LANDSCAPE
​ARCHITECTURE

TIERED TERRACES + TINY TOPIARIES

My most recent project involved designing the landscape of a nearly 18,000 sq ft luxury residence. As a proponent of minimalism, I was inclined towards a simple expression of the landscape that -- while stunning visually -- promoted feelings of calm and serenity.
What I proposed to the clients was a tiered concrete system that would flow with the natural topography of the site, generating mini terraces that can frame a manicured, miniature topiary.
To my absolute delight (and believe me, this isn't common) the clients were immediately on board, excited to have the option of a no hassle landscape that would be just as green and vivacious as the traditional alternative.
Below are a few highlights of some of my favourite corners.

CUBICAL LATTICE

THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE, REIMAGINED
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For this project, I aimed to generate space by manipulating form unconstrained by function. I experimented with a crossword puzzle, devising a simple formula to catalyze a 3D rendition of a 2D object. I assigned an extrusion factor of 1 per square. For example, a row of 5 squares would yield a 5-meter-high wall along its axis, corresponding to a 5-letter word on the planar grid. I determined that the intersection of X-Y axes would be subtractive in nature. As a result, the generated form not only varies in elevation as dictated by its plan but all the interstitial spaces connect in peculiar ways along 3 axes, yielding fascinating forms that inform function.
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PROGRESSIVE  SECTIONS

The following progressive gallery provides insight into the intersection of vertical extrusions along the X-Y axes, and how their amalgamation yields surfaces. Some of these spaces are interconnected as directed by the original plan of the crossword, while others are enclosed, corresponding to blacked out blocks. The height of the generated spaces is proportional to their square footage, which is dictated by intrusions of black blocks. This planar relationship, once translated into a 3D structure yields varied and beautifully natural proportions.
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{ART}ITECTURE

A GETAWAY HOME FOR RENOWNED ARTIST,
RODNEY GRAHAM
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For our final studio we were tasked with designing a private residence for renowned Vancouver artist, Rodney Graham. Inspired by the cubic minimalism of Graham's favourite artist, Donald Judd, I wanted to design a minimalist space that would act as a tabula rasa -- a blank slate that invited creativity.

This resident's massing was formulated based on Judd's work. An approximation of a stack of hardcover books, the rectilinear concrete rotates about the vertical to yield interconnected, yet private spaces.
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ECHELON

HELICAL HIERARCHY
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This complex is designed to generate a hierarchy of interstitial spaces which vary in scale, location & orientation. Their ambiguity aims to encourage occupants to apply their own program onto the tabula rasa. The open spaces range from smaller, private balconies, to semi-private spaces shared b/w multiple units to larger spaces accessible to the entire floor plate, & these neighbourly interactions create a variety of micro-communities in the larger context of the building.
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1111  MELVILLE,
​VANCOUVER

DESIGN OF A SPATIAL SLICE
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How does one reinvigorate a dark, neglected courtyard shared by multiple commercial buildings in Downtown Vancouver's busy business district? How does one accommodate the odd, triangular shape of the site whilst taking circulation, light, ventilation and function into consideration? That was our task for 1111 Melville Street -- one small, peculiar site: countless fascinating renditions.

LIGHT ANALYSIS

The following is a composite of 16 models, each of which corresponds to its respective daytime quadrant (9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm) for all 4 seasons. The separate models were combined to yield a 3-Dimensional representation of natural light exposure within the site. The model on the right (plugged into our site) represents the variance of light exposure as dictated by surrounding buildings, limited by the sun's seasonal arc across the sky. We were able to calibrate our designs to best incorporate natural lighting, thereby reducing electrical demands and excessive solar gains.
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DESIGN  PROPOSAL
FOLDING  PLANES

What if one were to fold a long, rectangular plane at acute angles to generate horizontal and vertical planes never breaking in continuity? The result is a soaring tower which varies along all three  axes. This manner of folding yields protrusions that serve as overhangs, rotating about the X-Y axes to provide systematic permeations for light, sight, & ventilation. In this model, two such 'ribbons' were folded to yield a pair of towers, which interact according to their ground-level orientation, and this rotational offset grants privacy to residential units through means of alternating opaque & translucent surfaces.
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