Transforming a Toronto heritage building to a hospitality and retail space curated towards community needs.
TECTONIC FLOW
Exploring natural algorithms via experimentation with machine learning algorithms, in order to provoke architecture.
Competition
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHILDREN’S HOUSE
Architectural competition conducted by Kaira Looro
Professional Work
THE MANOUCHEHRI MUSEUM & CULTUR-
AL STATION + School, Artist Residency & New Restaurant
DASTAN GALLERY TORONTO
A block of Modernity
Existing site structure
THE RIPPLE
Instructor: Parantap Bhatt
ENVR-3006-004: ED: Retail & Hospitality
Academic Group Project
Role: concept development, design, 3D modeling and CAD drawing
Duration: Semester-long
The ripple is an added extension to two existing heritage buildings on the northwest corner of Spadina Ave and King st West. The design is executed in relation to the special functions, which consist of retail and commercial spaces being located on the lower levels due to their position in regarding public realm. In contrast, the more private spaces containing the hospitality functions are curated as vertical extensions elevated on the historical massing, constructing a gap which separates two masses and becomes a community garden.
The overall concept of the design is a dialogue with the old existing structures and the newly built architecture; hence the streetscape additions respect the immediate context of the neighbourhood by communicating a heavy grided facade made of stone. The playful design of the floating addition divorces the principles of the lower part by formulating a gap between the two languages and the lightness of its materiality.
PART 1: SITE ANALYSIS
The study embodies the contextual facade pattering of the neighbourhood, exposing the architecture’s rhythms, hierarchies, and repetitions, which narrates the use of heavy material and the polarity of the new and the old.
URBAN WALL STUDY
SITUATIONS
The situations are imaginative spaces that focus on the spaces’ mood, spirit and qualities, which will be translated into architectural experiences in further stages.
CONCEPT MODEL
The concept model arose from the dialogue between the existing and the new. The existing mass is made from plaster, and the addition is transparent plastic floating on top. Also, the rigid ripple covering the addition is inspired by the ethos of unmolding a plaster mold, referred to as the process of unfolding the feeling of space.
FIG.3: Urban Garden
FIG.4: Urban Garden
FIG.2: Street scape
FIG.1: Roof Top Patio
Scale 1:250
EXISTING SITE
STREET SCAPE EXTENSION
VERTICAL TOP EXTENSION
CIRCULATION DIAGRAM
SCALE 1:200
SIXTH FLOOR- HOTEL SUITS
FIFTH FLOOR- OUTDOOR GARDEN
PART 1: RESEARCH
TECTONIC FLOW
Instructor: Ala Roushan
GDES-3102-001: Generative Design
Academic
Individual Project
Duration: Semester-long
The exploration of natural algorithms led to further investigation of Tilling algorithm; Along with recurrence and modularity, one of the aspects of tilling that inspires tectonic is the issue of adjacency. The bubble and cell minimal enclosure concept demonstrate that tilling does not consist of a flat system. Instead, its thickness in three dimensions arranges a positive expansion in all directions without any gaps, toward infinity.
The final project design was developed throughout the semester after extensive research and design development focusing on parametric architecture. The preliminary steps were to pick multiple algorithms and explore them in sketches, models and images. The second step was to explore the desired algorithm in a digital environment by utilizing rhino and grasshopper. Hence, this resulted in a pavilion. The rendering of the pavilion was imported into a AI machine to alter its appearance.
Creating a set of digital drawings by utilizing the Voronoi algorithm within the digital space. Further, by authorizing a set of parameters that forms density within the preferred passage.
Inspired by the pattern of the human skin, the model morphs onto multiple volumes of cubes. Resulting in an active exoskeleton that contains two openings on the top partition, exposing the structure within.
The process of Voronoi tessellation in four simplified stages.
(Honey Comb, 2020, Figure 2)
(Silicon Atomic-Scale, 2017, Figure 1)
(Sphalerite, 2018, Figure 3)
(Skin, 2021, Figure 5)
(Potato Starch Grains, 2018, Figure 4)
(Tomato Skin, 2014, Figure 6)
Studying the environment to further understand the formation of tilling algorithm within natural things.
Exploring various forms of generative design principles within the digital space.
CONCEPT
The concept of planetary dynamics consists of tectonic plates covering the earth’s surface in the context of semi-rigid tiles spreading paths across its crusted face, scratching and responsibly joined together while held above in motion by the fires that control the system from below. Carrying within the poetic sequence of tiling, it beholds a unique characteristic harnessed through parametric algorithms.
STAGE 3: FINAL DESIGN
The process of voronoization captured in multiple stages, revealing its complexity.
Stage 1: Voronoi mapping and offset stage one
Stage 2: Offset stage two
Stage 3: Offset stage three
Stage 4: Surface creation stage one
Stage 5: Surface creation stage two
Stage 6: Surface creation stage three
CHILDREN’S HOUSE
Architectural Competition
Non-academic
Individual Project Duration: Two months
Children’s house is a project that aims to prevent youth malnutrition in Baghere by accommodating programs, materials and techniques. The goal is to meet the nutritional needs of the population and leisure activities by creating spaces for playing, entertainment, resting, production, and learning, all of which are necessary for a cultural center. The house lies in the serene nature of Bagheri in south Senegal, indulging in the sandy-clay soil with which the architecture comes into dialogue by celebrating its surrounding landscape, sourced from natural land materials.
Granting space for children to play by bringing in the playground that enables the children to play within the vicinity of the dining hall and care center that allows monitorization of the children under care. The primary interior space holding the administration and hospitality area is designed with the flexibility to adapt its layout to fit the special needs based on the number of patients admitted by having move able wall divisions positioned in a grid-like format that shifts horizontally in the room.
PART 1: CONCEPT
The house is created with materials such as earth, stone, wood and metal. The texture (soft, hard, dry, smooth, rough) of these materials is essential to the early development of skills in children. Also, the center of the house harbors open space for children to conduct physical activities.
The project is built with simple construction techniques, including wooden framing, earthbag walls and corrugated metal roofing, enabling community engagement in its construction.
SITE
The primary interior space, holding the administration and hospitality area, is designed with flexibility. The space adapts its layout based on the number of patients by having movable wall divisions positioned in a grid-like format that shifts horizontally in the room.
Suggesting six alternative plans for the flexible space, each alternative retains its unique feeling of space and defines a new circulation.
The master plan of the Manouchehri site spans 7,800m2 within the desert center of Kashan, Iran, surrounded by historical buildings that date back to the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736). The plot of land where the new museum is to be constructed has the potential to introduce a modern feel to the area. This unique situation allows us to approach the critical question of blending the new with the old in a fresh way, presenting an opportunity for cultural advancement in the city that would otherwise be impossible. Ahmadreza Schricker mentions that the project realizes itself as a “cultural station.” The project houses a Textile Museum, a new restaurant, a theatre and auditorium, new housing, a school, an artist residency, a new hotel, workshops, a pavilion, storage, and parking.
PART 1: Reaserch
TOP
The meticulous examination of sectional patterns within the existing building fabric has been translated into geometric forms, subsequently integrated into the floor pattern of the courtyard. This process exemplifies the profound influence of the historical architectural fabric on contemporary design within the existing architecture.
CENTER
Watching towers, known as “Toranj” or “Burj-i Tarash”, were crucial in ancient Iran, particularly in areas like Kashan, serving defense, surveillance, communication, and cultural symbolism. Symbolizing power and protection, these towers varied in design but typically featured sturdy structures with elevated platforms for observation. In Kashan, remnants or reconstructions of these towers likely exist, showcasing the region’s historical and architectural significance.
SITE PLAN
The geometric elements from Kazimir Malevich’s paintings serve as a reference for a global Platonic geometry, facilitating a dialogue with traditional geometric motifs in Kashan. The shapes and geometries implemented are inspired by this universal Platonic geometry, resonating both locally in Kashan and globally, thereby emphasizing a harmonious integration of diverse cultural influences within the design.
Artwork over layed with the floor plan and edited to fit the gerometry of the floor plan, layout of the floor plan
BOTTOM
In Kashan, the concept of a courtyard is integral to traditional architecture, particularly evident in historical homes. These central open spaces, surrounded by rooms, often feature gardens and water elements that provide natural light, ventilation, and a cooling microclimate, essential for the arid environment. Courtyards offer privacy and a serene setting for social activities, reflecting the cultural values and aesthetic principles of Kashan’s historical residences.
RIGHT
The proposed design contemporizes this concept by drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns of traditional Kashan rugs and kilims. Each distinct pattern represents different levels and functions of the house, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. The central pond, a staple of Kashan courtyards, has been reimagined into a circular design, becoming the dynamic heart of the space.
Role: Reasearch, site study, material study, 3D modeling and design
Project size: 550 m2
Site: 1305 Dundas St W, Toronto, Ontario
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the main floor of the Numbers Residence is set to transform into a community space that fosters growth and cultural engagement with the launch of Dastan Gallery. The cultural station includes a café, retail area, yoga studio, and a performance space, all united by a shared vision of promoting creativity, community, and culture. These distinct spaces are contained within circular boundaries and interconnected by an internal circulation, which leads to a communal area housing a public performance space at its core. The heart of the project is the Gallery, located at the end of the space, which is a hub for contemporary Middle Eastern artists in Toronto.
TOP LEFT
The existing floor plan of the gallery provided us with a blank canvas due to its column-free design, offering significant space for a multitude of uses. Based on the client’s needs, the new floor plan is designed to accommodate a range of activities, ensuring versatility.
MIDDLE LEFT
The programming of the space consists of five distinct areas, each designated for specific functions. These areas are contained within independent volumes and interconnected by an internal circulation, leading to a communal area that features a public performance space at its core.
BOTTOM LEFT
Central public circulation is characterized by white concrete pathways and integrated plant life, creating zones between the functional spaces and the central communal area.
Cafe & bar
view Axonometric X-Ray Diagram
TOP
The modular walls of the gallery are to be folded and multiplied within a mechanism inspired by the shape and systems of BB-8, a circular sphere that works with wheels to move the walls, enabling a va- riety of space options.
LEFT
Interior view of the gallery space, nestled within a circular volume adorned with a prominent main display wall.
BOTTOM LEFT
View from the gallery to the central performance space, enveloped by a vibrant green oasis.
