This portfolio features selected works across my three years of architectural studies. They demonstrate my conscious approach towards design, and my ability to curate a narrative that fulfils the intention of the project. I hope that flipping through these pages will give you an insight into my capacity as a designer.
Chia Zhi Jie
OFFICE MOBIUS This project challenged my notion of office space planning. Studying the office typology zeitgeist of different eras, from the BĂźrolandschaft to the action office; has given me understanding of the paradigm shift and its necessity in staying relevant for a new generation of office workers. 2018
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PROJECT BRIEF
In anticipation of the increasing adoption of flexibility in contemporary work culture, the objective of this integrated project is to investigate into the future of workspaces for the millennial generation through the vehicle of a serviced office.
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SITE ANALYSIS
The immediate site has two adjacent roads, Jalan Besar and Tyrwhitt Road. Jalan Besar is the main arterial road feeding heavy traffic into the area, whereas Tyrwhitt Road experiences lighter traffic throughout the day. The Western region draws higher foot traffic with new developments such as City Square Mall and numerous small eateries and outlets. The South-Eastern region is an older suburban area with many low-lying buildings and antiquated shophouses.
Jalan Besar consists of a complex network of streets which weave between the narrow row of shophouses, rousing a sense of mystery and adventure.
The wandering pathways of Jalan Besar allay the monotony of routine established by our fastpaced society. Allowing one to take the road less travelled can lead to inspiration and new ideas.
Introducing movement in an otherwise static environment can benefit workers’ productivity. Allowing them to tackle problems in their own stride, which is crucial in the age of innovation.
The paradigm shift in workspaces has seen to the abandonment of a conducive environment in favour of collaboration. This can be detrimental to workplace autonomy and stifle productivity.
The dichotomy of workplace autonomy and collaboration has to be carefully mediated to instill innovation while maintaining privacy.
Office Mobius intends to introduce the context of wandering pathways to facilitate movement while mediating between the openness and privacy of current office typologies.
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CIRCULATION STRATEGY
The circulation of the building is modelled after the idea of a Mobius Strip. A Mobius Strip is formed by twisting a strip and joining the ends together, forming a continuous loop. However, instead of only being constrained to one surface, due to the twisting, the loop continues along both sides of the strip. This doubles the distance and gives the illusion of one surface perceived as two.
The mass is extruded based on building constraints.
EXTEND
The mass is divided into two blocks denoted as public & private. They face Jalan Besar and Tyrwhitt road respectively.
The private block is aligned to the back alley and tapered away from the road.
TWIST
The public block spirals upwards creating a meandering circulation presenting distinct views on each level.
MERGE
The circulation of the private block runs in counter to the public block, creating diverging paths.
Connections are formed between the two blocks creating an extended circulation which loops throughout the whole building.
SITE PLAN
SCALE 1:1500
1ST STOREY PLAN SCALE 1:300
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FLOOR PLAN
The office interior employs a muted colour palette in relation to the weathered estate of Jalan Besar. Timber veneer panels used for the corridor give a sense of direction and set apart the different spaces. The workspace is laid with homogeneous grey tiles while the studios are lined with carpet tiles to introduce a more cozy setting.
PART PLAN A SCALE 1:200
2ND STOREY
3RD STOREY
4TH STOREY
REFLECTED CEILING PLAN SCALE 1:200
5TH STOREY
6TH STOREY
PROGRAMME & FUNCTION
The bridging between the Private and Public block on level 3 & 5 are denoted as the collaborative aisles. They are informal meeting areas which overlook both blocks and are positioned under the skylight.
The private and public blocks supplement each other with different programmes, ensuring constant movement pervades the building.
The courtyard gallery on the first storey is a linear space featuring works produced by the tenants, providing exposure for developing startups.
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SECTION A-A SCALE 1:500
NORTH ELEVATION SCALE 1:500
SECTION B-B SCALE 1:200
Featured Coworking Space
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FACADE STRUCTURE
The facade consists of a reinforced glass bolted curtain wall system A which is mounted onto the structural beam. A series of external metal cladding finished with a wood veneer B is connected by horizontal steel channels mounted onto the substructure. Additional powder coated aluminium sunshading louvres C are then mounted onto the steel channels.
1 Garden Corner 2 Skylight View
TREE DWELLING This project allowed me to stay grounded in reality with my design. I learnt to mediate between codes and regulations while ensuring I stayed true to my concept. The building utilises prefabrication construction. It has broadened my perspective on its advantages and limitations. 2017
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PROJECT BRIEF
With the shift in the demographic landscape of Singapore, our city is growing rapidly with the ageing population. In anticipation of housing the silver population in a more inclusive environment, how can architecture fulfil urban living for the elderly that is sustainable and healthy?
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DESIGN CONCEPT
There is a rising trend of the elderly facing social isolation due to them being cooped up in their houses. This project aims to encourage the elderly and neighbours alike to rekindle the “kampung spirit�. Providing more opportunities & incentives for them to step out of their house and maintain an active lifestyle, fosters rapport within the community.
4Bdrm unit
2Bdrm unit
Studio Apt
The apartment blocks are arranged to face towards Little India and Rochor Canal respectively.
The building outline follows the communal space in the centre.
Apartment units are inserted facing towards Rochor Canal.
Ramps are added to connect both blocks. This creates a strolling path for the residents to engage with other neighbours.
Planters and viewing decks along the ramp provide intervals for communal gathering.
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CIRCULATION STRATEGIES
The circulation of the building opposes the conventional vertical circulation of apartment buildings which transport residents directly to their respective units. The horizontal circulation via the mezzanine ramps is an alternative route. It connects each floor to two different levels of the neighbouring block. Having more neighbours and making them accessible encourages people to interact and builds a stronger bond within the community.
Ramp Strolling path
The building mass is oriented towards Rochor Canal. The mass caves in to inform a communal space in the middle.
The mass is split, allowing one block to face towards Little India. The block heights are adjusted according to the site context.
Communal green spaces are divided equally throughout the building, allowing for easy access.
Voids are cut through the block to increase porosity for better ventilation.
Block A is shifted upwards by half a storey to create a mezzanine effect.
Ramps spanning across both blocks connect via the mezzanine, creating a seamless circulation.
4BDRM UNIT APARTMENT
2BDRM UNIT APARTMENT
STUDIO APARTMENT
4Bdrm unit Living Room
SECTION A-A SCALE 1:500
NORTH ELEVATION SCALE 1:500
Communal Space
SHELF HOUSE My first residential project gave me insight on developing a narrative to bolster a design concept. I learnt how to use materials and space planning to create an abstract feeling. Using models and sketches helped to manifest my ideas and move it from paper to reality. 2016
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DESIGN CONCEPT
The client of the project is an acclaimed novelist. In an attempt to express his lifestyle as a crime novelist, the design drivers, enclosure and openness were used to convey his disposition into the design of the building. The design aims to integrate both “open” and “enclosed” spaces without severing the connection between them, giving the client the liberty of a flexible workspace.
Monolithic walls were used to convey a sense of massiveness, akin to the towering bookshelves in an archaic library. They divide the space into two categories. The “open” spaces are protruding out of the walls, providing direct views outside and bringing it closer to nature. Whereas the “enclosed” spaces between the walls are more isolated, giving the inhabitants a sense of security.
1ST STOREY PLAN SCALE 1:200
2ND STOREY PLAN SCALE 1:200
Living Room
SECTION A-A SCALE 1:250
WEST ELEVATION SCALE 1:250
Dining Room
Central Stairwell
PASCAL’S MODULE This project applied an iterative design process to arrive at the final product. It was a fulfilling experience getting to tweak prototypes and adjusting it to better suit its purpose. 2017
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DESIGN CONCEPT
The purpose of furniture remain largely unchanged from the past. The current state of exhibition stands are mundane and inflexible, resulting in fixed and rigid arrangements which fail to create a stimulating viewing experience. This project aims to reinvent the programme of exhibition stands by using modularity for customisation to enhance the viewing pleasure and promote interaction.
Exploration with different modules using triangles as the basic unit due to its sturdy geometry.
Final module design
The intention of the module is to be amorphous, allowing it to take on different configurations to suit the needs of the user. It can form a pedestal, book stand, and display table, to name a few.
The module configured as pedestals
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Half lap joint
Cross lap joint
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Interlocking modules arranged into a display table
The modules are pressed into each other until the spine catches the frame.
The receiving spine locks the frame in place.
The platform slides in between the frame and rests on the spine.
VORONOI CANOPY Computational design is an application of data and iterations to arrive at a solution. I experimented using the softwares Rhino and Grasshopper. I found it useful in generating designs which require a more pragmatic and tangible approach towards resolving issues. 2018
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DESIGN CONCEPT
This project uses computational design to create a parametric roof able to mediate between daylight autonomy and solar radiation. The performance of the roof is based on the parameters that control the amount of heat radiation and sunlight going into the building; ensuring an efficient design. The Voronoi diagram was used as an experiment to test the extents of parametric design.
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- Points are randomly generated to create the Voronoi diagram. - Random curves are interspersed throughout the surface.
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- Location of extrusion of the Voronoi polygons are determined. - Voids are extruded following the undulated mesh.
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- Individual Voronoi polygons form a surface. - Depth of the undulating mesh is randomly generated.
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- Triangulated frames are created in each Voronoi polygon. - Density and thickness of the frames are assigned a value.
VENTILATED FACADE This project has provided me with fundamental construction knowledge on facade panels and their function. It has exposed me to technical drawings and presented a more microscopic view on how buildings are assembled. 2018
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VENTILATED FACADE LIGHTWEIGHT METAL CLADDING SYSTEM
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VENTILATED FACADE
Ventilated facade systems combat rain and moisture from penetrating into the interior walls. The construction of the facade has open joints, creating a ventilated zone. It allows for rapid evaporation and deflects wind-driven rain. The capillary action of moisture penetrating the facade is disrupted by the ventilated zone, preventing moisture from seeping into the building
SOTECH OPTIMA IPC Sotech Optima IPC is a rainscreen system developed by Sotech. The planks are connected by a simple interlocking male/female joint, creating a recessed appearance. The Optima IPC, Interlocking Pressed Plank is secretly fixed onto extruded aluminium support framework horizontally, vertically or diagonally in a variety of materials.
PROTEUS HR RAINSCREEN Proteus HR is a double-wall construction system that uses an outer layer to keep out the rain. The structural frame of the building is kept dry, as water never reaches the internal wall. Evaporation and drainage in the cavity removes water that penetrates between panel joints. The rainscreen principle prevents water droplets from infiltrating the panel joints or openings.