RESIDENTIAL | PROFESSIONAL
RETREAT CENTRE | PROFESSIONAL
WELLINGTON DESTRUCTOR
COMMUNITY CENTRE | ACADEMIC THESIS
KENSINGTON MARKET
MIXED-USE | ACADEMIC
RESIDENTIAL | ACADEMIC
This contemporary cabin home, located within the picturesque Whistler Village, was carefully curated to celebrate the area’s breathtaking mountain vistas and vibrant surrounding forests, creating a sanctuary for those seeking total solace within nature. Its striking façade — nestled amongst the mountainside — effortlessly combines wood, stone, and glass to establish a captivating yet inviting first impression.
Thoughtfully designed interior spaces exude warmth and sophistication utilizing local vernacular, striking a balance between modern design principles and respect for the area’s natural surroundings. The use ofopenfloorplansandcirculationspacesprovidesasenseofcapaciousnessandfluidity,allowsnatural light to permeate the interiors, and helps maintain a constant connection to nature. The landscaping attempts to honour the property’s pre-existing, uniquely sloped topography and heavily incorporates native plant varieties to both renaturalize the site and provide additional privacy for the clients.
The end result is a harmonious blend of organic textures, expansive glazing, and diverse sloped forms that seamlessly act as a conduit for a deeper appreciation for nature. This union between the built and natural environment,andtraditionalmaterialityandcontemporary functionality,epitomizesthespiritofbespokeWhistlerliving.
1. MetalRoofReturn&WoodExteriorDetailing(TL)
2. EntrywaywithStairsBeyond,underConstruction(TR)
3. TimberStructurebeingInstalled(BL)
4.EastFacade,underConstruction(BR)
The three-storey feature stair and open foyer space is a striking architectural element that serves as the focal point of the residence, providing a more dynamic and visually engaging experience while enhancing clear navigation throughout the home. This design is meant to increase the overall aesthetic and functionality of the building while promoting a sense of openness, connectivity, and movement throughout the different levels.
The soaring void extends upward through the building, with its scale meant to give visitors a sense of awe immediately upon entry. Its impressiveness is enhanced by a large, floor-toceiling window that connects the vertical space, offering continual views of the surroundings and helps blur the line between nature and the built environment.
Sited on a sprawling 25 acres, this modern retreat centre focuses on immersing its occupants within the surrounding natural environment, while still offering the luxuries of thoughtfully designed interior amenities. The building overlooks the West shoreline of Bowen Island and is situated deep within the site’s coastal forest, completely removing itself from the busyness of the public realm. The layout is organized linearly — parallel to the shoreline — to ensure each inside space has its own unique view of the water. The property’s dramatic landscape is continuously experienced, upon entry with its double height circulation spaces and in rooms with their floor-to-ceiling glazing, enveloping the interior in expansive views and balancing the clean, minimal atmosphere with evergreens and mountainscapes.
To fully take advantage of the location, sliding glass wall systems and multiple outdoor communal spaces are situated throughout both floors of the retreat, helping frame the view, balance nature and architecture, and affording sweeping panoramas across Howe Sound to the Sunshine Coast beyond.
Careful attention has been paid to the retreat’s approach within the forested landscape. The long, tree-covered driveway not only serves as a functional means of access to the building but also allows an experiential journey for the visitor. By working alongside the natural topography and following the contours of the land, rather than imposing a rigid incision directly through, the subtly meandering roadway helps heighten the connection between the inhabitants and their natural surroundings. The constant interplay of light and shadow, and the intensifying scents and sounds that visitors experience as they’re slowly carried further down towards their destination, creates a multi-sensory experience that organically transitions them from modernity to rusticity.
The interconnected roof and exterior timber structure are the first features that come into view as visitors approach from above. Acting as a statement piece for the entire building, these systems seamlessly tie together all the compartmentalized interior spaces into one cohesive visual tapestry. The clean, minimal lines work alongside the intricacy of the underlying structure to create a balanced and powerful first impression.
Thelinearnatureofmodernconsumerculturehasresultedina‘take,make,dispose’mentalitytowards manufactured goods and their embodied resources. Commodities are typically exploited and then discarded, historically ending up in places like the Wellington Destructor — a now-abandoned garbage incinerator in Toronto — to be destroyed. This waste, along with the anthropogenic emissions caused by excessive disposal and manufacturing processes, proves that our current system is flawed and a paradigm shift is required to create a more reparative and sustainable culture.
This project aims to redefine society’s traditionally wasteful approach towards resource utilization and help repair the evident disconnect between urbanism and environmentalism through regenerative design and programming. By transforming the structure’s infrastructure, originally built to service a linear economy, into spaces focused on reparative culture, this can foster positive and sustainable changes within the local community. Not only does this provide resource conservation opportunities and meaningful places to congregate, but also celebrates the historical significance of the site.
Incorporating a curvilinear and flowing addition to wrap around the existing Wellington Destructor balances out the static nature of the current structure, as well as acts to connect both new and old elements together. This allows for the extra interior space required for adequate circulation and the contemporary programming, without overpowering the Destructor’s overall aesthetic.
In terms of materiality, creating design features from salvaged material reinforces the driving ethos of adaptively reusing the existing building space. The translucent, recycled polycarbonate facade and glass addition also add a lightness to counterpoise the mass of the existing brick and concrete. This juxtaposition of materials helps highlight the history of the building.
ORIGINAL STRUCTURE
REGENERATED SITE
This boutique hotel proposal is located in the heart of Kensington Market and exists to not only create an immersive experience for guests, but also act as a gathering place for the surrounding neighbourhood. Its large, outdoor spaces can easily be seen from the street, enticing passersby to connect with others through its multiple social spaces, including an upscale diner, farmer’s market, and its multi-faceted performance venue. This design perfectly embodies the ethos of the bohemian culture of Kensington Market through its raw and vibrant interior, and acts as a bellwether for Toronto culture, offering a truly unique glimpse at all the city has to offer.
Due to the complex site parameters and narrow entranceway, it was extremely important to maintain a direct line of sight from the street to the main attractions of the hotel near the rear of the property. The building is set back from the eastern boundary to help create this larger sense of space and, in turn, also establishes an outdoor commercial corridor reminiscent of the surrounding Kensingtoncommunity’sintimateandbustlingstreets.
AnexpansiverooftoppatiowithviewsofToronto’s beautifuldowntown.Thisspaceismeantfor congregatingandboastscountlessfeaturesfora widevarietyofuserstoenjoy.
Consistofthehotel’sguestsuites,whichareslightly removedfromthemainsocialspacestocreatea moreintimateexperience.
Thelargecourtyardiseasilyvisiblefromstreet levelandinvitespeoplewithintoenjoyitsmultiple socialamenities.Openlayoutsseamlesslyblendthe interiorandexteriortopromotearelationshipwith thesurroundingneighbourhood.
ThepulseofKensington’snightlifeisitsmultifaceted performancevenue.Thisspaceconnectspeople throughmusicandimmersestheminToronto’s vibrantculture.
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Adapting to external site conditions, one of the main architectural features of this structure is a perforated steel screen which wraps overtop of the main building, also covering the western facade. The design of these steel panels was meant to complement the more industrial aesthetic of the hotel while providing both additional privacy for hotel suites and refuge from the exterior elements while on the rooftop patio. This creates a more secluded and comfortable environment for guests to relax and enjoy the outdoor amenities.
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CONCRETEFOUNDATION
Bulwer reimagines an unutilized commercial property, transforming it into a contemporary, welcoming, and functional residential home. Balancing the allure of the original masonry facade with unique additional spaces—both above and beside the existing structure—Bulwer reinvents the traditional ideal of the family dwelling; offering uninterrupted views of the downtown core and expanding the livable space.
A large circular courtyard is the focal point of this redesign, as the entire house’s interior space revolves around this feature. This space blurs the lines between nature and the indoors, and provides additional natural daylight infiltration into the home’s interior.
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Bulwer is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Situated a block North of busy Queen St. West and surrounded by commercial properties, a safe haven was created for the family by providing muchneeded privacy and greenspace amongst the city landscape, all while paying homage to the original structure by keeping it on display rather than hiding it.
Lightwellinexistingbuilding allowsdaylighttobetter penetrateinteriorspace. Createsacourtyardvisible throughoutentirebuilding andpromotesaconstant connectiontonaturein midstofbusydowntown.
Unconnectedofficeallows separationofworkand home.Breezewaybetween actsasfocalpointtoeasily identifyentrance.Addition ispushedclosetostreet tofacilitatebackyardwith southernexposure.
Cantaliveredupperleveladdition sheltersmainentranceandrear deckwhileprovidingmuchneededinteriorspace.Pushedbackfrom lowerleveltogivestackedeffectanddifferentiatefacade.
3rdlevelsitsabovesurroundingbuildings,allowingexpansiveviewsof thedowntowncore.Thisspaceispushedtowardsthenorth-endofthe propertytomaximizesunexposure.Theonceunusedroofcannowbe accessedandtransformedintoprivatepatio.
A connection to nature, as well as increased spaces for quiet contemplation, were important to the client. These ideas were translated into multiple exterior courtyards and individual reflection rooms in every major area of the building.
“In an increasingly fast-paced and chaotic world, contemplation rooms offer a sanctuary for individuals to reconnect with their inner selves, find solace, and restore balance in their lives.”
-ContemplativeArchitecture:ThePowerofQuietSpaces