the monad squaretimes square is the new las vegas. this billboard-crafted space represents the quintessential crossroads between obsessed consumerism and technology.

the nomad squarebut the cacophony of lights and sounds is so overwhelming that the experience becomes one of disorientation. the sublime then is interpreted as a nomadic field of sparkles.

a sound survey attrinity bellwoods parkfive high-sensitivity microphones were setup throughout the park to record different environments for two days. the recordings reveal the elements present in each area including users, sports and other activities.

photo-synthesisa graphic exploration of how a seed becomes a plant through a series of elevations and plans. by documenting the subject at fixed intervals, one can study the characteristics and growing patterns of the plant.

the digital futures instituteproposal for the new OCAD DFI. the elevated band creates a variety of views and porous circulation at ground level. the band becomes a landscape of academic, social and living spaces.

AERIAL VIEW

NORTH/SOUTHSECTION

CIRCULATION + VIEWS DIAGRAM

PROGRAMMATIC SECTION

PROGRAMMATIC SECTION

TOWER FOOTPRINTS

HOUSING

DIGITAL FUTURE INSTITUTE

lobb

y

clas

sroo

ms

stud

ent

hous

ing

stud

ios

mee

ting

room

s

fitne

ssce

ntre

wor

ksho

ps

adm

inis

trat

ives

libra

ry

galle

ry

audi

toriu

ms

stud

ent

com

mon

s

kitc

hens

&la

undr

y

labo

rato

ries

teac

hers

offic

es

imm

ersi

veth

eatr

es

apar

tmen

ts

soun

dre

cord

ing

park

ing

DIGITALFUTUREINSTITUTE

EXPLODEDPROGRAMATIC

DIAGRAM

ENTRANCE COURTYARD EAST AERIAL VIEWSTREET VIEW FROM DUNDAS ST

the digital futures institutethe long floating band becomes an interactive billboard due to the dual colors of the fins. the north-facing sides are black, and the south-faces are white. the white surfaces will reflect the southern light into the studios. the finned-facade will be constantly flickering as one moves around the dfi.

THE INTERIOR OF THE ACADEMIC BAND THE DUNDAS STREET FACADE

BLACK FINS FACING NORTH & WEST WHITE FINS FACING SOUTH & EAST 1:50 DETAIL SECTIONAL MODEL

the digital futures institutethe project is lifted off the ground to preserve the soccer field of the existing high school on site, also to maximize daylight exposures and have unobstructed views of the city. each end of the elevated band are highlighted in different colors to reveal the program inside. vehicles are redirected to the back of the lobby to allow continuous traffic on dundas street.

PROGRAMMATICDIAGRAM

NINTH LEVELFLOOR PLAN

PROGRAMMATICDIAGRAM

FOURTH LEVELFLOOR PLAN

PROGRAMMATICDIAGRAM

GROUND LEVELFLOOR PLAN

PROGRAMMATICDIAGRAM

UNDERGROUND LEVELFLOOR PLAN

parking

gallery

immersivetheatre immersive theatre

outdoor patio/gallery

sound recording

library

study roomskitchen & laundry residences

immersive theatres

auditoriums

meeting rooms

apartmentsapartments administrative

gallery

administrative

library

residence administrative

east lobbywest lobby

workshops

studentsrecycling

workshops teachersoffices

sound recording

lobby

teachersoffices

food court

studios

classrooms

studiosgallery

laboratories

library

food court

apartmentsrecycling

THE ENTRANCE COURTYARD IS SHELTERED BY THE ELEVATEDBAND, A LOW SINGLE STOREY LOBBY AND FLANKED BYGALLERY SPACES TO CREATE A PRIVATE PLAZA

THE DFI ELEVATED BAND CREATES A VARIETY VIEWS AND POROUS CIRCULATION AT GROUND LEVEL.THE ORIGINAL SOCCER FIELD IS PRESERVED AND SHARED WITH THE ADJACENT HIGH SCHOOL.

VEHICLES ARE REDIRECTED TO THE BACK OF THE LOBBY TO ALLOW CONTINUOUS TRAFFIC ON DUNDAS.EACH END OF THE BAND BECOMES TERRACES WITH DISTINCT COLOURS TO DENOTE THEIR PROGRAMS.

THE IMMERSIVE THEATRE IS FRAMEDBY THE TOWERS AND THE BAND TOCREATE AN ICONIC VIEW AND IDENTITY-1.UNDERGROUND PLAN

SOUTH FACADE.RESIDENTIAL ENTRANCE / LOBBY

1:50 EXPLODED MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF SKETCH MODELS / DESIGNS

0.GROUND PLAN

+1 to +4.TYPICAL TOWERS PLAN

+5 to +8.TYPICAL BAND PLAN

training centres

activity spaces

residential lobby

bookstore

commercial

coffeeshop

market

vegetation

battery rooms andmechanical equipmentswill be stored togetheralong the elevator core.

explodedplanes

market elevation

structural grid

1:1000 conceptual model

+2 to +10.rooftop plan

+1.top of the ramp

0.under the ramp

-1.underground

training centrestraining centres-over 20 classrooms-food court-seminar rooms

explodedprogrammaticdiagram

-temporal vendors-public accessible space-social gathering spaces

-educational bookstore-office supplies-magazines

-underground mailbox

-7 commercial spaces-2 public washrooms

-coffee and baked treats-available seating

-ramp with active market stalls-seating spaces with vegetation-large skylights

activity spacesactivity spaces

residential lobbyresidential lobby

bookstorebookstore

commercialcommercial

coffeeshopcoffeeshop

marketmarket

vegetationvegetation

battery rooms andmechanical equipmentswill be stored togetheralong the elevator core.

the thornhill community marketthe TCM is a hybrid facility that shelters re-habilitating individuals and eases their re-introduction into the community by working and interacting with others at the local produce market. facilitating their transition into society and promoting local produce.

-1 bedroom-1 bathroom-1 living room

-1 bedroom-1 bathroom-1 living room

-1 foyer-1 laundry room-1 storage closet

-2 bedrooms-2 bathrooms-1 living room

double unit

-1 laundry room-1 storage closet

single unit

training centres

activity spaces

residential lobby

bookstore

commercial

coffeeshop

market

vegetation

1. north 2. south

north unitsfacing green lane and residential towers

facing public square and strong sun exposure

south units

battery rooms andbattery rooms andmechanical equipmentsmechanical equipmentswill be stored togetherwill be stored togetheralong the elevator core.along the elevator core.

top:top:

photovoltaic panels

metal panels

bottom:

top:

metal panels

metal panels

bottom:

1. north panel studies 2. south panel studies

section c

section a

section b

facade perspectives: top vs. bottom0

-1

-2

-3

-4

+1

+2

+3

+4 .top

.bottom

section d

section e

section f

MARKET photovoltaic strips that will furthermore promote the idea of new sustainabletechnologies. Essentially the project becomes a hybrid system of energyproduction intertwined with active social spaces. The public interaction ismaximized through the use of large barrier-free ramps that can be intensifiedwith temporal or ephemeral activities such as vendor or street performers.The pedestrian accessible spaces are treated as sectional landscapes thatmove people through market vendors and a rhythm of rest spaces that willallow people to use the project as a gathering social space.

d

section d

section a

section b

section d

section e

section f

top of shutters. photovoltaic cells

bottom of shutters. aluminum panels

section c

1:500 exploded model

the thornhill community marketpedestrian ramps flow into the TCM from the adjacent plaza. the lower ramp brings one to the large sky-lit market. the upper ramp arrives at the lobby. also, the top of the shutters on the south facade are cladded with photovoltaic cells which sustains the market and other utilities.

F2 stair lounge plan 1:100 F3 lower suite plan 1:100F1 grade plan 1:100

S1

S5

S2 S3 S4

laneway elevation 1:100

queen street elevation 1:100

fennings street elevation 1:100

the beautea hotelthe design of the beautea flips the traditional suite-and-corridor typology on its side. in place of egress into a shared corridor, each suite is directly connected to a tea lounge below. each room has a dedicated staircase.

S1 restaurant, bar, lobby, offices 1:100 S3 parking ramp, kitchen, auditorium, meeting rooms 1:100 S4 staff room, kitchen, circulation gallery 1:100S2 vertical circulation 1:100

N

site context and conditions

fennin

g stre

et

sns

the beautea hoteltraditional vistas across the street arereplaced by expansive skylights above, ensuring that every room benefits from ample day-lighting and equal views. the resultant explosion of vertical circulation creates a remarkable lounge of stairs for patrons and passing spectators alike.

equinox daylight diff usion winter daylight diff usion summer daylight diff usion

the units are lit from a variety of natural light sources corridors feed light down to the lobbythe stairs tea lounge accommodates spontaneous seating arrangements

at night the facade becomes a screen of living silhouettes

the beautea hotelcrowning each unit is a skylight assembly with operable blinds and windows that adjust to provide a desired level of lighting and ventilation. each suite can transform from a mechanically conditioned cocoon to an airy courtyard mediated by nature.

1:200 site model

1:20 detail model1:200 exploded model the stairs tea lounge

-1

+1

0

+2

the convention shared corridor unequal views

the flip privileged access to event space

reorientation views skyward

the split form light well for diffused lightcorridor for service and egress

the stackmaximize floor space double height suites

the carvecreate double-bay rooms

enhance sectional experience

the beautea hotelpatrons emerge into their suites directly through personal stairwells. each double height unit is organized into a sleeping area and a wet-room on the first level, a kitchenette, an open-air bathtub, and slatted living space on the second floor.

development unit designs the double height units

detail section through the facade

lighting, ventilation, and use of each unit can be completely customized with operable shutters, skylights, moveable furniture, and katami mats

spring & fall ventilation scheme.cross-ventilation allows fresh air to fl ow across the tea lounge and rooms

winter heating scheme.heated fl oors circulate warm air throughout the spaces

summer cooling scheme.cooling vents and fl oors maintain the rooms cool when it’s cold out

florence. venice. munichduomo. florence. italy. 07.22.07st marks. venice. italy. 07.18.07olympic stadium. munich. germany. 07.29.07

ronchamp. concept shoe. bordeauxronchamp. poissy. france. 07.27.07concept shoe. puma. 09.08.07bordeaux. france. 07.05.07

tokyo. paris. beijingshibuya. tokyo. japan. 04.24.08la defense. paris. france. 07.01.07the great wall. beijing. china. 05.02.08

the strawbed screenover 3800 drinking straws become a grid that allow people to leave their own bodily expressions. this project reinterprets ready-mades by crafting a screen where users can leave unique “i was here” messages with their bodies.

the strawbed screenby nature, the screen has a negative and a positive side of modulation. this screen could stretch indefinitely to create an expressive threshold.

the elastic gridthis conceptual model is an exploration designed to defy the strict parameters of a grid. through infinite configurations of elastic shapes, one can start to find order in a seemingly chaotic form, or vice versa.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

STUDY MODELSSTUDY MODELS

exo-eskeleton. protection + shedding endo-eskeleton. internal support structures

massing studies shape studies stacking studies

the bio-follythrough an extreme and experimental study of various exoskeleton systems, a biomorphic shape was transformed and adapted into several organisms. the bio-folly explores the logic and composition of biomorphic shapes while evolving them into objects that start to engender their own associations.

i/dentityurine was collected from a variety of races, genders and demographics. the unifying color gradient is intended to stop racism. urine is the most basic human by-product, this sculpture reveals that despite our superficial differences, we are all the same, we are all humans.

education

2007 september - masters of architecture. faculty of architecture, landscape and design. university of toronto2010 december a comprehensive and extensive exploration of various architectural issues which are pursued through in-depth research and developments conducted by current leading practitioners.

2010 january - halcrow yolles collaborative studio. halcrow yolles engineering practice2010 april a studio/competition that seeks to find a unique expression in built form that emerges from the collaborative relationship and between an architect and an engineer.

2010 january health design conference. university of toronto seminars that examine the capacity for design to align the disciplines of architecture with medicine, quantitative analysis with qualitative judgment, science with art.

2008 april - constructing a tropical sustainability. isthmus school of architecture. panama city2008 november after researching the characteristics and performance of local materials, a series of experimental, low-budget, self-sustaining houses were built for poor families along the coast of panama.

2008 april - understanding the architecture of asia. university of hong kong / independent research2008 august investigation of the various types of cities and urban settings in asia and how they perform. i examined the characteristics and behaviors of the chinese culture through their architectural build-up.

2007 june - learning from twenty-two european cities. independent research2007 july the research focused on the experience and cultural importance of major architectural masterpieces inside their respective urban fabrics; through sketches, diagrams, videos and photographs.

2003 september - honors bachelor of arts with distinction. faculty of architecture, landscape and design.2007 june university of toronto major in architecture with a concentration in design. minors in environmental studies, visual studies and french.

2005 april - french immersion program. university of quebec2005 may intense program that requires one to spend three months in a french speaking environment while learning the semantics and linguistics of french through speaking and writing.

computer skills

autodesk autocad 2010 + 3d studio max + architectural desktop

mcneel rhinoceros 4.0 + grasshopper

asgvis v-ray rendering engine

@last sketchup pro

ulead photoimpact x3 + mediastudio pro 8 pinnacle + studio version 12

corel coreldraw graphics suite x4 + wordperfect office x4

microsoft word + powerpoint + excel + windows movie maker

steinberg cubase sx3

propellerhead reason version 4

adobe photoshop cs4 + illustrator cs4 + indesign cs4 + premiere pro cs4 acrobat professional cs4 + soundbooth cs4 + audition cs4

languages

english

spanish

french

cantonese

sei yap (dialect)

work experiences

2010 january- halcrow yolles collaborative studio. halcrow yolles engineering practice2010 april a studio/competition that seeks to find a unique expression in built form that emerges from the collaborative relationship and between an architect and an engineer.

2009 october - build toronto program. conducted by the city of toronto2010 january a group of architects, urban designers, and students study a number underdeveloped neighborhoods to identify socio-economic issues and re-design their urban schemes and infrastructures to allow for a successful re-gentrification.

2008 june - architect. atelier 1985. panama city2009 december atelier 1985 is a small firm specializing in designs of mixed-use buildings, hotels, resorts, restaurants and masterplans for large neighborhoods with residential and commercial spaces. i worked on the design and development of low-budget sustainable houses, restaurants, boutiques and a masterplan for a neighborhood of 5 hectares, among other projects. i also maintained a close relationship with clients, investors, consultants and other professionals in the field.

2008 june - furniture designer. independent projects and collaborations.present most of the projects are commissions in panama which use locally-grown woods and materials. i have designed lights, chairs and tables for restaurants and showrooms. also, a prototype set of chairs and table was designed for the new “bridge of life” museum in panama by frank gehry.

2008 april - constructing a tropical sustainability. isthmus school of architecture. panama city2008 november after researching the characteristics and performance of local materials, a series of experimental, low-budget, self-sustaining houses were built for poor families along the coast of panama.

2007 august - shoe designer and visual merchandiser. new concept puma store. toronto2008 april through extensive research and studies of the human body and ergonomics, i designed a series of experimental shoes that questioned materiality, fit and complemented the body and feet in motion.

2007 april - intern-architect. sit architecture. toronto2007 september assist with the studies & developments of various residential & commercial projects. responsible for the materials & assembly of the restaurant eurasia located in downtown toronto.

2006 september - optical frames designer. specs & specs optical. toronto2007 july design and craft a collection of frames and lenses with different types of woods and acrylics. work with a variety of sculpting machines and laser cutters to shape and cut frames.

2007 september bridging the gap design charette. conducted by the city of toronto downtown toronto is currently divided from the coast of lake ontario by the gardiner highway. this intense design charette explores the issues and possibilities to unify downtown toronto.

2006 september - work-study assistant. ed pien2007 april conceptualize and assemble exhibitions for graphic designer/painter ed pien. design mounting frames for large scale paintings and hanging sculptures.

2006 september - volunteer mentor for architecture students. university of toronto2007 april introduce students to the main movements in architectural and art history. counsel first year students with academics and ease them into university life.

2006 july - wordlink summit of the americas. united nations. panama city2006 august international conference in which various international issues are discussed and treated. i was the representative of panama regarding issues of urban design and architecture.

2006 april - drawing instructor. isthmus school of architecture. panama city2006 august train first-year students to understand the different techniques of drawing in different media. teach basic representational concepts such as perspective, line weights, etc. 2005 april - lifeguard + first aid trainer. cummer community park. toronto2006 may keep a clean and safe community centre, also maintained the condition of the building. treat various injuries through first aid and rescue procedures alongside with EMS.

2006 february - eyeball show. university of toronto. visual studies department2006 march annual show that exhibits work by local artists, architects and film makers. my subject was to examine habitual routines in society through sculptures and mixed visuals.

2005 november - building design + site surroundings model. eric arthur gallery2005 december build a 40” x 97” site model as the exhibition’s centerpiece for site orientation . present the design of an small apartment that promoted maximum space efficiency.

work experiences (continued)

2005 february - music trainer. private music instructor. various instrumentspresent organize comprehensive teaching plans including music theory and performance techniques. improve student’s overall understanding in piano, guitar, keyboard, bass and percussion.

2004 november - landscape sketch artist. panama’s tourism board2005 january draw in-site sketches of panamanian urban sites and landscapes. sketch different metropolitan and rural conditions under short deadlines.

2004 april - volunteer translator. flying doctors of america. panama2004 september translate in real-time for doctors when treating patients across central america. help and guide patients with the advises given by the doctors in a foreign language.

2004 april - cartoonist for newspaper. university of quebec. trois -rivieres.2004 july compose short cartoons for weekly newspaper and school publications. communicate ideas through a designed and organized storyboard.

2003 december - site and surroundings 1:100 scale model. centro cultural chino panameño. panama2004 february measure buildings, design and build 60” x 100” site model for educational institution the project was commissioned to represent the institution as a model to be located in the lobby.

exhibitions

2010 february gladstone hotel. come up to my room

2010 january the music gallery. spatial emotions

2009 september larry wayne richards gallery. the re-gentrification of liberty village

2009 january power plant gallery. face-papers

2008 february art gallery of ontario. on the roof

2007 december one spadina. eyeball show

2005 november eric arthur gallery. crammed

awards

2010 january spatial emotions. the toronto music gallery

2009 december the new dfi. ontario college of art & design

2009 july professional experience program award. al&d

2009 march the beautea hotel. design lines: toronto

2008 may honourable mention: the mobility hub. the panama design expo’

2007 december the strawbed screen. the eyeball show

2007 september entrance scholarship. faculty of architecture: university of toronto

2007 august puma new concept store interiors. play magazine

2007 january autocad 2007 certificate. george brown college

2004 – 2007 outstanding scholastic achievements. golden key international honour society

2004 – 2005 dean’s list award. university of toronto

2003 december standard first aid & cpr ‘c’ certificate. life guarding society of toronto

publications & lectures

2010 january show me the music. brown bag lecture series

2009 summer issue invisible landscapes. the shift publication

2008 december the sculptor: the story of rochdale college. baas symposium

2008 february the world’s first department store. play magazine

2007 annual issue the werner house. al&d annual publication