Chun-Wei Lee

Chun-Wei Lee featured image

About

Hi, I am Chun-Wei, an interdisciplinary designer with 10 years of professional experience in architectural design, spatial design, and art installation spanning different countries such as Taiwan, China, Japan, Italy, and Spain. I am inspired by multiple domains of knowledge, different perspectives, and multicultural collaborations in order to create value and a new vision for society.


Education

MA/MSc Global Innovation Design, Royal College of Art & Imperial College London, UK (2020)

BArch Department of Architecture, Tunghai University, Taiwan (2009) - Top of the class of 2009


Experience

Intern, DLX Design Lab (University of Tokyo), Tokyo, Japan (2019)

Project Manager, AUSPICIOUS, Taipei, Taiwan (2015-2021)

Designer, Tange Associates (Taipei Office), Taipei, Taiwan (2013-2015)

Designer, Noiz Architects, Tokyo, Japan (2009-2013)

Contact

Degree Details

Statement

With a background in architecture and experience in GID, I am interested in how we can communicate through spatial elements and multi-sensory experience in order to create social impacts, future scenarios, and business strategies in different cultural contexts.

I am always looking to expand and enhance my knowledge and collaborate with people in different industries so, if you are interested in any of my works or want to share your knowledge, then send me a message!

AIRCLE : Next-gen Air Purification System

AIRCLE : Next-gen Air Purification System

Research has shown that the air quality (PM2.5) in subway systems around the world exceeds the WHO guideline values.

AIRCLE is a next-gen air purification system that improves air quality on the Tube platforms via diverting the piston wind and reducing metallic particles using electromagnet technology. AIRCLE creates a healthier London Underground experience for the passengers and helps protect the environment.

AIRCLE : Problem

Particle pollution in the Tube is higher than the ambient air and is more toxic.
Particle pollution in the Tube is higher than the ambient air and is more toxic.
These metallic particles are mainly from the friction of rails and wheels.
These metallic particles are mainly from the friction of rails and wheels.

● Particle pollution in the Tube is higher than the ambient air and is more toxic.

In 2020, a scientific paper concluded that concentrations of PM2.5 in the London Underground were about 15 times higher than roadside environments in central London. Further research has shown that subway PM is more toxic and harmful to health than street PM, which often invades the human body through inhalation.

● These metallic particles are mainly from the friction of rails and wheels.

The composition of subway PM is hugely different from street PM. Many studies have analysed and reported significant contributions of iron. This is mainly caused by mechanical phenomena; such as abrasion and friction of rails, wheels, and brake pad systems, giving the particles a peculiarly metalliferous character.

● It is a global and unsolved problem.

The PM concentrations of 70% of metro systems around the world exceed WHO or local air quality standards. Many studies are carried out worldwide; however, no effective and economical solution is available today. Because the composition and movement of subway PM are extremely different from the ambient PM, there is a need for innovation in developing specialized air purification technology.

AIRCLE : Solution

AIRCLE can create invisible protection for passengers.
AIRCLE can create invisible protection for passengers.
A combination of airflow diverter and electromagnet particles collector.
A combination of airflow diverter and electromagnet particles collector.
An air purification system creating a new transportation experience.
An air purification system creating a new transportation experience.
Airflow Experiment — In order to test the idea of directing airflow by adding air curtains, physical experiments were set up, and it was proved that piston wind could be controlled and limited around the bottom of the circular-shaped tunnel.
Schematic of AIRCLE.
Schematic of AIRCLE.
Interaction with the airflow.
Interaction with the airflow.

● A combination of airflow diverter and electromagnet particles collector.

Taking advantage of wind flow (wind energy) is one of the innovations of this project because wind is an existing element in the platform. The potential of electromagnet technology for metallic particle collection was researched in order to develop an innovative approach that can be applied for this specific PM type and unique space.

● An air purification system creating new transportation experiences.

Lighting interaction is designed to show the real-time air quality level through lighting brightness in order to guide passengers to wait at an area with lower pollution intuitively; which can also improve passenger distribution and flow on platforms. Integrating AIRCLE with train indicators provides another approach for leading passengers to stand or sit near AIRCLE to enhance the effectiveness.

+POT : Sustainable Plant Pot

+POT : Sustainable Plant Pot
+POT can also fertilize your plants, remove odours and dehumidify areas.
+POT can also fertilize your plants, remove odours and dehumidify areas.
+POT is a multifunctional plant pot made from 100% recycled coffee grounds!
+POT is a multifunctional plant pot made from 100% recycled coffee grounds!
It is your vertical garden.
It is your vertical garden.

● Used Coffee Grounds are the waste that will result in environmental problems.

Do you know Americans drank an average of 2 cups of coffee per day in 2018, and the US government forecasts 174.5 million bags of coffee will be produced in 2019? However, more than 90% of used coffee grounds are thrown away. Decomposing coffee grounds release METHANE into the atmosphere, which is the second-most abundant greenhouse gas and has a global warming potential up to 86 times greater than CO2.

● I want to upcycle the wastes and create a NEW PRODUCT!

+POT has been inspired by the waste of coffee grounds and has been designed from start to finish with our environment in mind. I have spent a few months developing a series of prototypes in a variety of shapes and materials to make my +POT vision a reality.

● +POT is a multifunctional plant pot made from 100% recycled coffee grounds!

+POT is an upcycled plant pot made from used coffee grounds and natural binders to grow nature. +POT is 100% biodegradable, helping to reduce and repurpose used coffee grounds in a more beautiful and fun way.

+POT : Multi-functional and Fun

+POT in your room.
+POT in your room.
+POT with your breakfast.
+POT with your breakfast.
It can absorb the odour in your room.
It can absorb the odour in your room.
It’s a natural dehumidifier and a safe way to keep pests away.
It’s a natural dehumidifier and a safe way to keep pests away.
[untitled]
[untitled]
+POT is here.
+POT is here.
And it is FUN!
And it is FUN!
Designed with modularity.
Designed with modularity.
Decay to nature.
Decay to nature.

Scented Diary : Self-communication Device

Scented Diary : self-communication device
Scented Diary : self-communication device
How might we tell a bedtime story to ourselves?
How might we tell a bedtime story to ourselves?
A diary you can watch, read, and smell.
A diary you can watch, read, and smell.

'How might we tell a bedtime story to ourselves?'

Scented Diary is a research project exploring the topic of self-communication. The design is a combination of a creative form of diary, a night light that can tell stories by lights and shadows, and a diffuser that can make people sleep better.  Through the process of 'Coding', 'Delivering', 'Decoding', and 'Destressing', the user can reflect at the end of the day and be ready to go to sleep with an easier and more enjoyable approach.

Scented Diary : Design Process

How visual information could create spatial communication and interaction?
How visual information could create spatial communication and interaction?
[untitled]
[untitled] — To gain a better understanding of this topic, I conducted early experiments to test how people sense and receive information such as texts, images, and even environmental elements through installations, video records, and interviews.
Telling a story via lightings, shadows, and time.
[untitled]
[untitled] — Following the previous experiments, I was curious about innovative media for delivering information and consequent impacts (both physical and psychological). Time was included as one of the design elements because of the movement of the lighting and the process of message reading.
Mapping a day with abstract means
Mapping a day with abstract means — To explore and invent new methods of "writing" with original functions of diary, various approaches and forms of recording and reflecting a day were tested with potential users.
Multi-sensory Diary
Multi-sensory Diary — Multi-sensory experience was integrated into the whole user journey of creating a diary from recording, reflecting to reading process in this phase. Different materials and shapes of the device were carefully considered, designed, and tested so as to create a positive and holistic user experience.
Writing diaries with scented waxes!
Writing diaries with scented waxes!