NIA CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Academic Work: Intergration Studio (3rd Year)

Date: April, 2021

Location: Toronto, ON

Professor: Ivan Martinovic

Team Member: Daniela Diaz

Software: Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Auto CAD, Enscape, Twinmotion, Photoshop, Illustrator

The NIA Centre for the arts is an generate organization. To create an opportunity for the African Canadian diaspora to create a safe place to manifest art and cultural freedom, and its name translates to "purpose" in Swahili. It is a place to meet and exchange feelings, ideas and emotions through music, dance, painting, sculpture, and theatre. The NIA centre aims to become Canada‘s first multidisciplinary professional art space dedicated to Jamaican art. NIA offers artist residence youth development programs, fairs and exhibits. Not only does the NIA centre benefit the little Jamaica community, but all of the Jamaican Canadian artists in Ontario as well, by improving the quality of life as the cultural core of an active plan for the urban development of Eglinton area, while still abiding by environmentally conscious requirements.

OAKWOOD - VAUGHAN COMMUNITY

The Oakwood Village is a vibrant neighbourhood that is part of Toronto's York district. The neighbourhood was previously known as OakwoodVaughan, it begins from the intersection of Eglinton and Dufferin it runs east to Eglinton and Winnett Ave all the way south to Dufferin and St. Clair to Arlington Avenue and St. Clair. The Oakwood- Vaughan neighbourhood is mostly residential and commercial.There has always been an appreciation for art as many artistic establishments were located there through years. The neighborhood offers recreational and artistic opportunities for people of all ages. There are annual events and art festivals as well. The area strives for positive change by incorporating art installations, community gardens and it is home of the NIA centre for the arts. Artistic graffiti is visible in many different parts of the Oakwood Village paying homage to the Caribbean Canadian heritage and reggae music. The little Jamaica community and shops are essential for Jamaican Canadian to experience Jamaican culture and tradition which allows them to maintain a relationship with their roots.

Site Conditions

The site is located in a key location in the Little Jamaica community, at the intersection of Eglinton West and Alameda, connecting Public from Eglinton to the community residents from Alameda, while at the back of the site it also connects to Reggae lane, which symbolizes the cultural center of this area, and since the alley is surrounded by the largest reggae music recording center outside of Jamaica. The street was officially named in 2015 in anticipation of the opening of LRT and to trigger local economic and cultural development. This alley leads to the west side of the site, where a graffiti wall of artists representing Little Jamaica was painted on the west wall of the existing building, the area is currently used as a parking lot and a gathering place.

The current site conditions which include a petrol plus, a car wash and a public parking lot on the west side of the site.

Nature Rhythm Parti

Connecting People Culture And Nature

The concept of this design is to reflect the cultural roots of the Little Jamaica community. The abstract metaphor of tree-like V- shaped columns creates a forest-like architectural atmosphere that reminds the community of the Jamaican jungle; at the same time the Little Jamaica community is the most active producer of reggae music outside of Jamaica and reggae music best represents the culture of Little Jamaica. The building reflects the rhythm and melody of reggae music through the flowing space formed by the curved floor slabs and roof, the facade of the building is formed by extracting the sound waves of reggae music, the outdoor circulation formed by the extended floor slabs, adding lightness to the building. The green walls are introduced indoors and greenery is planted on the extended floor slabs. This creates a landscape that combines architecture and greenery, culture and nature. The upward outdoor access connects to Reggae Lane, which represents the local culture, creating the feeling of walking through a streetscape in the building. During such a stroll, people can enjoy the scenery, view the artwork of the community, discover the culture of Little Jamaica, and meet people of all kinds.

The public parking lot is connected to Reggae Lane, a government project to revitalize the community's culture and economy, and is also a meeting place for the community's residents. The parking lot is retained in our design in order to preserve the residents' gathering habits while linking the project to the upcoming renovation of Reggae Lane.

This graffiti was created by artist Adrian Hayles, whose celebrates legendary Toronto reggae musicians, as part of a larger urban heritage project. Further design honors the culture of this community by preserving this graffiti wall.