ARCHITECTURE & DESIGNS e l e c t e d P o r t f o l i o 2 0 1 0

LEON LAIwww.lhlai .com

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CAREER ABSTRACT

Leon Lai is a Self-motivated and contributing architecture student seeking for his 5th architectural internship at an innovative design firm that encourages collaborative environment and the duality of research and experiment.

resume | 10’ Permanent: Suite #1205 168 Bonis Avenue Scarborough, ON Canada | Current: 88 Piazza Della Rovere, Rome, Italy | H:416.335.1779 | C:334.864.0162 (Rome, Italy)www.lhlai.com | leon_lhlai@live.ca

RECOGNITION PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Awards

Publications

EDUCATION

University of Waterloo Candadate for Honors Bachelor of Architectural Studies, graduating 2011

Albert Campbell C. I. 2006 O.S.S.D. with Honor Standing

• Assisted in the Schematic Design, Design Development and Site Plan Approval drawings for Trinity Lofts and 90 Niagara Condominiums, with direct coordination with client, structural, marketing and visualization consultants

• Involved in the master-planning and design of a large-scale mixed-use development in Brampton, Ontario and responsible for an 80 page design booklet presented to the City

• Conceptual design and presentations for various hospitality projects including Susur Lee’s restaurant, The Keg and OCAD diner

• Involved with the Drywall and Millwork Tenders as well as the Construction drawings for Maple Leaf Square Fine Dining Restaurant

• Participated in the design of various small scale residential renovation projects, also responsible for a small interior custom renovation millwork and detail package

• Assisted in the St. Thomas Elgin Hospital renovation master-planning business case including hospital room templates, area calculations, decanting & phasing drawings as well as consultant coordination.

• Responsible for the St. Joseph’s Diagnostic Imaging department design set, specifically tackled challenges regarding structure, circulation, code requirements, areas and equipment layouts.

• Assisted in the CDs and interior finish presentations for the Canadian Chancery in Kazakhstan.

• Created the AIA awards submission drawing set for Assuta hospital in Tel Aviv.

• Responsible for helping 1st year students with their work during class time. • Evaluated assignments and answered questions during the rest of the week. • FormZ 6.5 and the Adobe Creative Suite 3.

• Involved with the master-planning and schematics design for the West Side Rail Yards project, created presentation drawings, renders, physical models, booklets, area calculations as well as zoning and firewall regulation drawings.

• Assisted in the early stage of concept design for the Boston Jumeirah Hotel Proposal, from massing development to schematics design including iterative study models, diagrams and presentation drawings.

• Produced various interior finish and equipment tender packages for the M5V condominiums.

• Involved with the schematics designs of 2 sales centers, including site measurements, demolition inspections, 2D design drawings and 3D renderings.

• Created the Green Living Show Booth construction drawing set, from concept proposal, millwork detailing to assisting on-site for the construction of the booth.

QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS

PERSONAL INTERESTSREFERENCES

EnglishCantoneseMandarinItalian (basic)

Fine Art & Photographycontinue to practice at a drawing studio outside of school

Reliable & Positive AttitudeAdept LearnerSelf-motivated IndependentOutstanding Team-playerCritical Thinker24/7 Energetic Artist

Travelvisited much of big North (Canada), from Banff to Peggy’s Cove; Italy is just the begining for Europe

Hand Drafting & Model MakingMS Office 07DreamWeaver & CSSPhotoshop, InDesign, Illustrator CS4Adobe PremiereAutoCAD 07-10

Activeracquet sports: badminton, tennis, squash

3D Studio Max 2007-9FormZ 6.5Rhinoceros 4RhinoScript & GrasshopperVray R3 for 3DS & RhinoGoogle SketchUP 7

Film & Cinematography an avid movie watcher, enjoys writings on films, also interested in creating short animations and short films

Available upon request.

2010

2008

2007

2006

2005

2010

2009

2008

2007

• 3B Studio Outstanding Design Award

• SSEF “UP!” Steel Tower Competition Award of Merit

• Canadian Arch. Assoc.’s Ignition Competition 1st Team Prize

• University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarship

• Grade 9 Piano and History with Honors

• Exhibitor in 10’ Waterloo Year-End Project Review: “Abrupt(ure): P.S.1”

• Canadian Architecture Students Association National Portfolio Publication: “Amplifying RareSpace”

• Exhibitor in the 09’ Waterloo Year-End Project Review: “A Conjoint Cultural Identity”

• Refer to Detail: 08 Visual Communication Class Publication

• Advantage Steel Magazine SSEF “UP!” Steel Tower Award of Merit

2010 January - AugustGiannone Petricone Associates ArchitectsToronto-Internship

2009 April - AugustZeidler Partnership ArchitectsToronto- Internship

2009 January - AprilTeacher Assistant Visual Comm. 113 University of Waterloo Course Professor: Mark Cichy

2008 August - DecemberKohn Pederson Fox AssociatesNew York- Internship

2008 January - AprilTAS DesignBuild Toronto- Intern Designer

LEON LAI

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PROFESSIONAL WORK

p.12Bringing Green HomeTAS DesignBuild, Toronto

p.133 Wells Hill- House AdditionGiannone Petricone Associates, Toronto

p. 14Eastern & Trinity LoftsGiannone Petricone Associates, Toronto

p. 15Boston Jumeirah HotelKohn Pedersen Fox, NY

p.16-17The West Side Rail YardsKohn Pedersen Fox, NY

OTHER

p.18New York Times Building Study 3rd Year Philip Beesley Studio

ACADEMIC PROPOSALS

p. 4-5Porous Densification2nd Year Kathy Velikov Studio

p.6Abrupt(ure): P.S.1 MoMa3rd Year Maya Przybylski Lab/Studio

p. 7-8Amplification of rareSpace2nd Year Geoffrey Thun Studio

p. 9Atlantic City Holocaust Memorialcompetition 10’

p. 10-11A Conjoint Cultural Identity3rd Year Philip Beesley Studio

residential complex | 2nd year studio ‘074 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigation

“Porous Densification”Location: Queen Street East, TorontoTypology: Residential Complex____________________________2nd year Kathy Velikov studio

Composed of volumes and voids, groupings of townhouses and 3-5 storey mid-rise apartment dwelling units allow sun penetration into the city block. The flow of courtyards shared by every 2 units express a unique communal urban lifestyle. In order to provide light for the rear end of the courtyards and diffuse

UNDERGROUND PARKING

GROUND FLOOR

2ND FLOOR

3RD FLOOR

4TH FLOOR

5TH FLOOR

6TH FLOOR

7TH FLOOR

Form & Spatial Concepts

Circulation Diagram (Illustrator)

Massing Block Courtyard Opening Liberated Ground Plane Overall Building Slope Sunken Public Space Site Plan (CAD + Illustrator)

Ground Floor Plan

Typical Floor Plan (CAD & Photoshop)

East & North Elevation (FormZ & Photoshop)

light into corridors, light wells are introduced. Deep terraces provide an immense amount of natural light for the building, making all adjacent units into corner suites; encouraging active gardening, vegetable cultivation, and social interaction between neighbors.

5 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationresidential complex | 2nd year studio ‘07

View of Courtyard (FormZ & Photoshop)

South Section (FormZ & Photoshop)

Exterior View of the Building from street (FormZ & Photoshop)

“natural light penetrates deep into units and corridors”

2 Bedroom Corner Suite + Terrace & LightwellTownhouse Sections Section of Light WellSectional Model 1:50 (Laser cut Museum, Millboard & Plexi)

6 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationcourtyard intervention | 3rd year computational studio 09’

“Abrupt(ure): P.S.1 MoMa”Location: Long Island City, New YorkTypology: Temporary Installation___________________________3rd year Maya Przybylski lab/ studio

The courtyard installation is a continuous artifact that creates a fluid transitional area where the ground begins to erupt and split, creating various elevation differentiations, achieving an artificial, artistic landscape. We are interested in

Section Generation FrameworkConsistent Number of Segments per CurveConsistent Number of Control Points per CurveControl Points can overlap: Total Number of Control Points per Section varies

Total # of Control Points: 41*excluding secondary handrail modules

Total # of Control Points: 28

Total # of Control Points: 32

Total # of Control Points: 45*including 2 secondary handrails

9Handrail Module 1

Bridge Module 1

Ground Module

Bridge Module 2

Handrail Module 2

Secondary Handrail Modules

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Section Generation FrameworkConsistent Number of Segments per CurveConsistent Number of Control Points per CurveControl Points can overlap: Total Number of Control Points per Section varies

Total # of Control Points: 41*excluding secondary handrail modules

Total # of Control Points: 28

Total # of Control Points: 32

Total # of Control Points: 45*including 2 secondary handrails

9Handrail Module 1

Bridge Module 1

Ground Module

Bridge Module 2

Handrail Module 2

Secondary Handrail Modules

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Section Generation FrameworkConsistent Number of Segments per CurveConsistent Number of Control Points per CurveControl Points can overlap: Total Number of Control Points per Section varies

Total # of Control Points: 41*excluding secondary handrail modules

Total # of Control Points: 28

Total # of Control Points: 32

Total # of Control Points: 45*including 2 secondary handrails

9Handrail Module 1

Bridge Module 1

Ground Module

Bridge Module 2

Handrail Module 2

Secondary Handrail Modules

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9Section Generation FrameworkConsistent Number of Segments per CurveConsistent Number of Control Points per CurveControl Points can overlap: Total Number of Control Points per Section varies

Total # of Control Points: 41*excluding secondary handrail modules

Total # of Control Points: 28

Total # of Control Points: 32

Total # of Control Points: 45*including 2 secondary handrails

9Handrail Module 1

Bridge Module 1

Ground Module

Bridge Module 2

Handrail Module 2

Secondary Handrail Modules

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Anchor Sections

Surface Panels- 2x Copper Mesh, distorted Moire pattern

Panel Framing- provides support for lighting and mist

Rib Structure

Rendered Plan + Interior of Installation (Rhino + Grasshopper, 3DS, Photoshop)

Form Computation + Generation (Grasshopper + Rhino, 3DS)

Form Evolution

Form Components

Structure Generation

Surface Subdivision

Exploded Structure StudySurface Morphology Analysis

Geometry Generation Framework

Longitudinal Section

1:50 Physical Model- 1459 pieces of laser-cut sections

Skin + Structure Studyhow a surface or form could be generated and inferred by an underlying set of systems so that it is responsive to the site and in the end how those systems could manifest themselves spatially to facilitate interaction with and between the occupants.

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7 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationperformance landscape | 2nd year studio ‘07

“Amplification of RareSpace”

Location: Cambridge, CanadaTypology: Outdoor Performance Landscape__________________________2nd year Geoffrey Thun Studio

The amplification of the experiences of rareSPACE exploits our 3 dominant senses--audition of sound, sight and touch. Employing these 3 elements as a design structure, a framework of open-ended experiences are set up for the users.

The uniqueness of the material palette and the fluctuating, sometimes limited visibility in the field constitute to an emphasis of a constant acoustical datum. Controlled by visibility and materiality of the spaces, users wander and listen to the landscape, moving from one “sound” to the next.

Sound Diffusal Walls

Sound Box

Sound Barrier

Sound Absorption

Sound Absorption

Sound Reflection

Sound Amplification

Weather treated cedar panels

An instrument for sound transmittal

Concrete walls break the movement of sound

Insulated building envelope cladded with perforated copper sheets

Perforated copper sheets diffuse and collect sound

Hollow concrete walls with glulam structure increase reverberation of sound

Curving wall composed galvanized steel pipes of different lengths

Diagrammatic Plan- architectural components and their materiality

Concept Experiential Section- filter, approach, reveal and enclose

Initial Natural Phenomenon Studies- observe, isolate, enhance and iterate Relationship to river and nearby park trails

8 performance landscape | 2nd year studio ‘07

Entry Sound Box Tunnel Multi-purpose Auditorium Vocal and Dance Hall

Longitudinal Site Section

Performance Space Section

| architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigation

“a guided sequence of experiential performance spaces”

1:200 Physical Site Model

9 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationatlantic city holocaust memorial | competition 10’

“Re-claiming Scarred Space”Location: Boardwalk, Atlantic CityTypology: Public Memorial_________________________Atlantic City Holocaust Memorial Competition

We began by accepting the axiom that the scars left by the Holocaust are permanent in spite of continual attempts to deemphasize it through time. But there must be hope nevertheless, and means by which the Holocaust survivor - burdened with the responsibility to summon and retell their stories lest our societies fall into the same inhumane path again - can reconcile their paradoxical desires to move on and to not forget concurrently.

Thus we must reclaim the scar.

EMERGENCE OF VOIDS

PRESENT

PAST

YIELDING OF SCARS

EMERGENCE OF VOIDS

PRESENT

PAST

YIELDING OF SCARS

EMERGENCE OF VOIDS

PRESENT

PAST

YIELDING OF SCARS

Emergence of VoidsSeparation of Past & PresentUnyielding Grid of Atlantic City

Atlantic Boardwalk- Existing Pavillion on Site

Voids Emerge from the Historical Grid- City Connects with the Past once more (Rhino + 3DS + Photoshop) Plan- Mitigating Zone between City and Nature

Extent of Site

Permanent Yielding of Scars Puncturing of the Fragile Present Layer

The site is envisioned as a zone of anti-life where time can be paused, convention inversed and the consequences of the past - the scars - resurfaced as a grid of voids that emerges from an equally static, historical and unyielding grid of the city. The void to us is the anti-architecture that accurately depicts a deconstructed and absented past where all ephemeral qualities accumulated are eradicated.

A fragile present layer being the elusive extension of the boardwalk’s wooden path invites the pedestrians into the site, to the voids, where the layer is punctured, denied, transformed and re-orientated while confronting the presence of the absented space.(Rhino + 3DS + Photoshop)

10 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationministry of culture | 3rd year studio ‘09

“A Conjoint Cultural Identity”Location: Queen’s Park, TorontoTypology: Office + Retail Complex__________________________3rd year Philip Beesley Studio

A proposed centre for the Ministry and other cultural education facilities, the buidling redefines the idea of a truly public civic complex, also including retail, restaurants, library and an exhibition space. The liberated ground floor gallery welcomes pedestrian traffic; the suspended, interconnected programs above are spatially attached to the ground. This project explores the poetic identity and experience of working “in” a city.

Circulation Diagram

Diagrammatic Massing ModelGround Plan (CAD & Photoshop)

Site Plan

Extension of Existing Paths through Site

Suspend interconnected Programs

Enclosed with a Translucent Double Facade

3rd Floor Plan 4th Floor Plan

Massing Model featuring transparent skin

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“the unrestricted and civil nature of the ministry of culture encourages an interconnected, multi-leveled public realm”

View from the 3rd floor looking down (Rhino, Vray & Photoshop)

| architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationministry of culture | 3rd year studio ‘09

View from Ground Floor Green Lane (Rhino, Vray & Photoshop)

Program Organization Studies

Exploded Building Axo (Rhino & Illustrator)

Configuration of the major Columns, Boxes and supporting Trusses (CAD & Illustrator)

The Facade gives a Transparent Reading of the Building (CAD & Photoshop)

The Section demonstrates the layered public realm (CAD & Photoshop)

12 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationpresentation booth | TAS DesignBuild ‘08

“Bringing green Home”

Center Lattice Wall Detail

Millwork Details

Plan from CD set Photos of Finished Booth Interior

Concept Renders and Elevation (CAD & SketchUP)

Location: Toronto, CanadaTypology: Presentation BoothSq. Footage: 3000 sq. ftPhase: Complete design and construction_______________________TAS DesignBuild, Toronto

• initial research and conceptual presentation

• 2D and 3D design drawings• produced much of the construction

package• structural and millwork detailing• on-site assistance and coordination

| architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigation13 house addition | Giannone Petricone 10’

Location: TorontoTypology: Residential AdditionSq. Footage: 1,500 sq. ft.Phase: Design Development__________________________Giannone Petricone Assocs, Toronto

Ground Floor Plan

Overall Massing- addition wraps around cornor of houseSection showing existing house + addition

Elevations

“3 Wells Hill-House Addition”Wood ceiling folds into back of entrance seating; moving plains leave traces of light (Rhino + 3DS)

• deliberate play of intersecting volumnes, surfaces and materials; the layered addition anchors into the existing buidling

• conceptual and design development of house addition using both CAD and 3D visualizations

• assisted with building permit application drawing set

| architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationresidential complex | 2nd year studio ‘0714

“Eastern & Trinity Lofts”

Curved facade esblishes a sinuous setback at street intersection

Convergence point of 2 major streets (3DS)Ground Floor

Unit Plans- 20 Layouts in Total

View towards Toronto Downtown- image done by visualization consultant

East Elevation

Typical 2-4 Floor

Location: Toronto, CanadaTypology: Residential CondoSq. Footage: 62,000 sq. ftPhase: Schematic and Design Development__________________________Giannone Petricone Assocs, Toronto

• assisted from massing concept to detailed building design

• delegated closely with developer and various consultants including planning, structural, mechanical, visualization and marketing

• Site Plan Approval package for City of Toronto

15 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationhotel residence | Kohn Pedersen Fox ‘08

“Boston Jumeirah Hotel”Location: Boston, MassachusettsTypology: HotelClient: Jumeirah HotelSq. Footage: 730,000 sq. ftPhase: Schematics Design__________________________Kohn Pedersen Fox, NY

• plans and sections drawings for client meetings

• prepared quick 3D exterior massing renderings

• constructed iterative massing study models and site for presentation and analysis

• prepared engaging conceptual diagrams

Massing / Views Diagram (CAD, Illustrator & Photoshop)Plans (CAD & Photoshop)

Programmatic section (Cad + Illustrator) A series of massing iterations focus on the irregularity of the site, sightlines and draw major massing influences from adjacent buildings.

16 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationurban development | Kohn Pedersen Fox ‘08

“The West Side Rail Yards”

CulturalRetail

ResidentialOfficePark

Massing Concepts Axo Key Plan Diagrams Master Planning Plans & Sections (CAD & Illustrator)

Zoning Diagrams presented to the City Council Context Plan

Location: Manhattan, New YorkTypology: Master-planningClient: West Side Rail YardsSq. Footage: 12-15 million sq. ftPhase: Schematics Design__________________________Kohn Pedersen Fox, NY

• zoning and firewall regulation presentation diagrams• digital and physical modelling• CAD plans and sections presentation drawings• programming development + area calculations• various concept diagrams• worked alongside with consultants Elkus Manfredi and MVVA

Landscape. Archs

17 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationurban development | Kohn Pedersen Fox ‘08

Plaza Level

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Skylobby

Roof Garden

Typical Tower Low

“East Yards Podium + Towers”

West Elevation (CAD and Photoshop)

Typical Office Tower Layouts

1:50 Master-planning Model: East Yards Superblock and Towers Highlighted

1:50 Physical Model (Museum Board and Laser-cut Plexi)

• CAD plans red-lining + typical floor layouts• construction of a component-based physical model • rendered elevations high-lighting the juxtaposition of the

tower volumes• programming development + area calculations• various retail proposal booklets

18 | architecture | urbanism | landscape | designbuild | research | investigationprecedent study | 3rd year studio ‘09

Location: Manhattan, New YorkTypology: Office Tower __________________________3rd year Philip Beesley Studio

A precedent study on the details and passive sustainable qualities of the structural makeup of the New York Times Building by Renzo Piano. Highly accurate and detailed digital models were created to investigate the ideas of “lightness”, “transparency” and passive energy saving for the building. Presentation video features the transformations of various structural systems from the core to the facade. Digital models were later distributed to the class for further studies in the subsequent design project.

Structural System Video (Adobe Premiere)

Floor and Wall Composition (Rhino + 3DS Vray)

Facade, Lighting and Signage Detail at Grade (Rhino + 3DS Vray)

Passive Lighting Saving Analysis

“The New York Times Building: Craft”

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