Architects and designers, traditionally viewed as two distinct fields, are today more than ever bound by the same responsibilities: solving systemic design challenges, such as urbanization, and tackling large scale issues such as social inequality. I am inspired by the idea that there may be a remedy to the aforementioned challenges through the integration of architecture, graphic design, and popular media.
Architecture is not limited to simply building. This is a profession which should encompass interdisciplinary thinking and discovering new working fields. I view Architecture as a creative field that embodies a philosophy by integrating architecture, visual arts, and performing arts. To that end, designs grow seamlessly out of an existing space, tapping into the space’s “DNA,” all the while giving it an entirely new image and public resonance. I believe this seamless connection of the public and private space is an attribute that the office explores extensively and is a gesture that can eliminate certain programmatic elements to create a more fluid spatial experience.
Educated as an architect, my focus has been on integrative and collaborative design which creates innovative solutions through imaginative architecture. At the Southern California Institute of Architecture, my thesis, “Inflatable Architecture” involved the exploration of fabric following function while creating inhabitable space that could be adaptable to the environment. The project was an experimental pavilion created with vinyl sheathing as the membrane and a resin cured frame as the structural element. Exploring similar formal language as my studio project for the Whitney Museum High Line proposal. The undulating outward and inward creates interconnected spaces with various heights to diversify programmatic elements. The material stays constant as it translates to ceiling, wall, and floor; the blurring of public and private spaces becomes fluid. In this regard, my primary focus in working on these academic projects has always been learning a new way of thinking rather than merely preparing for a profession.
As a Designer at Perkins+Will New York, I have contributed to numerous award-winning projects across multiple sectors, including both in Healthcare and Commercial Mixed-Use. These include the Monmouth Ambulatory Center and Hartford Hospital Orthopedic Institute, both of which were completely designed and documented in Revit. Prior to joining Perkins+Will, I worked in several small design practices involving commercial retail space and mid-size residential. And recently with Woods Bagot Sports Division, under the guidance of Dan Meis, Global Sports Director of Woods Bagot. The project is a brand-new, state of the art soccer stadium in Rome. In schematic design phase, Stadio dellla Roma includes luxury suites and 52,500 spectator seating, will be built on the outskirts of the Italian capital.
Cheers,
Tim Cheng
DLR Group, Dubai, AE, Designer
Mall of the Emirates Expansion - The Mall of the Emirates expansion will add approximately 300,000 square feet of new and recaptured retail gross leasable area. When complete, the mall will feature more than 3 million square feet of gross leasable area and new hotels. A vertical expansion to an existing parking structure will add an additional 1,300 parking spaces, bringing the total parking to 9,000 spaces. DLR Group provided architecture, planning and interiors services.
Pentagram, New York, NY, US, Environmental Designer
New York Public Library - Design Lead for Visualization for Treasure Unbound permanent exhibition
Snarkitecture, New York, NY, US, Retail/Installation Designer
Snarkitecture is a collaborative and experimental practice operating in territories between art and architecture. The name is drawn from Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of The Snark, a poem describing an “impossible voyage of an improbable crew to find an inconceivable creature.” Snarkitecture investigates the unknown within architecture – the indefinable moments created by manipulating and reinterpreting existing materials, structures, and programs to spectacular effect.
PROJECT INVOLVED:
National Building Museum (DC) - "Summer Block Party", interactive architectural exhibit. 10,000 sqft. enclosure in its Great Hall called the BEACH. Visitors are welcomed to 'swim' in the ocean, which will be comprised of around 750,000 recyclable plastic balls.
KITH (NY) - Brooklyn location, retail experience through a series of unexpected moments.
Gensler, New York, NY, US, Architect Designer
Gensler is widely recognized as the world’s leading collaborative design firm, not just the largest. The ability to work together as an integrated team is part of our DNA, and we’ve embraced it at every level, from our Co-CEOs to our studios and project teams.
PROJECTS INVOLVED:
Sam Edelman (NY) - Midtown / Office & Showroom; Concept - Construction Documents
High 5 Games HQ (NY) 1WTC / Workplace Interior -Construction Documents
Massey Knakel (NY) Midtown / Workplace Interior - Brand Development
Galataport (IST) Istanbul / Master Plan and community development.
The Coca-Cola Company (ATL) Downtown / Brand Development - Installation
Cadillac Experience Center (NY) Tribeca / Retail & Showroom - Exhibition
Cadillac Headquarter (NY) Tribeca / Workplace Interior - Installation
The Well (TR) Downtown / Retail & Showroom - Community development Marketing center
Woods Bagot, New York City , Designer
Sports Division - AS Roma
Development of a 52,000 seater stadium to be built on the outskirts of the Italian capital entitled ‘Stadio della Roma’, the project will be undertaken by international studio Woods Bagot under the Sports Director, Dan Meis.
Perkins&Will, New York Cit , Designer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - 50% CD
- M4 Decanting : NY
- Clinical Lab Building : NY
Monmouth Ambulatory Care Center -100% DD
- Monmouth : NJ
Mount Sinai Neonatal Care Unit -30% DD
- Goal: LEED-ID+C Gold : NY
New York University Men's Health Center - 100% DD
Hartford Orthopedic Hospital Building - 100% SD
- Medical Office Building + Orthopedic In & Out Patient Facilities : CT
United Nation - 50% DD
- Capital Master Plan : NY
- Interior fit out of the General Assembly : NY
Jaklitsch/Gardner Architects, New York City , Designer
Marc Jacobs Flagship - 70% DD
- Marc Jacobs & Marc by Marc Jacobs : Shanghai, China
Marc Jacobs Global Showroom - 100% DD - CD
- Boutiques (8) : NY, Seoul, Tokyo, Paris
Duke - Semans Mansion on 1009 Fifth Avenue - 100% Conceptual Development
- Competition bid for renovation : NY
Astor Tea House - 50% SD
- Renovation and interior fit out proposal : Rhinebeck, NY
Johnson Favaro, Culver City, CA, US, Internship
Interdisciplinary Design Practice
Responsibilities:
- LAUSD - Master Planning / Programming
(Developed Schematic program design interaction)
- Center for Early Education Center - Programming, facility studies
(Documentation production, post occupancy service)
- Mandell Residence
(Produced construction documents for residential project)
Jones, Partners: Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, US, Internship
Fabrication of Physical Model ( Acrylic, Styrene)
A+D Museum, Los Angeles, Exhibition “SOUPERgreen” .02/11 - 04/11
http://soupergreen.com/
URBANA, Los Angeles, CA, US, Internship
Responsibilities
- Assisted in drawing, rendering and presentation for building projects
(Eagle Rock, Residential: Redesigning car park)
- Schematic Design / Shortlist Competition
(Commissioned by Florida State University, Permanent Installation for the Visual Arts Dept)
- Solar Park South International Online Competition
(Digital modeling, Illustration, Mental Ray, Rhino Grasshopper)
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, Architecture
The undergraduate program at SCI-Arc is a five-year (ten-term) professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
SCI-Arc’s undergraduate program integrates the development of knowledge of a wide range of conceptual and practical skills, from critical thinking to technical expertise, to create a fluid and holistic approach to the education of the becoming contemporary architect. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on the development of the individual student's personal growth, self reflection and knowledge of architectural design issues, including theoretical constructs and advancements in building technology, and ranging from applications of high-performance "intelligent" materials to considerations for sustainable practices.
The undergraduate curriculum is built around an integrated sequence of design studios, Visual Studies, History and Theory, Media and Technology courses, into which interdisciplinary seminars in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities are woven. Following the foundation and core sequence, upper-division courses are offered in Professional Practice and related subjects. Over five years of study, students become actively engaged in the discussion of the practice of architecture and are prepared to join the workforce.
