2013 Portfolio

MONICA HOMaster of Architecture Applicant

2 0 1 3 P o r t f o l i o

table of C O N T E N T S

8

05+15 Re-Animation

16

07Parasite [D]

2

03Reading Room

102Variable Surfaces

06The Haptic House

12

04Environmental Center

4

01Digital Fabrication

1

08Art Work

22

INT

ER

WO

VE

NM o n i c a H o

Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Art Historyminor in Architectural Studies

University of Calgary | 2012

[email protected]

TEL.(403)•860•5378

I believe that everything is interconnected - that culture, history, and ecology are the fibers that inform the patterns of design.

This portfolio is a collection of my work from the past two years. It details the work created while in the foundation year of the M.Arch program at EVDS (University of Calgary), while also showing a variety of work through chosen paintings and sketches.

Graphics Workshop One | with Catherine Hamel and Alison MacLachlan | Fall 2011

D I G I TA L FA B R I C AT I O NCreation through digital means

Beginning from a flat surface, a three-dimensional landscape is created according to a system of rules. The surface is then given materiality and prepared for fabrication.

Surface created in Rhinoceros 3D Resulting physical model

Graphics Workshop Two | with Matt Knapik and Alison MacLachlan | Fall 2011

VA R I A B L E S U R FAC E SExploration through making

Component Evolution

This project began as a set of hand-made components. These components were evolved through digital means. As the components evolve, they become increasingly simplified. However, the system of components maintains its original level of complexity. The component-system is then re-created physically.

Elevation

Plan

| 1

Design Studio One | with Kate Thompson | Fall 2011

Creating a space for quiet contemplation.

To read; to look at and comprehend written text - involves the sense of sight in its entirety. Controlling both light and sight is key to a fulfilling and immersive experience while reading. The elimination of visual noise and the modulation of natural light informs the design of this reading space.

The arch itself provides seclusion by removing any possibility of peripheral visual distraction. Yet, they remain open to the sky, allowing sunlight to stream into the space uninterrupted, save for the five panels of transparent glass, which acts to moderate the light.

R E A D I N G R O O M

Site Plan

Rear elevation Front elevationSide Elevation

Plan

N

2 | 3

Design Studio One | with Kate Thompson | Fall 2011

Reading water levels of the Bow RiverE N V I R O N M E NTA L I NT E R P R E T I V E C E NT E R

I am, and always have been, fascinated by the Bow River, upon which Edworthy Park is situated. In the summer months, the river swells: it rises and runs fast. In the winter, the water recedes and the river mostly freezes up, damming in most places. The site chosen is unique in that it captures the flow of the river, slowing the water down and when the river freezes, the ice breaks and piles up upon itself.

The datum wall is used in this project to show case the rise and fall of the river, as well as the built up detritus and ice. As the wall sits perpendicular to the flow of the Bow River, over time, the wall will collect debris and display the level of the water during its height.

Facing the water, the oversized staircase leads down into the river itself, emphasizing the prominence of the water in this particular site. At times, the water level will be too high to walk to the bottom step, perhaps parts of the building may even be flooded. At other times, the site will be dry.

Site Map

Fluctuating water levels

Potential Flooding AreasFlood plainFloodway

4 | 5

Site Section

a

a

Presentation Room

Storage

WashroomsAdministration

Plan

Cross Section a-a West Elevation

6 | 7

Design Studio Two | with Dustin Couzens | Winter 2012

+ 15 R E - A N I M AT I O NRe-imagining the +15 walkway - into a space that offers a constantly shifting view of the city

8 AV SW

10 AV SW

9 AV SW

5 ST

SW

6 ST

SW

4 ST

SW

3 ST

SW

6 AV SW

7 AV SW

In this project, we challenged the typical use of the +15 as a transitional and migratory space. Utilizing lessons learnt from a precedent study that looked at recycled goods, I saw the potential of glass bottles in their unique light refracting properties. These characteristics are mimicked in the arraying of glass panels around the interior of the +15. Allowing those who inhabit the room, for even the most brief of time, to see the city through a distorted lens - the glass panels constantly altering the refraction of the outside world.

Refraction Diagram

Site Plan

8 | 9

Possible Glass Panel Arrangements

The arrangement chosen is number 1, due to the changes of density of the glass in this asymmetrical arrangement. It creates the greatest difference in variation from one end of the +15 to the other.

[1] [3]

[2] [4]

1 11102 12 133 4 145 156 167 178

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19

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21

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24

26

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9

West Elevation

Plan

1 0 | 11

Design Studio Two | with Dustin Couzens | Winter 2012

H A P T I C H O U S EA single family dwelling of continuous connections

Rhizome Diagram

Based on the experience of the internet as a rhizome, the Haptic House reconditions the traditional dwelling into a living space that functions non-hierarchically and distributes space nonlinearly.

The program of the house is distributed in a non-traditional way, where public and private spaces are not given priority. A series of intersecting ramps runs throughout the interior, acting as a connective tissue between the programed spaces.

Site Plan

18th St. SW

23rd Ave. SW

24th Ave. SW

1 2 | 13

Circulation Diagram

The massing model explores the concept of circulation within the space. Program is inserted into the ramp system through an unbiased allocation of space.

Non-Hierarchical Arrangement of Program

Public Public

PrivatePrivate

Private

Semi Public/Private

Original Program Hierarchy

Program Re-shuffle

Private

Public

Semi Public/Private

Section a-aSection b-bNorth ElevationWest Elevation

Interior Render Interior Render1 4 | 15

a

a

b

b

Massing Model Sketch of facade triangulation

Parasitic Invasion of dwellingOriginal State

Removal of unused (and therefore unnecessary) stalls

Oriented towards...Views, Access

Aggregation + Intensification

Generative Formal Strategy

Design Studio Two | with Dustin Couzens | Winter 2012

PA R AS I T E D [ W E L L I N G ]Invading and inhabiting the urban above-grade parkade

Concept models

Using the standard above-grade parkade as the foundation of this project, we were given the challenge of integrating dwelling with parking and thus, creating a new urban typology.

Parasite [D] opportunistically seeks out empty parking stalls within the parkade and programs them - essentially, taking unused space within the urban fabric and turning them into places where people dwell.

At first, Parasite [D] conforms to the parkade, only fitting into sparking stalls in their exact dimensions. However, once the parasite notices an opportunity for growth, it expands beyond its host - erupting from the northern and eastern end of the parkade, where most of the dwelling units are situated.

Site Map

1 6 | 17

A

A

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A

East Elevation South Elevation

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First Floor Plan

Site Section

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Second Floor Plan

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Third Floor Plan

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Fourth Floor Plan

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Fifth Floor Plan

Deployment Strategy

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1 8 | 19

Interior Atrium

Penthouse Apartment

Stairway and public space

Street Level render

2 0 | 21

Sketching | Painting

A RT WO R KA selection of my most recent and favourite pieces of art

Painting and drawing have always been passions of mine and something that I have continued to practice since I was a child. Watercolour painting holds a special attraction for me. As a child I used to watch my grandmother do traditional Chinese watercolour paintings.

Right: Kai [A2: 16” x 23” ]Graphite on paper2012

Left: Midnight [9” x 9”]Collage, watercolour and acrylic on paper2012

Below: Valentino [9” x 9”]Collage, watercolour and acrylic on paper2012

2 2 | 23

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