ali chen portfolio

ALIchen

PORTFOLIO

ALIchen646 831 [email protected] OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS. GRAPHIC DESIGN,

www.cargocollective.com/alichen

2012 PORTFOLIO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MODERN FAMILYMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTERVIVIENDAS DEL MARURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARYGRADIENT MICROCIMATE TERRAINTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

SMALLER PROJECTSWOOD'S CLIFFSIDE RETREATPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATIONEPHEMERAL CONCRETE

SKETCHES

MODERN FAMILYa western hutong housing concept

DATEYear 3 fall

INSTRUCTORWarren Techentin

SITEPasadena

LENGTH OF PROJECT 2.5 weeks

This 4 unit housing complex incorporates the Eastern idea of communal family living among

extended families in a hutong-style modern residence. The project becomes child-centric

and forms an ideal environment for families to watch their children grow up.

AN ARCHITECTURE OF GENERATIONSThis 4 unit housing complex incorporates the Eastern idea of communal family living among extended families in a hutong-style modern residence. The project becomes child-centric and forms an ideal environment for families to watch their children grow up.

The hutong typology, essentially a basic U shape, is derived from the hierarchy and form of an extended family with the eldest patriarchal branch being at the center and secondary extensions of the family at the wings.

The resulting courtyard formed becomes a programmatically charged space that ties the house together. This space can function as a gathering space, an outdoor dining area, and an enclosed and monitored play area for children. In a modern world, a functioning hutong must also provide private access for each branch of the family. While units share a courtyard space, they are also each provided with their own entries and front yards.

+ =

user profileextended families

urban block housing

suburban culdesac

green spacesgeneral form materiality

MODERN FAMILY

DRAWINGSMODERN FAMILY

EAST SECTION

A NEW HOUSING TYPOLOGY FOR

A TIGHT KNIT FAMILY

NORTH ELEVATION WEST ELEVATION

SOUTH SECTION

PLANS

RENDERINGSMODERN FAMILY

DIAGRAMS, PHYSICAL MODELMODERN FAMILY

+ =


urban block housing

suburban culdesac


+ =


urban block housing

suburban culdesac


+ =


urban block housing

suburban culdesac


DATEYear 3 spring

INSTRUCTORJohn Dutton

SITEEcho Park

LENGTH OF PROJECT3 months

MINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Minigolf is one of the most popular outdoor lesiure games in America. Can the juxtaposition

of the serious nature of a civic center and the frivolousness of a minigolf course help to tie it into the fabric of the community? In simpler terms, can

we mix business with pleasure?

MINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

"MINIGOLF IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR LEISURE GAMES IN AMERICA."The addition of a minigolf course will create a better family atmosphere for the Echo Park community. Minigolf appeals not only to families but to the young adult demographic in the area by contributing to the retro appeal of Echo Park and Silverlake.

Urbanistically, placing a more commercial element near the lake will strengthen the connection between the commercially active Sunset Boulevard and the less visited lake area and provide an alternative nighttime activity to the various bars and music venues in the area.

The juxtaposition of the serious nature of the civic center and the frivolousness of a minigolf course is intentional in that it aims to liven up the official aspect of the civic center and tie the center into the fabric of the community. The course creates a livelier and more welcome atmosphere for a public place that was originally intended to be about the community.

SITEMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

residential

commercial

ZONING

green spaces

GREEN SPACES

ECHO PARK

connection to green space direct connection to park, minigolf start point on ground plane makes it

more accessible to visitors.

minigolf ultimately ends at a vantage point, cre-ating a connection back to the park.

commercialresidential

PHYSICAL MODELMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

RENDERINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

PHYSICAL MODELMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

WORKING GREEN ROOF MODEL

CAN WE MIX BUSINESS WITH

PLEASURE?vegetation

membraneroot barrier

insulation

drainage

waterproofing

concrete

DIAGRAMS, DRAWINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

structure egresshvac



DRAWINGSMINIGOLF CIVIC CENTER

VIVIENDAS DEL MAR

RECONNECTING BARCELONA TO THE SEA

Viviendas Del Mar is a housing complex that addresses the lifeless condition of post-olympic housing on the shores of

Barcelona. The new concept reactivates a connection to the sea by creating a

directional quality by integrating landscape and hardscape elements with building form.

DATEYear 4 fall

INSTRUCTORKim Coleman

SITEPoble Nou, Barcelona

LENGTH OF PROJECT3 weeks

VIVIENDAS DEL MAR

RECONNECTING BARCELONA TO THE SEAThe Viviendas Del Mar residences aims to recreate a connection to the sea post-Olympic occupation of the Poblenou area. The existing structure on the proposed site of change was originally built to house competing Olympians, serving as a terminus to Avenguda Bogatell and creating a directional path towards the sea.

Today it no longer serves this purpose and has become a lifeless barrier to the citys connection with the sea. The new housing proposal is an attempt to activate the directional quality of the site towards the sea by integrating landscape and hardscape elements with the building form itself, and introducing public program to the site at ground level.

landscape residential circulation roof semi-public program



POBLENOU

SITEVIVIENDAS DEL MAR

EXISTING CONDITIONS

DRAWINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR

DRAWINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR

PLANS

beachside residences cater to vibrant beach

life and a laid back atmosphere

RENDERINGSVIVIENDAS DEL MAR

URBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

AN URBAN OASIS

The Downtown Los Angeles Network Library addresses the problem of the citys limited public

green spaces. The library has a publicly accessible roof plane with pockets of green spaces that serve

as intimate reading rooms. The projects network of paths and green spaces serve as a pedestrian

throughfare, enhancing the pedestrian and well as the library-goers experience.

DATEYear 4 spring

INSTRUCTORLorcan OHerlihy

SITEDowntown LA


operable shelvesopened stacks = outdoor/indoor space connected

closed stacks = separatedoutdoor + indoor space

URBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

INJECTING POCKETS OF GREEN INTO DOWNTOWN LIFEThe downtown Los Angeles network library addresses the problem of the citys limited public green spaces. The library has a publicly accessible roof plane with pockets of green spaces that serve as intimate reading rooms. The projects network of paths and green spaces serve as a pedestrian throughfare, enhancing the pedestrian and well as the library-goers experience.

operable shelvesopened stacks = outdoor/indoor space connected

closed stacks = separatedoutdoor + indoor space

DIAGRAMSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

SECTION SLICE

DRAWINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

1

B

2

3

4

DRAWINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

WEST ELEVATION

SOUTH ELEVATION

SOUTH SECTION

RENDERINGSURBAN JUNGLE LIBRARY

GRADIENT MICROCLIMATE

TERRAINVERTICAL LIVING LABS

The Los Angeles biotech school and agricultural research center aims to provide an atmosphere where students, researchers,

and tourists can gain first hand experience and exposure to a wide variety of climactic

conditions. Researchers benefit in a situation where they can control and experiment

with climate, and students are exposed to agricultural conditions that would otherwise

not be accessible in an urban condition.

DATEYear 5 fall

INSTRUCTORRob Ley

SITEDowntown LA


GRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN

BIOMES FOR AN INTEGRATED LEARNING EXPERIENCEThe interior of the building contains a series of spherical biomes, providing an interconnected green space that connects all programmatic components of the building: students, researchers, and biome visitors. Labs and classrooms are integrated with the biomes in such a way as to create a living learning space and full size growing lab. The biomes thereby become an extension of the classroom and labs.

The research tower aims to provide an atmosphere where students, researchers, and tourists can gain first hand experience and exposure to a wide variety of climactic conditions. Researchers benefit in a situation where they can control and experiment with climate, and students are exposed to agricultural conditions that would otherwise not be accessible in an urban condition.

DRAWINGSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN

ROOF CAFE

WATER TREATMENT PLANT + LABS

AUDITORIUM

lobby

ADMINISTRATION, SERVICES, AND UTILITIES

CAFETERIA

STUDENT CENTER + LOUNGE

RESEARCHERS LOUNGE

DIAGRAMSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN

rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean

TEMPERATURE ANNUAL RAINFALL

OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest

oasis labfor reserach

vernalpools lab

for reserach


rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean


OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest


vernalpools lab

for reserach


rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean


OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest


vernalpools lab

for reserach


rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean


OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest


vernalpools lab

for reserach


rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean


OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest


vernalpools lab

for reserach


oasis lab

lab for the studyof sustainable cactus farming

vernal pool

lab for the studyof unique desert spring conditons

aqua lab

lab for the studyof water purifica-tion technologies

rafflesia

Orchids

ferns

ROSEMARY

los angeles, CA

mediterranean


OLIVE

SAGE

gre

ek is

land

s

turk

ey

borneo rainforest

am

az

on

sout

hern

CALIF

ORNIA

tropical

succulents

sahara, africa

desert


saguarocactus

agave

go

bi,

asi

a

moja

ve

passion fruit

su

btr

opi

ca

l

bamboo

taiw

an

indon

esia

rice

mangosteen

algae

aq

ua

tic

kelp

salt

wa

ter

fres

hwat

er

waterhyacinth

clover

brazillian

savanna


pitcherplant

oats

afr

ica

n

aust

ralia

n


spruce & pine

northern california


firs

winter berries

ca

nada

sout

hern

russ

ia

maple

eastern america


mosses& lichens

mushrooms

wea

tern

eu

rope

nort

hern

asia

temperatedeciduous

borealforest


vernalpools lab

for reserach


aquatic

mediterranean

desert

savanna

tropical

subtropical

continentaltemperate

forest

researchfacilities biotechschool

DIAGRAMSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN

SKIN | TWISTING LOUVERS

horizontal | skin is open for maximum sun exposure.

vertical rotation | skin is closed for maximum protection against the sun.

twisting | skin is customizable for variable amounts of sun.

aquatic

mediterranean

desert

savanna

tropical

subtropical

continentaltemperate

forest

VERTICAL LIVING LABSThrough an analysis of the major biomes of the world, the tower incorporates the temperature, humidity, and rainfall characteristics of various biomes to form a climactic gradient that corresponds with the school and research center. The biomes are rotated to receive optimal amounts of sunlight according to their designated microclimate, working in conjunction with a louvered skin system that filters and regulates the amount of sunlight.

overallbuilding

formbiomescirculation

BIOMES OF THE WORLD

RENDERINGSGRADIENT MICROCLIMATE TERRAIN

THESISTURTLE BEACH

BOARDWALKsustainable recreation

All seven species of the worlds sea turtles are currently endangered. Humans are the single

largest threat to sea turtles. Systems for research and conservation are scattered around the world.

The St. Croix Sea Turtle Research & Rescue Center is a unified research model that aims to harmonize

the relationship between humans and turtles.

DATEYear 5 spring

INSTRUCTORDoris Sung

SITESt. Croix, Caribbean


TURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

A NEW MODEL FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH & CONSERVATION In 1977 it was estimated that sea turtles would be completely extinct in 10 to 15 years. Because they are slow to mature, migratory, and rarely glimpsed, it has proven an exceptional challenge for us to gather basic data about their life cycles,

Increased human presence on beaches make a successful nesting attempt highly unlikely. Beachside residential developments, sea walls, boardwalks, increased pedestrian traffic as well as rising sand temperatures and erosion are all negative factors.

A new model for sea turtle research must first have humans in mind, displacing the human recreational program up and away from the shore. By moving the recreational activity upwards and offshore the boardwalk can shade the sand below to maintain cooler nesting sand temperatures for turtles.

The added element of mobile units takes research to the next level to coordinate with the migratory nature of turtles as well as spreading awareness and catering to seasonal housing needs.

The boardwalk material of recycled plastic deals with the issue of plastic waste in oceans, one of the largest threats to turtles and humans alike. Due to the longevity of the material, the boardwalk becomes not only resilient but reusable when the program is no longer needed in the future.

PHYSICAL MODELTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

INFORMATIONAL PAMPHLETTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

WHY SEA TURTLES?ALL SEVEN OF THE PLANETS SPECIES OF SEA TURTLES ARE ENDANGERED.In 1977 it was estimated that sea turtles would be com-pletely extinct in 10 to 15 years. Because they are slow to mature, migratory, and rarely glimpsed (only females ever come ashore to nest), it has proven an exceptional chal-lenge for us to gather basic data about their life cycles, population trends, and survival needs for conservation decisions. Although sea turtles usually lay around one hundred eggs at a time, on average only one of the eggs from the nest will survive to adulthood. While many of the things that endanger these hatchlings are natural, such as predators including sharks, raccoons, foxes, and seagulls, many new threats to the sea turtle species have recently arrived and increased with the ever-growing presence of humans.

SEA TURTLES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN OCEAN AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS.In the oceans sea turtles are one of very few creatures that eat the sea grass on the sea floor. Sea grass must be kept short to remain healthy, and beds of healthy sea grass are essential breeding and development areas for many species of fish and other marine life. A decline or loss of sea grass beds would damage these populations, triggering a chain reaction and negatively impacting marine and human life. The hawksbill sea turtles that dominate the area also eat sponges, which are threatening the coral reef ecosystem.

Beaches and dunes also form a fragile ecosystem that depend on vegetation to protect against erosion. Eggs, hatched or unhatched, and hatchlings that fail to make it into the ocean are nutrient sources for dune vegetation.

THEIR MIGRATORY NATURE MAKES THEM DIFFICULT TO RESEARCH. UNLIKE OTHER THREATENED SPECIES, WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT SEA TURTLES. Sea turtles migratory nature creates a number of chal-lenges for those working to fully understand and protect these creatures. To adequately protect sea turtles in all their habitats, we must know where these habitats are, how the turtles behave while there, and routes the turtles take to migrate back and forth. Most sea turtle research has been carried out on nesting beaches beacuse these areas are accessible, and what occurs on the nesting beach is extremely important to the species survival. Conservation efforts are also most easily directed at nesting beaches even though over 90% of a turtles life is spent in the water feeding, mating, migrating and whatever else a sea turtle does when no one is watching.

ST. CROIX SEA TURTLE RESEARCH & RESCUE CENTER

OFFSHORE HUMAN ACTIVITY PROVIDING RECREATION OFFSHORE

moving human recreational beach activities as well as housing offshore provides turtles with undisturbed nesting environments.

wood decking

recycled plastic polli-brick

replaceable panels

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

HUMAN-MINDED

SEA TURTLES BACKGROUND

A NEW MODEL FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH + CONSERVATION

SEA TURTLES HAVE A LIFESPAN OF UP TO 80 YEARS. They also exhibit natal philopatry, or natal homing, mean-ing they return to their birthplace to nest. Female hatch-lings released from this site will eventually return each year to nest. Models of conservation must include the use of a lasting material to accomodate generations of returning sea turtles.

PLASTIC TAKES 1000 YEARS TO BIODEGRADE.

Taking into account the hazards plastic waste pose to turtles in their marine environment, supplemented with its lightweight and waterproof qualities, the facilities include the use of plastic material.

DAYTIME CONDITIONSHUMAN PRESENCE & BEACH ARMOURING

increased human presence make a successful nesting attempt highly unlikely. beachside residential develop-ments, sea walls, and boardwalks also make it difficult for turtles to nest on available beaches.

BEACH EQUIPMENT

HUMANS

PETS ABSENCE OF SHADE & CLIMATE CHANGE

beachgoers and tourists pose a large hazard to nesting turtles. human related nesting hazards include recreational beach equipment, human and pet circulation, as well as an increase in rising sand temperatures harmful to egg incubation.

NESTING THREATSHUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS TO NESTING

?nighttime light pollution

disorients both nesting adult turtles and hatchlings. adult turtles are often stranded in

backyards and swimming pools. hatchlings, who are attracted to the brightest

point on the horizon which under natural conditions

leads them to the sea, end up never finding their way to

the ocean.

NIGHTTIME CONDITIONSLIGHT POLLUTION & SWIMMING POOLS

?

the addition of a raised boardwalk platform relocates human activity vertically and provides a shaded and protected area for nesting.

ELEVATED PLATFORMRAISED SHADING FOR NESTS

NIGHT ACTIVITIES OFFSHOREWITH CONTROLLED LIGHT

daytime program such as recreation and commercial are on the beach platform while nighttime programs such as bars, housing, and

labs are offshore to coordi-nate with the general nesting

schedule of turtles.

RECREATIONAL + DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONSHORE

DAY/NIGHT CONSIDERATIONSONSHORE VS. OFFSHORE

ST. CROIX IS HOME TO A FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH

marineenvironment

threats

nestingthreats

coas

tal d

evel

opm

ent

sand

tem

pera

ture

ris

e

poac

hing pr

edat

ors

pred

ator

s

dise

ase

poac

hing

plas

tic

pol

luti

on

fish

ing

nets

HAS IT WORKED?Scientists working on St. Croix have attributed a population rise to long term nesting beach conservation efforts. The Biological Conservation paper reports on the results of monitoring and conservation efforts at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge between 1982 and 2001. The authors found a marked increase in the number of nesting leatherback females from less than 30 in the 1980s to 186 in 2001, as well as a more than 20-fold increase in annual hatchling production from around 2,000 to more than 49,000.

AROUND THE WORLD, NOT REALLY.Despite ongoing conservation efforts around the world, most species of sea turtle populations have declined in recent years due to human impacts on nesting beaches and destructive fishing practices. Eastern Pacific leatherback populations have virtually collapsed, and at present show little signs of recovery, despite beach conservation mea-sures. Scientists working with leatherbacks on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica report that more than 120 turtles came to nest there this season, nearly twice last seasons count, which is an increase, but still a 90 percent drop from two decades ago.

The island has nationally protected areas for 4 breeds of nesting turtles at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and Buck Island Refuge. In 1977, scientists estab-lished a data collection and tagging program that has since been copied around the world.

WHAT DO SCIENTISTS DO?. tagging + monitoring for nesting, population, and migration data. research dives. nest relocation. nightly beach patrols. rescue stranded turtles. chaperone hatchlings. turtle rehabilitation. outreach

ALI CHEN THESIS SPRING 2012

+33c

29c

-26c

all seven species of the

worlds sea turtles are

currently endangered.

despite all our modern scientific and technological

advances, we still know relatively little about sea

turtles.

what we do know is that sea turtles are crucial

to maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

humans are the single largest threat to sea turtles.

from poaching to longlining, to the destruction of

nestable beaches, to the crucial issue of plastic

waste in our oceans.

systems for research and

conservation are scattered

around the world.

st. croix is home to a successful turtle

conservation program.

similar models around the world have not been so

successful. In many places the sea turtle population

is still steadily declining.

TURTLE BEACH

PROPOSES A UNIFIED

RESEARCH MODEL

THAT HARMONIZES

THE RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN HUMANS

AND TURTLES

10 YRSprogram expansion

NOV-APROFF-SEASON

50 YRSreprogramming and dispersal

disaster relief housing

oil spill awareness

pods

research in needed areas

MAY-OCTTURTLE SEASON

housinglabs +

dive ops

outreach + awareness

lab pods: patrol + dive ops

DEPLOYABLE ADAPTABLE RESILIENT/REUSABLE THREATS ANDEXISTING CONDITIONS

mobile housing unit mobile reserach unit mobile awareness unit

the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed.

solar-printed PET shading system

recycled composite plastic hull

wave-powered propulsion system

unit community configurations

migration of the mobile units flucuate. during turtle season, research units collect data, patrol, and provide assistance to stranded turtles. off-season the units migrate the caribbean islands providing outreach and other research while housing pods become resort housing. in 10 years the program is estimated to expand and be mim-icked on other islands, in 50 years when the program is no longer needed it may provide facilities for other forms of research and awareness and housing where needed.

the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transpar-ency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warm-ing, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. temperatures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.

plastic found in a sea turtles stomach

turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.

TURTLE-MINDED

STRUCTURAL TREES

sea turtles choose to nest in shaded, covered spots for added protection, generally near trees, shrubs, or vegeta-tion. structural trees simulate a vegetated environment.

sea | porous

land | solid

FORMAL DEVELOPMENT

created by ali [email protected]

RENDERINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

PHYSICAL MODELTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

mobile research dock

mobile exhibition dock

mobilehousing dock

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

MOBILE UNITS

REPLACEABLE PANELS

AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAMS

PROGRAM

PROGRAM | EROSION CONTROL

MATERIAL | MOBILE UNITS

STRUCTURE

SECTION

the boardwalk is composed of replaceable panels of wood decking and recycled plastic. the wood provides shading while the plastic provides transparency and ventilation. in anticipation of global warming, the plastic panels will be increasingly replaced with wood for added shading to maintain an ideal sand temperature of 29 celsius. tem-peratures above 33 result in a predominantly female nest while temperatures below 25 result in a male nest.

+33c

29c

-26c

EROSION CONTROL

the boardwalk acts as a floating offshore breakwater that dissipates the force of the waves on the beach, resulting in a passive, sustainable method of erosion control. under the dock, geotextiles help to further break down the force of waves and act as a turtle redirection device to guide turtles towards the dock.

BEACH EROSION

DOCK AS OFFSHORE BREAKWATER

EROSION CONTROL TEXTILES + TURTLE REDIRECTION

STRUCTURAL TREES


the mobile units travel by wave power to provide housing, perform research, collect data, and provide education and awareness where needed. turtle beach boardwalks deployable mobile units cater to sea turtles migratory habits and to the transitory nature of the program.

mobile housing unit mobile research unit mobile awareness unit

DRAWINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK



mobilehousing dock

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

MOBILE UNITS

REPLACEABLE PANELS


PROGRAM



STRUCTURE

SECTION


+33c

29c

-26c

EROSION CONTROL


BEACH EROSION



STRUCTURAL TREES









mobilehousing dock

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

MOBILE UNITS

REPLACEABLE PANELS


PROGRAM



STRUCTURE

SECTION


+33c

29c

-26c

EROSION CONTROL


BEACH EROSION



STRUCTURAL TREES









mobilehousing dock

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

MOBILE UNITS

REPLACEABLE PANELS


PROGRAM



STRUCTURE

SECTION


+33c

29c

-26c

EROSION CONTROL


BEACH EROSION



STRUCTURAL TREES









mobilehousing dock

structure

polli-brick

water piping system

temperature sensors

MOBILE UNITS

REPLACEABLE PANELS


PROGRAM



STRUCTURE

SECTION


+33c

29c

-26c

EROSION CONTROL


BEACH EROSION



STRUCTURAL TREES







DRAWINGSTURTLE BEACH BOARDWALK

WOOD'S CLIFFSIDE RETREAT

beach residences

Located on a cliff overlooking the shoreline of Taidong, Taiwan, Woods Retreat is a series of 3 inter-connected beach cottages that make

full use of the panoramic ocean view. The project, currently in the design develoment

stage, is a modification of traditional taiwanese models of RC concrete construction that incorporates steel supported cantilevers.

DATENovember 2011 - present

COMPANYMuto Developers, Taipei

SITETai-Tung, Taiwan

RENDERINGSWOODS CLIFFSIDE RETREAT

RENDERINGSWOODS CLIFFSIDE RETREAT

master bedroom

closet

living/tv room

study

big master bathroom

suite 1

suite 2

kitchen

bar?

dining area

family suite tea room

maid's room

storage + mechanical

outdoor patio

entrance area

GROUND FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

DATEYear 3 fall

INSTRUCTORWarren Techentin

SITECornfields, LA

LENGTH OF PROJECT2 weeks

PULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION

MOBILE ADAPTABILITY

This project aims to attune itself to its natural environment. The pull-out canvas sheathing allows

the inhabitants to regulate the interior temperature. It can be closed to maintain a relative degree of

warmth and insulation in colder months and opened up in the hotter months to allow ventilation while at

the same time maintaining shade.

The moveable canvas also allows for the stations inhabitants to choose whether they wish it to

become an extroverted or introverted building. Residents have the option between an open building

with a covered hang-out space for guest, or be completely closed off for privacy.

RENDERINGSPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION

INSULATION VS CIRCULATION

SUNSHADING

RENDERINGSPULL-OUT RESEARCH STATION

N

LOWER LEVEL UPPER LEVEL

PULL-OUT SPACE

EPHEMERAL CONCRETE

CONCRETE CASTING MATERIAL STUDY

DATEYear 2 Spring

INSTRUCTOREric Hass

SITEMalibu

LENGTH OF PROJECT 2 weeks

The library addition to the Eames House attempted to create a dialogue between muteness and open-

ness in relation to the views. The muted facade facing the Eames house was intended to keep the

architectural focus on the house itself. It is also used to create a controlled view of the house.

In addition to the use of site-cast concrete, a wood and glass system is used for the interior, which fol-

lows the concrete system but becomes independent to form the library space which reaches out towards

the view and light.

RENDERINGSEPHEMERAL CONCRETE

RENDERINGSEPHEMERAL CONCRETE

CIRCULATION LIGHT

a b

c

d

a b

c

d

a b

c

d

SKETCHES

ali chen portfolio

Documents