2012 portfolio

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Ryan Youngmin Cho Professional Practices 2010-present 55 Riverwalk place, #651, West New York, NJ 07093 401.644.8109 [email protected] http://archinect.com/people/cover/51274324/ryan-youngmin-cho

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Page 1: 2012 portfolio

Ryan Youngmin Cho

Professional Practices 2010-present

55 Riverwalk place, #651, West New York, NJ 07093 401.644.8109 [email protected] http://archinect.com/people/cover/51274324/ryan-youngmin-cho

Page 2: 2012 portfolio

S SUSHI BAR, NEW YORK, NY

Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2012

This project is started from a concept of client,

to create a contemporary take on the tra-

ditional pub food of Japan, and to deliver a

simultaneous culinary adventure and sense

of affordable luxury. We crafted a sequence of

lounging and dining spaces that are inspired

by the organic earth elements and disciplined

aesthetic that is integral to Japanese folk art.

Page 3: 2012 portfolio

Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2012

This 6,000 square-foot luxury department

store restaurant offers a relaxed, sophisticat-

ed ambiance. This distinctive and celebrated

place is achieved by working with evocative

contemporary materials with discreet natural

references.

S DEPARTMENT STORE RESTAURANT, NEW YORK, NY

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2012

The Noodle Bar marries the fluidity of cur-

vilinear forms with the reflective shimmer

of simple yet elegant materials. It contrasts

humble and sumptuous materials, in an ever-

changing landscape of views, experiences and

moments in which to savor a simple yet highly

comforting bowl of delicious noodles.

M HOTEL & RESORT NOODLE BAR, LAS VEGAS, NV

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2012

This 8.000 square foot coastal California

restaurant offers a relaxed, sophisticated am-

biance. The interior features dramatic vaults,

an illuminated alabaster bar. an open kitchen.

fireside seating, and a signature wine cellar.

jewel tones of the Pacific Ocean horizon at

sunset are echoed in chandeliers, metal fire

place, fabrics, and arts on the mural.

B RESTAURANT, SAN DIEGO, CA

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2011

We revitalized one of southern California’s

most celebrated luxury spanish Hacienda style

resort. The sober plan geometry is comple-

mented by humble natural materials that offers

the state of tranquility to the urban patrons.

R RESORT WINE ROOMSANTA FE, CA

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2010

Our goal in this casual dining prototype

restaurant is to create a simple but sophis-

ticated environment for patrons. Working

with the trademark colors and slogans of the

brand, we reinterpret them in a dynamic and

fun design statement that is both colorful and

animated, yet entirely appropriate as a dining

venue. This prototype is slated for an initial

roll-out of 20 locations.

S BURGER, LONG ISLAND, NY

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2011

We renovated a classic pre-war duplex to create open, flowing spaces with a clean,

sophisticated, contemporary feel. The space is an opportunity to showcase the owner’s

formidable art collection and will feature loft-like entertaining spaces, elegant dressing

suites, and state of the art spa-like bathrooms. The material palette includes cream

and ivory limestone and marble, as well as high gloss paints, nickel-plated bronze, and

custom carved glass doors. The owner wishes to reinvent the apartment-while remain-

ing respectful to the history of the building and its pedigree.

PARK AVENUE DUPLEXNEW YORK, NY

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2011

This 1,500-square-foot pied-a-terre for an international art collector is a haven

of luxury and tranquility. With Floor to ceiling glass, the main feature is without a

doubt the incredible views. To complement the nearly panoramic vista, the apart-

ment itself is a neutral backdrop of Burmese Teak, statuary bronze, Brazilian

Sugar White Marble, and European White Oak Floors.

COLLECTOR’S RESIDENCENEW YORK, NY

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Professional Work at Andre Kikoski Architect, 2010

This 3,000 square-foot venue is a series of

intimate spaces. Dramatic lighting embedded

into rough-hewn wood plank ceiling showcases

organic textures and physical water in the floor

and mid fixtures ad another dimension texture.

Z RESTAURANT, NEW YORK, NY

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Personal Commission, 2012

The duke is a unique eatery that creates a space where people can meet,

mingle, enjoy food, and shop in a high-end atmosphere that bridges art

and function. Enjoying a quick meal during your lunch hour doesn’t mean

you have to sacrifice fine dining. Then after work, come back for an inti-

mate space to wind down. This is a place where you’re not just a customer,

but an appreciator of modern art.

DUKE, NEW YORK, NY

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Ryan Youngmin Cho

Studio Practices at RISD 2007-2010

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The abandoned former paper mill, which had lost its original use (without finding a new one) last century in the course of the US economy’s transformation, faces the Seekonk River in Pawtucket like a ghost. It aches to once again be vibrant part of and contributing to Paw-tucket’s urban life, as it had done for decades, now so long ago. My project set out to help it achieve just that. Its new life would be as a Research and Meeting Cen-ter in an informal, stimulating setting where academics and thinkers (on leave from their regular duties) focus on topics important to the 21st Century: education, re-ligion, psychology, and improving world order.

The Center’s focus will be inward and on the river as it seeks a tranquil balance between architecture and nature, and will emphasize in both its building and grounds dimensions of experience commonly associ-ated with the poetic and spiritual.

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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“The water points to somthing beyond itself; it acts as a bridge, spanning the gap from physical reality to sym-bolic surreality. The symbolism of the waters implies both death and rebirth. Contact with water always brings a regeneration.”

Charles W. Moore, Water and Architecture

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Site_163 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, RI

While the Center may seem an introverted oasis, the work of its inhabitants and attendees is focused on the entire planet earth. Inspired by the image of the Seekonk River and the fact that water, even in a reflect-ing pool, is always linked to the larger world, I made “water” a core element in my proposal for rejuvenat-ing this stark place.

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

The exsiting context

The Seekonk River

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Inspiration

Water is symbolically equated with life, regeneration, and purity, and in its still form, has a capacity for induc-ing contemplation and generating cognitive/emotive chains of thoughts and feelings that may enable one to transcend one’s day-to-day perceptions of the finite-ness of space and time, and the focus on one’s narrow self, becoming aware instead of all humanity as one’s true, larger self. Water thus can contribute to a percep-tive person’s spiritual rejuvenation. In my design I use it as a bridge to link the exterior with the interior, and to infuse the center with its multi-faceted symbolic qualities to help its users intensify contemplation to better focus on the problems of the world with open hearts and minds.

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Isometric projection_level 1

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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Main Entry

Garden

Water court

Vestibule

Lobby

Dining room

Meeting Room

Lounge 1

Interior garden

Office

Rest room

Lounge 2

Handicap access

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Programs (level 1)

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level 31. Library and study room2. Meeting room3. Study Carrels4. Lounge5. Private rooms

level 21. Private rooms2. Chaple or Meditation room3. Lounge4. Meeting room5. Study rooms

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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level 41. Library2. Lecture room3. Lounge4. Private rooms5. Meeting room

level 51. Study rooms2. Tea room3. Lounge4. Roof garden5. Meditation room (sub)

level 61. Meditation room (main)

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Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

East elevation

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West elevation South elevation North elevation

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A A

Section A

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

B B

Section B

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Exterior perspectiveWater courtWhen guests walk through the entrance, they will encounter reflective, fresh, and clear water basin and green bamboo trees. To enter the interior space, guests will need to walk a bit further on the wooden deck. Through this journey within the simulated nature, they may have opportunities to release the burdens from their daily hassles and purify their minds. In this space, water is a metaphor for “Spiritual rejuvenation”.

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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Interior perspectiveLobby & ReceptionThe basin of water extends its boundary into the inte-rior space. Through this intervention, the interior space uniquely reflects the carefully contrived juxtaposition of architecture and nature. This will elevate the partici-pant’s contemplation and heal his or her spirits. Func-tionally, the interior water basin can also purify interior air and control humidity levels.

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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Interior perspectiveCentral circulation and lounge A vertical interior garden along the main stairway not only provides an abundance of natural light but also purifies the interior air. The protruding viewing platform installed at the glazed incision of the existing brick facade provides a spectacular view of the Seekonk River and surrounding landscape.

Rejuvenation Structures of the poetic

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Interior perspectiveMeditation roomA wooden screen poetically introduces sky and wind into the space, leading guests to the main meditation room at the top of the tower.

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Elements in Transitional Space Medicine Cabinet for Pine Street

The Pine Street Inn is a national leader in the fight to end homelessness. The project is to design and build pieces of furniture for the common spaces of Pine Street Inn’s “permanent housing”. Each of these pieces will address a specific need, or needs of the individuals that use it together. Each piece was con-structed at full scale. The final work was donated to the Pine Street Inn at the completion of the project.

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The objective of this project was to design an object for a resident of Pine Street Inn’s transitional housing program, supporting an individual’s sense of home as they adjust to a new permenancy of life following a pe-riod of vagrancy. Our client requeste medicine cabinets that can be installed at the octagonal shaped room. This was a collaborative project with Michelle Peckham.

Concept

_Maintain views through windows

_Maximize storage space

_Utilize mouldings between windows

_Provide built in organization to minimize clutter

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Needs

_Storage for medicine (regular, extra, backup)_Bookshelf_Storage for office supplies_First aid kit_Sharps container

Elements in Transitional Space Medicine Cabinet for Pine Street

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Making process

Details

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Final pieces

Elements in Transitional Space Medicine Cabinet for Pine Street

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

back up.med 3

back up.med 2

back up.med 1

extramed 3

extramed 4

of ce supplies

extramed 5

back upmed 3

p3p3

back upmed 1

p1p1

extramed 5

back upmed 2

p2p2

extramed 3

extramed 4

of cesupplies

(open)

(open)

reg. med6

reg. med7

reg. med8

extramed 1

extramed 2

of ce supplies

reg. med8

extramed 1

reg. med6

dd

of cesupplies

extramed 2

reg. med7

reg. med9

reg. med10

(open)

(open)

back up.med 9

back up.med 10

bkup extra med 1

bkup extra med 2

bkup extra med 3

bkup extra med 4

bkup extra med 5

(open)

(open)

(open)

(open)

sharpscontainer

sharpssupplies

back up.med 8

back up.med 7

back up.med 6

back up.med 5

back up.med 4

back upmed 6

pp

back upmed 7

pp

back upmed 8

pp

back upmed 4

pp

back upmed 5

pp

(open)

FirstAIDKit

req. med books +

dictionary

reg. med1

reg. med2

reg. med3

reg. med4

reg. med5

bulletinboard

phone 1

CON-TROLLEDSUBs.

reg. med3

dd

CON-TROLLEDSUBs.

DD

bulletinboard

reg. med4

dd

reg. med1

dd

reg. med5

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reg. med2

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phone 1

(open)

(open)

Storage arrangement

Installed pieces

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Whispering lightLighting intervention

Existing context Inspiration

Light gives us mood and feeling. It greets us, embraces us, welcomes us home. Newly illuminated, civic spaces become outdoor rooms, streets become corridors to adventure.

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Plans

Sketches

Perspectives

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This studio presents an opportunity to investigate is-sues and ideas that concern museums as they develop increasingly sophisticated stratagems for engagement with the communities they serve. In some cases these communities may be very local, and in others, the primary audience consists of urbane international visitors whose travel itinerary will always include vis-its to the world’s greatest museums. In such cases, orthodox text-based captions of objects on display of-ten do not properly communicate essential aspects, and as the expectations of museum visitors increase exponentially relative to their everyday engagement with the digital world, so designers and curators are becoming ever more resourceful as they compose and choreograph narrative environments.

I experimented with these issues mentioned above through a series of design exercises. Each exercise introduced a different approach to forming a narra-tive environment, which resonates with the muse-um visitor through different means of communicat-ing complex ideas. Through these design exercises, I was inspired by museum design of the twenty-first century and was properly equipped to engage in meaningful discourse with those curators whose task was to present their collections and special ex-hibitions as effectively as possible.

Narrative museum Hadriantinous; Fragments of Roman History

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Design exercise for RISD museumPrior to my work in the main project, I was assigned to re-design the exhibition of the medieval and Roman collec-tions at RISD museum. In this project, one thing I was interested in was light. The floor lighting device was planned to construct certain sacred moments of Christianity during the medieval period and to intrigue and guide the visi-tors. I also experimented with the linear layering of objects on the specially designed lighting platform.

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The title of the exhibition is ‘Fragments’. Specifically, it is about Roman fragments that compose a dramatic story of a Roman emperor, Hadrian, and his male lover, Antinous. There are so many stories about the two men. However, I selected stories about the mysteri-ous death of Antinous at the Nile River and Hadrian’s desire to make Antious’ public image as God follow-ing his tragic death. There are key fragments to extend the narratives. Many objects do have some degree of connection. Through investigating the connection be-tween fragments, visitors may be able to understand

the backstory in a few different ways. For example, when visitors see the first Fragment of a head with closed eyes in the Szepmuveszeti Muzeum in Buda-pest, they might not think this is a piece about Hadrian and Antinous. However, there actually are certain re-lationships between this statue and the story of the Roman lovers. At the forehead of this facial fragment there is a thin fillet, or headscarf. Through this fillet, visi-tors may infer that this fragment represents athletes, if they know that Roman people loved to represent their victories through the powerful image of athletes at the

moment they are tying their fillets, as shown by the next figure. Actually in this figure, the hands are not visible, but visitors can clearly see this moment of the fillet being tied. The next figure is also tying the fillet. This figure is actually Antinous, the lover of Emperor Hadrian. Why is this figure in this shape? Because af-ter his death, Emperor Hadrian wanted use Antinuous’ image a symbol for victory or worship. Through these kinds of connected features of each fragment, the nar-ratives can extend even further. And these connected narratives enhance visitors’ interests.

Narrative museum Hadriantinous; Fragments of Roman History

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The Island Nympheum at Hadrian’s VillaThe Temple of Antinous at Hadrian’s Villa

Level 2National Gallery of Art, East building, Level 1

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A reproduction of the Arch of Hadrian is placed at the entrance of the exhibition. This device symbol-izes the experience of entering the ancient world.

The exhibition title design The broken and rearranged typeface visually im-plies the fragments and it’s connected narratives.

The Arch of Hadrian

Narrative museum Hadriantinous; Fragments of Roman History

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I further developed the long and narrow center platform utilized previously at the RISD museum project to handle the linear alignment of objects. The cracked pattern visually implying a “Fragment“ is added on the surface of this platform, while the display panel playing multi-media resources about objects.

preliminary drawings

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The first level is dedicated to Antinous. Here, some architectural elements of the Temple of Antinous at the Hadrian villa are mimicked and applied into the gallery. This specific device enhances the sacred atmosphere and highlights the key objects. Mirrors are placed be-hind this temple like device. The reflections created by the two facing mirrors create the illusion of infinite space, symbolizing the continuity of history and the timelessness of art.

The imbedded floor lighting visually connects the nar-ratives between the fragments, enhances the con-templative mood and maximizes the theatrical effect created by the the entirety of the objects and archi-tectural elements.

Narrative museum Hadriantinous; Fragments of Roman History

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The architectural elements of Hadrian villa, circular or-der of Ionic columns, and lintels are mimicked. They represent the grandeur of the Hadrian villa.

The interactive theater and control consol box are situ-ated at the end of the exhibition.

The backside of the theater panel can be used for to project videos or graphics .

Narrative museum Hadriantinous; Fragments of Roman History

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The exhibition at the second level focuses more about the public image of Hadrian. More architectural ele-ments from the Hadrian villa are again reproduced and adapted to present the grandeur of the age ruled by Emperor Hadrian. The circular construction of the Is-land of Nympheum at Hadrian villa is the most distinc-tive feature of the villa. Mirrors are placed subtly to mimic the image of this massive circular structure in this narrow space.

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Graduate Thesis ShowCuratorial design

In Spring 2008, I was assigned the Assistantship role for Curatorial Assistant. In this position I coordinated with the graduating class and their advisors, to pro-duce a thesis show for the 2008 MIA students. This involved designing, fabricating, installing and de-in-stalling a show at the Providence Convention Center, as well as the generation of supporting materials such as mailers, posters and signage, consistent with the design intent.

The department was asked to present the work in a projection ‘room’ instead of the usual poster method of display. We worked with RISD’s contractors at the Convention Center to design cut custom walls that would fit with their construction system. The front wall was designed to display models, portfolio books and feasibility reports in addition to the projected movies of work being shown inside and created an interactive, inviting, room for show visitors to sit for a while.

Design & Production Credits: Sarah Adeel, Annie Lee, Emre Toner, Naomi Clair

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RISD Interior Architecture, 2008 Graduate Thesis Exhibition

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The Melatonin House ranch redux; revisiting an american icon

The ranch house is a twentieth century phenomenon that dominated the field of American residential archi-tecture from 1945-1970. As an architectural type, the ranch house falls into two categories; first, the clas-sic 1950s western style Ranch house with its roots in California and, second, the ranch house as a mass-pro-duced commodity. Renewed interest in the first type assures its preservation. The second comprises subur-ban neighborhoods across the US that are aging and in need of rejuvenation. One of the critical problems of the mass-produced ranch house is the lack of daylight penetration. Since windows are relatively small, it is difficult to optimize scenic views and bring additional light into living spaces. Due to this problem, occupants additionally need artificial lighting, even during the day, and this creates an additional energy cost. Another crit-ical problem that we can easily overlook is that many physical and mental disorders are related to decreased exposure to sunlight. For instance, some of the condi-tions that affect people who experience limited expo-sure to sunlight include sleep disorders, depression, and even aging and cancer because limited exposure to sunlight decreases the production and release of melatonin, which plays an important role in countering

infection, inflammation, cancer and insomnia. To dimin-ish this problem, the main design idea of the Melatonin House started as a way to create retrofit to maximize daylight penetration into major living areas of the ranch house. Furthermore, the Melatonin House was cre-ated to inherit the spirit of the affordable ranch home, so the additional structure maintains the inexpensive, prefabricated manufacturing process while enhanc-ing its aesthetic value. This addition, accomplished for the purpose of increased daylight, also leads to other improvements in terms of passive ventilation and expansion of living spaces. Through energy efficient passive techniques, including stack ventilation and the strategic use of overhangs, the need for mechanical summer cooling can be noticeably reduced. The add-ed 700sf upper space provides spatial flexibility that can be used, according to the occupant’s needs, as a bedroom, entertainment/play room, library, and green patio. This holistic strategy of an addition for better day-light, energy efficiency, and spatial expansion not only promises a healthier and greener life, but also intensi-fies the commitment to the sustainability of America’s iconic house, the ranch house.

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The existing ranch house plan (single story) The Melatonin House_1st floor plan

The Melatonin House_2nd floor plan (addition)

The 1st floor is completely keeping its own condi-tion while allowing the alteration of the existing roof condition. The added mezzanine level can be divided by the owner’s preference. The new enclosed entry porch offering a warm welcome while preventing heat loss is also added.

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First, the existing roof which has less aesthetic value and no functional considerations for daylight penetra-tion is removed. Second, the strategic cut on the added mezzanine floor provides daylight to the below level. Finally, the reconfigured structural frame designed for better daylight and natural ventilation is added.

The additional structures maintain the inexpensive, prefabricated manufacturing process. Instead of hap-hazardly destroying the old wood structures, it can be reused for cost savings and reducing waste. If a typi-cal 2,000 square foot home were completely decon-structed, it would yield approximately 6,000 board feet of lumber that could be reused.

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The roof overhang protects interior space against over-heating by summer sun. The clearstory is a means of gaining heat in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky and it performs a vital function of helping to heat the house as well as being an attractive architec-tural feature.

The Melatonin House ranch redux: revisiting an american icon

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Through energy efficient passive techniques, including stack ventilation and the strategic use of overhangs, the need for mechanical summer cooling can be no-ticeably reduced.

The existing living room and bedrooms in the first floor are completely turned into a very bright and spacious space which has a high ceiling. The added 700sf space provides spatial flexibility that can be used, according to the occupant’s needs, as a bedroom, entertainment/play room, library, and green patio.

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Interior perspectives

The Melatonin House ranch redux: revisiting an american icon

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Exterior perspectives

This holistic strategy of an addition for better daylight, energy efficiency, and spatial expansion not only prom-ises a healthier and greener life, but also intensifies the commitment to the sustainability of America’s iconic house, the ranch house.

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Spinal lab A collection for one personThe site of project is at the RISD facilities building on Benefit Street. The project re-quires to design a work of interior architecture that can house a collection for scholar to research, a place where a visiting scholar can examine and appreciate a collection of at least 100 objects.

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Narrative

Dr. Smith is a secret agent in the CIA. He is also a freemason and has led the research into Humanoid Soldiers for 20 years. Primarily, he is researching the structure of human bones and how to apply this bone constitution into Humanoid Robot soldiers. His formal status is Anatomist and he is currently a professor in RISD’s laboratory, instructing foundation students of the structure of the human spine. Meanwhile, he is still developing of Humanoid soldiers’ role as a prominent future military power of USA. However, he is strug-gling to find the proper application to combine the hu-man spinal structure with the humanoid Robot.

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Spinal lab A collection for one person

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Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

In today’s society, stress among the general popula-tion is becoming increasingly prevalent. Prolonged ex-posure to stress results in an increase in the number of physical and psychological illnesses. Thus, the need for a place of healing and reconciliation during times of personal crisis is an inevitable demand in today’s fast-paced urban society. This project intends to create a recreational center to promote balanced and healthy lifestyle and architecture will focus on the need and concerns of each individual in relation to their physical, emotional and spiritual health. In terms of design strat-egy, through a series of interventions on an existing building, the rehabilitated structure will demonstrate

the new and inspired way to reconcile nature to build-ing. In this relaxing and inspiring place, one can restore vitality and a sensibility that resonates through the body, mind and soul, liberating the depression and intensifying the perception of a more spiritual aspect of life. Furthermore, the center on a tranquil balance between architecture and nature will not only aim to revitalize the distressed and deteriorating neighbor-hood but boost the stream of cultural redevelopment of the community.

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The healing power of nature has long been recognized but it is more currently being reviewed in the neuro-science and architecture. Human and nature have al-ways had a natural relationship, which provides for the spiritual and practical needs of people. Contemporary writers and reserchers insists that psychological health may be directly affected by this relationship.

“The human need for nature is linked not just to the material

exploitation of the environment but also to the influence on the

natural world on our emotional, cognitive, aesthetic, and even

spiritual development”

Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University Pulitzer Prize recipient

(To the American Psychological National Convention)

Healthy space with an ecological and spiritual sensitivity

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Fitness is the most popular indoor physical activity today. In response to a recent survey, 47.2 percent, or 97.8 million, Americans report regularly visiting a fit-ness club or exercising at least three times a week (NSRE 2002). Even though people devoted a lot of time to taking care of their physical health in terms of diet, nutrition, and exercise, people tend to overlook the importance of emotional health. Our emotional health can be affected by many different situations:

With so much emphasis on physical well being and other concrete factors such as blood pressure, cho-lesterol, etc., it is easy to overlook less tangible emo-tional wellness issues. The equal proportioning of time allotted to the mind, the body and the spirit has never been more important.

Everyone who enjoys a balanced and healthy lifestyle will find a comfortable base in this center. Guests will be able to use the indoor fitness facilities to intensively engage in rowing and spinning or, as an alternative form of exercise, they can engage in calm, medita-tive exercises such as yoga or Pilates. There will also be space set aside for pleasant relaxation: a solarium, a lounge, and a meditation room where guests can begin their journey into a new level of relaxation and awareness. The center’s facilities include a restaurant and guest rooms for long term treatments. Spaces for each program will be connected through a subtly guided pathway, thus allowing guests to easily interact and experience all programs, helping them to feel lib-eration from the burdens of their hectic urban lives.

Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

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The center will be equipped with three main programs: rowing, yoga, and meditation for the body, mind, and soul. Each program also contains certain correlative and reciprocal properties with the others.

As common knowledge dictates, whatever affects a person physically is also strongly connected to him or her on an emotional level. Accordingly, it is impossible to separate the health and wellbeing of the body from that of the spirit.

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Calender Mills, the former Providence Bleaching, Dye-ing and Calendering Company, is located on 50 Valley Street in Olneyville, approximately one mile west of downtown Providence. Calender Mills is an agglom-eration of five interconnected one and two-story buildings, adjacent to the Woonasquatucket River. The company itself dates back to 1814 under the name of the Patent Calendar Company, and was one of the first textile finishing companies in Providence. The mill continued to operate into the 20th century, eventually specializing in fast color vat dyeing of cotton fabrics

and finishing of heavy weight fabrics. After World War II, the company switched to synthetic materials. Dur-ing the next few years the company was unable to se-cure a profitable market and was eventually liquidated in 1952 after 137 years in operation. The L shape of the mill building within this former mill complex will be the host building for this project. It will become a distinctive place that will revitalize the distressed and deteriorating neighborhoods and improve quality of life within the community.

50 Valley St, Providence, RI 02909The former Providence Bleaching, Dyeing and Calendaring Company

Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

Site_adaptive reuse

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Valley street

The PlantCalender mills

The WoonasquatucketRiver

Urban retreat

The host building is sandwiched between two rede-velopment projects. Right up the street at 166 Valley is the Rising Sun Mills complex, turned into residen-tial building, and just next door at 60 Valley Street is the Plant, renovated as lofts and studios for artist and designers. There is a tremendous opportunity to have the project be the cultural focus of Valley Street while the tenants of Plant and Rising Sun become potential customers.

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Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

Existing condition_ 50 Valley St, Providence, RI

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nature

architecture

space

existing_DISCONNECTED intervention

nature

architecture

space

new_INTERLOCKED

nature

architecture

space

Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

Concept diagrams

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east elevation scale 1/8”=1’-0”north elevation scale 1/8”=1’-0”

Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

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south elevation scale 1/8”=1’-0” west elevation scale 1/8”=1’-0”

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Model study

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The left building contains spaces specially designed for the main programs of rowing, yoga, and medita-tion. The vertically stacked rooms designated for row-ing, yoga and meditaion are acoustically interlocked with each other through the tranquil and rhythmic sound created by rowers, as well as the sound of flowing water from the river. Each practitioner of the three programs can engage in independent activities and the energy created from each activity can pro-duce a synergistic effect as it is transferred to the other programs and spaces. The completion of the three programs will create a holistic refreshment of your body, mind, and soul.

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Section

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Entry water courtAdding to your enjoyment of this experience is the soothing ambiance provided by the physical environ-ment. The sunlight, reflected and softened by the water, plays over the surfaces of the entry and lobby areas. The entry water basin extends its boundary into the interior space. This setting not only generates a strong visual connection between the exterior and in-terior but provides an aesthetic connection between the water and the architecture.

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ReceptionThe combination of rustic materials, such as stone, brick, and wood, heightens the natural characters of the architecture.

Lobby water basinThe water basin delivers external freshness into the in-terior space and the glazed frame increases the trans-parency of the buildings.

Interior perspective

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Urban retreat The place for your body, mind and soul

Corridor The suspended wooden ceiling panel, integrated with light fixtures, aims to not only distinguish spaces, but also guides guests to the dining hall.

Lounge The seating design, which uses the same material as the floor, emphasizes the simplicity of the space.

Dining hall The dining hall, which is elevated on three steps, pro-vides the feeling of intimacy and the extensive use of wood intensifies the warm and calm atmosphere. The pivot door invites the beautiful vista of river court into the dining hall. Guests can enjoy fresh, organic meals in this tranquil setting.

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Courtyard The outdoor wooden deck extrudes toward the river dam, which intensifies the rela-tionship between nature and the architecture.

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Interior bridge Exposed, exsiting beams create an inter-esting pattern in the open space.

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Rowing chamberWater from the Woonasquatucket River flows through an opening in the building’s brick façade. The sound of rippling water during the rowing activity vibrates throughout the vertically opened space and inter-twines each space acoustically.

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Yoga roomThe yoga room is enclosed by a translucent fiberglass panel which allows poetic natural light penetration.

Roof terrace The monolithic wooden seating integrates with the floor and a plant box. Beyond this lies a panoramic view of the landscape.

Hallway of meditation roomsThis corridor, enclosed by frosted glass, establishes a harmonious buffer zone between the outer world and the meditation rooms.

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Private meditation roomsOnce you enter the meditation room, you are secluded from the outside world and directed to the inner cham-ber, reflecting the spiritual and meditative journey on which you will embark. A square stone room with a simple organic material mat for seating encourages you to relax, feel the sky’s light, and focus on your higher consciousness.

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Ryan Youngmin Cho

[email protected]

1. 401. 644. 8109