p o sit io n
No32
I
n order to create a much intimate and functional space for the students and staffs, the corridors are kept in linear arrangment to ease the activities and human flow. Moments of paper interventions are introduced at close distance to users. Interventions like paper balustrades, paper lamps, paper filter etc. blend in with architectural elements from structural scale down to human scale to create a dialogue between people and space.
Circulation a c tiv i ti es a n d s c a l e
existing building
proposed extension
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Ground Floor not to scale
Nature Return g r een r epl en i s h m en t
T
garden
The front section of the site is proposed to be short-termed to allow the return of Geddes Garden for the enjoyment of the community.
terraced
he idea of retaining the lifecycle is interpreted into the programmatic function of the building.
Each part of the exhibition building can be taken down after serving its purposes. The amount of construction waste can be greatly reduced by recycling and reusing almost all parts from the exhibition building.
intervention
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garden
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Journey & Experience dappled sunlight
Experience Retained Close arrangement of paper lattice recreates the experience of walking under trees where sunlight penetrates through the garden foliage, forming beams of light amongst shadow.
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Reusable Architecture
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Paper
No36
Stage ii PROJECTS
Programme A
mble is used to be a major coal production town in the northeast england, but when coal industries slowly disappear Amble is facing a problem of low employability, resulting in more residents flocking away to adjacent towns for a living. Newcastle University plans to establish a satelite facility in Amble in the form of a new landmark. Part university shop window(prospect) and part academic retreat(refuge), the provision will also act as a Community building, providing learning, employment, meeting and leisure facilities providing a place of social unity, a place for the people to gather.
Impressions Moving elements kept still by stationary objects. This is shown in the above image the relationship between objects that used to be full of movement and those which contain them.
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prospect & refuge Stage 2
No38
Feel. Observe. Record. understanding the site
T
he expanding(motion) movement of the town (stationary) across the landscape creates an interesting relationship between the duo. The proposed site located next to the pier which extends into the sea, acting as a connection with the far horizon. On the other side, the area is populated with old victorian residential houses and surrounded by a mixture of nature elements and human interventions.
The action of raising curtains gives an impression of revealing the unknown, uncertain but secured while being in a protected space.
No39
Concepts
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The process of gradual unveiling while lifting curtains inspired the fundamentals of the design, in which anticipation is heightened through non-linear spaces and layering.
Moulding Spaces
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concept to object
Facade treatment inspired from the faceting faces of seaside rock and along the pier. Generous opening on the North facing screen as opposed to the much articulated South facing facade.
No40
Ground Floor Plan n.t.s
Collage
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Long Section
Foyer F
oyer is a place where help and guidance are provided to the young disadvantaged adults to help them to find their way back to society. Skills training like boat building is provided for the disadvantaged adults. The tension between these individuals and the society has to be get rid of while giving them support to be independence and to overcome barriers. Foyer aims to rebuild family relationships, overcome mental health issues and develope stronger self belief among theses young adults.
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living on the edge Stage 2
No42
Concepts diagrams
Public // Private
Split // Linked
Separated // Dialogue
Bound // Tension
Fragile // Protection
Prospect // Penetration
The tension of the disadvantage young adults translated architecturally, some sort of tension that constantly pushes and pulls but still hold together as one.
No43
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The outer skin grows in a way like sprouting bean signifies new life, that grows stronger to protext the tensile internal.
A cave-like sleeping capsule is designed for each of the students' room. This is to emphasize the feeling of being protected and thus freeing up the mind for self reflection.
Personal Space Integration/Isolation self reflection pod
M Academic Portfolio
ere training is not enough for the young disadvantaged adults to fit in society, self reflections and thinking is essential to work their way into becoming part of the socitety and community. The Foyer is a place for them to acquire skills while the room where they spend the rest of the day is the sanctuary where they contemplate on their progress and plan to the days ahead.
No44
Ground Floor Plan n.t.s
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No45
Basement Floor Plan n.t.s
Home L
ocated at North Shield, Newcastle, this project focuses on small scale dwelling designed for a small family. A family of three that is active in outdoor activities and loves to have guests at home, thus this house has to be considered about the private and public spaces in order to achieve satisfaction for everyone. Besides pottery collection is one of the requirement from the clients in the form of a small gallery.
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placed & Displaced Stage 2
No46
Concepts A family house should have a main element that protects and supports the family. Thus, the concept is to design the house branching out from a main structure into smaller elements. Based on the daily ritual study, the pattern of the ritual itself is used to inspire the interior spatial design in order to create spaces that are user orientated. Main conceptual focus of the project: Circulation Human Trail Main Trunk To conclude, using human activities trail as guide, to create an architectural space where the vertical circulation acts as a 'trunk' that binds everything into one.
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Placed Displaced
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spatial dialogue
Articulated staircase works as the binder of the spaces at different datum of the house, creating a facilitated journey that invites people from outside to entertainment spaces while partly conceals the path to private areas.
No48
Practice PROJECTS
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No49
MALAYSIA
Brief Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) is a multi million dollars mixed used commercial development in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City which will create a new trend of city lifestyle in Asia. The project aims to integrate large area of park with conventional commercial development as a tribute to the rich natural resources in Malaysia. Apart from the ‘ green’
endeavors, thorough
considerations are also given to elevate the users’ experiences when wandering within the compound. Special spaces such as the main atriums are also intensively tested and reviewed throughout the design development.
This project has been inspired by Kuala Lumpur's rich geological history and the surrounding landscapes that have been shaped and scultped bt nature. Drawing reference from the stratification of the city's limestone bedrock and the spectacular pinnacles of the Mulu national park, Grimshaw has created a place which has been apparently shaped by the forces of nature. The whole building is imagined as a piece of land pushed out from flat surface and then erosion takes place carving out spaces into the solid, whereas the perimeter edges retain a rock strata-like facade treatment to emphasise on the concept.
trx
development Mixed Used
Concept Development
ROLE MASSING CONCEPTUAL DESIGN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE DESIGN INTERIOR INTERFACE DESIGN FACADE DESIGN 3D MODELING GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION
Conceptual narrative diagrams
Design Development work in pr og r ess
Center Exchange Development
Visualisations of progress for internal discussions and client meetings.
architectural feature design along with inputs from Landscape Architect (Oculus) for design integrity.
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Center Court Long Section,
Dining Terrace Development
The concept of the DIning Terrace is inspired from the natural erosion of rocks which created series interconnected of gaps and channels. Besides, it is aimed to attract and bring visitor from ground level to the dining terrace and then to the park on the next level. This 'channel' also recreates the experience of of being in a indoor-outdoor space but still protected from the natural elements. The various height differences of the shopfronts is a representation of the city scape to enhance the experience of the
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journey through this space.
No52
1. Journey in the Dining Terrace with visual of the paths that lead visitors to the park level above. 2. Section cut showing the architectural intention of recreating a citylike streetscape within the space.
Shopping Avenues Development
1. MRT node for the fast fashion retails is designed to reflect on the dynamic changes of fashions and the public transport.
Interior spaces such as the atirums of the main entrances are
2. Luxury node impression visualisation of the reflectivity of material space.
advertisement board and also a representation of the fast fashion
also treated differently based on the retail tenancies. A large LED interactive screen will be installed at the MRT entrance node as a retail store at this end of the mall. As for the Luxury retail node, reflective copper strips are used to create a immersive experience for the users, which is inspired by rock stratification and erosions through weathering. This experience is further enhanced by the introduction of water feature and glittering intervention cascading down from the skylights above, thus creating a grand and luxurious atmosphere for customers. Academic Portfolio
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MALAYSIA
Brief A renovation and extension design project located at the suburban area outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.This is a design and build project for a married couple with no children, to have a communal hub that brings young people in the area to socialize. The client required a new house with many bedrooms and most importantly the spaces where people can spend time meeting and connecting with each other. Besides, they are also looking for a modern appearance with minimal ornamentations while surrounded by lush greeneries.
The challenge of the project is to keep the building in context with the rest of the residential houses in terms of building scale. This is because the building extension increases the total build up area and size thus it is required to reduce the visual impact on the quiet and peaceful housing area. Therefore, the facade and surfaces of the new building is fragmented into smaller modules of the same family. This further brings a sense of coherency to the appearance. This play of volume and visual appearance challenges the design process as to create a random yet organised pattern to mingle with people's perception.
ss2
renovation
Domestic Design & Build Construction Phase
ROLE SPATIAL DESIGN FACADE DESIGN 3D MODELING BUILDING SERVICES DRAWING CONSTURCTION DETAIL SITE COORDINATION
Volume Fragmentised design methodology
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Design
Off Form Concrete Wall Unfold Elevation // Organised Randomness
Reflected Ceiling Plan // Level G
Washroom Detail // Exposed Pipe Feature
Execution & Coordination
1
4
2
5
Intense coordination between architectural design and site construction is required on this design and build project with the design being developed along with on going construction. From designing to consideration of construction restriction based on understanding from site visits, every piece of information is puzzled up to inform the design process. Close involvement with site builders and foreman provided the exposure on various valueable aspects that are not taught in academic studies. 1. Overall site progress of demolition and new extension
3
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2. Coordination with workers to build the off form concrete wall formwork using the inverse of the pattern designed 3. Direct communication with steel fabricators for steel conterparts using detail drawings. 4. Understanding existing structures and level difference// connection with adjacent building. 5. Position of building services incorporated for aesthetic and ease of construction purposes.
//END Sun Yen YEE // Sun yee-sy@hotmail.com +6016 3137 911 14a, Jalan Rumah Pangsa 1, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.