Project Portfolio David Lee

Urban Design // Urban Planning // Landscape

CV / SkillsPersonal Details

Name: David LeeBirthdate: 12 October 1984. New York, NY USANationality: American

Contact Information

Address: 81 5th Street Cresskill, New Jersey 07626 USA

Email: davlee84@gmail.com

Education 2012-2014 MSc Urbanism. Delft University of Technology

2014 Reconceptualising the Periphery. Englewood, New Jersey dr. Diego Sepulveda, dr. Frank v.d. Hoeven, prof. Vincent Nadin • Thesis project proposal for regional TOD planning framework for future Northern Branch Light Rail and local urban regeneration scenario in Englewood, New Jersey. • Demonstrated implementation of intermuncipal land-use planning model and urban design strategy. • Received final grade of 8 (0-10, equivalent to an A in the US).

2013 The Hofplein: Healing a Fractured Gateway. Rotterdam prof. Ali Guney • Proposed elevated pedestrian walkway network and new public spaces in Rotterdam North. • Project selected to be shown at exhibition in Rotterdam. • Received fi nal grade of 9 (0-10, equivalent to an A+ in the US). 2003-2009 Bachelor of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey USA 2008 The Uffi zi Gallery Florence, Italy prof. Michael Stephen Zdepski • Thesis studio project for new riverfront and temporary museum showcasing Renaissance-era masterwork paintings. • Demonstrated the implementation of prefabricated building systems and an understanding of urban design.

Internships

2011 Intern. Architensions. New York, NY (Principal: Alessandro Orsini) 5th IABR Competition Entry. New York, New York (Project Role: Intern/Project Coordinator) • Competition entry proposing retrofi tting existing public housing projects in New York City with new green spaces and public functions. • Produced graphic layout, 3D model, diagrams, and base impressions.

2009-2011 Design Intern. ARCHIVE Global. New York, NY; London UK (Executive Director: Peter Williams)

• Directed 4-person intern team to conduct research and draft grant proposal for ARCHIVE’s Building Malaria Prevention initiative in Cameroon. • Initiated and produced graphic compendium of best practices for for malaria prevention via improved housing conditions. • Produced adverts, online graphics, and public presentation materials.

Activities & Independent Projects

2011- Co-Founder. Mass Urban Architectural & Urbanism Research Delft NL, New Jersey, San Francisco CA

• Supervised four person team in July 2012 to produce a neighborhood master-plan for a community organization in Jersey City, New Jersey. • Initiated and organized a panel discussion on urbanism issues that attracted over 45 attendees. • Coordinated all projects with San Francisco based partner/co-founder. .Computer SkillsAutoCAD Architecture, Rhinoceros 3D, SketchUp Pro, V-Ray, Adobe CS (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), MS Offi ce

LanguagesEnglish (native speaker), Korean (conversational), Spanish (beginner)

InterestsTravel, reading, running, world history, visual arts

Projects

Project List

5th IABR: Making City Competition New York, NY April 2011 Esmond Place ProposalTenafl y, NJSummer 2011

Hofplein: Healing an Iconic GatewayRotterdam, The NetherlandsDecember 2012 - February 2013

Reconceptualizing the PeripheryBergen County, New JerseySeptember 2013 - August 2014

Lafayette Gardens

ORIGINAL CONCEPT ACTUAL BUILDING

IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING

20th-century public housing projects were often originally intended to include publicand residential functions, such as gardens and retail spaces.

However, the actual implemen-tation of these visions were rarely fully realized due to political and economic constraints, resulting in monofunctional structures.

PROPOSED INTERVENTION

Drawing upon the originalvisions of public housing, weseek to inject community andcommercial spaces into exist-ing residential towers in NYC.

GREEN/PUBLIC SPACE

COMMUNAL AREA

RESIDENTIAL

OFFICE

RETAIL/RECREATIONAL

NEW GREEN COMMUNITY SPACEGROUND LEVEL:COMMERCIAL SPACE

GREEN-CORE

GROUND LEVEL:COMMERCIAL SPACE

INJECTION OF PUBLIC FUNCTIONS

5 TH IABR: MAKING CI TY / BROOKLYN, NY

Location/ New York, NYProject/ ProfessionalYear/April 2011

Supervisor/ Alessandro OrsiniFirm/Archi[te]nsions; NY, NYProject Role/ Project Coordinator

An entry for the 5th IABR (International Ar-chitecture Biennale Rotterdam), this proposal focused on retrofi tting existing public hous-ing complexes in NYC. Using the Lafeyette Gardens in Brooklyn as a pilot location, the intent was to address their monolithic spatial and programmatic qualities. This would be accomplised by reducing densities via new green spaces within buildings and the redis-tribution of public facilties. In addition, new project development models would enable the creation of self-sustaining microcommunities via private-public partnerships.

Pilot Project Location

Reducing Density / Introducing Productive Landscape

Credits: David Lee - Base Images, Infographics/MapsRon Dapsis - Final Image Production

Site Plan of Selected Community

5 TH IABR: MAKING CITY

Aerial View of Selected Area

5 TH IABR: MAKING CI TY

Green Circulation Core / Environmental StrategyReducing Density / Adding Public Functions

Ground Level Path Pond Walkway View

Street-Level Perspective / Paths and Retrofi tted Apartment Buildings

2

3

ESMOND PLACE PROPOSAL / Tenafl y, New Jersey

Project/ Self-Initiated Year/May - Nov 2011

Rethinking Suburban Green Space

Site Panorama: West Streetscape View

Project TeamDavid Lee, Cliff LauProject Role/ Co-Designer

Site Location: Tenafl y, New Jersey

Green Space Diagram: Located in the northwest of Tenafl y, the site (1) is a street median within walking distance of two major green spaces: (2) Mackay School, and (3) Roosevelt Commons.

Legend 1. Esmond Place 2. Mackay School 3. Roosevelt Commons

Entry Point Circulation Path

A municipality of Bergen County and affl uent suburb of New York City, Tenafl y is located 24 miles from Midtown Manhattan. With a total area of 8 square kilometers, the town has an population of 14,448. The site is within the north-west part of Tenafl y, on Esmond Place, a 600 meter long street. This proposal focuses on regenerating an existing street median as a vibrant, multi-func-tional park, rethinking conventional suburban green spaces.

ESMOND PLACE PROPOSAL

N

0’ 20’ 40’ 60’ 100’

N N

Stormwater Flow Direction Stormwater Flow

Site

Stormwater Retention Diagram Stormwater Flow

Raingardens

Grassy Paver Street

Maple Tree

Ground Cover Maidenhair, Wild Ginger

Existing Maple Tree

Garden Crops Tomatoes, Cabbage, Lettuce, Peppers, Eggplants, Radishes

Existing Oak Tree

Tall Grass Indian Grass, Switchgrass, Cardinal Flower

Rain Gardens Goldenrods, New York Ironweed, Witch Hazel

Existing Maple Tree

Maple Tree

Site Plan

North Plaza

Pavilion

Pavilion Courtyard

Pedestrian Bridge

Treehouse

Public Lawn

Pedestrian Pathway

Community Garden

Repaved Road/Grassy Pavers

School Garden

Rain Garden

South Plaza

Site Circulation

Located within a dense residential neighbor-hood with pedestrian-scale streets, the re-designed site provides the potential to draw in residents arriving from nearby streets. The introduction of the different program-matic elements creates multiple focal points for recreational activities, such as walking, gar-dening or socializing.

Site Vegetation:

1. Native PlantsThe Rain Gardens, Public Lawn and Pavilion Gardens contain native plants such as Goldenrod and Ferns. This enhances biodiversity by providing food and shelter for local wildlife.

2. Food GardensThe Community and School Gardens can pro-mote healthier diets by providing easy access to fresh produce and raising awareness of gardening amongst local residents and students.

Stormwater on the site fl ows primarily along a slope.Introducing rain gardens and a grassy paver street willwhose elevation decreases from the west to east side.

Introducing rain gardens and a grassy paver street will help help reduce fl ooding and waterborne pollutants.

ESMOND PLACE PROPOSAL

0’ 1.5’ 3’ 6’ 15’

N

A South Garden B Community Garden C Public Lawn D Treehouse & Pavilion

Site Section

A. South Plaza Transverse Section B. Community Garden Transverse Section C. Public Lawn Transverse Section D. Pavilion Courtyard Transverse Section

East Perspective: Community Gardens and Permeable Streetscape South Perspective: Public Lawn, Treehouse and Pavilion

East Street View: Community Garden Treehouse Perspective Pavilion Interior Perspective

City Center

Hofplein

The Hofplein: Healing a Fragmented Gateway / Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Instructor/ Ali GuneyInstitution/TU DelftLocation/ Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Project/ AcademicYear/Dec 2012-Feb 2013

Project SummaryThe pre-war structure of the Hofplein areacontained a diverse range of circulatory connections that integrated Rotterdam North with the rest of the city. Likewise, prior to being destroyed in WW2, the pre-war Hofplein station area served as a major civic space as well as a transit hub. Presently, the former spatial and circulatory connectivity of the Hofplein has been erased by the elimination of the Schiekade canal and the addition of a traffi c roundabout. The resulting high levels of car traffi c has led to an inco-herent circulation system for walking and cycling, as well as the Hofplein square being closed off from pedestrian traffi c and access.

Healing this currently fragmented structure presents an opportunity to transform its critical location within the city from being a liability into a key asset in the revitalization of Rotterdam North. By rediscovering the area’s history as a vibrant civic hub, this intervention can help to rejuvenate the Hofplein as a key iconic centerpoint.

The Hofplein

The Hofplein

Perspective of Railway Park facing New Shops & Offi ces

0m 25m (164 ft) 100m (328 ft)

Hofplein as Iconic Gateway of Rotterdam North

In reponse to the Hofplein’s unique position near the city center and as a critical intersection of Rotterdam’s major circulation routes, the area can be re-imagined as a true gateway to Rotterdam North in a symbolic as well as a functional sense.

Moreover, the monumental scale of the surrounding context and the site’s visibility demands that the Hofplein square itself have a highly public presence.The introduction of an iconic 60m tall “Light Tower”allows the area to be a visual and urban attraction.

Hofplein Perspective from Elevated Walkway

Hofplein Square Transverse Section

Wood Flooring

Steel Railing

Steel Beam

60x60cm Steel Column

Luchtsingel

New Street-Level Public Spaces

Elevated Pedestrian Walkways

New Buildings

New Facades

New Bike Paths

New Pedestrian Paths

60m High “Light Tower”

Walkways Concept

Elevated Paths to Avoid Traffi c

In order to bypass the problem-matic 40m wide crosswalks on the Hofplein roundabout, el-evated pedestrian/cyclist paths are placed above existingcross-walks and main pedestrian paths, streamlining connections to the city center and Rotterdam Central Station. New connec-tions are also created to a newly accessible Hofplein, generating a complementary system of el-evated paths.

Hofplein Area Plan

The Hofplein

Perspective of Hofplein from Luchtsingel connection

1.

2.

3.

4.

6

7.5. 8.

9.

10.

75mRailway Parking Garage + Shops

Site Profi le Section0m 25m (82 ft) 50m (164 ft)

The Hofplein

6. Ground-level Path to Elevated Walkways

7. Luchtsingel

8. Cultural & Arts Center

9. Retail Shops/Restaurants

10. Redesigned Petrol Station & Parking Lot

1. Pedestrian & Cyclist Route

2. Public Park & Square

3. Shared Street(15 km/hr zone)

4. Retrofi tted Parking Garage: New Facade & Ground-level Shops

5. Redesigned Petrol Station & Parking Lot

Railway Plan Legend

By providing human-scale green spaces, legible pedestrian paths and permeable facades, the Railway Park aims to transform dead open space into a spatially rich transition zone between the Hofbo-gen and the Center. This area seeks to complement the expansion of an existing elevated bridge, the Luchtsingel.

Railway Park Plan Railway Park Section

Instructors/ Diego Sepulveda, Frank v.d. Hoeven, Vincent NadinInstitution/TU DelftLocation/ Bergen County, New Jersey

Project/ Master thesisYear/Sept 2013-Aug 2014

Reconceptualizing the Periphery / Bergen County, New Jersey

New York City

Urbanised Counties

Suburban/Rural Counties

MetropolitanExpansion Area

0 km 30 km 60 km

Project SummaryPart of the New York metro area, North Jersey is a dynamic, urban sub-region which is facing complexsocio-spatial challenges, e.g. demographic transformations, mobility gaps. These are now exacerbatedby a sectoral, path-dependent planning system which reinforces a divergence between regional and local-scaledemands. Focusing on a proposed light rail line in southern Bergen County, this thesis project provides a two-fold approach. First, is an Integral Regeneration Framework that aims to improve upon existing TOD planning processes. Next, the feasibility of this framework is tested through a set of Urban Designguidelines and local-scale TOD regeneration scenario, which illustrates more optimal spatial possibilitiesresulting from the Integral Framework.

NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA

34,493 KM2 (75% OF THE NETHERLANDS)

Reconceptualizing the Periphery

Urban Design Scenario/ Light Rail Station Area, Englewood,NJ

The streetscape perspective illustrates potential spatial improvements of an existing industrial zone slated for a future light rail station. These stem local-scale design guidelines which are in turn derived from an intermunicipal TOD planning framework: the Integral Regeneration Framework, focusing on the Northern Branch Line, a major gateway.

North Bergen // 91st St.

Palisades Park

Leonia

Englewood // Englewood South

Englewood // Town Center

Route 4

I-95 Highway

George Washington Bridge

New York City

0 km 0.5 km 1 km

Ridgefi eld

INFRASTRUCTURE

Northern Branch Line

Light Rail Stop

Alternative Light Rail Stop*

TOD Area

I-95 // Interstate Highway

Route 4 // State Highway

Local Arterials/Bus Routes*

Local Streets

0 km 2 km 4 km

EXISTING OR PROPOSED LAND-USES*

Mixed-Use Industrial Area*

Medium-Scale Industrial/Retail*

Cultural/SME Zone*

Existing Business Area

Existing City/Town Center

Existing Business Areas

Existing Commercial Center

Overpeck County Waterfront*

Meadowlands District (Wetlands Area)

REGIONAL GATEWAY 87,000 COMMUTERS TO NYCNORTHERN BRANCH LINE EXTENSION PLAN

MAJOR REGENERATION POTENTIAL

5 // Mixed-Use Industrial Zone

7 // Medical Center

6 // CBD/SME Area

Englewood // REGIONAL HUB

A regional economic and mobility hub, the city of Englewood was chosen as the key location to evaluate the local spatial potentials of the Integral Regeneration Framework.

Integral Multi-Modal NetworkCohesive, Flood-Adaptive Public Spaces

Fine-Grain Block & Lot Patterns Mix of Land Uses & Functions

Local Integral Design Principles

Reconceptualizing the Periphery

No Regional

Vision

Ignoring Local

Diversity

No Mobility

Integration

No Flood Risk

Strategy

Regional Vision

Inclusive TOD

Tools

Integrate Mobility

Networks

Integrate TOD &

Flood Risk

TOD-LOCAL

SCALE GAPS //

REGIONAL

DIAGNOSIS //

+

+

+

?

NO

PL

AN

NIN

G C

ULT

UR

E

INT

EG

RA

L P

LA

NN

ING

MO

DE

L

COMMERCIAL LAND

INDUSTRIAL LAND

Local Design Scenario / Englewood South

0 km 1 km 2 km

Integral Regeneration Framework/North Jersey’s existing TOD planning processes reveals signifi cant operational gaps such as a lack of integrated mobility networks and incorporation of fl ood-risk, as summarized in the TOD-Local Scale Gaps.The Regional Diagnosis seeks to improve the existing TOD model by specifi cally focusing on these four major defi ciencies. These general policy guidelines are translated into more concrete, local-scale design principles.

These provide planners and designers with a practical toolkit for improving upon existing spatial structures. With its unique functional profi le and proximity to major transit infra, the southern part of Englewood,Englewood South, serves as the starting point forevaluating a local-scale TOD scenario derived fromthe Integral Regeneration Framework.

Regional Diagnosis

Current Situation // Railway as Barrier Light Rail as Connective Corridor

X

X

X

X

Local Design Scenario / Englewood South

Step 1 / Multi-Modal Streets Step 2 / Increased Public Spaces

Design Concept / Light Rail as Connective Corridor

Initial Spatial Fabric Improvements

R-X // Existing Residential

RM-1 // Residential Mixed-Use

C-X // Existing Commercial/Retail

PM-X // Existing Small-Scale Industrial

PM-1 // Small-Scale Production Mixed-Use

PM-X2 // Existing Large-Scale Production

PM-2 // Large-Scale Production Mixed-Use

CM-1 // Commercial Mixed-Use Overlay

Station Area Programmatic Strategy //

New Green Spaces

Regional Arterial

Local Arterial

Collector Road

Living(Local) Street

Bike/Pedestrian Path

Integral Public Space & Mobility Systems //

Existing Green Spaces

Highway

Englewood South / Structural Plan

The fi rst fi gure above shows the primary design concept, where the light rail is a central spatialanchor for regeneration. Next, is the initial set of station area-scale improvements which serve as a foundation for subsequent programmatic and plot-scale developments. This is facilitated by the Structural Plan, which provides land-use guidelines that promote inclusionary mixed-use functions.

0m 200m 400m

Reconceptualizing the Periphery

Englewood South / Station Corridor Station Corridor Scenario 1 Station Corridor Scenario 2

The fi nal Plan iiteration emerged from testing two different options for the corridor concept, an area of 80m x 600m,using the following criteria: 1) Integration of the railway with the spatial fabric, 2) Potential for mixed-use development and 3) Potential for accessible public spaces.

Scenario 1 shows the future light rail line being moved approximately 40m (131 ft) to the east. While providing space for an integrated corridor, only 30m (98 ft) was left on the remaining areas. This proved inadequate for viable mixed-uses or public spaces.

Scenario 2 keeps the light rail in its existing location. This allows space for the integration of the light rail as a urban boulevard. Likewise, with 70-80m(230-262 ft) left over, there is suffi cient room for mixed-uses and a public space network. Hence, Scenario 2 was chosen as the most optimal choice.

1.4m raised landing or shops/offices, garages or workshops (1000m2 max)

5m set back above base

R2 // Medium-Density Residential District

Lot Area (min): 171 m2Lot FAR (max): 1.70Lot Coverage: 50%

Front Yard (min): 2.5 mRear Yard (min): 9 mBuilding Height (max): 13.4 mStreet Wall Height (max): 10.4 m

56m max street wall length,30% max. for blind street walls

7.6m max street wall height

13.4m max bldg height

On-street parkingbays (5m x 1.8m)

Open areas b/w street walls & street must be planted*

Parking permitted within, to the rear of buildings or on on-street bays. 60% max. of street wall allowed for car parking

7m max distance b/w doors, min of 7 doors per56 metres

Tax incentives forrooftop PV/renewable energy systems*

Tax incentives for ‘Cool Roofs’: high-albedorooftop surfaces

Tax incentives for low-impact, recyclable materials: locally sourced wood, aluminum etc.

Affordable housing: for apartment bldgs, min 40% of units must be mix of middle- & low-income units

R3 // High-Density Residential District

Lot FAR (max): 5.0Lot Coverage: 80% for corner lot, 60% for interi-or lot

Building Height (max): 29 mBase Height: 12m(min)-18.4 m(max)

5.5m max for garage entries,30% max. for blind street walls

18.4m max base height

29m max bldg height

Parking permitted within, to the rear of buildings or on on-street bays. 40% max. of street wall allowed for car parking

1.4m raised landing or lob-bies, shops/offices, & work-shops

Tax incentive for planting & street furniture

5m set back above base

Tax incentives forrooftop PV/renewable energy systems*

Tax incentives for low-impact, recyclable materials: locally sourced wood, aluminum etc.

Tax incentives for ‘Cool Roofs’: high-albedorooftop surfaces

Tax incentives for green roofs/rain gardens*

Affordable housing: min 40% ofunits must be mix of middle- &low-income units

Local Design Scenario / Englewood South

Urban Design & Building Typology Guidelines

In order to ensure high levels of spatial quality and plot-scale development, a set of proposed design and building typology guidelines which complement the Structural Plan are provided. They promotes TOD-compatible mixed-uses which provides a diverse range of housing, commercial and production development options. Likewise, design aspects such as frontages, accessibility and sustainability are incorporated.

Reconceptualizing the Periphery

Station Corridor / Aerial Perspective

Integration of transit with the local spatial structure and inclusionary mixed-use zoning catalyzes a diverse mix of functions, public spaces and typologies.