Concept Architecture

i-Hubs

Location: San Diego, CA

Nowadays, people tend to demolish the old buildings to build a new one; however, hacking and enhancing an existing building is the most sustainable act because by reusing structure and materials can help us save more money than that of building a new one. By 2050, with the help of technology, the amount of office spaces needed may decrease as people can work from home. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the office buildings, which do not promote healthy environment for the workers.

This project is to update an existing structure by incorporating live/work spaces with variable programs to enhance the lives of people in downtown San Diego. This can be done through hacking office buildings and adding residential spaces along with retails, and elevated green spaces.

According to the research I did beforehand, many buildings in San Diego are lack of transparency, which can help to promote social interaction and attract people’s attentions. Therefore, the skin of the existing office building in the lower level is transformed to create porosity between retails and the pedestrains. In order to ventilate and allow the natural sunlight to penetrate through the building, atrium is added in possible areas. The outdoor spaces are created using push and pull method to integrate elevated green spaces into the live/work areas.

San Diego Civic Center

Site Location: Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA

After analyzing the civic centers of the United States, porosity and connectivity between public and the government is absent in many government buildings. Therefore, in order to create a connection between people and the government, transparency became the main driver of the design.
The design intent is to represent the disconnection and reconnection between the people and the government.

Vertical Housing and Farming

Site Location: Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA

In collaboration with Maria Reyes and Jasmin Lopez

Treasure Island is a man-made island located next to Yueba Buena in SF bay. This island was built in 1938 with the intention of showing the technology of the U.S to the world. Because of WWII and the nuclear technology, treasure island went through destruction and is currently abandoned and contaminated. This island has a lot of potential for the transformation because it is the connection point between SF and Oakland.

The idea of this design is to revitalize the island by using nature as an inspiration and technology.

The design intent is to reactivate the island by bringing in people from the surrounding cities, accomodate the future population with new housing and gradually enhance economy growth in the island.

Rubik Apartments

Location: Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA

In collaboration with Francesc Rovira and Matthew Palumbo

The site is challenging because of the noise created from trolley line, and the lack of pedestrians' accessibility. Therefore, we wanted to enhance the interaction between pedestrians and the building by providing transparency on the ground floor.

We aimed to provide the residents with the best quality of housing experience. Each apartment is unique and carefully designed to allow natural lighting and ventilation. 2-3 apartment units have a share-green-space with a balcony.

For the units that are located in the middle of the rectangular box are also provided with natural air flow through the openings that penetrate through the whole buildings. Each opening that were cut out is based on the sun angle of the specific location.

Folding House

Location: La Jolla, San Diego, CA

The location of this site is ideal because it is on the hill overlooking the ocean.

The design is to compliment the view of the ocean and integrate the passive usage of energy into the building. Since the site is facing the ocean, it creates pros and cons throughout the design process. The west facade can create intense glare during afternoon and evening time, while it also allows the prevailing wind from the west.

To decrease the amount of sunlight during afternoon hours, the movable panels and foldable doors are integrated into the design, and that allows the building to be completely opened up to get natural ventilation and can be completely closed up to provide privacy when it is needed.

East Village Community Center

Location: East Village, San Diego, CA, USA

East Village consists of innovative people, business people, artists, and designers. Art and design are not only the nourishment but also the identity of East Village. To enhance the growth of East Village, the community requires to come together; therefore, the concept of this design is “intertwining”. It intertwines the community together to reach out for a better future. Also looking at San Diego’s textiles, the blocks are rectangular and fine grained, which creates the fixed rectangular movement of people and less interaction. To improve the community interaction, the site allows diagonal circulation and it invites people in from different corners to meet at a focal point. The structure allows opportunities for the people to come together, display their creativity and show the identity of East Village through the works of their creations. Outdoor open area can hold large events for both day and night, and the lighting panels on the ground lights up at night to create a sense of safety, which in terms can enrich the neighborhood, allow the surrounding areas to grow as well.

THESIS TEASER

Location: Yangon, Myanmar(Burma)

This thesis book consists of 144 pages of statements, research, critical position, case studies, program studies, site analysis, history, conceptual ideas, and potential design solutions.

Thesis : Finding Tranquility through Chaos

Author: Ei Khin Khin

If you are interested in viewing full version of this thesis book:

Please find the copy at Richard Welch Library located in 1249 F Street, San Diego, CA 92101

(or)

Please contact eikkhin.arch@gmail.com