architectureportfoilo

lexie ho ming

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LEXIE ho ming

21 years old (as of 2015)+65 9138 0392

mingho.lexie@gmail.comBachelor of Environments;

Major in Architecture

2001-2007

2008-2010

2011-2014

2014-2015

2013

2014

2011

2011

2012

2014

2014

educationNan Hua Primary School

Clementi Town Secondary School

Singapore PolytechnicDiploma in Architecture w MeritGPA: 3.926Diploma in Design ThinkingGPA: 3.727

University of Melbourne Bachelor of EnvironmentsWeighted Average: 79.375

S A Chua Architects Pte Ltd3 months as Draftsman

DP Architects Pte Ltd3 months as Technical Officer

Cadet Inspector

Sarawak-Kuching Building a house for a family

Sunburst Youth Camp

SG Cares

The SouthCare Project at BomberryHabitat for Humanity

Singapore

Singapore

Singapore

Australia, Melbourne

Internship

Temp Job

NPCC

SP trip

External

External

UMelb

working experience

external experience

personal skillsAutocad

Photoshop

Sketchup

Revit

InDesign

Illustrator

Microstation

Rhino (+Grasshopper)

MS Powerpoint

MS Word

Manual Sketching

00 01 02 03 04 introduction : cv singapore

polytechnic :year 3 project

university of melbourne :studio air

university of melbourne :studio fire

university of melbourne :construction

design

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museum of everyday objects

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“Punctuation” space Sketchup + Photoshop

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Located along fort canning link and armenian street, the site was considered a secluded and almost invisible spot despite being at an intersection. It was noticed that people were passing by every day, busy with their own lives, that they did not notice their surroundings.

This was used as the driving point to my concept of Punctuation, whereby the museum of everyday objects would be used to slow down the user’s movements to look up and take note of whatever that is happening before time brisks it away.

Study of different spatial experiences Physical models + Photoshop

Location plan at Fort Canning Park Manual sketch + Photoshop

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part section :50

DETAIL B

DETAIL A

DETAIL C

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BA

DETAIL A & B :50

Besides design, the project also looked into the micro aspect where we studied the detailing of the building with specifics to facade type, slab

type and roof systems. We were tasked to explore the online resources and propose how the structure and detailing would work in relation to

the design intent in entirety.

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For the external outlook of the building, I adopted the idea of long volumes that extended

horizontally on plan and vertically in volume, distinct to the eye from a distance. These were

the punctuation spaces where users would be able to rest and ponder before moving on to the other galleries (which are expressed in contrast,

horizontally on the exterior).

The vertical spaces were also treated with a different facade system whereby it was further

emphasised with vertical steel fins while the horizontal spaces were treated with translucent

panels that repeated across the surface. This serves as a screening to the external to create a

isolated and indepedent space that probes the user to slow down.

Cityscape GallerySketchup + Photoshop

Coffeeshop GallerySketchup + Photoshop

Entry from Fort Canning Park Sketchup + Photoshop

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The brief required us to encompass 40 chosen everyday objects into our museums. I proposed permanent galleries, categorising the objects into where they would be typically found. For example, a traditional breakfast set would be located in the Coffeeshop gallery.

By abstracting the spatial experience of the actual space into the gallery, it plays with the mind that the user is actually in an actual coffeeshop such that there would be narrow corridors, tables at fixed distances and open spaces in certain areas. Similarly the idea was adopted in the other galleries (Cityscape, Home and Neighbourhood).

Neighbourhood GallerySketchup + Photoshop

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by the seaside

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Rock climbing structures on salt flatsAutocad + Sketchup + Photoshop

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Studio Air was the first studio I took when I entered University of Melbourne. It challenges the students

to design out of the norm through parametric design. Although structure was still taken into consideration

at the later stage, it was fully about envisioning something new with the current technology that

would also be environmentally friendly.

Therefore, the studio solely focused on Rhino and Grasshopper, while recommending the use of 3D printing and laser cutting for the presentation of

models, while documenting the process in a journal.

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Location plan at CopenhagenAutocad + Photoshop

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FORM 2 / FIVE STANDARD PATTERNSFORM 1 / FIVE STANDARD PATTERNS

FORM 2 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN PATTERNSFORM 1 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN PATTERNS

FORM 2 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN 3D PATTERNSFORM 1 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN 3D PATTERNSExploring the variations of form and structureRhino + Grasshopper

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MANUAL CHANGE OF FORM WITH STANDARD PATTERN

FORM 3 / FIVE STANDARD PATTERNSFORM 2 / FIVE STANDARD PATTERNS

FORM 3 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN PATTERNSFORM 2 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN PATTERNS

FORM 3 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN 3D PATTERNSFORM 2 / FIVE MANUALLY DRAWN 3D PATTERNS

Each student could choose a topic to focused on and study it through precedents, and I chose to focus on the Structure aspect. I then explored it through the various grasshopper’s tools (documenting them as matrixes) and came up with my own script/ equation at the end of the day.

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My final proposal was to create large climbable rock like structures (dervied from the voronoi patternings of grasshopper) that scattered across the water, taking to advantage that the site was located beside the ocean. To create a more natural setting, I also proposed a salt flat that

would allow users to “walk on water” giving them the experience as if they were shrunk and strolling among washed up rocks.

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Easy to Advanced variations of rock climbingAutocad + Photoshop

Panel to panel connections possibilities Laser Cut physical model

Multiple grips in connection to panel Laser Cut physical model

1:5 scale models of connection of individual grips to panel Laser Cut physical model

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In addition, solar panels would be installed strategically on the top of the rock structures

in response to the solar analysis across the year (information obtained through ladybug).

The layout of the rock structures on the site also responds to the expected circulation

route and create large areas for views and gatherings. This results in the entire site

seemingly eating its way into the industrial neighbourhood.

3D Site Plan Autocad + Rhino + Grasshopper + Photoshop

Rock structure extended into the ocean Autocad + Sketchup + Photoshop

Different levels of difficulties and heights of the structures Autocad + Sketchup + Photoshop

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ivanhoe grammar school1:20 Part Section Model Physical model (pair work)

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axonometric drawing: ground floor

Prior to the pair model making, each of us were tasked to document the details in an axonometric drawing (both at different areas of the same selected portion). The details were documented from the soil profile

based on the geotechnical report, the footing systems to ground floor and roof systems based on the structural and architectural drawings provided.

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The sizes and dimensions of the products could be found on the manufacturer’s website along with other online resourcecs. The aim of the axonometric drawing was to researched the connection details of the elements, down to the type and sizes of reinforcement used in the slabs and beams that would make it

easier when building the scale 1:20 model in the later part of the module.

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Through the documentation process, it was noticed that some parts of the architectural and structural drawings do not add up, which allowed us to understand the tedious process of always matching up with

the engineer in order to produce accurate drawings that would result in an easier and faster building schedule. When comparing with the actual construction photos on site, inconsistencies with the drawings

were also picked up. We later addressed these differences in the physical model.

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Through the whole module, we came to understand the connection methods between the details as well as why they were needed. For example, additional bracing was required at certain areas to provide support against the lateral force of the wind. As mentioned earlier, the documented details may vary in the actual construction due to the building contractor’s methods or in response to on site problems. Bondek was used on the first floor only as a formwork due to its efficiency and did not serve as a bondek floor system. This was not in the drawings and was a contractor’s decision to speed up the process.

physical model :20 scale

Cantilever structure with sub-framing and bracing Overlap of roof sheets and flashing at parapet and a roof safety system

Different types of reinforcements in the beams and slab

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Brackets holding the sunshading fins in place along the curved facade Underside of roof showing the roof beams, purlins and bracing rods

The soil profile determines the bearing capacity of the entire structure Steel square mesh on bar chairs within the concrete paving

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motel for dogsSouthwest section Autocad + Photoshop

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The brief was to design building that would serve as a HQ for 3 associations - Yoga, Dog breeders and an Arts group, and while not in used, it would be open to public as a motel. My narrative spun the tale of the Dog breeders as the owners of the facility and they wished to promote the bonding of dogs with humans. Hence I came up with the Dog Spottel, that brings together the 2 together through the abstraction of how dogs view the world to allow people to see view it the same way.

intital study

In order to evoke the spatial experiences that we hoped for in the spaces of the motel, we were tasked to photographed the effects we intended through physical models. This was one of the few tasks, including

a traditional art form lesson, that helped us develop our vision further before moving on to the actual design of the motel in floor plans and 3D.

Location plan at Batman & Spencer Street Autocad + Photoshop

Study of light flow Physical model

Texture of wall against lighting Physical model

Warm (artificial) lighting in hall space Physical model

Glow of semi-transparent material Physical model

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My concept consisted of the 4 senses - Visual which was restricted to the 3 colour palette that dogs could see (yellow, blue and grey), along with lowered views. Hearing through the insertion of voids through the building. Touch, as dogs do not wear shoes they would constantly be in touch with texture, thus textured surfaces all around. Lastly, smell would be brought through the natural smell of pinewood on the surface of the motel room suites. The generic motel room would consist of a little day bed for the dogs that would put them on eye level with the people and lifted panels that would allow them to pass through the spaces easily. People would view the room in limited colours and interact with the textured walls.

First floor to fourth floor plan Autocad + Photoshop

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Exploded isometric of bedroom layout Autocad + Photoshop

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On the external, I opted with the idea of slotting in 3Dimensional voids into the volume in order to create large spaces that responds with the external environment, but then screened with a wooden mesh to restrict the views but also allow sound and smell to

travel into the space. The Spottel is also scattered with windows of different dimensions at different heights to give the view from the exterior a different view- one

window he may see the torso of a person, while at another window, he sees a person’s leg. These lowered windows also gives the dogs a personalised view if they

were to wait in the rooms for their owners. I have also placed the main spaces (gallery and cafe) underground to limit the views but remain connected with the ground floor

through a long extended void. As the natural light falls on to the rough textured concrete surface of the gallery, it further emphasises the grainy and prickly touch of the

material.

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View of Spottel across intersectionSketchup + Photoshop

Arrival at Spottel Manual sketch + Photoshop

Underground gallery illuminated by natural light from ground floorSketchup + Photoshop

Check in and relax at room Manual sketch + Photoshop

Lunch at basement cafe Manual sketch + Photoshop

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storyboard

To explain the journey of a user, I created a storyboard to depict how a person and his dog would travel through the building, giving a clearer definition of when they would use the individual spaces.

0 05Meeting with colleagues in office Manual sketch + Photoshop

Relaxing evening on an open deck Manual sketch + Photoshop

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As one enters the motel room spaces, he would be able to see the stacking of rooms on top of one another and cladded with pinewood that would illuminate his sense of smell. The stagger-ing of levels would result in many intermediate floors that would serve as viewing decks for dogs or humans to laze upon.

Staggering of motel rooms (dog’s view)Sketchup + Photoshop

Staggering of motel rooms (person’s view)Sketchup + Photoshop

lexie ho ming+65 9138 0392

University of melbourne july 2014 - june 2015bachelor of environments

Singapore polytechnic april 2011 - March 2014diploma in architecture w merit

diploma in design thinking