When Kyle Chen was younger he was interested in becoming a pilot or an architect.
While he won't be piloting a flight to Aruba anytime soon, the public can go see his architectural work on display right now at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), where his version of the museum is currently on display. And given his unique recent build, it's fair to say architecture is his main interest now.
"I think now I am more focused on architecture," he tells V.I.A. "I like doing things with my creativity, with my brain, and hands-on work."
Model making
The 16-year-old Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School student has just started Grade 11, but he's already completed two epic models; the first was of Vancouver International Airport and was done for fun in his free time.
His most recent model, a ~1:80 scale re-creation of the MOV complete with its Salish hat-like structure, observatory, and famous crab sculpture, was done on a tighter deadline when he attended architecture camp at UBC.
Chen reached out to the CEO of the museum, Mauro Vescera, and was able to book a meeting and tour so he could learn about the building and its structure.
"I also used Google Maps for the aerial view of the museum and environment that surrounds it," Chen adds.
Constructing his own museum
Since he was recreating the museum on his own, there were no pre-made pieces for him to use, like models bought in stores. Instead, he had to make everything by hand and be creative with some aspects of the project.
Much of the building is made of balsa wood, which Chen cut with a razor. However, he used several other materials. For example, the iconic roof of the museum is made of paper.
A couple of pieces really required some problem-solving. The crab was an interesting problem, given it's made of big metal sheets that can't be scaled down as easily.
"That one was pretty tricky because I had to find the right material that looks like metal but is also malleable," he says.
Chen figured out he could use the bottom of a tin foil pie plate to get flat pieces that looked right, and then he formed them as needed.
And the observatory was made from an even more unlikely source.
"The dome for the observatory is actually made from a Nespresso capsule," he explains.
He ended up sanding the capsule down and repainting it to make it match correctly.
Not only is it a very accurate scale model, but it also lights up internally. The museum has hooked up power to the model, so lights inside the tiny version turn on at the same time as they do in the life-sized version.
In all, it took him about a month to put together.
Event to unveil
On Thursday, Sept. 12 Chen was at the MOV to unveil his remarkable scale model.
As part of the event, he and others spoke to a gathering that included museum folks, members of the school of architecture at UBC, local politicians, and his vice-principal.
Chen says the event focused on opportunities for youth and how architecture affects community.
Future in architecture
Even at 16, Chen is looking forward to a career in architecture and has already made connections at UBC's School Of Architecture And Landscape Architecture.
"I think I can contribute to our community more through architecture," Chen remarks, adding that he wants to focus on creating spaces for people to gather in and livable spaces.
As for the models, he's holding off for now while school is in session, but he has considered other places. Before choosing to build the Museum of Vancouver, he'd considered Science World, the Vancouver Art Gallery, city hall, and BC Place as possible options.
"I'll see what opportunities come."
