Nestled in the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, the project aims to embrace a relationship between humans and nature through design concept. ”The Garden Village” provides a greenhouse where the structure is a home of many non-native plants. The future development welcomes people with diverse activities and programs, including a cafe and souvenir, an outdoor stage, a tropical greenhouse and a butterfly exhibition. The design modules are inspired by a tree trunk that foster a sense of nature in human mind. “The Garden Village” project is adaptable for those who enjoy social interaction and individual meditation with year round accessibility that trully create a final destination for the visitors.
THE GARDEN VILLAGE
A Tropical Village in the Arboretum and Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ottawa
ARCS2106: Studio 3, Project 01, Winter 2023
Community Design + Landscape Architecture
Instructors: Johan Voordouw + Ali Navidbakhsh
Individual Studio Project
physical model
material: corkboard
techniques: 3d printing, site lazercut scale: 1/250
This project envisions an outdoor space designed to nurture community connection while respecting the privacy of neighbors. A U-shaped timber structure forms the heart of the design, creating an inviting space that embraces activities like a bicycle rental station, a weekend market, and a public library. The natural warmth of timber enhances the welcoming atmosphere, while its curved form offers protection and intimacy. The market hums with life, the library provides a quiet retreat, and the bicycle station offers a gateway to exploration. Thoughtfully placed greenery and screens subtly preserve the privacy of neighboring homes, ensuring the space remains lively yet respectful of its surroundings. This design balances vibrant community engagement with moments of solitude, creating a harmonious flow between public and private. It’s a space that invites connection, fosters interaction, and honors the quiet need for personal space—where every visitor feels a sense of belonging.
THE HUB
A new gathering space for the residents of Vanier, Ottawa
ARCS3105: Studio 4, Entanglement Studio, Fall 2023 Community Design
Instructors: Menna Agha + Sharmeen Dafedar Individual Studio Project
[Project’s Description]
Nestled just off the bustling rhythm of Montreal Road, this space finds its tranquility in the heart of Vanier, where the energy of the city gives way to moments of pause and connection. Positioned in front of the Francophone Center, it beckons like a quiet oasis, easily accessible yet tucked away from the hum of traffic. The walkable distance invites both locals and visitors to leave behind the hurried pace of daily life and step into a space designed for gathering, reflection, and community.
[Vanier Site - Ottawa]
In the summer, seating cubes are moved to the center and attached as a main performance stage.
Seating cubes are secured by metal locks that can be easily attached and detached in the most efficient way.
In the winter, seating cubes are moved to the sides to make space for a community ice rink.
[Project’s Description]
The project is named “Reflection” in many ways, in support of an universal ban on nuclear weapons. As the past might not be changed, but the future can be improved, is the key takeaway in this project. The design draws inspiration from water that evokes specific emotion and conveys symbolic meanings, providing a sense of tranquility in the soul. This reflective element conveys a meaning of life cycle, renewal, and the continuity of existence. The material of rusted metal carries a symbolic meaning of resilience, endurance and the ability to withstand challenges over time as people cannot change the past but reshape the future through rehabilitation.
REFLECTION
The Last Memorial Nuclear Bomb Competition
Buildner competition, November 2023
By Jason Luu and Danniel Cho Valadáo
My contribution: tunnels design concept, renderings, plan drawings, plan renders, diagrams
[Project’s Description]
Nestled near the vibrant pulse of Billings Bridge, Ottawa at the corner of pl. Kilborn Pl. & Lamira st., this housing development unfolds as a story of transformation- a journey from foundation to aspiration, from shelter to sanctuary. At its core lies the concept of the gradient, a deliberate evolution expressed through design, materials, and purpose. The gradient is more than a thought of design, it is a mentaphor for life’s transitions- a place for a community to flourish. Its direct connection to the major road Bank st. and its proximity to Billings Bridge [500m] major transit hub ensures seamless connectivity, while its heart beats within a public park- a green sanctuary that gathers the community and fosters unity. It is a canvas for new beginnings, where families take root and grow beyond the clouds.
Note: The project is a collaboration of Jason & Danniel. The amount of work presented is done by Jason. His contribution in Block B Development, Public Park Design, Design Concept, Renders, and Technical Drawings showcases in this portfolio. Jason’s choice of mid-rise development concentrates on Market Housing for sale and/or rent with a total of 58 units located at the far corner on Lamira St.
THE GRADIENT
A new housing development for community to flourish
ARCS4301: Studio 6, Comprehensive Studio, Fall 2024
Residential + Community Design
Instructors: John Cook
By Jason Luu and Danniel Cho Valadáo
My contribution: block B development, public park design, design concept, diagrams, drawings, renders
Existing Site [demolition]
Proposed Building Footprint
Circulation Diagram
[block B development]
[The bridges]
Block A and Block B are connected through the bridges.
The bridges in the housing development are more than pathways - they are spaces of connection, linking people and amenities Transparent and light-filled, they offer a layered experience: from walking across to looking up from below, or gazing out from balconies. These bridges weave community and space together, blurring the line between inside and out, movement and pause, individuality and shared life.
