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I am very passionate about applying for the internship program with Kengo Kuma and Associates, which I learned of through your website. After working on a case study of Kengo Kuma in one of the architecture courses, I find myself very inspired by the concepts and sensibilities that expressed in Kengo Kuma's works. Therefore, I am enthusiastic about learning more from real practice, which is, working in Kengo Kuma's office. In addition, I would like to experience another culture and appreciate many architecture masterpieces in Japan. I am currently a senior at University of Toronto, Canada; and I expect to graduate this June. During the past few years, I have developed my skills of conceptual thinking as well as practical programming through a series of architectural design and representation studios. The courses I took in fine art history, architecture theory and film studies have broadened my scope of knowledge. I am a quick learner, and always be able to perform well under pressure. I am good at drafting, graphic presentations, and model making. The attached portfolio presents a selection of my academic and personal works. In the summer of 2008, I had an opportunity to intern in an architecture firm in Shanghai. I gained valuable experience by working with professional architects in a more pragmatic setting, and built good relationship with supervisor and co-workers. I successfully cooperated with structure engineer and landscape designer to accomplish a project of re-designing the façade of a domestic house while keeping the original structure intact. This internship also motivated me to learn more computer-aided methods to enhance the quality of artistic representation and the accuracy of technical drawings. If I have the opportunity to intern at Kengo Kuma and Associates, I will very much enjoy working at different scale levels; and I will like to make a 10- months-commitment to work full-time (preferably August 2009-June 2010). I will use the next few months to learn Japanese so that I will be able to better assist your work and communicate with colleagues. I believe my education, skills, determination and passion will well match your requirements; and your office will lead me to great advancement in architectural design. Thank you for your patient and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you. I would like to have a phone interview, and feel free to contact me by phone or email if I can provide additional information. Sincerely yours, Fei Chen

Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

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Page 1: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

I am very passionate about applying for the internship program with Kengo Kuma and

Associates, which I learned of through your website. After working on a case study of

Kengo Kuma in one of the architecture courses, I find myself very inspired by the concepts

and sensibilities that expressed in Kengo Kuma's works. Therefore, I am enthusiastic about

learning more from real practice, which is, working in Kengo Kuma's office. In addition, I

would like to experience another culture and appreciate many architecture masterpieces in

Japan.

I am currently a senior at University of Toronto, Canada; and I expect to graduate this June.

During the past few years, I have developed my skills of conceptual thinking as well as

practical programming through a series of architectural design and representation studios.

The courses I took in fine art history, architecture theory and film studies have broadened

my scope of knowledge. I am a quick learner, and always be able to perform well under

pressure. I am good at drafting, graphic presentations, and model making. The attached

portfolio presents a selection of my academic and personal works.

In the summer of 2008, I had an opportunity to intern in an architecture firm in Shanghai.

I gained valuable experience by working with professional architects in a more pragmatic

setting, and built good relationship with supervisor and co-workers. I successfully

cooperated with structure engineer and landscape designer to accomplish a project of

re-designing the façade of a domestic house while keeping the original structure intact.

This internship also motivated me to learn more computer-aided methods to enhance the

quality of artistic representation and the accuracy of technical drawings.

If I have the opportunity to intern at Kengo Kuma and Associates, I will very much enjoy

working at different scale levels; and I will like to make a 10- months-commitment to work

full-time (preferably August 2009-June 2010). I will use the next few months to learn

Japanese so that I will be able to better assist your work and communicate with colleagues.

I believe my education, skills, determination and passion will well match your requirements;

and your office will lead me to great advancement in architectural design.

Thank you for your patient and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you. I

would like to have a phone interview, and feel free to contact me by phone or email if I can

provide additional information.

Sincerely yours,

Fei Chen

Page 2: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Fei Chen1208-2360 Dundas St. West

Toronto,Ontario M6P 4B2416-878-8340

[email protected]

Objective: Internship in Kengo Kuma & AssociatesAn challenging position in an architecture office, with opportunity for advancement.

Education: University of Toronto Toronto,CanadaHonours Bachelor of Arts. Major of Architectural studies(design) 2009Major of Economics

Accomplishments:

creativeartisticanalyticalcomputersteamworkcommunications

Experience: Grigorian Design Group Architecture Department Shanghai, ChinaIntern May 2008 to August 2008Performed miscellaneous tasks related to architecture design and representation. Built good relationship with supervisor and co-workers, learned to follow directions and cooperate with others.

Timothy World Coffee Toronto,CanadaBarista September 2007 to February 2008Improved skills of customer service and interpersonal communication, enhanced time management and multi-task performance.

Dreamteam embroidery company Toronto,CanadaReceptionist December 2006 to March 2007Scheduled appointments, requisitioned and maintained inventory of materials, receiving orders from phone and email, and arranged deliveries.

Hatitac financial Inc. Toronto,CanadaTelemarketer September 2006 to February 2007Scheduled appointments for sales representatives to meet with prospective customers and for customers to attend info sessions.

Page 3: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Highlights: Highly imaginative with many innovative ideas.Working knowledge of the operation procedures of architecture firm.Skilled in model-making and drafting.Friendly - can get along well with others.Well-organized and efficient.Work well in a high pressure environment.Self-motivated and assertive.Aspiring and punctual Quickly learn procedures and methods.Dependable - can work without supervision.Capable of handling multiple projects concurrently.Able to follow directions.

Community: Volunteered at Design Exchange at Toronto (from February 2008 up to the present). Performed various tasks including exhibition installations, graphic design and office work. Improved abilities as a worker at a professional institution, and enriched knowledge in art and design.

Hobbies: Drawing, graphic design, handcrafting, music, photography, reading, movie.

Awards: 2006 Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's list.2008 Architecture studio work was selected for exhibit at the lobby of University of Toronto architecture department building.2008 Design Exchange volunteer honorarium

Software: Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AutoCAD, SketchUp, ArchiCAD, Artlantis Render, MS Office.Familiar with Rhino

Languages: English Fluent in spoken and writtenMandarin Fluent in spoken and written Japanese Introductory level

Page 4: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Related Coursework

Introduction to Architecture

A comprehensive introduction to the discipline, art and profession of architecture using

case studies, both historical and contemporary, local and international.

Contemporary Architecture

An introductory survey of contemporary international architecture that examines how

design is responding to technological change, environmental degradation, accelerating

globalization of economy and media, and the politics of regional and cultural identity.

Architectural Design I

Introduction to architectural design conducted in a studio setting using a series of design

projects that develop students’ understanding of and skills with fundamental aspects of

designing buildings and their environments.

Architectural Design II

A second introduction to architectural design conducted in a studio setting using a series of

design projects that develop students’ understanding of and skills with fundamental

aspects of designing buildings and their environments.

Architectural Design III

A third introduction to architectural design conducted in a studio setting using a series of

design projects that develop students’ understanding of and skills with fundamental

aspects of designing buildings and their environments.

Architectural Representation I

An introduction to architectural drawing and representation in various media.

Architectural Representation II

An introduction to the history, theory and present state of building technology in the

context of architectural design.

Architecture and Technology

A selected survey of projects in the history of architecture exemplary for exploring the

relationship between architecture and technological change.

Design and Cultural Transformation

A survey of the social, economic, technological and cultural factors that have been

instrumental in transforming material culture since the Industrial Revolution.

Housing Design: Theory & Practice

Urban housing forms and processes since 1800. Contemporary housing theories and

policies in the context of world issues. Design principles, criteria and practice investigated

Page 5: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

through case studies.

Building Technology-Ecology II

A topic-based course in the history and theory of building science and structures.

History/Theory of Contemporary Urban Landscape Design II

The nature and origin of theories and principles in contemporary landscape architecture

through lectures, seminar discussions and workshops. Design problems and the historic

relationship to landscape issues; alternative design methods and characteristics of design

motivations, constraints and expression in landscape as a media of practice.

Architecture: Rituals and Monuments

A survey of architecture from pre-history to the start of modernism, with attention given to

the ways in which architecture shapes human experience.

Modern Architecture from 1750 to the Present

An introduction to the buildings, issues and ideas from Neoclassicism to the present.

Later Medieval Art and Architecture

An overview of major monuments and themes in the art and architecture of Western

Europe and the Byzantine East from the eleventh until the fifteenth century.

The Rise and Fall of the Modernist Empire c. 1900 to the Present

An introduction to the consolidation of Modernist tendencies in Europe to the mid 20th

century and to the many contemporary responses to these achievements. Individual artists,

including Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, and Matthew Barney are considered in their

relationship to various art movements and the theories that supported them, including

Expressionism; Abstraction and Constructivism; Dada and Surrealism; Neue Sachlichkeit;

Abstract Expressionism; Pop; Conceptual Art; Earth Art; Feminist Art; Postmodernism;

New Media Art.

Introduction to Film Study

Introduction to film analysis; concepts of film style and narrative. Topics include

documentary, avant-garde, genres, authorship, ideology, and representation.

Introduction to Physics I

Topics include: momentum, energy, force, work, power, angular momentum, classical

kinematics & dynamics, friction, thermal properties, gases, liquids, viscosity.

Introduction to Physics II

Topics include: oscillations, waves, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, special relativity.

Calculus and Linear Algebra

Matrices and linear equations. Review of differential calculus; applications. Integration and

fundamental theorem; applications. Introduction to partial differentiation; applications.

Page 6: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

c

s

Course Code Course Title Weight Mark Grade CrsAvg

ARC131H1 Intro to Architecture 0.5 76 B B-ARC132H1 Contemporary Architecture 0.5 80 A- B-INI115Y1 Intro to Film Study 1 73 B C+MAT133Y1 Calculus Linear Algebra for Commer 1 89 A CARC221H1 Architectural Representation I 0.5 71 B- B-ARC231H1 Architecture and Technology 0.5 75 B B+FAH270H1 Architecture: Rituals and Monument 0.5 73 B BARC213H1 Architectural Design I 0.5 72 B- B-ARC236H1 Design and Cultural Transformation 0.5 86 A BFAH272H1 Modern Architecture 0.5 78 B+ BARC313H1 Architectural Design II 0.5 84 A- BARC321H1 Architectural Representation II 0.5 78 B+ BFAH246H1 Modernism 1900-Present 0.5 76 B C+ARC314H1 Architectural Design III 0.5 75 B B-ARC342H1 Building Technology-Ecology 0.5 72 B- B-PHY131H1 Intro Physics I 0.5 85 A C+

Cumulative GPA for architectural studies program courses: 3.19Cumulative GPA for all courses: 3.34

Page 7: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Fei Chen

[Table of Contents]

Academic-Toronto Island Project Land art Island school Re-design-Animated space-Park keeper’s house

Personal-New DX (in process)

-Photography-Sketches-Material Study: Iron scarf

Page 8: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

[ TORONTO ISLAND PROJECT ]

Page 9: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Photo collage: Motifs

Toronto Island Project

Page 10: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates
Page 11: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

[ SHIFTING EGDE ]

Beginning this project with an investigation into site topog-raphy and the process of land/water features being altered by natural forces, a constructed edge was developed that could reflect the course of change, and could engage in the new formation of landscape. Here the reflected movement was instantaneous. By placing distinct floating items in the constructed circles (not visible above water), the change of water flow and wind direction was represented in terms of the variation of patterns created by clustering or spreading out of these items. Considering the prevalence of Google Earth, which provides people with clear-cut aerial views in just few clicks, and the airport located on the island, this shifting edge project could enhance people’s viewing experience from an unusual dimension.

Toronto Island Project- Land art

Boat shape floating item, use big scale and brightcolor to create iconic quality.

1. CALM

2. WIND FROM WEST

3. WIND FROM NORTH-WEST

Page 12: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Studies of the local landscape produces areas suitable to individual programs and effectively separates the school from a once centralized institution to a decentralized network to best utilize the land as a media though which to deliver the education curriculum. On locating the program, geometric relationship were established through a series of intersecting grids derived from both local and outside geometry. Their interaction produces the main orientation as well as the parcel of land we chose to situate these main programs. A set of concept models were constructed to express the ideas of guidance geometric grids, and the interrelationship between each programmatic site division resulted from the filtering system created by the grids. A study of movie classification was used as a preliminary design concept. Through a systematic method of categorizing and breaking down the attributes of a movie, the literal information of a movie was transformed into a unique pattern. The planning of island school employed the same method, which gave the school a special print on Toronto Island within the urban fabric.

This site planning was developed with another group member: Li Cheng.

Toronto Island Project- Island school re-design

[ ISLAND SCHOOL RE-DESIGN ]

local geometric relationships with islands and paths geometric relationships with mainland piers geometric relationships with power towers at filtration plant

Page 13: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

2001: A Space Odyssey Genre: Adventure/ Sci-FiTime: 1968Runtime: 141 Min / 160 Min (Premiere Cut)Aspect Ratio: Super Panavision 70 ( 2. 20 : 1 )Color: ColorIMDB Rating: 8.4

GenreTimeRuntimeAspect-ratioColorRating

Goodfellas Citizen Kane Psycho MunichMovie Classification

Toronto Island Project- Island school re-design

wetland studies

day school

sports field

vegetation field

bird watching

outdoor arts

observatory

Page 14: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Classroom

Office

Lab

Boathouse/Cafeteria

Upper floor

Lower floor

Wetland Experiment field

Reading room/Multifunctional

Upper floor

Dorm for teachers

Dorm for 4 students

Bird watching stationLower floor

1

2

3

3

2

1

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

SECTION 3

2

This wetland study area is a site for natural phenomenon observation/experiment and regular science curriculum. A bird watching station was situated right on the tip of a small island, aimed to minimize human’s intervention to the birds’ habitat. A deck span over the island and peninsula was elevated like a bridge. It shortened the distance of travel, and the holes on the deck also created plots for wetland studies.

Toronto Island Project- Island school re-design

Wetland studies area

Page 15: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Wetland Study area rendering

Model of Bird watching station

Toronto Island Project- Island school re-design

Page 16: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

[ ANIMATED SPACE ]

Started from analyzing the formal property of an equipment/prosthetic, a running shoe was studied thoroughly through sections, the flexibility of the shoe was specifically explored. The motion of crouch start empasizes the movement of foot as well as the transmog-rification of the running shoe.This motion was further distilled into a series of abstract forms, which represent both the course and the notion of acceleration. A structual model was developed based on previous study, and was rounded into a architectural space; in this case, a bridge on the creek. The bridge expresses the notion of promenade.

A B C D E F G H

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Anatomy of a running shoe

Animated Space-Equipment study

Page 17: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

A-H

A-H

Crouch Start

Motion concept diagram

Animated Space-Motion concept

Page 18: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Animated Space-Concept model

Page 19: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Animated Space-Architectural fulfillment

Page 20: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Park keeper’s house- Manifesto

Redefine park keeper- Poster design

Page 21: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

current pathcreate unconventional path

go into the landscape rather thango into a building. create special viewpoints.

minimize the interruption to the landscape. the building can be removeed with little trace

the building is also a framing tool/viewing device which make people focus on specific naturalfeatures.

redirected path

Park keeper’s house- Concept development

Site concept-composition of view field

skycanopyarborearth

canopy

arborearth

Architectural conceptStarted from re-defining park keeper’s role, I defined him/her as a facilitator of community activities, and a promoter of environmentally friendly issues. Park keeper in Trinity Bellwoods Park provides people with opportunities to experience the nature of the park from a different point of view. Based on the identity of park keeper, the program, formal design and natural setting of park keeper’s house was developed. This house was elevated, and was situated at the edge of a pit. The path of procession was directed by the configuration of the structure, and people’s views were framed and oriented toward specific landscape features.

[ Park keeper’s house at Trinity Bellwoods ]

Page 22: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

1

1

2

2

N

Coffee shop

kids’ place

resting place

resting place

exhibition area

meeting room

Park keeper’s house

Configuration development

Page 23: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Park keeper’s house

section 2

section 1

north elevation

east elevation

Page 24: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

506

505

501

504

511

510

BAYSPADIN

A

BATHURST

CHRISTIE

MUSEUM

QUEEN’S PARK

ST. PATRIC

K

OSGOODE

ST. ANDREW

UNION

YONGE-BLOOR

WELLSLEY

COLLEGE

DUNDAS

QUEEN

KING

OSSINGTON

SPADINA

College St.

Dundas St. W.

Queen St. W.

King St. W.

ST. CLAIR

W.

509 Queen’s Quay

Architecture office

Boutique

Gallery

Bloor-Danforth Subway

Finch-Donmills Subway

Streetcar

Location of new DX

Location of new DX

60m

60m

Dundas St. W.

Queen St. W.

King St. W.

Uni

vers

ity A

ve.

Spad

ina

Ave.

Bat

hurs

t St.

Oss

ingt

on A

ve.

Duf

ferin

g St

.

[ NEW DX ]

The New DX (Design Exchange) is a collecting institution, and also an multi-functional exhibition place. Located at Toronto art district, New DX will connect more designers and be more involved in local desing com-munity, Current DX has successfully promoted Canadian design through youth camps, workshops and exhibitions; New DX will emphasize its own identity architecturally. An outdoor courtyard can be utilized in various ways to facilitate different kind of events. Artists can also use the courtyard to showcase their innovative ideas at a larger scale.

New DX- New location

Page 25: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

graffiti wall

landscape art

light installation performance stage

runway

outdoor movie

LED art design/craft fair

New DX- Outdoor area

Page 26: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Material studies: Iron scarf

Page 27: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Lotus seedSketch in pencil

Personal artwork-Sketch

Page 28: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

RiversideSketch in pencil

Personal artwork-Sketch

Page 29: Internship Application Kengo Kuma and Associates

Personal artwork-Photography