STUDENT
NEXUS 1 2 EMBED 4-15 16-25
NEURO NOOK TRANQUIL LIBRARY
01 | STUDENT NEXUS
UBC Campus in Vancouver, BC Completed April 2024 Fourth Year Studio Thesis Project
This project addresses the exclusive design standards found in educational environments that often leave neurodivergent students feeling marginalized. This project proposes the creation of a “third space” on UBC campus, tailored to the neurodivergent community, fostering a sense of belonging and community. This proposition arises from recognizing the need for spaces that transcend the dichotomy of education and home, providing an in-between environment for neurodivergent individuals to thrive.
The envisioned space, situated within an existing building on campus, will prioritize community engagement, integrate natural elements, and be sensitive to sensory needs. It will serve as a haven for relaxation, socialization, and study. This project embraces an inclusive design philosophy, challenging existing norms to promote greater inclusivity for often overlooked individuals.
After conducting preliminary research, I thoroughly surveyed potential campus sites and ultimately selected Annex G. This site was chosen for its ample green space, adaptability as a portable building, low circulation, and current underutilization. Following the selection, I analyzed the site’s landscape, sunlight, and existing features to identify the conditions that could be integrated into my design.
Site Selection
Existing Building Plan
Existing Site Conditions
I conducted an interior survey of the building and researched retrofitting techniques to determine which elements could be realistically preserved. Additionally, I explored neuroscientific studies and sensory-sensitive design principles to identify features that might be problematic for neurodivergent individuals and needed modification. Annex G was currently utilized as an exam space for students with disabilities. However, its circulation and layout were stark, rigid, disjointed, and lacked intuitive flow.
Existing Pogram & Circulation
|EXISITNG CIRCULATION & PROGRAM
The building is divided into three distinct sensory zones: low stimulation, medium stimulation, and high stimulation. Each zone offers a unique sensory experience tailored to the needs of neurodivergent students. Transitional spaces are thoughtfully designed with visual cues such as hanging plants or arched doorways to indicate shifts in stimuli levels. This facilitates smooth transitions between zones and ensuring a seamless experience for users.
New Pogram & Zoning
|PROGRAM DIAGRAM
Transitions
Storage/Mech.
Section B - High Stimulation
Section C - Medium Stimulation
Section D - Low Stimulation
02 | emBED
Knight St and 37th Ave in Vancouver, BC Completed December 2022 Third Year Studio Mixed-Use Project
EmBED is located on the corner of Knight Street and 37th Avenue. This design is oriented towards individuals who find themselves needing help adapting and integrating themselves into society. It aims to create a community oriented living quarter that optimizes and encourages social interactions in a gradual manor in hopes of helping the tenants feel more comfortable living in Vancouver. As the tenants embed into the socio-cultural environment in Vancouver, the apartment reflects and embeds itself into the surrounding neighborhood.
The design of this building is guided by two key principles: social integration and harmony with the environment. It fosters social interaction through a strategic layout, exterior circulation, and public and community spaces. The project meets residents’ needs with access to green spaces and a range of private and public areas to support integration into Vancouver’s social fabric. Additionally, it serves the local community by offering a café, convenience store, and community garden, addressing a lack of amenities in the area.
Responding & Utilizing
East Elevation
South Elevation
03 | NEURO NOOK
Delamont Park in Vancouver, BC
Completed December 2023 Fourth Year Studio Project
We are living in a time of increased awareness about neurodiversity. With one in 54 children diagnosed with autism and the World Health Organization estimating that one in eight people in the world is neurodiverse, it is clear that cities need to reflect this diversity. The Neuro Nook project aims to strengthen social infrastructure by developing inclusive urban interventions, specifically by redeveloping Delamont Park into an inclusive playground that mitigates external stimuli and provides a controlled multi-sensory experience for children. The goal is to create a supportive environment for children with ASD and ADHD and their caregivers, fostering skill development, community connections, and enhancing the services provided by nearby facilities.
5.
Before the redesign, Delamont Park was situated in a dense urban area in Kitsilano and Fairview, experiencing increased traffic, noise, and various smells. The park is near multiple services and schools that cater to children with ADHD and autism. In my analysis of the current site, I tracked typical elements like sun exposure, infrastructure, and trees, as well as sensory aspects such as different smells, tastes, and sounds in the area. This comprehensive analysis helped identify which sensory elements provided tranquility and which ones needed to be mitigated.
