This social housing campus in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce district is designed to accommodate diverse lifestyles, moving beyond age-based assumptions. The project establishes a versatile framework that allows for adaptation to different levels of care and housing needs, ensuring inclusivity across generations and life circumstances. Proximity to the YMCA reinforces the emphasis on health and community, with shared spaces for physical education, youth outreach, and civic programs. The residential component features a balanced mix of bachelor, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, supporting a wide range of living arrangements while fostering individual expression within a cohesive community.
SOFTWARES USED
SOCIAL HOUSING
“Potential tenant age was deliberately avoided, because their way of living is not necessarily a function of age, but is determined on an individual basis.”
Site Building Time-Lapse. To scan
SCAN ME
SOCIAL HOUSING
SOCIAL HOUSING
Rue Hampton Elevation Perspective. Looking into the wellness center connected to the YMCA. Equipped for physical therapy, and clinical consultations, covering both physical and mental health.
Facade + Wall detail section
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LOCATION Pointe Saint Charles , Montreal, QC
TYPOLOGY L ibrary Extension Proposal
AREA 5000 m2
TEAM Kyara Marcoux
YEAR 2023
THESIS
POINT OF INTEREST
SOFTWARES USED
In response to Montreal’s extreme climatic conditions, our library design BRIDGES new and old through deep door strategies. It creates A domestic environment that provokes comfort towards existing residents and New comers of Pointe Saint Charles.
Its reseidential morphology inspired us to integrate a domestic environment within our library as we aim to provoke comfort towards existing residents and New comers of this area. Our concept further addresses the exisitng extremes found in proximity to our site : the harsh climatic conditions and the in societal shifts caused by gentrification. Our goal is to curate a sizable community for children, on evolving multicultural landscape, and a space for the diverse resident incomes influenced by ongoing gentrification.
Rhino 7
Revit
Vray
Adobe Creative Suite
Climate Studios
Grasshopper
HoneyBee
LadyBug
AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S HOME
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URBAN ELEMENTS
We became interested in the entry setbacks found in homes (domestic architecture) around the site as an urban context characteristic reference in our renovation.
OUR TYPOLOGY
In addition to the common interior layout of the housing typology in Pointe-Saint-Charles and the setbacks, the entry to a home in this area features a long threshold, which we call a deep door.
After development, the deep doors implemented in our library gave us three uses for them:
The long threshold creates pockets of space for various uses. These pockets not only enhance the experience of the passage but also act as buffers between public and private areas.
By varying the size of the threshold opening, we can define the level of privacy or openness.
25 AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S HOME
AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S HOME (PROGRAM)
I n addition to it’s architectural use, the understanding of the deep doors and the threshhold they produce gave us a system to locate our library porgramming. In this system, we denote appartments, rooms and cozy nooks
G roups of rooms connected together due to a similarity forming an appartment. Between each appartment we places a deep door to allow a transition passage bewteen each. APARTMENT:
ROOMS:
Rooms are private yet not individual spaces that the deep door thresholds allow to have on its sides. The rooms have a range of uses from the onew the group of users can chose from.
COZY NOOKS:
We crafted ‘cozy nooks’ through small openings in the walls or any similar surface, as library space to create an individual space for users.
It acts as a passage that helps adjust the space to an individual’s perception.
AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S HOME
F1
Massing
A
B
PARAPET
C
D
Engineered wood flooring Wall detail section
Aluminium metal coping cover
Parapet cap flashing member
Plywood sheating and ring shank nail
Furring strip
Air membrane
FLAT ROOF
Aluminum metal coping cover
Parapet cap flashing member
Plywood sheating and ring shank nail
Furring strip
Roofing membrane
Rigid rock wool insulation in roof 300 mm
Vapor Barrier membrane
CLT 5-Ply panel
WALL (EXT>INT)
Ext. Wood cladding and rain screen
2x3 Vertical battens
Air gap 30 mm
Secondary air barrier solimento
Blown Cellulose insulation 450 mm
Z-clip connection
Primary air barrier solimento
Vapor barrier Intello
CLT 3-Ply stud wall exposed 105 mm
FLOOR (BOTTOM>TOP)
5 Ply Clt Structure - Exposed
Mechanical space 200 mm
Pedestals in void space
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Our primary focus on comfort led us to explore thermal insulation and passive house design strategies. Through our research, we developed a wall design capable of bridging Montreal’s extreme climatic conditions, offering a warm and inviting shelter for visitors. Using Grasshopper, Honeybee, and Ladybug Rhino plugins, we compared our design with a conventional Nordic construction wall as a case study. The outcome was a thick wall that not only enhanced thermal comfort but also supported our deep door concept.
Passive House Design- RSI 10.6
a. Variation of insulation can hinder goals of reducing energy loss
b. Poor airtightness can create small holes and can cause moisture damage, like mold
c. Lower quality windows cause heat los and condensation
January HEATING average: 903.22 kWh/day July COOLING average: 806.45 kWh/day
Conventional Nordic Construction- RSI 6.6
a. 450 mm R60 thick insulation in walls, roofs, and floor to decrease energy loss.
b. Airtight construction eliminates drafts and improves comfort.
c. Tripple layer-high performance windows capture diffused natural daylight.
January HEATING average: 2225.81 kWh/day July COOLING average: 645 kWh/day
Percent of the year that occupants will be comfortable
Active heating ON
Active cooling ON
Passive conditioning: Heating and cooling off
- Original model
AN EXTENSION OF ONE’S HOME
PRE-ENERGY MODEL DESIGN
Southwest View - Pre-Energy Modeling Design
southwest - Original model
Southeast View - Pre-Energy Modeling Design
southeast - Original model
southwest - Modified Model Task 4
SIMULATION 01 - USING ZONED CONVENTIONAL GRASSHOPPER SCRIPT
Monthly Energy Balance Chart Monthly Energy Load Chart
southeast - Original model
SIMULATION 02 - USING ZONED CONVENTIONAL GRASSHOPPER SCRIPT
Monthly Energy Balance Chart
Energy Load Chart
OBSERVATIONS
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Infiltration intensity greatly impacts energy use. A tighter, airtight envelope reduces heat transfer, lowering heating demands in winter and easing cooling loads in summer. Our simulations show energy nearly doubles with increased infiltration. The second simulation, with better insulation (higher R-value), reduced heating energy significantly, outweighing slight increases in lighting and cooling, making it more efficient overall.
CHANGES TO DESIGN
1) THERMAL INSULATION: Increase R-VALUE EXT WALL RSI = 11.626 (R=66) 2) AIR TIGHTNESS: intensity of infiltration: 0.001m^3/m^2 facade (tight building) 3) Windows added on second and ground floor South facades 4) New building: Remove a storey (2storeys insteaf of 3 now) 5) Added skylights
SIMULATION 03
USING COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS (S1 & S2) SCRIPT
Monthly Energy Balance Chart
Monthly Energy Load Chart
Monthly Energy Load Chart
AFTER-ENERGY MODEL DESIGN
Southeast View
Southeast View
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EXTERIOR PERSPECTIVES - COLLAGE + RENDER
Central Spine Perspective
Exterior covered space + Jet-Play Fountain
Reconstructed Bocce Balls + Fire Pit + Cafe
LOCATION M ile-End, Montreal, QC
TYPOLOGY C ulture project
AREA
2253 m2
TEAM Yixuan Gu
YEAR 2022
CONCEPT
The project takes on light as the parti for design concept and structure. The gallery’s structure is anchored by Glulam beams and columns with a concrete foundation, supporting a curtain wall composed of polycarbonate panels. These panels are divided into sections with varying opacities, strategically assigned based on the gallery’s functions and informed by light studies.
This design results in a dynamic facade, providing a transitional lighting experience for visitors and subtle nighttime illumination for the area. The gallery’s light-infused structure enables adaptable interior spaces, featuring modular walls and lighting systems that can be easily reconfigured for different exhibitions and events.
Our aim was to create a gallery that not only harmonized with the neighborhood’s urban fabric but also offered an immersive experience for visitors and passersby while maintaining a minimal architectural footprint.
SOFTWARES
URBAN ART GALLERY
URBAN ART GALLERY
Longitudinal section
LEFT Exterior view from Saint-Viateur Street
RIGHT Interior view of the Daylight Gallery
LOCATION
TYPOLOGY
AREA
TEAM
YEAR
CONCEPT
SOFTWARES USED
SOUNDCORE
A rchival activation space
3 000 m2
S ofia Usman
M ile End, Montreal 2023
Our design proposal for SOUNDCORE is rooted in the analysis of an existing archive called The FF Files Radio within Ada X, an intersectional feminist media collective. Our building is a continued response to the formative ideas of spatializing sound, community listening, and transforming archaic elements.
In the first half of the semester, we were tasked with designing a system of display for the “objects” in our chosen archive. The cyberfeminist radio inspired us to explore the concept of sound manipulation, particularly with the idea of “whispering walls,” which are acoustic structures that use curved surfaces to direct sound towards a specific focal point opposite its source.
PRECEDENTS & EXPERIMENT
SOUNDCORE
during our printmaking workshop at A83 where we created a parti that became the foundation for our project. This drawing showcases an experiment we did on the concept of ‘tuning in’ and how we are often exposed to multiple auditory streams. Playing on this relationship, we developed a space that merged multiple audio streams leading to more meaningful interactions between the archive and the public.
Each dome houses an independent sound, and where they intersect, the sounds blend together. Leaving the perimeters of the domes untouched minimizes the bleed between sounds.
Our objective was to integrate architecture into the art of listening, compelling users to exert deliberate effort to tune into their chosen sound and tune out the others, influenced by the intensity of the bleed between sounds.
Left - Annotated results from lived spatial experiments and research.
Right - Conceptual prompts for spatial arrangement of domes based on programming. 1
Precedent Study - Whispering Walls at Grand Central Station, New York City.
Screenprinted Visual Representation: A depiction of the sound experiment, produced at A83 in New York City.
SOUNDCORE
SCAN ME
A-A Section
B-B Section
1 View from the left internal side structure
2 View from the left exterior side structure
3 Rear view of the main piece structure
SOUNDCORE
COMMUNITY-INSPIRED DESIGN: INSIGHTS FROM LOCAL OPEN EXTERIOR SPACES
Jean Talon Market, along with the parks and green alleyways in the neighborhood, served as key case studies for our design. The market has been a vibrant social hub for over 80 years, hosting a variety of activities such as seasonal markets, cultural festivals, and live performances. Inspired by these elements, our courtyard design incorporates greenspaces and gardens to bring additional light to the building’s interior while reflecting the outdoor, community-oriented spirit of the area.
2
3
4
Concrete was chosen for its durability and structural continuity, forming the building’s core and supporting the elevated first floor. To contrast the solid, monolithic base, we used corrugated metal for the upper facade, creating a dynamic interplay that highlights the importance of the ground floor.
1 Parc Père Marquette
Parc Hector Prud’homme
Parc des Carrières
Parc Luc-Derrand
Soundcore Site
Axonometric view from Saint Hubert & Blvd. Rosemont
Massing concept
RETHINKING ARCHIVES AND GROUND FLOOR ACTIVATION
Traditional archives often restrict access to their materials. To challenge this, we emphasized collective authorship and gathering by elevating the building and transforming the ground floor into a sound activation space.
Concrete structural cores double as speakers, offering both an architectural and sensory experience. Passerbyers are able to seamlessly wander in and listen to the various sounds while also being able to use the same production devices for circulation. By making the archival material an extension of the street, the building draws people in and fosters a sense of community, and architecture that stimulates community participation gives people a sense of authorship.
Exploded detail of concrete cores + speakers
1 2 x 8” Carbon Fiber force-balanced woofers
2 4 x 4” Coaxial Drivers
3 Thriphone pinpoint sound projection
SOUNDCORE
01. Listening lounge
Recording Booth 03.Sound system & record collection
index areal
Individual production booth
Rare Archive
Sound editing booths
LEFT I nterior view into the courtyard
RIGHT Exterior view from corner of blvd. Rosemont
LOCATION
YEAR TEAM TYPOLOGY
CONCEPT
J erome
B assin Peel, Montreal, QC 2024
Temporary scaffolding installation AREA 540 m2
For this year’s scaffolding installation, the octagon is the central design motif, symbolizing unity and convergence. We designed one main structure at the center and four corner structures to define the octagonal shape. These five elements create a functional boundary, enclosing the space and providing strategic sightlines to block out undesirable views. By shaping the user’s perspective, the installation creates a sense of protection, transforming the area into a safe space. We integrated textiles within the scaffolding to create new volumes that disrupted its rigid, modular grid. The combination of textiles and scaffolding allowed us to create an architecture with dynamic visual layers.
SOFTWARES USED Rhino 7 AutoCAD
External side piece
Scaffolding structure + Blue Nylon Fabric
S-3 Internal side piece
Scaffolding structure + Blue Nylon Fabric
1Site Analysis: Conducted multiple site visits to Bassin Peel to develop spatial awareness and gather metrics. For precision, we used drone photogrammetry to create a detailed 3D scan of the area.
2
Design Development: Created multiple floor plans based on the festival’s programming needs, allocating technical amenities and clearing areas for set design. Consulted senior architects for guidance, leading to the concept of an octagonal scaffolding structure.
3
Industry Collaboration: Contacted a Montreal-based scaffolding rental company to refine the design. Through multiple iterations balancing aesthetics and budget, we finalized the design and placed the rental order.
3D Modeling: Used Rhino 7 to model the stage design to scale, specifying measurements and angles for on-site placement. This step also allowed us to plan lighting and sound integration, create conceptual drawings for volunteer instructions, and generate marketing content to promote the festival. The open call for volunteers was launched at this stage.
Team Organization: Organized volunteers into teams based on their skills and preferences, as noted in the Google Forms from the open call. Teams were divided into scaffolding assembly and fabric/technical support groups.
Installation and Final Adjustments: Once the main piece, side structures, and bar installations were completed, lighting and sound systems were installed under our artistic direction. Challenges such as missing or incorrect pieces required in-situ problem-solving to maintain the design’s integrity.
68 HALTE FESTIVAL
1 View from the left internal side structure
2 View from the left exterior side structure
3 Rear view of the main piece structure
4 View Between the Main Structure and Left Internal Side. Focusing on the Wacking Competition
5 View from the bar into the octagon.
ADAX MAPPING -
LOCATION ADAX
YEAR CONCEPT
SOFTWARES USED 2024
Video Documentation of Projection Model: Developed during the MadMapper workshop by Allison Moore, this model explores the architectural components needed to recreate the most authentic experience of a Mexican plaza.
Using footage captured from various parts of Mexico, it investigates the potential for creating an immersive, displaced environment. The software, commonly used in media arts and theater, enabled precise projection onto diverse forms and surfaces.
Adobe Creative Cloud MadMapper
SCAN
MEDIANE - PANEAUX LED
LOCATION H exagram X C haire M édiane
YEAR 2024
CONCEPT
SOFTWARES USED
Video documentation of workshop, offered in two parts by the Chaire Médiane, to learn how to install and program THEATRIXX xVision Touring G2 LED tiles. In this workshop, I learned the usage Protocols with Antoine Caron and Creation Protocols (TouchDesigner) with Marc-André Cossette
