an architecture portfoliod a n i e l s e e

preface

Growing up in a creative and imaginative childhood environment, with an intense love for philosophy and all things curious,

Architecture is the perfect platform for me to explore and experiment.

This portfolio is a journey that will bring you into my world of philosophy, of imagination and of architecture.

shp_daniel@hotmail.com

year 1:design principles + basic design studio + residential studio

designprinciples

Architecture consist of many basic principles that form its foundation.In design principles, we learn thatbuildings and spaces are governedby such laws.

A few examples of these principles are axis points, repetition, reflection,hierachy, symmetry and rhythm.

These design principles influencesa wide aspect of architecturaldesign. This ranges from repetition of windows and col-umns to converging axis pointsof corridors and open spaces.

design principles

fear.a translation

Architecture and emotions areclosely linked together. Architecturewithout emotion is dead andsouless. In this project,we are asked to choosean emotion and translate it intoa sculpture / shelter.

My chosen emotion is Fear. Fear is a dark emotion, fear isa feeling of danger and unspeakablehorrors that haunts all of us.

My larger-than-life sculpturepotray fear through scale,mystery, play of lightings and dark

unforgiving shadows.

basic design studio

A cone filled with holes andspikes forms an immense overhangover the minature human cut-outs,or “Uncle Leong” as we call them.

The stark contrast of colour andform between the sculpture of fearand its surrounding creates anotherworldly environment throughthe eyes of “Uncle Leong”.

This is a project that I learned toconvey my emotions and feelingsinto something physical. A translationand transition between themind and architecture.

basic design studio

fear.a translation

TIKI house

TIKI house is a residential projectlocated near our college. Weare asked to design a compactliving house for ourselves. Twosites are provided, a cantileveredshopfront, or a bridged structurebetween two shoplots. I chosedthe cantilevered shopfront.

In this compact living project, wedesigned a retreat space thatcontains all the essential spacesand furnitures that reflects ourpersonal lifestyle. Kitchen, bathroom,bedroom, lounge and living area,study area and a piano spcaeis being housed in this20 meter square house.

residential studio

The walls and structure of theTIKI house is inspired by thetraditional malay kampung houses.The thatched roof, timber framingand louvered walls are moderninterpretation of the traditionalhouse.

Some features of this house includeshorizontal and vertical louvered finwalls that can be manually ajustedto direct wind flow. The airy andhigh roof allows better naturalventilation and is a direct responseto the hot tropical climate,

residential studio

TIKI house

phantommansion

The Phantom Mansion is a retreat house project designed toreflect our client’s personalityand character. In this case, myclient is the Phantom of The Opera.

The Phantom of The Opera isa dark and mysterious characterthat lurks beneath the famousParis Opera House. He is shroudedin a cloak of darkness and evilbut possess a magnificient voice.A kind heart and an act of purelove shone through his evilside. This provides me with mydesign concept for this mansion.

To potray beauty through mystery.

residential studio

The phantom always blends in withhis surroundings, he is a master ofillusion and trickery. My site forthis project is a steep andheavily forested hill slope, our requirement is not tocut down a single tree on site.

I fully optimised the surroundingcontext and integrate it into mydesign and intepretation of thePhantom Mansion. Nature motifs and the mysterious jungle atmosphere are incorporated into

my design.

residential studio

phantommansion

The Phantom Mansion consist of4 main areas. The entrance gallery,the living tower, the diningplatform and ending at the pinnacle of all spaces, themusic chamber.

The structures and spaces arearranged according to hierachy, acentral glass bridge with gargoylesforms the main axis of thewhole complex.

residential studio

phantommansion

Rough concrete surfaces and natureinspired designs such as thebranch-like music chamber glassframe dominates the mansion.This adds to the raw and mysteriousbeauty that blends in with itssurroundings.

This project takes translation to a whole new level compared to my previous translation project.

An architecture piece is a physicalstatement of our wildestimaginations.

residential studio

phantommansion

year 2:commercial studio + institutional studio

tag heuer

Tag Heuer is a luxury watchmaker that distinguish itself withits iconic affliction to motorsports, nautical and aerospacetechnologies. Tag Heuer prides itselfwith its many innovations andintricate watch mechanisms.

This project requires us todesign a portable display shopfor our client. The portable shopshould reflect the client’s identity,innovations and character.

Tag Heuer is famous for itscomplex open face inner mechanismsand sheer luxury. My design conceptbrings these two qualities together

as a visual stimuli for visitors.

commercial studio

The overall form represents thedynamic and luxury status Tag Heuerenjoys, matt black fibreglass sheetsis used to mould the portableshop to provide a lightweightbut visually pleasent exterior skin.

Display compartments and LCDscreens dominates the exteriorfacade to display Tag Heuermerchandise, the interior consist ofa gallery and sales counter. Thegallery is dominated by a hugeclockwork mechanism glass floorthat echos the rich heritageand modern innovations thatis essentially Tag Heuer.

commercial studio

tag heuer

maybankshop facade

In this project, we are taskedto redesign an existing shop facadefor a new client. The redesignedfacade should represent our newclient and help to rejuvenatethe current existing shoplot.

My client is Maybank, Malaysia’s largest banking company. Maybank is famous for its stable financialsand its tiger logo, it providesan image of stability and powerthat will be the core ofmy design concept.

commercial studio

Banks are often rigid and solid,to break that monotomy I designcurved exterior walls that providesvisual appeal and sun shadingproperties.

The curved exterior walls are madeof pre-cast concrete with embeddedsteel water pipings, when filledwith cold running water thesepipings will cool down the exteriorskin, thus lowering internaltemperatures.

Strips of louvers are also placed inintervals and planted with greensto provide vertical visual connectionand additional shading.

commercial studio

maybankshop facade

This redesigned facade provides asecure yet dynamic outlook forMaybank and it sets a primeexample of sustainability andexcitement for the surroundingshops.

commercial studio

maybankshop facade

trafficinfo centre

The traffic information centre isa complex that centralises alltraffic controls along Kuala Lumpur’sFederal Highway, while servingas an information hubfor the public. The site isadjacent to the highway andis now occupied by an abandonstructure.

Traffic is all about hierachy andorder, the way cars interact withone another and the rules andlaws that governs them all formsa system. A neat orderly structureamong all the chaos in traffic.

My concept for this centre ishierachy and the opposing rawand tranquil nature of everydaytraffic.

My goal is to design anisolated and peaceful surroundingwith water features and pools,while having imposing concretemonoliths that soars into the sky.

institutional studio

The traffic information centre consistof several main wings, namely themain reception hall, visitorsgallery and lounge space,office platform and thetraffic monitoring centre.

These spaces are arranged accordingto hierachy in public andprivate spaces. The main entranceinto the complex is walkingthrough two concrete monoliths,passing along a concrete walkwayacross the reflection pondand into the reception hall.

The whole complex surrounds theinternal reflection pond, thusforming a focal point within.

institutional studio

trafficinfo centre

Trees and greens are integratedinto my design, open wingsand platforms provide spaces forgreens to be planted. Openfacades encourage natural crossventilation through the building.

institutional studio

trafficinfo centre

year 3:urban research + urban revival

In our final year, we areassigned to do a group researchproject at Chow Kit, one of theoldest areas of Kuala Lumpur aspart of our urban research.

During the various site visits, meand my friends studied and researched on topics such astraffic flows, weather patterns,public ammeneties, buildingtopography, etc. Our researchbrought us a better understandingof the developement and problemsthat occur in a diverse urban pocket.

year 3 : urban research

urbanresearch

year 3 : urban research

urbanresearch

After the initial research stage,we are asked to propose a newmasterplan to address the issuesfound by means of upgradingcurrent systems or a completenew revival.

The urban revival in Chow Kit isdone through several proposals,this includes new projects toinject new life into this area,new traffic circulations, newdesignated building zones andother public ammeneties suchas the gree belt proposals.

The goal of the project is tonurture a sense of pride andbelonging to the residence.The revival also aims toprovide Chow Kit with a greenerand more breathable environmentthat is sustainable and vibrant.

year 3 : urban revival

urbanrevival

year 3 : urban revival

urbanrevival

year 3:final project

The final project is a YouthCreative and Lifestyle Centrefor the youths in Chow Kit.This is a continuation of theurban revival project.

Rimba in Malay means jungle,belia means youth. For this project,Rimba Belia signifies the effortto provide a sustainable, greenand creative environment for youthsto nurture and grow.

PROJECT GOAL:

To improve and upgrade thelifestyle by inserting vibrancy andlife back to the youth community.Ultimately, it is about giving andidentity and to instil a sense of pride and confidenceto the youths living in Chow Kit.

DESIGN GOAL:

To project dynamism and theidentity of youths to createprensence and statement withinthe surrounding site context. Thedesign will provide spaces andfacilities in relation to thelocal needs that will greatlybenefit the youths and communityof Chow Kit.

final project

rimba belia

The development process is a detailed consideration of thetype and layout of spaces.

DESIGN CONCEPT:

Exposed Fusionism

Exposed Fusionism is the conceptof exposing the innerworks andfusion of external influence of a building. This concept enablesthe project to stand out whileblending in with the localsocial fabric, creating a strongyet harmonious identity forthe youths of Chow Kit.

final project

rimba belia

1 internal courtyard garden

2 outdoor courtyard platform

final project

rimba belia

1

2

final project

rimba belia

3 rooftop garden overlooking greenbelt

4 arts and crafts gallery

3

4

5 rooftop bicycle and skateboard -ing ring

6 arts and crafts gallery

final project

rimba belia

The final project is a Youth5

6

final project

rimba belia

7 study and discussion platform

8 arts and crafts platform

7 8

other worksvisual communication + sketches + photography

We attend visual communicationclasses in our first year tolearn some basic drawing andmanual colouring skills. Someof the assignments includespencil sketching, watercolour andmix-media paintings. It helps usgreatly in the coming yearswith our presentation boards.

other works

visualcommunication

sketches

We travelled to a few placesin Malaysia for field trips andstudy trips, sketches are partof our assignments.

These sketches are based onheritage buildings in Melacca andGeorge Town, Penang. Both arerecently declared UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.

other works

other works

sketches

other works

photography

01

0203

01 BOH tea farm, cameron highlands

02 traditional house, kota kinabalu

03 old tea factory, cameron highlands

other works

photography

01

0203 01 blossoming purple flower

02 stacked timber

03 jungle leaf vein

other works

photography

01 the girl by the window bay

02 smile of spring

03 once upon a tea time

01

0203

d a n i e l s e e

“ A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable. “

Louis I. Kahn