Daniel Nguyen

Summer 2014

Android wear prototype device I worked on with a friend as a personal project.  Product was designed to be worn as a band that would allow the user to interact directly with their Android phone utilizing the recent Android Wear SDK Google announced.

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2014 / A502a: "Organs Without Bodies" / Kris Mun

In referencing “Grund to Hrof: Aspects of the Old English Semantics of Building and Archi- tecture”, an article within Lexicology, Seman- tics, and Lexicography, it discusses seman- tics of essential building components such as roof, wall and ground and the relationship be- tween terms in Old English and Latin. While it is indiscernible where the term, roof, originat- ed from it has a significant amount of relevant vocabulary involving the convention of a roof in Old English. Archeology would suggest that the early gabled roofs made of thatch, shingles or tiles were considered ofergeweor, ‘over-work’, the process of roofing was hrefan or oferhrefan, meaning ‘to roof’ or ‘over-roof’ while the actual roof was deemed the hrof, which is essentially any form of cover whether it be internal or external. Reinterpreting the use case of the roof as an organ, rather than static cover, can allow for mass customization as well as radical optimization for differing conditions, and the process through which the roofing is constructed will allow for variance. 

Process Portfolio

Link to process work available here 

USC School of Architecture

Fall 2013 / A402c: "Citizenville" / Hraztan Zeitlan

Intention behind studio research to devise an architectural typology or logic that would suggest a self sustaining ecosystem. The systematics commonly found in nature like the insectual nest typoloy an ant or termite colony. The work of this project intended to expose an architectural language that support a devel- opable relationship between work and living serving a community of public and student occupants. Inherent in the project’s purpose was that it be an extension of USC’s campus to provide additional research facili- ties while still embedding into the local community by providing amenities.

The analysis of site conditions provided a framework in which to work within and establish a methodology that would allow for suitable adap- tation to the existing site. Using existing typologies as reference for a futuristic, self-sustaining city. The development would ultimately lead to producing a largely master plan and a resolved building model for the microlofts that would be used by the students and public residing on the site.

Process Portfolio 

Link to process work available here

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2013 / A402b: "USC Hybrid High School" / Charles Lagreco

The intentions established for this comprehensive studio asked to search and investigate a radical approach to a typical high school project in Los Angeles.  As part of the USC Hybrid High School, Dean David C. Dwigher, Ph.d, was the client for the project and quite vocal on what he had in mind for the new school, but encouraged us to explore various options.  Throughout the span of the semester, precedents were considered, typologies were developed and analyzed, and comprehensive analysis of building systems and structure were undergone in order to highly develop a scheme that was highly realized and practical while considering the client. 

Process Portfolio

Link to process work available here

USC School of Architecture

Fall 2013 / A402a: "Patterns Computational / Material Intelligence" / Neil Leach + Biayna Bogosian

Brief

The basis of this research is to study a set of patterns found in Islamic tiling architecture, then begin to either contradict that investigation with biological systems, and ultimately demonstrate how these logics can be analyzed and interpreted to be used for architectural purposes. This process will develop a strong argument for implementation in an installation that is computational based on parametricism and pattern logic.

Thesis

Muqarnas vault studies are examples of static structures that create vaults for buildings with sophisticated patterns, but are unable to change according to new circumstances. Biological and computational studies will demonstrate how systems can scale through growth or move- ment in order to adapt to conditions through their inherent material logic, but still obtain the same initial pattern.

Investigation

Examine systems/logics that allow them to perform these actions, and introduce those into an installation that would serve as a prototype for a larger object. 

Process Portfolio

Link to process work available here

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2014 / A502b: "Integrative Studio - Program, Systems, Site" / Erik Mar

Process Portfolio

Link to process work available here

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2013 / A411: "Materials" / Christoph Kapeller

The principle behind deciding to introduce light shelves into this space was done in order to not only provide shade and reduce heat gain within the circulation space; furthermore, it would counterpose the adjacent space across the corridor, a facade which is essentially etched and filled with perforated apertures. 

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2011 / A202b: "Architecture 202b" / John Frane

The following consists of several conceptual model studies performed through experimental tests using a spray foam insulant. Throughout the process, several models were developed that allowed our group to gather a deeper understanding of how spray foam can be manipulated and casted into any desirable form.  The operation of sewing and knitting provided a flexible enclosure to cast the soft foam.

USC School of Architecture

Spring 2011 / A202b: "Architecture 202b" / John Frane

The fourth segment engaged the limitations and capabilities within the existing systems of materials. Using concrete masonry as a base framework, the modules, shapes, capabilities and effects of working a system were engaged. A simplified program allowed for the complexity of focus to be on the material application.