Table of Contents

LIST OF PROJECTS:

ENCLAVE: Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

MOSAIC CITY: St.Clair Condominiums, Chicago, IL

COOL: Fulton Market Mix-Used Development, Chicago, IL

SMLXL: John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL

BLACK AND WHITE: East West University New Building, Chicago, IL

REASSAMBLING THE CITY: Paju Unung Mixed-Used Complex, South Korea

ON THE EDGE: Courthouse Plaza Development, Cleveland

MEGA-TABLE: DeStefano Partners Office Design, Chicago, IL

platFORMnetWORK: AIA Chicago Office Space, Chicago, IL

CUBE-IT: Peace Corner Youth Center, Chicago, IL

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

project: SUZHOU WUZHONG MIXED USED DEVELOPMENT type: mixed-used development, invited competition winning design size: 750,000 sm client: Suzhou Wuzhong Guoyu Asset Management Co., Ltd. location: Suzhou, China status: ongoing, design development

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

ENCLAVEIn the middle of the bustling city,We offer a place to escape –To hide from the speed of modern life,To slow down and breeze freely.To feel your connection to the earth,And the generosity of tradition.It is an inclusive place –It invites you in...

Suzhou Geographic Location Suzhou is a city in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River on the shores of Lake Taihu in the province of Jiangsu, China. The city is renowned for its beautiful stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens which have contributed to its status as a great tourist attraction. The city is a part of the Yangtze River Delta region

Suzhou - ‘Island’ Suzhou is surrounded by water - inland Lake Taihu to the West, Yangtze River to the North and the East China Sea to the East. Unique geographic setting creates a special ‘island’ like condition for the city.

Wuzhong District - Proximity to Old Suzhou Wuzhong District is located directly south of Old Suzhou. The old city is surrounded by canals. Project site is also bordered by two canals to the east and north as well as by two major heavy traffic roads. These conditions yet further reinforce the ‘island’ like feel of the project site that is reflected in the design concept of the ‘enclave’

Massing Study Models

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

Density Study Models

Porous Block Section Diagram Porous Edge Diagram

Typical Block Edge Condition

Opening up the Block

Porous Block

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

CONNECTIVITYWhen step after stepYou trace the stones on an ancient path –You connect to the ageless.When path after pathYou move through the town –You join with its people.When course after courseYou navigate the future –You unite with the world.

Silence Promenade

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

Presentation Model Detail

Roof Plan

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

DISCOVERYThe way you explore the old city:Along the familiar brick path,To the hidden corner, to the unknown.The way you navigate the garden:Through the scent of jasmine in the spring,Leaves rustle in the autumn:Always changing.The energy of old and new,The vitality of all the different spaces Coming together - that is the wayTo rebuild the city.

‘Sunset’ Pavilion

‘Hidden Corner’ Gate ‘Midday Breeze’ Plaza

‘Jasmine Forest’ Pavilion

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

North Promenade

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

SERENITYCan you hear the water drop? -That is the sound of silence.Can you hear the wind moveThrough your hair?Can you hear the joy and the laughter of children?To the sound of distant music you are drawn.You discover the peacefulness and the richness of senses.You learn to hear again...

Hidden Corner Gate

Sunken Plaza

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

Presentation Model

Hidden Corner Gate Sketch

Jasmine Garden Sketch

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

Enlarged Ground Floor Plan: retail pavilions and ‘5-minute walk’ landscape

Suzhou Wuzhong Mixed-Used Development

- ‘PICKING UP’ THE SCALE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD- RESPONDING TO THE NATURAL ORIENTATION: PROTECTED, INTIMATE ON THE NORTH; OPEN, VIEWS ON THE SOUTH

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE DIVERSE, GROWING NEIGHBOURHOOD?

?

- A ‘CATALYST’ OF FUNCTIONS

THE HEIGHT OF THE SPACE IS DETERMINED BY THE TYPE OF PROGRAM

THE HEIGHT OF THE SPACE IS DETERMINED BY THE TYPE OF PROGRAM

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

project: ‘MEGA TABLE’ - DeStefano Partners Office time: new construction: july 2008 - may 2009 size: 32000 SF client: DeStefano Partners location: Chicago, Illinois status: completed

Activities/Function Matrix

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

DP Office Design Description

After 20 years of occupying a loft space in a redeveloped warehouse building, DeStefano Partners was challenged to design its new offices in a modern, high-rise architectural icon, Mies van der Rohe’s former IBM Plaza. The design presented an opportunity to reassess the office working envi-ronment and the company’s image moving into its third decade of practice. The design concept, which is activity-based and expresses the firm’s design philosophy, emerged from a set of goals, including: reevaluate the project delivery process; increase office efficiency, both spatial and technological; serve as a professional example of creativity and sustainable approach to design; create an engaging environment that encourages interaction of personnel; and increase flexibility to accommodate change and growth.

The office is comprised of three studios, each with its own teaming area; a ‘spine’ of offices for principals; a central public bistro/design library space; a reception and meeting zone; and a support zone for IT, Marketing and Ac-counting functions. Workstations are designed around a ‘mega-table’

concept, where two to four team members share one 9’ x 9’ workstation, an organization pattern that supports flexibility and is meant to encourage team collaboration. Traditionally a ‘back of the house’ function, the materials/design library is brought out into the center of the public space and com-bined with the bistro to promote social interaction and serve as an open laboratory for the exchange of ideas.

DeStefano Partners’ new office has achieved LEED Gold Certification for Commercial Interiors. The office earned credits for such features as regional materials, high recycled content in materials, furniture re-use, light sensor controls, reduced-flow water fixtures, material installation methods, high lev-els of day lighting and views for 90% of the spaces, and downtown location with proximity to public transit

Project Process

Work Volume

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Shared ActivitiesPrivate Activities

from

CORPORATE RIGIDFORMALDATED

to

FLEXIBLEINVITINGINFORMALHIP

Office Activities Diagram

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

from

FURNITURE LAYOUT BASED DESIGNto

ACTIVITY/FUNCTION BASED DESIGN1. Deconstruct work space down to activitites/functions2. Filter them down to essentials3. Reassamble the essentials into new combinations based on organization needs

Mega-Table Concept Sketch

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Typical workstation layout diagram

Mega-table work-station mock-up

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Diagram of Office Organization - Early Study

Conceptual 3D studies of main features: soft wall, river bank, social kitchen

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Soft Wall Diagram Soft Wall + Anchors Diagram

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Central Studio

Library-Bistro

‘Mega-Table’ - DeStefano Partners Office

Overall Plan Layout with In-Between Elements

Peace Corner Youth Center

project: ‘PEACE CORNER’ YOUTH CENTER time: new construction: 2006-2011 size: 8000 SF client: ‘PEACE CORNER’ Youth Center location: Chicago, Illinois status: completed

Peace Corner Youth Center

Peace Corner Youth Center is a new facility for nonprofit, youth outreach organization in Chicago Austin neighbourhood at Madison andLavergne. One story double hight space will feature a basketball court in the back and class-roooms, offices, bistro, lounge and game rooms off Madison street. ‘Floating boxes’ withing a precast volume of the building, rendered in various colors of luminous polycarbonate, will house above mentioned programs and provide visual interest from the pedestrian level. The existing center, currently located next door to the future building has been involved in gang mediation. The Peace Corner serves about 50 to 70 youths on average daily, with about 20 receiving legal counseling from volun-teer attorney. The center is meant to keep kids safe by providing after-school programs, as well as job training, GED and computer classes.

Site Plan Floor Plan

Peace Corner Youth Center

Game Room - Looking towards Entrance

Lounge - looking towards Entrance Vestibule Corridor - Looking Towards Exterior Wall

Exterior Perspective - View of the Entrance

Peace Corner Youth Center

Interior Color Studies

Exterior Perspective - Early Study

Peace Corner Youth Center

Interior view from lounge towards entrance View from game room towards lounge

Exterior view - completed

Peace Corner Youth Center

Game room and lounge during opening

Computer Lab

Entrance Vestibule

Peace Corner Youth Center

Entrance Detail

Gymnasium