Integrated Homeless Housing: A Neighborhood's Map - By examining the feeling of isolation and transience experienced by homeless families, this series of permanent, transient and temporary structures looks to create a sense of permanence among a community which is plagued with transition. Recreating the home through disparate locations in a vibrant neighbourhood acts to unify the families getting back on their feet as well as provide a place for them in an existing community.
Bathurst St. Vacancy - The housing interventions, a series of interior projects comprised of a panel system, were erected in vacant storefront spaces on commercial streets in the Annex neighbourhood. This diagram explored chronic vacancy along Bathurst St., it was part of a series of such studies highlighting vacancy which would be appropriate sites for the housing interventions.
Typical Panel types - A series of panels and furniture pieces were designed to allow for maximum space use and flexibility. These panels can be assembled in a variety of ways to be most appropriate for the needs of the occupying family and the limitations of the storefront space. They are made of a lightweight structural panel, which can we manipulated in the same ways as wood, without the weight.
Possible Panel Elevation - The housing interventions put one family in each storefront unit. The flexibility inherent in a panel system allows for every family's different needs to met through the different configurations of panels.
Furniture - A series of furniture dividing pieces were also designed to maximize the possibilities of the space. This double sided element serves as a kitchenette, closet and desk piece.
Furniture - A series of furniture dividing pieces were also designed to maximize the possibilities of the space. This double sided element serves as a shelving, closet and desk piece.
Bathroom Panels - This bathroom system is designed to operate using a small amount of water by reusing grey water and storing all of its water in slim tanks held up behind the panels.
Interior Elevation - I designed these panels out of Panelite, a structural, translucent material. It's inherent strength, durability, and easy installation make it a great fit for this type of transitory project. In this elevation you can begin to see the layering of colour and texture created within the space by the dividers and panels.
Post-Intervention Elevation - This commercial strip regains life after the intervention is implemented. Instead of a long block of vacant storefronts, people, children, and pets bring vitality to a wanning strip in an otherwise vibrant neighborhood.
Integrated Family Shelter: A Permanent Bathhouse and Kitchen - These drawings reference the only permanent portion of the project. An abandoned mechanic garage was given a renovation and small addition to turn it into a private community centre for the homeless families. Programmatic elements include mailboxes, expanded bathing and cooking facilities, a courtyard, private telephone rooms, and access to computers.
Existing Building - This photo shows the current condition of the building at the bathhouse site.
Integrated Family Shelter - A drawing of the elevation along Dupont St. post-intervention.
Laneway Elevation - This building works with the existing laneway system in Toronto to create a rear main entrance to the building, providing a safer, pedestrian only entrance as well as privacy.
The Bathouse and Kitchen - These drawings reference the only permanent portion of the project. An abandoned mechanic garage was given a renovation and small addition to turn it into a private community centre for the homeless families. Programmatic elements include mailboxes, expanded bathing and cooking facilities, a courtyard, private telephone rooms, and access to computers.
Existing Conditions at the Farm Site - The third element of this project is a temporary urban farm. A farm offers incentive to the existing neighobourhood in the form of fresh local produce, a coffee shop, and an additional playground, while also benefiting those families who rely on food banks for their food. Produce is severely lacking in their diets, and is very important for growing kids.
This site is currently owned by a church in Toronto, which has plans to build on it once design and fundraising for the project is complete.
Farm Site Plan - A series of temporary buildings built out of structural panels on a steel column grid. This site is the main interaction zone for the new and existing neighbors. Here they can tend the gardens, enjoy a coffee in the cannery, and watch their kids play at the playground. By providing benefits for all the members of the community, this project increases its viability.
These standard 7 panels are the building blocks for the temporary buildings and greenhouses at the farm site.
Christie St. Elevation - As the panels are all mobile, this elevation could be reduced to simply a roof and columns, if desired.
Yarmouth Gardens Elevation
Presentation Installation - The various intervention sites throughout the neighborhood were built at 1:100 scale and placed on a 1:100 map of the neighborhood showing other important community facilities.
Presentation Installation - The various intervention sites throughout the neighborhood were built at 1:100 scale and placed on a 1:100 map of the neighborhood showing other important community facilities.
Presentation Installation - The various intervention sites throughout the neighborhood were built at 1:100 scale and placed on a 1:100 map of the neighborhood showing other important community facilities.
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Architecture Thesis