P O R T F O L I O

Mimi Tam

Selected works
2021-23
 Contents

01 Food Hub
Year 4 individual project

02 Zbig College
Year 4 group project

03 Movement
Year 3 group project

04 Pavilion
Competition project

05 Professional experience
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
NVB Architects
Eureka Design
01
Food Hub

February - May 2023

Year 4
Final year individual project

Revolutionising our food chain

Located within the Oxpens masterplan, the Oxpens

Food Hub will be the first of many food hubs in Oxford.
The establishment of food hubs drives the Oxford
Good Food Movement, which aims to resolve the food
system crisis that we are faced with locally, nationally
and globally.

The key concept of a food hub is to bring together

all the processes of a food chain in a single location,
honing in on localised supply chains to reduce food
miles. The food hub hopes to resolve the disconnect
between consumers and producers, re-establishing a
relationship that has been lost in the modern society.

At present, many vertical farms are run in an energy

intensive manner. The Oxpens Food Hub aims to be
an exemplar of low-energy urban farming: passive
strategies are adopted to optimise natural light and
heat gains. The vertical farms also work in synergy
with the building, functioning as a thermal buffer and
creating resource cycles within the building.
 Urban farming benefits

Growing a wide range of crops within an

urban setting creates new habitats that
help enhance biodiversity.
Green planting wall - helps
remove air pollutants, provide
shading and reduce indoor
temperatures. Rooftop farming (soil-based)
helps attenuate rainwater and
lower flooding risks. Rainwater
collected via soil substrate
can be recycled for flushing,
irrigation and in hydroponics.
Public / Servant

Hydroponics and vertical farms -

produces fruit and vegetables in a much Allotment gardens provide a
more efficient way compared to typical public green space for local
commercial farming. Produce is sold or residents, educating the public
consumed on site, reducing food miles to on sustainable ways of food
zero. production.

Circulation atrium
1:500 physical model

BAC
K OF
T HOU
RKE SE
MA ALL IUM
H ATR
GRO C
CA OMMU
WA WING FE N ITY
HYDROPONICS

LL

FOO
D RMS
HA L FA
LL T ICA
VER

Cascading landscape Building zoning

Responding to the key pedestrian route (highlighted

in red), a clear distinction between served and servant
spaces is created. An atrium is then introduced to
bring natural light into the long and deep floor plan.
The roof is stepped down and populated with
greenery to create a more open approach from the
south. This also creates a connection between the
terraces and ground floor landscape. Finally, to create
a lively street front, the ground floor is designed to be
highly permeable, allowing people to flow freely into
Active frontage
and out of the building.
A compact food chain

The building consists of four departments that Trade Suppo r t E xp

e r i en c e Grow

encompasses all the processes of a food chain:

hydroponics and rooftop farms for growing, a market hall
for trading, a food hall for dining, as well as a community
cafe and food bank to support those in need at the same
time reduce food waste. The ultimate goal is to ensure
Market hall Community cafe Food hall Hydroponics
fair access to good quality, sustainably produced food
& food bank & rooftop farms
for all members of the local community.
1

Food hall
Ceiling and upper floor construction
1. 20x600x600mm porcelain tile
2. 20mm polyethylene matting (Schluter)
3. 20mm fibreboard
4. 125mm acoustic insulation with
underfloor heating
5. 95mm floor joist on 25mm sylodyn
6. 250mm CLT floor
7. 25mm Baux acoustic wood wool
panels, attached to CLT floor, to
manufacturer’s detail
8. 700x350mm / 300x150mm glulam
beams on glulam columns
 10

11

17
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18
11

12 17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18

13 14 15
6
5 12
16
4
3
13 14 15
2
1 16

Chilli peppers

9 8

9 8

A.

Nasturtiums
11

12
13
14
15
11
16
17
12
13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
18
14
19
15
20
16
Exploded view of 2 façade modules 17
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1. Lightweight steel planting frame 18
Runner beans 2. Timber planters
19
20
3. Open mesh steel flooring
4. Timber / steel support frame
5. Wood fibre SIPs
6. CLT / glulam primary structure

21

0 0.25 0.5 1m B.
Malabar spinach
21

A functional, productive facade A. Roof junction & planting frame
The growing facade provides many benefits to 1. 30mm softwood decking
2. Adjustable pedestals
the building and the surrounding environment: it 3. Drainage layer
helps remove air pollutants, provides shading and 4. Waterproof membrane
5. 150mm wood fibre rigid
reduces indoor temperature during hot summer
insulation
days. The climbing vegetables shown above 6. Vapour barrier
7. 150mm CLT roof
would be harvested by the local growers and sold
8. 25mm Baux acoustic
at the market hall, creating a supply chain with wood wool panels, hung
on suspended grid
zero food miles.
9. 350x350mm glulam edge
beam
10. Steel planting frame
11. Planting substrate
12. Irrigation pipes
13. Steel support frame
14. Open mesh steel flooring
15. Stainless steel fascia
16. 300x100mm glulam beam
B. Intermediate floor & external wall
1. 20x600x600mm porcelain
tiles
2. 20mm polyethylene
matting (Schluter)
3. 20mm fibreboard
4. 95mm floor joist on 25mm
sylodyn 10
5. 125mm acoustic 11 insulation
with underfloor heating
6. 250mm CLT floor
10
7. Vapour barrier
11
8. 200mm wood fibre rigid
insulation
9. Waterproof membrane
10. 20mm veneer plywood
11. Aluminium-timber
composite window
12. Aluminium window
flashing
13. 25mm treated red cedar
cladding (NORClad)
14. Softwood battens
15. Waterproof membrane
16. 40mm rigid wood fibre
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
insulation
17. 180mm flexible wood
fibre insulation batts
18. 15mm OSB, taped &
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
sealed at joints
19. 40mm service void /
timber battens
20. 20mm red cedar veneer
wall panels
21. Roller shutter door8
02
Zbig College

October - December 2022

Year 4
Civil Eng. & Architecture joint project

Another way of seeing

The project brief is to design a new Oxford college in

the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (ROQ) for a group
which is currently under-represented within the
University community.

We decided to dedicate this new Oxford college to the

visually impaired. Our proposal aims to create a place
where visual impairment does not hinder how people
experience space, and therefore establish a sense
of belonging and comfort for all users. The greater
vision of our proposal is to remove the inherent visual
bias in architecture and advocate the ‘other way of
seeing’ through ‘invisible architecture’. These ‘invisible’
elements of architecture interact with users via non-
visual cues, such as haptics and sound. These elements
are integrated into both architecture and landscape
design. For instance, textured path surfaces and water
features help visually-impaired users navigate the
college, thus providing a barrier-free environment for
learning.
 04.

08.
01.

10.

06. 05.

07. 09.
09.
Clear axis Social and residential Zoning & the ‘in between’
03.

02.

11. 12. 14.

13. 16.
15.

28. 27. 26. 46. 47.

25.

45.
29. 24.
48.

30.
Nodes Adjacencies Entrances & routes 23. 44.

22.
42.
21. 43.

41.

17.

34.

19.
18.
35.
20.

32. 31.

40.

33. 33. 33.

36. 37. 38. 39.

Community Hub Undergraduate residences

Learning Hub : 12. Auditorium 24. Middle Common Room 36. Junior Common Room
01. Social spaces 13. Cafe 25. Toilets 37. Toilets
02. Senior Common Room 14. Toilets 26. Cold water plant 38. International storage
03. Fellow room 15. Plant 27. AHU & heat recovery 39. Electrical plant
04. Reading bay 16. Storage 28. Bins 40. AHU & heat recovery
05. Meeting room 29. Electrical plant 41. Bikes
06. Principal’s office PG Residences 30. Garden storage 42. Student services
07. Staff offices 17. Lobby 31. Reception 43. Laundry
08. Library archive 18. Porter’s lodge 32. Social zone for housing 44. Refuse
09. Plant 19. International storage 33. Local shops 45. Therapy
10. Toilets 20. Post room 46. AHU & heat recovery
21. Laundry UG Residences 47. Cold water plant
Community Hub: 22. Bikes 34. Lobby 48. Substation
Learning Hub Community Hub
11. Entrance lobby 23. Refuse 35. Arts
Learning Hub - View of atrium
 Braille Signage

Acoustic Finishes

Distinct Skirting

Audio Reading

Handrail Detail

Tactile Flooring

Learning Hub - Haptic details

Detail design is a challenging and intricate

Learning Hub - Detail Section
Ground floor external wall and floor / foundation detail
Wall construction
(U-value: 0.16 W/m2K)
1. Buff stone slips on stainless
steel railings
2. Weatherproofing membrane
3. 50mm hemp insulation
boarding
4. 12.5mm timber sheathing
board
5. 200x75 rafters with 200mm
cellulose insulation
6. 12.5mm timber sheathing
board
7. Vapour barrier
8. SupaSlat slatted acoustic wall
system
9. Exposed concrete column
Floor construction
10. 600mm reinforced concrete
foundation edge
11. 150mm gravel layer
12. 50mm sand binding
13. Damp proof membrane
14. 150mm reinforced concrete
slab foundation
15. 75mm rigid insulation
16. 60mm screed w/ underfloor
heating
17. Recycled carpet floor finish
process. The scheme must adhere to RIBA
2030 carbon targets, as well as respond to a
1.
250-year design life demanded by the brief. Flexible wall for
2.
future adaptability
3. The structural design takes into account
4. spatial adaptability, with the use of regular
5.
column grids and non-structural partition
6.
7. walls allowing for future changes in the
Timber slat
8. building function. At the same time, acoustic Light shelf corridor walls
17.16.15.14.13.12.11. 10. 9.
features and internal finishes play a huge part
Carpet finish
in shaping the experience of visually-impaired
users. Different materials and haptic details
help these users distinguish between spaces
Hemp
with different functions and therefore navigate insulation
the building easily.
Student accommodation unit - design details
03
Movement

October - November 2021

Year 3
Civil Eng. & Architecture joint project

The brief is to design a footbridge linking up two future

University of Bristol campuses located in the Temple
Meads Enterprise Zone in Bristol. The asymmetrical
arch and organic form of the bridge deck manifest
the notion of movement and aim to provide a unique
experience for pedestrians crossing the bridge.

One of our key aims is to reduce the embodied carbon

of the structure. The combination of a steel arch
and a timber deck resulted in over 30% reduction in
embodied carbon compared to steel composite or fully
timber designs.

Guided by the UNESCO sustainable development

goals, our design ensures responsible consumption
of materials and aims to provide a safe and inclusive
means of transport to the community.
Site plan key:
a. Cattle Market campus site
b. Kawasaki campus site
c. Avon Street Square

b c

Left:
Section through site 1:200 @ A3
Site plan 1:1000@A3

Right:
1:20 Model
View of footbridge from railway approach
04
Pavilion

February 2021
Competition project
Collaboration with Marco Lin

The competition brief is to design a visitor centre at any

location. I have chosen the city of Bath because the old
visitor centre has been closed due to the COVID-19
pandemic as well as systemic financial troubles. With
the re-emergence of tourists, Bath will require a new
visitor centre fit for purpose.

As the site is originally a public square, the design

aims to retain the public space vertically through
introducing a canopy. On the canopy, visitors can catch
a panoramic glimpse of the city. A new gallery provides
a much needed space for local artists and museums to
organise exhibitions, and also provides a sustainable
income for the management of the building.
Circulation Volumes Entrances & interaction Permeability

Canopy Access Terraining Viewpoints

Key:
a. Gallery
b. Kitchenette
c. Information desk
d. WC
a e. Storage
f. Plant room

c d

Left:
Concept diagrams
Ground floor plan 1:100@A3

Right:
Views from Abbey Churchyard
and under the canopy
05
Professional
Experience

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Bristol

February - August 2022
Part 1 Architectural Assistant

NVB Architects, Frome

April - October 2021
Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Eureka Architects, Hong Kong

July - August 2018
Summer Intern
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Bristol
February - August 2022

Later Living Residences, Cardiff

Council housing | stage 3+

The Cardiff later living project

consisted of three sites across
Cardiff city centre. All the flats were
designed to be M4(2) compliant and
more accessible to wheelchair users.
I worked on this project for the first
part of my placement and prepared
the drawings and documents for
tender issue, including scoping
plans, section/ elevation drawings,
detail drawings and door/ window
schedules.

Plot 6 Silverthorne Lane - Proposed ground floor plan (Stage 2 issue)

Plot 6 Silverthorne Lane, Bristol

Student residential scheme | stage 2-3
Cardiff later living residences - Canton site
Due to the proximity to railway tracks and high flood risks associated with the
site, this project had many challenges and constraints. As a part of the design
team, I conducted multiple design studies for facade options and general layouts.
I also contributed towards a stage completion report at the end of stage 2. A wide
range of CAD skills was required for this project as the team used Microstation,
Revit and Enscape for different levels of detail required at each stage.

Plot 6 Silverthorne Lane - Facade studies

NVB Architects, Frome Eureka Design, Hong Kong
April - October 2021 July - August 2018

My two-month internship at Eureka involved a lot of hands-on experimentation,

During my six-month placement
worked on various projects across RIBA
stages 0-5. I contributed to the massing
design of a pre-planning application for
a conversion of an existing church to a
housing development, and produced
some visuals to illustrate the massing
and layout.
I especially for the library design of Yew Chung Kindergarten. I explored many
possible configurations of the library shelves by producing 1:100 scale models, and
subsequently presented my ideas in a client meeting. I was pleased to know that
the client was very satisfied with the final product upon handover and completion
of the project.

I was also involved in a school project,

Stage 5 - plan detail of wall build-up
which was in construction, and I was
responsible for most of the plan detailing.
Working closely with the architectural
technician was an excellent opportunity
to develop my Revit skills as well as learn
about construction detailing.

Right:
CGI of proposed library layout

Bottom left:
Stage 5 - section through drama studio Scale models of bookshelves

Bottom right:
Photos of final product
pre-completion

Stage 0 - Aerial view to illustrate massing of houses

 Mimi Tam
mimi.k.tam@bath.edu
www.mimitam.myportfolio.com/