Jan. 2023 - April 2023 Arcadis IBI Group, Architectural Assistant
• Managed various stages of development for current and new multi-unit high rise residential and mixeduse projects, assisting with the preparation of working drawings and presentations for clients.
• Utilized Revit within a professional environment alongside AutoCAD, Sketchup and other various drawing/modeling software.
• Successfully interpreted and applied the Ontario Building Code to determine design-oriented solutions and assess project-related statistics.
• Facilitated seamless collaboration with team members, consultants, and clients to ensure the accuracy of details and efficiency of project deliverables.
Jan. 2022 - Aug. 2022 Johnson Chou Inc, Architectural Intern
• Provided architectural support to the lead architect in the design, selection, coordination, and detailing of architectural materials and systems.
• Aided in the production and completion of architectural drawings for both large and small scale projects. Including the drawing of both millwork and construction details.
• Managed the preparation of documents and the completion of drawings for both design package submissions in addition to city forms/packages for permit and tender submissions.
• Collected samples and created sample boards for numerous projects, finalized all necessary shop drawing stamps and letters of transmittance for sample approvals.
• Produced both large and small scale 3D models as well as renderings for a large variety of projects.
May 2021 - Aug. 2021 CGL Architects, Architecture Assistant
• Conducted multiple site visits and measuring jobs to collect data required for drawings and model development.
• Collaborated with a team and worked independently, in a fast-paced work environment, ensuring timely task completion.
• Prepared renderings for client visualization presentations and design proposal meetings with the city.
Sept. 2020 - Dec. 2020 Johnson Chou Inc, Architectural Intern
• Assisted in the predesign, conceptual design, design development and preparation of working drawings for small to large residential and commercial projects.
• Researched and sourced products by contacting suppliers/manufacturers to gather product information.
• Generated and updated 3D models from floor plans and hand drawn sketches using Sketchup, as well as creating visualizations of proposed design ideas through rendering.
Jan. 2020 - May 2020 Green Reason Inc, Project Administrator
• Prepared, reviewed and edited specifications, manuals, and reports in addition to conducting product and design research.
• Assisted in the drafting of budgets, cash flow projections and preliminary schedules in addition to processing invoices and preparing accruals.
• Gathered project data from clients, consultants, and contractors, and oversaw the management of project documentation by ensuring all necessary project documents are properly received, organized, and distributed.
May 2019 - Aug. 2019 Graziani & Corazza Architects, Student Intern
• Designed suite layouts for luxury condo development in Yorkville using AutoCAD.
• Developed plans to be proposed to the client for a new Townhouse/condo development in Markham using AutoCAD. Revised and coordinated drawings in preparation for client meetings.
• Calculated project statistics and analyzed project data in order to facilitate rezoning sheets.
July - Aug. 2017 & 2018 St. Fidelis Summer Camp, Camp Counsellor
• Planned, managed, led and supervised crafts, sports, and other various activities for children aged 4-12 years old.
• Participated and led brainstorming sessions with counsellors to facilitate ideas and solutions to enhance camper experience.
May 2020 - May 2021
Waterloo Architecture TLGS Member
• Student-led initiatives that aim to create a space for discussions centered on place, diversity, and inclusion within our curriculum.
Apr. 2017
North York Harvest Food Bank
• Assisted with unpacking and unboxing non-perishable food items.
• Sorted and organized food items into their correct categories to then be packed, weighed and loaded boxes to be packed.
July 2015 - Aug. 2015 City of Toronto Ancaster Summer Camp
• Assisted the counsellor in running and organizing various activities.
• Cleaned up and prepped various rooms for activities to be run.
2018 - 2023 University of Waterloo School of Architecture Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honors Co-op
2014 - 2018 Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School Ontario Secondary School Diploma
2023 Excellent Academic Standing, University of Waterloo 80% or higher academic average
2018 University of Waterloo Merit Scholarship 85% - 90% entrance average
2018 BIC Canada Scholarship Award
2018 Ontario Scholar with 4-year Honor Roll Status
Digital AutoCAD Revit Rhinoceros 6
V-Ray Sketchup
Twinmotion
Illustrator Photoshop InDesign
Microsoft Office
Fabrication Hand Drafting Model Making
Laser Cutting Sketching
15 March 2021
To whom this may concern:
Giulia Simonetta’s internship with our studio was undertaken between September to December 2020 wherein she was involved in the predesign, conceptual design and design development of a number of projects, including single-family, multi-unit residential and office design During this internship she exhibited a high level of maturity and thoughtfulness that was much appreciated by myself and our team
Our projects tend to have aggressive deadlines while our work incorporates a high level of complexity and detail. In this context
Giulia revealed an impressive work ethic: patience, dedication and diligence. Furthermore, she assumed roles of responsibility when required, and in one instance together with another intern took the initiative to develop design strategies for an office project when the principals were too preoccupied. During her work term there were many deadlines and we always knew we could count on Giulia to complete her tasks
His practical experience includes research/sourcing, preparation of conceptual designs and computer visualizations and zoning reviews
Giulia’s contribution was considerable and valued. She exhibited a high level of enthusiasm for the craft and theory of architecture and she was a delight and distinct pleasure to work with.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.
Johnson Chou Principal Johnson Chou Inc.
October 21, 2019
Re: Giulia Elizabeth Simonetta
To whom it may concern,
This letter it to confirm that Ms. Simonetta was a student employee at our office from May 22nd to August 16, 2019.
In that time period, Ms. Simonetta was involved in various mixed-use high-rise residential projects n the schematic design/design development stages of the project. She was responsible for design drawing development including coordination with consultants while working with senior staff.
We enjoyed having Ms. Simonetta be a part of the firm team and wish her all the best in her studies.
Regards,
4B Comprehensive Studio
Supervised by Jaliya Fronseka Summer 2023The Cambridge Food Bank is a pillar deeply intertwined with its local community, providing a secure and welcoming environment to assist individuals facing food access challenges. It revolves around fostering a sense of community and vulnerability, acting as a sanctuary that envelops individuals with encouragement, inclusivity, and support. Feeling vulnerable is an emotion people often associate with places such as a food bank, and while vulnerability is often associated with negativity, it actually embodies courage, empathy, and belonging. When we attach judgement to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgement to giving help. Embracing vulnerability during times of need not only requires support but also facilitates profound personal growth.
The building’s design intends to create a space for people to experience the vulnerability journey comfortably, fostering encouragement and support for leaning on others. The programming aligns with the different stages of this journey, considering varying levels of support, privacy, and growth that come with it. Alongside addressing emotional comfort, the design prioritizes environmental impact, employing five sustainability strategies for achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
The initial corridor intervention features a seating area in the private end of the corridor, serving staff offices and community partner spaces. The versatile cube space acts as an informal meeting area for staff, a spot for visitors to engage with food bank employees, and as an additional waiting space. External shelving adds a sense of division and privacy between seated individuals and passersby.
The second intervention involves relocating sinks from inside the bathroom to an open area just outside. This fosters interaction between staff and food bank users, providing an informal space for conversation and connection. It also allows easy access for refreshing without entering the more private bathroom space.
The third intervention, located midway down the corridor, features benches which look out onto both the public and private courtyards. Benches act as a multi-functional piece, they provide a relaxing space for discussion with others but also a space for the individual, where one can pause and reflect.
Processing and Distribution
Specialized Programming
Teaching Spaces
Administration
Community Partner Spaces
Circulation
Electrical/Storage
The fourth intervention is a pass-through food counter and refrigerator shared between the community kitchen/multi-purpose room and the main corridor. This area provides a place where excess food made in the community kitchen and community café can be offered to those using the food bank, encouraging a reduction in food waste.
The last intervention directly serves the distribution center and community pantry, designed in the form of cubby shelving, this module provides a place to put any soon to be expiring perishable and nonperishable items. The items are available for anyone to make use of and to help minimize food waste.
1. Main Corridor
2. Entry/Reception
3. Community Pantry
4. Distribution Centre
5. Multi-Purpose Room
6. Communal Kitchen
7. Mobile Food Market
8. Multi-Purpose Room
9. Mechanical Room
10. Boardroom
11. Staff Room
12. Volunteer Room
13. Universal Washroom
14. Waste Storgae
15. Public Washrooms
16. Community Café
17. Staff Washrooms
18. Staff Offices
19. Waiting Room
20. Playroom
21. Community Partner Offices
22. Private Courtyard
23. Public Courtyard
24. Multi-functional paved area
25. Pickup/Dropoff area
26. Loading Dock
27. Visitor Parking
28. Rainwater Collection Garden
29. Staff Parking
30. Community/Teaching Gardens
One of the primary objectives underlying the food bank’s architectural concept was the attainment of net zero carbon emissions. To achieve this goal, an array of strategic initiatives has been integrated into the design. These encompass the incorporation of renewable energy sources through photovoltaic panels, the utilization of passive heating and cooling methods coupled with natural ventilation systems, the collection and treatment of water resources, the integration of recycled and carbon sequestering materials, and the implementation of an extensive green roof. Furthermore, the structural framework of the building is composed of mass timber CLT panels and glulam columns, harnessing the innate attributes of these organic materials to secure both durability and carbon sequestration benefits.
Site design is also an important aspect of shaping the building, it is oriented to take advantage of south-west prevalent winds, creating a microclimate within the main courtyard. The courtyards themselves help to facilitate outdoor connections from the surrounding programing and in the main courtyard a porch condition helps to create a transition space from indoor to outdoor.
1.
Renewable Energy
Passive Heating and Cooling
Water Collection and Treatment
Recyclable Materials
Extensive Greenroof
ROOF ASSEMBLY
175mm 5-ply CLT
Vapour Barrier
508mm of Wood Fiber Insulation
OSB Sheathing
Water Barrier
Roof Z-girts
Horizontal Battens
Standing Seam Metal Roof
WALL DETAIL
WALL ASSEMBLY
INT.
175mm 5-ply CLT
Vapour Barrier
254mm of Wood Fiber Insulation
OSB Sheathing
Water Barrier
Vertical Battens
Horizontal Battens
Vertical Wood Cladding
CONNECTION DETAIL OF CENTRAL JOINT
CONNECTION DETAIL OF BRIDLE JOINT
CONNECTION DETAIL OF HEEL JOINT FOUNDATION DETAIL
FLOOR ASSEMBLY
175mm 5-ply CLT
Vapour Barrier
235mm of Rockwool Insulation
OSB Sheathing
Water Barrier
200mm of crushed gravel
Backfilled soil
FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY
INT. EXT. Parging
Re-used CMU concrete block strip footing
Rigid XPS
Water Barrier
Drainage Board
Cement Board
Supervised by Elizabeth English
In collaboration with Qi Jia Chen and Sofia Villasmil
Fall 2021
Flooding is universally recognized as the most common and one of the most destructive climate-related disasters in Bangladesh. Dhaka is home to over 5,000 slums that house 4 million people. Korail is the largest slum in Dhaka, housing 175,000 people across 170 acres of land which is located along the Banani Lake. The aim of this project was to create a retrofitted bouyant solution from affordable materials, while using local techniques to provide a solution to the flooding issues constantly experienced by those living in Korail. Our proposed design intervention addresses a particular housing typology that is situated on bamboo stilts at the water’s edge. It is a generic 3 x 5m house, which would typically house a family of 8 or two smaller families. This typical model of a house on stilts was chosen with the intention of creating a retrofit that would be replicable and affordable. Our design accommodates enough buoyancy with additional tolerance to keep this house stabally afloat, however family members would also keep this stability by distributing evenly throughout the house in the event of a flood. The retrofit design consists of three major components - the base support structure, which is made up of a evenly spaced 3 x 4 column grid, the vertical guidance posts, and the house itself, which consists of the buoyancy component and layers of floors to resist the uplift that the existing house would not have accounted for in its construction.
As one of the poorest countries in the world, there is a scarcity of urban land, housing, and urban infrastructure creating pressure on urban cities like Dhaka and enroaching upon wetlands causing further environmental degredation.
Most of the residents of Korail live in tin-shed hybrid kutchas which is a bengali vernacular construction that uses bamboo, straw, mud, brick, wood, and corrugated sheets for the roof and walls.
Record of Highest Flood: 4.5m
Average Flood: 2.5m
Regular Water Level
The four post bundles are essential to how the added buoyancy layers rest when not in a flooded state, they also help to guide the system into place
Highlighted orange posts indicate the home’s existing bamboo posts
The reflected floor plan shows the layout of multiple layers of beams and joists where the caging/buoyancy element rests in between these layers.
The plan also helps to iterate how the added three posts will be configured around the existing ones to form a bundle of four posts.
gravity loads wind loads reaction force
existing house
existing beams + joists
house during the process of lowering back onto stilts after a flooding event
buoyancy layer of beams and joists
connecting beams + rope sleeves
new beams + joists
buoyancy caging
stoppers for buoyancy layer
buoyancy element + framing
portion of stilts driven into the ground
centering devices in y + x-axis
existing stilts
new stilts + stoppers
stilt cross bracing
vertical guidance posts portion of posts sunken into ground
ROPE SLEEVE VERTICAL GUIDANCE DETAIL
CENTERING DEVICE DETAIL: CORNER
Bottles are bundled in a hexagonal shape consisting of 7 bottles per bundle/ Wbag. Arranging the bottles hexagonally allows us to maximize the space avaliable for the caging to fit all the bottles needed in a 0.7m deep space.
The bottom and middle row of bottles do not connect cap to cap, instead the middle row is offset slightly so that the neck of the bottles rest in the negative space created by the bottom row.
CENTERING DEVICE DETAIL: SIDE
Bottles are bundled with acrylic bags and arranged into the buoyancy framing system. The bagged bundles are then packed within the cages of chicken wire.
Supervised by Maria Farone Fall 2021
For over a century, Indigenous women’s identities have been washed away in the urban realm, solidifying a normalization in society of Indigenous women’s death and violence. Many underlying factors contribute to their victimization and vulnerability, from racism and sexism to spatially oppressive agencies such as poverty, homelessness, and the legacy of colonialism. However, it should be noted that much of this marginalization is perpetuated by the continued silencing and neglect in remembering these women. This project looks to tackle three main issues, the lack of access to communication along the highway, occupation of the highway to create less vulnerable spaces, and giving a voice to those who have been silenced through a physical place of remembrance. All these factors play an essential role in the reconciliation of Indigenous women’s presence not only in the city but also across Canada. To further analyze data gathered and their connections to the highway, mapping became a way to layout the data and visually draw connections between routes of transportation, location of man camps and other industrial sites, and the distance and locations of Indigenous lands/reserves. It becomes apparent that there is a link between all of these factors. The hope for this intervention is that it will become a series along the highway, located at points where women are the most at risk and vulnerable. These interventions would become a safe space, a space to occupy, a space to communicate and a space to remember.
This is British Columbia’s Highway 16, otherwise known as the Highway of Tears. Infamously given its name because of the many Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered along this stretch of road.
Source: Calculations by NWAC using data from Sisters In Spirit (SIS) database, 2010
The following graph is an adaptation from the CBC News Investigation into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls (CBC, 2019c). The graph represents a visualization of cases over time. Something to note is how colonial constructs of the past have informed and ostracized Indigenous women fom todays current conditions.
The map above zooms in on the connection between man camps and their proximity with these two highways. The green dots highlight logging related man camps, and the red dots highlight man camps associated with oil and gas projects. This mapping exercise clearly shows how the proximity of these man camps with the two highways begin to draw a direct link to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. This is further emphasized in the report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, finding that there is substantial evidence on the relationship between resource extraction projects and violence against Indigenous women.
Highway 16 (East-West) and Highway 97 (North-South), the latter of the two serves as a major passage route between the US and Canada, intersecting with Highway 16 in Prince George. The constant flow of people, especially truck transportation, makes these highways hubs of activity.
This map layers many key elements located along the highway, these layers are essential to see in interactin with each other in order to visually and logically see the the interconnected relationship they share. The following are the layers that are found on this map:
• All First Nations reserves located along the highway
• Immediate man camps, forestry/oil and gas, that are located along the highway
• Any unlisted industrial sites
• Areas of high occupation by these young women and Indigenous youth
• Areas of vulnerability, the locations that women have gone missing or been found murdered
Proposed site for intervention, located just outside of Smithers. This site along with the other proposed intervention sites were chosen based on a set of criteria:
• Chosen to sit in close proximity to sites where women have gone missing of been found murdered
• Located near groupings of First Nations reserves, reducing the distance needed to travel to get from one reserve or town to the next
• Located in areas tradionally viewed as vulnerable spaces along the highway
DOUBLE FUNCTION:
The tall structure of the intervention serves as a double purpose, it is both a telecom tower and a pavilion that acts as a gathering space. It is a space where both communication is provided and an area to carry out the ceremony of the scared fire, which is a key part of the healing and remembering process in Indigenous culture.
Design inspiration drawn from traditional Indigenous weaving techniques
MEMORIAL SPACE:
The shorter structure on the site serves as a memorial space for all of the missing and murdered women. Its undulating walls mimick the every changing landscape of BC and each light lit n the wall acts as an eternal flame, one for each life taken. Enter in through the front of this space and you will be led right into the space of the sacred fire
This intervention is situated just outside of the town of Smithers, BC where many women have gone missing or been found murdered. “Slow Down” mechanisms have been put in place so those passing by on the highway are forced to acknowledge these women, by implementing these mechanisms more people are persuaded to pull over and visit the intervention.
Sign that acts as a tally to keep count of the number of vehicles travelling along the highway, through the use of the toll booth system.
Speed limit signs indicating a reduction of half the speedalong this area of the highway. Reduces to 60km/h from 120kn/h
All who pass by and use the highway will need to stop and pay a toll. This toll system is fully run by the Witset First Nations, the money collected from the toll goes into maintaing the intervention as well as collecting funding towards implementing individual internet connections at the homes of those from the Witset First Nations
Three billboards that state statistics about the missing and murdered women. Displays pertinent information that people must acknowledge while driving by, it is a call to action
A common practice in many Indigenous cultures, it is the process of bereavement through the start of a sacred fire. The fire is lit four nights in a row to help guide the spirit of the lost loved ones towards the afterlife It is believed that each day the fire is lit, it is a day for the spirit to visit relatives, places they’ve never been and memories they must amend. After four nights, the fire is extinguished with water to cleanse and release the grief and acknowledge the spirits of lost loved ones.
Burn: light, energy, renewal, enlightenment, cleaning
Pass: journey, passage, tunnel, protection, intimacy
Submerge: cleanse, flood, immerse, engulf
ENTERING MEMORIAL SPACE SACRED FIRE IN GATHERING SPACE SACRED FIRE COLLAGESupervised by Adrian Blackwell & Cheryl Case Winter 2021
Located at Eglinton Ave W. and Jimmy Wisdom Way, in the Oakwood Vaughan community this newly proposed mid-rise building aims to provide affordable housing for both small and large families within the community. The building suits the family oriented needs of the tenants by providing a variety of shared spaces like a classroom/youth space for the kids, independent study rooms that can be used by tenants of all ages, and a shared rooftop space that contains sections for community gardening. Retail available at grade is also an important feature of this building, as it aims to provide those withing the community who run a small business the option for smaller and more affordable retail space located right on Eglinton. The design also recognizes the importance of preserving and upholding the rich history and arts within the Oakwood-Vaughan community, the existing building on the site will be kept and become a stepping stone towards the preservation of the culture within the community. The structure of the building is comprised of a concrete core and mass timber CLT beams and columns, the exterior walls are made from prefabricated CLT panels finished with a thin brick patterned veneer. Pre-fabricated CLT construction helps to reduce material waste, operational costs, and disruption to the surrounding site with more predictable building costs and a shorter time-frame for construction which aids towards creating housing that is available at affordable rental price in addition to providing those in the community with a welcoming, accessible and affordable place to live.
1. LOBBY
2.
3.
4.
5.
GROUND
In order to adequately maintain a sense of community within the site, the proposed strategy is to treat the Dufferin and Eglinton intersection as the site-hub and provide areas with higher density along this corridor. In areas of intermediate densities, family oriented housing has been proposed to balance the need for larger units and their respective services that support a variety of lifestyles.
Our infrastructures are designed to ensure housing affordability, economic stability, and the protection of socioeconomic and racial diversity, in an attempt to preserve the culture that defines this neighbourhood.
1736
Total Density: 94 people
Total
DETAIL
WALL TO ROOF DETAIL
1. Cross Laminated Timber Wall
2. Cassette Panel Clip Hole
3. Mechanical, Electical and Plumbing Services
4. Insulation
5. Plywood Cassette Panel Frams
6. Building Wrap
7. Cavity Battens
8. Sheet Cladding
BALCONY CONNECTION DETAIL
EXPLODED AXO OF MATERIAL ASSEMBLY
PLINTH CONNECTOR
Base connection of the timber columns down to the concrete core
PERIMETER CONNECTOR
Edge connection back to primary perimeter beam
WINDOW SILL DETAIL
TYPICAL CONNECTOR
Typical structural connection in the middle of the floorplate
Supervised by Beatrice Bruscoli
In collaboration with Sofia Villasmil Wilhelm Fall 2022
The Tiber is an ever flowing and ever changing entity that has served an important role in many different era’s of history. The river itself became a thing of its own through time, hard to contain and doing as it pleases, with its constant chang-ing water levels and flows. Used by the people of Rome as a hub for various activities, as a port for shipping, and place of commerce and goods exchange and even a place for bathing and recreation. All of these past uses play an important role in shaping the city of Rome but today the river has been outcasted, thick walls erected to tame it, disconnected and forgotten from city life. With our project we are proposing a way to reconnect the city and the river through the mechanism of a riv-erside museum. Upon analyzing the site and its contributing factors, we determined three action verbs that would allow us to best utilize the site; slicing, retaining and terracing. A solution that allowed for the missing connection between the river and the city, while presenting a new space for creative sharing and community gathering.
VIGNETTE OF MAIN OUTDOOR CIRCULATION CORE
VIGNETTE LOOKING TOWARDS MAIN GALLERY AND MARKET SPACES
PROGRAM PLAN
EXHIBITION SPACE CIRCULATION ARCHIVES WORKSHOP
AUDITORIUM MARKET SPACE ARTIFACTS MEETING ROOMS
EXHIBITION SPACE
VIEW OF SCULPTURE GARDEN ON TERRACE TWO
AUDITORIUM
VIEW APPROACHING MUSEUM ENTRANCE AND ARSENALE
SECTION AA
SECTION BB
Completed during co-op at Johnson Chou Inc.
Supervised by Johnson Chou
In collaboration with Jessica Chan September-December 2020
This project consisted of a complete redesign and renovation of the second floor of the current building located on the site to make way for a new office space for the client. In collaboration with another coop student, I helped to fully 3D model the new proposed design from the working floor plans, and then aided in the development of visualizations and renders for the space. During the course of this project, I also had the opportunity to work on millwork drawings for all the custom pieces of furniture the client requested, I helped to prepare the drawing packages for permit submission and put together presentations for meetings with the client.
Completed during co-op at Johnson Chou Inc.
Supervised by Johnson Chou
In collaboration with Jessica Chan
September-December 2020
This project centered on the design of a singlefamily home in Toronto’s luxurious Bridle Path neighbourhood. The firm was brought on after the main structure of the home had already been completed as the clients desired a new proposal for the interior and exterior of their home. As a result, the project was still in the conceptual design phase during my time working on it, this provided great insight into the development of design. In working together with another coop student, I aided in the 3D modeling of the interior, exterior and landscaping of the project, as well as the production of numerous renders for the client.
Completed during co-op at CGL Architects
Supervised by Bob Green
In collaboration with Jeffery Jean May-August 2021
This residential project was for clients who recently bought one of the original homes built in the Bathurst and Eglinton area. The clients wanted to keep the original architecture of the home while adding an addition to grow their family. The addition was designed to combine both modern architectural elements with the original architectural style through the use of both material and form. This project was in the initial stages when I began working on it and was tasked with visiting the site to collect all the necessary measurements needed to accurately draw elevations and produce a 3D model. By accurately producing a 3D model of the existing home I was able to provide my co-worker with the crucial measurements and area needed to conceptualize the new design.
SOUTH ELEVATION - RENDERED VIEW
SOUTHEAST - RENDERED VIEW
