janet li.
2 0 2 3
selected works
My name is Janet Li and I’m a recent MArch graduate. I am capitvated by the stories of buildings and their connection to their surroundings. I am fascinated by how architecture evolves over time and by human contributions, with the power to host remarkable communities and vibrant cultures. I am driven by the pursuit of context-driven and sustainable design, always seeking creative solutions to be shared for generations to come.
Outside of architecture, I enjoy cooking, scrapbooking, crocheting, and exploring the city.
Thanks for checking out my work!
zhen.li98@outlook.com
(647) - 226 - 0128
Toronto
hello!
summary of qualifications
MArch, BAS, LEED GA
please refer to resume for more detail
experience
2022 Teaching Assistant
Arch 327 Architecture of the Urban Environment University of Waterloo
2021-23 Sustainability Coordinator, part-time Green Reason Inc.
2021, 2019 Project Administrator Green Reason Inc.
2020, 2018 Architectural Intern Taylor Hazell Architects
2018 Architectural Assistant Thier-Curran Architects
education
2023 Master of Architecture
University of Waterloo
2021 Bachelor of Architectural Studies
University of Waterloo
activities + achievements
2022 Treasurer Society of Architectural Graduates
2021 Studio Grade Achievement Award
University of Waterloo, TRD1
2021 Projects Review for exemplary work
University of Waterloo, TRD1
skills + qualifications
Revit
AutoCAD
Rhino SketchUP
Adobe Suite (ai, indd, ps)
Enscape, Lumion, VRay
GIS
Laser Cutting
Woodworking
LEED Green Associate
Teamwork, Communication, Coordination
Writing and Research
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Toronto Heritage
table of contents Summary of Qualifications Academic Work Lost Archive Residence at York Insidious Loops... The Centre Facadist Toronto Professional Work Taylor Hazell Architects Green Reason Thier+Curran Architects 3 5 6 14 18 22 30 35 36 38 39
academic work
part one.
lost archive
December 2019, 3B Studio Final
Supervisor: Jonathan Tyrrell
Individual Design Project
AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop
The Lost Archive is where you go to find the forgotten.
Created in choreography with the old Crawford Street Bridge, a bridge that was buried intact along with the river it used to span, the Archive houses a collection of sounds of the past that we have forgotten and overlooked. They are artifacts of their time, a piece of what can never be attained again. It is a place of pause, to remember what came before us that shaped the way we are.
These pieces of history, their stories, and their remains are forgotten in the process of unyielding progress.
6
a. Garrison Creek
b. Archive
c. Listening Wells
d. Gallery
a.
c.
c.
9
b.
d.
c.
c.
c.
c.
c.
c.
c. c.
Lost Archive
c.
The Garrison Creek holds rich significance in the making of the City of Toronto. In a global urbanization phenomenon, small creeks and rivers were buried around the world to allow “room” for growth. These pieces of history, their stories, and their remains are forgotten in the process.
11
Lost Archive
archival images of Crawford Street Bridge (c. 1915), today, buried intact
13 Lost Archive
programmedgreenspacecreatesactivity liftbuildingtoincreaseporosity
residenceatyork
residence at york
April 2019, 3A Studio Final
Supervisor: Lola Sheppard
Individual Design Project
AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop
The York region is anticipating significant growth with the extension of the subway line and the York University student community. However, the existing green spaces and retail amenities are essentially non-existent. The Residence at York is designed to foster a stronger connection between the university community and the York community by establishing a beautiful, vital, safe, and sustainable public space. The programmed space includes the skating rink (in winter), fountains (in summer), playgrounds, and outdoor gathering pods in addition to livening streetlife with new retail space. Within the residence, core double atrium spaces connect the student dorm rooms to provide a pocket community that mirrors the intention of the courtyard.
14
1m 5m 1m 10m 10m 50m 5m 25m 1:100 1:200 1:1000 1:500 0.2m 1m 1:20 20m 100m 1:2000 N Ground Floor Plan Ice Rink Fountain Kid’s Playground Seating Pods Retail a. b. c. d. d. d. d. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. e. f. g. g. h. j. l. l. i. Skate Rental Student Atriums Student Gym Student Multi-Purpose Rooms Student Computer Lab m. o. i. i. i. Student Laundry Lounge Space Office Cafe Back of House n. k. k. o. d. d. d. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o.
Typical Floor Plan
17
Residence at York
idessuoiciv m entation, insidiou s ,spool
a courthouse for environmental justice
August 2021, 4B Studio Final Supervisor: Scott Sorli
Individual Design Project
AutoCAD, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop
A courthouse for environmental justice must view nature as not property with instrumental value, but inherently valuable with its own inalienable rights.
Western society’s placement of value lets sentience decide moral concern (trees and rivers are not sentient so they do not have rights). However, many indigenous cultures aim to coexist with the earth, giving a voice to the environment, who has its own will and agency. Environmental violence is rooted in settler colonialism, an exercise of excess and domination.
vicious sedimentation* - the pattern of how environmental changes compound over time to reinforce and strengthen settler ignorance insidious loops* - the pattern of how settler industries that violated indigenous peoples are implicated many years later in further environmental violence
18
*originally from K, Whyte: Settler Colonialism, Ecology, and Environmental Injustice
armoury st
the new courthouse is grounded on 3 principles:
1. an artificial element of topography architecture is devoid of any definitive qualities of physical object; consider both architecture and landscape on the same level
2. related populations, not isolated individuals let go of the idea of plants as objects, to be placed like pieces of furniture; allow a remarkable density of life to coexist
3. the world as whole and indivisible reconciliatory justice requires participants to learn compassion and care for all members of creation; justice is used to re-establish balance and harmony
architecture is of the earth...
...as much as you and I or the plants and animals we coexist with it is a reflection of narratives pressed upon our bodies it can be changed as easily as it was established
1.
2.
3.
restorative, reconciliatory justice
insidious loops, vicious sedimentation
retributive geometries of power reconciliatory restoration
vs.
FAMBUL TOK, OR “FAMILY TALK” A PEACEMAKING PROCESS IN SIERRA LEONE INDIGENOUS CIRCLE OF EMPOWERMENT, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA PALAVA HUTS, PART OF LIBERIA’S TRADITIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 21
maze labryinth vs
the centre
December 2020, 4A Studio Final
Supervisor: Andrew Levitt
Individual Design Project
AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, Building Construction + Systems knowledge
The Centre is a place to have difficult conversations.
Unlike a maze, with many choices and many paths, a labryinth has only one path in and one path out. The one in leads to the centre, and the one out leads back to the starting point. There are no decisions to be made, no blind alleys, and most importantly, you can see the path ahead. The labrynth does not inspire fear; it calms and allows slow, steady, reflection. The labryinth is a journey to the centre of the deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are.
In The Centre, through views provide direction, connection to the natural landscape and for wayfinding. The path there however, it designed to be long and indirect to provide room for reflection and organic encounters.
22
Section through feature stairwell which acts as a solar chimney, the elevation shows the separating thermal wall made of recycled brick; notice the openings which are strategically placed to provide through views but also allow cross ventilation in summer
25 the centre
The Centre utilizes windows and transparencies to allow through views, guiding direction; however the path is indirect to allow for reflection and organic encounters
1m 5m 1m 10m 10m 50m 5m 25m 1:100 1:200 1:1000 1:500 50m 250m 1:5000 0.2m 1m 1:20 20m 100m 1:2000 N Ground Floor Plan Small Meeting Room Medium Meeting Room Large Meeting Room Breakout Space Cafe Reception Elder’s Room Admin Office Facilitator’s Office Admin Meeting Room
g. h. i. j.
a. b. c. d. e f.
b.
e. f.
d.
b.
d.
g.
Second Floor Plan
27
a.
c.
j.
h.
i.
d.
a.
b.
the centre
d.
(winter) 2 10 R1 12 1 2 13 2 4 W1 11 14 8 11 8 8 15 5 (summer) heating and ventilation strategy
the centre
legend 8
2 flashing, see note
3 welded aluminum angle, join at corners with bolted tabs, shim to level on solid rubber blocks spaced to allow slope to drain
4 water membrane and flashing secured under concelaed gutter
5 copper flashing at window, see note
6 window head and sill to match reclaimed wood cladding
7 operable out-swinging casement window
8 wood interior finish to match glulam
9 skylight saddle
10 cant angle
11 glulam structure
12 interior reclaimed brick thermal wall
13 operable skylight opening with manual crank, insect screen
14 louvre structure made with reclaimed 2x4 attached to structure with stainless steel Z shape anchor
15 curtain wall
Notes ensure continuous water barrier seal at windows and skylights ensure continuous water seal laps over flashing
W1 Wall Type 1 9 or 5 ply CLT wall panel
air/water/vapour control layer (see note)
140mm rigid insulation
vertical cladding rail @ 600mm o.c. screwed into structure with stainless steel screws reclaimed douglas fir exterior rainscreen panels attached to cladding rail with stainless steel clips, allow 15mm gap between panels for venting, typ.
R1 Roof Type 1 3 ply CLT roof panel
235mm raised floor to accommodate concealed glulam beams
plywood sheathing
air/vapour control layer (see note)
2 layers of 140mm rigid insulation
roofing membrane, ensure continuous seal
R2 Roof Type 2 3 ply CLT roof panel
235mm raised floor to accommodate concealed glulam beams
plywood sheathing
air/vapour control layer (see note)
140mm rigid insulation
plywood sheathing
roofing membrane (water barrier)
round stone balast
R2a Roof Type 2a
Roof Type 2
drainage board
geotextile filter fabric root barrier
planting medium
F1 Floor Type 1
maple veneered engineered wood flooring
Warmboard radiant floor panels
235mm raised floor to accomodate concealed glulam beams
5 ply CLT floor panels
29 R1 F1 9 1 2 W1 2 R2 R2a 3 4 W1 5 6 7 5
1 fixed skylight, safety glass laminated and tempered 6
facadist toronto: heritage at face value
Fall 2021 - Winter 2023
Supervisor: Rick Haldenby
Committee: Val Rynnimeri
Internal-External: SiFei Mo
External: Robert Allsopp, Catherine Nasmith
Master's Thesis
AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Illustrator, InDesign, GIS, research and critical thinking
Facadism is the practice of retaining only the outward layer of a building, usually of heritage significance, while the interiors are demolished to make way for new construction. In Toronto, this has become standard practice, but its long term effects are not well understood.
This thesis establishes a theoretical background for the phenomenon and argues that facadism is not conservation but a deliberate act of demolition as a result of development, perpetuated by modern ideals such as capitalism. Heritage is used as imagery rather than culturally significant human contributions, holding histories, a sense of spirit, and community. Modern thought and policies scientificize and quantify architecture (for profit), separates skin and body, and displaces vital communities who foster the city’s growth.
Thsi thesis investigates the City of Toronto through a catalogue of facadist projects and a collection of case studies. These stories recognize nuances of the real world, provide evidence of this practice, and analyze the effects of these projects. Facadism reveals our current approach to heritage and architecture fails to consider its cultural and community impacts, the characteristics that create vibrant human spaces.
Link to thesis: https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/19342
30
face shell face as podium sticker building-in-building
One Bedford, sticker
QRC West, building-in-building
why retention?
why not retention?
legislation and compromise
the inability for heritage policies to retain whole buildings
contribution to streetscape
b.
a. ability for buildings to contribute again, even in fragments economic realities (real estate pressures, logistical obstacles)
loss of integrity and compatibility (not a conservation strategy but a development strategy)
vs a building’s value is more than aesthetic (intangible heritages are not understood) cities need old buildings convenient for development (creates precedents and allows continued profit)
33
c. d. e. f. g. h. i.
King Blue, podium
facadist toronto
FIVE Condo, shell + podium
map of facadist toronto
professional work
part two.
AUSTIN TERRACE,
taylor hazell architects
2020, 2019, Toronto
Construction Documents, Design Development, Schematic Design, Contract Administration, Heritage Reports, Proposals
Projects:
Casa Loma Maintenance
CITY OF TORONTO, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CULTURE & TOURISM CONSULTANTS
Whitney Block Revitalization
Carnegie Library Restoration
Clark Centre for the Arts
TAYLOR|HAZELL ARCHITECTS LTD.
At THA, I was actively involved in many projects big and small and in various stages. I played a vital role as construction admin support especially for the masonry restoration scope of the Whitney Block. I attended weekly site visits, drafted SVRs, SI’s, and coordinated with contractors and consultants. In addition, I assited with SPA, HIA, schematic and design development, researching OBC compliance for the Carnegie Library Restoration. Other experience include AODA research, as-found site visits and packages, record drawing packages, and various reports.
as ongoing maintenance at Casa Loma, new fire route signage was needed to comply with Toronto Municipal Code and be aesthetically coherent; my role included photoshop iterations, then design and detailing for tender
±1'-9 13 ±1'-8 13 BLACK "P", RED CIRCLE, WHITE BACKGROUND WHITE "STOP", RED BACKGROUND BLACK LETTERING, WHITE BACKGROUND EDGE OF SIGN STOP SCREWED IN PLACE 4 A100 GENERAL NOTES 1.1 CASA LOMA, THE STABLES AND THE ADJACENT LANDSCAPE ARE A DESIGNATED HERITAGE PROPERTY UNDER PROVINCIAL JURISDICTION. THE PROPERTIES ARE SUBJECT TO DESIGNATION UNDER THE CITY OF TORONTO BY-LAW NO. 545-87 (AMENDED). THE SITE AND BUILDINGS ARE RECOGNIZED HISTORIC RESOURCES. ALL WORK IS TO BE DONE IN CONFORMANCE TO HERITAGE PRESERVATION PRINCIPLES SET OUT BY THE APPLETON AND VENICE CHARTERS. 1.2 THE PLANTED LANDSCAPE, BUILT-LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS, SUCH AS THE PERIMETER AND GARDEN WALLS, AND BUILDING'S EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR SPACES ARE AREAS OF PRIME HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE. WORK AFFECTING THESE AREAS IS TO BE CARRIED OUT BY TRADES SKILLED IN THIS TYPE OF WORK. 1.3 IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THAT ALL TRADES EMPLOYED ARE AWARE AND RESPONSIBLE TO THE HERITAGE REQUIREMENTS APPLYING TO RESTORATION WORK ON THIS PROPERTY. 1.4 NO WORK OTHER THAN THAT INDICATED IN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS MAY BE UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE CONSULTANT AND OWNER. 1.5 REFER TO APPENDIX A "AMENDING OF DESIGNATING BY-LAWS 1 AUSTIN TERRACE AND 328 & 330 WALMER ROAD" DATED NOVEMBER 19, 2013 APPENDED TO THIS DRAWING SET. HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE 1.0 THE FACILITY IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF TORONTO AND MANAGED UNDER A LEASE-OPERATE-IMPROVE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY BY LIBERTY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP. 2.2 IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR TO MAINTAIN DAILY CONTACT DIRECTLY WITH ADDRESS DAILY OPERATIONAL ISSUES THAT ARISE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND TO CO-ORDINATE WITH LIBERTY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD. FACILITY MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL STAFF REGARDING CONSTRUCTION HOARDING AND PROTECTION; THE EXTENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREA; TEMPORARY FACILITIES; SCHEDULE OF WORK AND DELIVERIES; AND TO ACCOMMODATE REASONABLE REQUESTS REGARDING THE SEQUENCE AND INTERRUPTION OF WORK FROM TIME TO TIME. OPERATIONS AND COORDINATION WITH OPERATOR 2.0 ROUNDS SPECIFICATIONS. ADJACENT EXPERIENCE. YEARS. TWELVE (12) COMPLEXITY AND WHERE GRADE INTERIORS OF TO STANDARDS: FINISH UNDER EQUIPMENT, REVISED TAYLOR HAZELL ARCHITECTS LTD. DATE PRINTED FILE NAME DRAWING NO. DRAWN BY CHECKED BY SCALE DRAWING TITLE 333 Adelaide Street West 5th Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1R5 Telephone: (416) 862-2694 Facsimile: (416) 862-8401 THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR SHALL CHECK AND VERIFY ALL DIMENSIONS AND REPORT ALL ERRORS AND DO NOT USE THIS DRAWING FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSES UNTIL SEALED AND SIGNED BY THE NEW WORK PLAN, SPECIFICATIONS, DETAILS 2020.05.11 AS SHOWN A100 CH 1904 CASA LOMA WALMER ROAD FIRE ROUTE SIGNAGE 1 AUSTIN TERRACE TORONTO, ONTARIO M5R 1X8 P:\2019\1904 Casa Loma Phase 10 (re 1681)\Drawings\Fire Route Sign\1904A000 Cover Page.dwg May 12, 2020-5:55pm
ARCHITECT
LOCATION: 1 AUSTIN TERRACE, TORONTO ON ITEM ONTARIO BUILDING CODE DATA MATRIX 1 THE WORK INCLUDES INSTALLATION OF FOUR NEW FIRE ROUTE SIGNS 2 ALTERATION: BASIC RENOVATION 3 PARTS 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 DO NOT APPLY TO THE WORK 4 PART 11 PROVISIONS APPLY
1
TORONTO, ONTARIO MAY 13, 2020
CLIENT
graphics for Carnegie Library Restoration
investigative graphic representation of the corner buttress and the connections involved at the Whiney Block building which were uncovered during restoration
12” 8” 4” STRUCTURAL COLUMN STONE CLADDING STONE CORNER BUTTRESS BRICK & CLAY TILE BACKUP SUPPORTED ON FLOOR SLAB AND SHELF ANGLES SHELF ANGLE ATTACHES TO EACH FLOOR SLAB T/O LINE OF STEEL ANGLE (TYP.) TYPICAL MASONRY UNITS ALTERNATING 4” & 8” ALTERNATING 4” & 12”
CORNER ELEVATION CLADDING SYSTEM AT CORNER (EXPANDED) DRAWN BY JANET LI AUG 2020 37
WHITNEY BLOCK, TORONTO CORNER BUTTRESS CLADDING & SUPPORT SYSTEM
promotional rendering produced for the Clark Centre for the Arts professional experience
green reason inc
2019, 2021-2023, Toronto
Sustainability Consulting (LEED, WELL, Green Globes, Fitwell), Project Management (contract admin, close-out)
Projects:
TRCA Administrative Office
Waterfront Innovation Centre
100 Queens Quay
TD Centre
I assisted in coordinating and completing credit documentation for several sustainability certifications. This includes updating status reports, reviewing drawings, materials, and other submittals to maintain compliance. In project management, I facilitated the contract admin phase managing cost tracking and forecasting. In addition, I produced several sustainability resources for education purposes and participated in a client workshop gathering feedback and client goals to be synthesized in a report.
Thermal Comfort
Passive cooling and heating utilizes passive design strategies and helps to regulate building temperatures.
Passive systems can be more reliable and resilient because they don’t depend on mechanical parts.
Thermal Comfort
through enclosure solar gain internal heat gain from surfaces
The building environment creates opportunities for heat losses and gains Maintaining a Comfortable Indoor Environment
Passive Heating and Cooling
Thermal mass Natural ventilation Solar design
graphics produced for sustainability education decks
professional experience
thier-curran architects
2018, Hamilton
Construction Documents, Design Development, 3D Modelling
Projects:
(now cgs architects)
Haldimand CAP
Haldimand Library + Heritage Centre
St. Thomas Affordable Housing
HWDSB Elementary School Renos
During my time at TCA (now CGS architects), I assisted in various design teams in developing construction packages, coordination packages, and 3D models. Notably, I spent a large time on the Haldimand County Central Administrative Building working on interior elevations, schedules, millwork details, 3D modelling, and design. I was able to participate in designing various interior spaces including the lobby bench and grand doors to the Chamber Council. Other projects include residential affordable housing, and school renovations.
working drawings at Haldimand CAP
unit drawings for St.Thomas Affordable Housing
LIGHTING LEGEND RCP LEGEND A GENERAL NOTES 3. FIRE RATED GWB MEMBRANE ON THIRD FLOOR @2440 A.F.F. TYP. 2. UNIT CEILING ON SECOND FLOOR @ 2550 A.F.F. TYP. SUSPENDED CEILING @ CORRIDOR 2200 A.F.F. TYP. 400 BELOW CEILING TYP. PLAN KEYNOTES PLAN LEGEND PLAN NOTES ALL PARTITIONS ARE P1B U.N.O. ALL EXTERIOR WALLS TO BE EW2 U.N.O. ALL PERIMETER WALLS IN BASEMENT TO BE EW1 U.N.O.REFER TO ELEVATIONS FOR WINDOW, CURTAIL WALL, WINDOW WALL, BAY PROJECTIONS AND MATERIAL REFER TO UNIT PLANS, EXIT STAIRS & PUBLIC U.N.O FHC SPECIFICATIONS PLANS, ELEVATIONS AND DETAILS. IN-GROUND LIGHTING Date: THE PROJECT AND TO REPORT ANY DISCREPANCIES TO THE ARCHITECT CONTRACT DOCUMENTS ARE THE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE RETURNED NOTE: DRAWINGS ARE NOT TO BE SCALED. St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services Hub & Affordable Housing 230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, Ontario New Building for No. Date Remarks Scale: Proj. No.: Drwn: Chkd: Drawing No.: 16016 As Noted October 2017 - WJC Dwg. Title: 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 39
thank you! zhen.li98@outlook.com +1 647-226-0128
