Single Person Inflatable Coat-Tent

Project Brief

To create a temporary housing and shelter from the elements which the homeless and nature campers can utilize. The shelter is to be use as a last resort or as by choice. The cost of one should be inexpensive and simple to operate. The shelter should be light and not contain any permanent rigid components. It should be compatible and easy to carry around.

The integration of an inflatable light structure within the lining of a coat then allows a user to wear the tent all day and sleep inside of it in the nights.

J. Lefler

Home[less] Shelter

project statement

The homeless shelter does not present itself as a solution. It is not a proposal for affordable housing. It is symbolic strategy of survival for the homeless in the city. Functionally the homeless shelter acts as a place of retreat for those living on the street. Through its use, the homeless shelter helps to establish a sense of empowerment amongst the homee less and helps to make their situation more visible. Thus its presence within the city fabric


becomes a protest of the city's inability to deal with the homeless situation.

Street Median Kiosk

The kiosk is located on the street medians on University Avenue near the intersection with Queen Street. The median is narrow (about 11 m wide) and the challenge was to design a kiosk that would be visible and at the same time allow pedestrian traffic on both sides of the median. There is a war monument located beside the kiosk. The top floor and the middle part of the ground floor are glazed, so when a a person walks toward the kiosk, they can see the monument on the other side of it. The structure is made of a steel skeleton. It's location will bring a different atmosphere to the University/Queen intersection and encourage people to use more public spaces by using the street median.

P. Kurti

Self Sustaining WC

This public washroom is designed to fit into any Toronto park setting. The above photo is taken in Allan Gardens. The washroom is self sustaining: with sensors that tell the toilet to clean itself after each use; solar panels on the outstretched branches that supply power to run a small pump and electric hand dryer; and it notifies cleaning services when the poop tank needs emptying. There is a coin slot outside the wc where a user deposits 10 cents, then the doors open for use. The overall design of the wc is taken from its surrounding nature, a tree.

The Transformation of a Bus Shelter

For anyone who has lived within the Greater Toronto Area over the last ten years, is no doubt aware of the dramatic transformation of bus shelters during this period. Remember the old dingy, odour-plagued bus shelters of the early 1990s? These semi-glazed bus shelters we all remember were often an undesirable place to wait. So unappealing, were they that it had to either be raining really hard, or you were caught in the middle of an Alberta Clipper passing through Toronto before one would seek cover in them. Bus shelters were desperately in need of a rethink to make them attractive, practical and safe. giles francis

Requirements for an Effective Telephone Booth

Requirements for an Effective Telephone Booth:

1. Telephone

° Self explanatory

2. Shelter for the telephone and the caller

° Most effective designs include shelter for both.

° The shelter should be of sturdy construction so that weather will not have a significant effect on the structure (snow, wind, sun, etc.)

3. Immediate recognition of the structure by the caller

° Effective strategies include use of bright or significant colours for the demographic.

° The use of an interesting shape for the enclosure is also an effective technique.

4. Ease of maintenance

° Booths that are too costly or difficult to repair will become an economic drain and will be quickly replaced – fragile elements should be eliminated or used sparingly.

° Ease of cleaning for staff – unsanitary booths will not be utilized by callers.

° Prevention of accumulation of debris and garbage.

5. Prevention of significant vandalism

° Read ease of maintenance.

*Telephone booth that has come closest to fulfilling all requirements = Brazilian Phone Booth (Orelhão)

- Vince Andriano - 024688939

THE BIG BRAIN redefines the library and brings you drive-thru convenience

Maxine Yu

So what really is a "folly"? It's just one of these terms that are dreadfully hard to set a strict definition for.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a folly as: "A popular name for any costly structure considered to have shown folly in the builder," while Chamber's Dictionary calls it a "a great useless structure, or one left unfinished, having been begun without a reckoning of the cost."

Many of them are used, many of them are finished, some of them were even built with one eye on the balance sheet - what links them all is a joyous unpredictability (Follies: Grottoes & Garden Buildings).

For the course of this project, I have looked at numerous case studies on follies in the United Kingdom, and it surprised me to the most, how each and everyone one of them has its unique shape and form that defines it in its own peculiar way.

For more information on British follies, please visit the following websites:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/follies/index.html
http://www.heritage.co.uk/follies/ff10great.html

Hanan Mansour

The Utility Shed

The Utility shed is one of the most common sheds that are used in residential gardens. The shed has been influenced by modern architecture through the use of materials, technology, detail, and decoration. It can be found in many different parts of the world, only differing through the expression used for the detail and decoration to reflect the cultures. The shed is rectangular in shape and is simply in constructed using simple materials.

The Utility shed is used mainly for storing garden tools, tools, bicycles and garden equipment. The location of the shed is therefore placed in the back of the garden where it can be accessed easily, but also it is slightly hidden away. In different parts of the world the use of the shed may differ slightly due to the owners needs. The form of the shed is very simple as it is rectangular in shape and therefore it is easy to be constructed. The size of the shed is usually 8 x 10ft. The shed has a simple pitched roof, usually contains one door and a window.

- Jonathan Heidt -

The purpose of this tree house or any tree house is to create a space for users to experience the unique atmosphere that surrounds these structures. A space for either children or adults to play, relax, sleep, gather in and even escape the realities or our world and venture into the depths of our imagination.
-Stamatis Barotas

Bus shelters

The form of the Toronto bus shelters have been gradually improving. The city has experimented with one and two entrances, flat and curves roofs, solid and glass roofs, and with the use of advertisements. These are a few examples of various bus shelters throughout the city.


Diana Mohamed

re-connecting urban voids: the gas station as an urban unifier

daniel comerford

Tree house Chalet

The floor plan design for the tree house mimics the organic structure of a tree, as well as the circular growth ring patterns. As these growth rings are circular in shape and grow outward from the tree centre, therefore the tree house is circular in plan, extending the idea, as being part of the trees “growth rings”.

Transportation hub

Norberto Santos
Note: click on image to view text.

Lighthouse

The traditional tapped cylinder of lighthouses was morphed into a pyramid. Altering its pure geometry gives the building a modern edge. This 25m tall lighthouse’s only purpose is to warn ships of land, it does so through it glass tip that lights up and shines out to sea. The structure of the tower is concrete blockand the facade is constructed out of stone.

by Kimberly Pigott

Subway Station Entrance

As it currently exists, the Toronto subway network is rather disjointed in that its presence is lost within the city. The absence of any single unifying element within the subway network results in a mish-mash of stations that merely ‘pop-up’ out of the ground because they have to. A well designed subway entrance would not only draw significance and attention to the subway system, but it would help unite the different areas of the city, contributing to Toronto’s identity.

- Michael Clesle

Lucid Tea Cube

Lucid Tea Cube

The tea cube is designed in a dimension of 4m x 4m, proportional to the historical form of the tea house constructed in tatami developed in the 15th century which the room is 2mx2m in squared dimension. Tatami is in traditional dimension of 90cmx180cm is used as the flooring where the exterior panels are also in the same size.

To reflect the characteristics of the tea cube – simple and quiet, transparency, opacity and also flexibility is captured in the tea cube. A balance of traditional and innovative designs are also incorporated in the cube in the use of traditional tatami and colored transparency panels respectively, to reflect the quality and depth of spirituality of the traditional tea house.

Solace in the city

This is my meditation space situated in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Concrete Gas Station - Located at Kennedy and Sheppard just North of the 401. The basic form of shelter (a tree) which provides partial protection from elements has been used to derived the form of the canopy.

Bus Shelter

The design of bus shelters does not usually catch a person’s attention. They tend to be basic and less than the norm. They are more functional than architectural structures. Many cities have moved beyond the tradition and began designing bus shelters to attract more people to use public transportation. It is therefore necessary to spend more time trying to improve what has become an accepted design for bus shelters.
Noor Mashal.

Bluffers Tower

The Tower, sited atop Bluffers Park along the Scarborough Bluffs is visible both from the park, the Marina and the lake below it. Providing views of the lake and landscape, the tower also acts as a lantern at night.

Chris Mohan

Doghouse

By Vincent Pape

The usual form of the doghouse was kept for simple recognition of its purpose and to match its surroundings not in materials but form. The differences lie underneath with capacities for cooling, heating, and acoustic and maintenance reduction.

The Ice Shell

The ice fishing shack is traditionally a purely utilitarian building used to protect people from the elements while taking part in a favourite northern pass-time; ice fishing.

The ice fishing experience is inward in its focus on the fishing hole and the depths below. But this is occurring in a completely open and exposed environment which can leave a person feeling unsettled. The openness forces a person to look inward and become more aware of themselves and their surrounding. This is an aspect that must be addressed by design.



The concept of the ice shell is that is plays on the paradox of the purpose of the ice fishing shack. It appears as a protective shield against the harsh environment of the vast ice field which provides a strong sense of security.

The shell is constructed by overlapping metal panels. One segment of the panels is connected to a track which allows the wall to slide open. A transparent screen can then be popped out into place for protection from the elements. The fishing hole would be located outside of the shell and the person would have to fish off the edge of the platform.

The procession into the main space involves a walk through a low, dark, curved hallway. The arrival is greeted by a strong contrast of light and exposure to the surroundings. The transition is deliberate and forces the user to have greater appreciation for their environment.

~Lisa Karkut~

seeing eye

by farzam mohajer

Designing for Kids: Their Very Own Tree House

by Melissa Rawlins

Architecture, in this case small buildings, do no always have to be designed for adult use, although any design usually has to respond to an adult environment. Anyone who is not considered an adult needs a space of their own just as much as anyone else, and what better place than a tree house. Tree houses allow interaction between children and environmental elements. Designs usually incorporate multiple levels and platforms for exploring, a small enclosed area for shelter, and many attachable activities including swings, ladders, bridges and multiple objects to climb and jump off from. Tree houses allow children to learn coordination, distinguish height differences, learn to conquer fears and promote socialization. They can accommodate anyone from two years of age (with adult supervision) to people in their early teens who want a place to get away, a place to call their own. Although there are tree houses that have been designed for adults to act as offices, outdoor dining areas, and even hotel accommodations, the design process to create something for kids allows the designer a new rejuvenated view of the world which most of us have forgotten.

City of Vaughan Gas Station

The site is located in the City of Vaughan, approximately 35 minutes from Toronto’s downtown core. This site was chosen because there is a lack of gas stations in the area, and it is developing rapidly. This site is a good location for the gas station because this corner is soon to be a commercial area for upcoming fully detached residential subdivisions to the North and South of the site. Currently under construction, this site will be a perfect location for an architectural gas station, it provides an element of design where normally a ‘cookie cutter design’ would be located. This location for a commercial area would also provide for high revenues on the land because there is limited commercial plazas in vacinity. With Eagles Nest Golf Club and future residential districts near this site, placing a gas station in this area is compatible with its surroundings and the City ofVaughan’s Zoning-By-Laws. The form of this gas station was directly derived through the site and its many contours. The reflection of the land in the form of the gas station allowed the site characteristics to work with the building more fluently. It provides the site with a sense of architecture and neglects the typical cookie cutter gas station of the present day. The gas station draws in clientele through its vibrant truss like forms, and atypical gasoline bays.

By: Anthony Iamonaco

Bay and Queen Bus Shelter

Toronto has its set of standard bus shelters; simple and uninspired. What if more thought went into the design of street furnature to better express the qualities of nodes or communities instead of being replicated over and over again across the city.

Danielle Sernoskie

High Park Bus Shelter

BOLD - NATURAL - SIMPLE

Blending in to its surroundings, this bus shelter design harks back to the day when trees truly functioned as peoples’ shelter from the elements. Two wood tree columns rise up and branch off to support the hovering metal framed canopy. The canopy protects waiting passengers from elements such as rain and snow. Plastic topped seating is provided for up to four people. The seating is separated to disallow flat sleeping surfaces. The seating is supported by secondary metal members following the angle of the tree column branches/beams.

- Jeff Isbister

Kiosk/Public Washroom

kiosk/public washroom

In researching about kiosk stands I found a surprising amount of kiosks that were small cafes or restaurants, as well as public washrooms. I found it to be a great combination to have in a city like Toronto.

Located in a park that is surrounded by major urban activities, the kiosk is to act as a rest area for busy city people, but at the same time, a great connection between nature and built form. It acts like a pavilion, with great visuals to its surroundings, but it is much more enclosed.

There is only one access to the kiosk, creating a sense of isolation between pedestrians and structure. The feel of seclusion, as if you were going to an island, creates a sense of privacy and peace from the noise and craziness of the city.

While the restaurant kiosk is not the conventional kiosks we are use to seeing in our area, in terms of size and function, they can help redefine the term They don't have to sit in markets or on busy streets. They can be used to accommodate more than the usual one to two people. Most importantly, they can be permanent structures.

This small commercial building has now become more than just that. It has now become a place for socializing, relaxing, resting, and eating.

By Janet Szeto

Comfort Stop

This bus shelter / public toilet building combination was designed by 1 Plus 2 Architecture in the Tasmanian town of Richmond. The site is primarily used as a local bus stop and drop-off / parking area for tourist coaches. Tourism plays a key role in the local economy and Richmond is widely known for its nineteenth-century Georgian architecture. The architects’ goal was to respect the historic context of the area, but without trying to directly imitate the old. They accomplished this by creating a boxy, simple and restrained design that is consistent with both old Georgian tradition and twenty-first century minimalism. The rectilinear bus pavilions are pitched with corrugated metal roofing and supported by a simple metal frame. The axes of the structures respond to the site’s exit pathways and the streets leading to it. Aesthetically, references are made to Australia’s heritage of farm buildings through material. The etches concrete blocks reference the stonework of local Georgian buildings while the horizontal, oiled eucalypt boards echo the town’s timber building tradition. Well aware of the popular tendency for public facilities being succumbed to vandalism, 1 Plus 2 Architecture safeguarded their design to assure a longer life. They did this by utilizing hardwearing materials, steel fittings and fixtures, concealed cisterns and graffiti-resistant coatings.

- Jeff Isbister

Gatley, Julia. (March 2005). Comfort Stop. Architecture Australia, 94, 2, 70-73.

Nieschlagstrasse Bus Stop

Wolfgang Laubersheimer, one of Germany’s most celebrated avant-garde designers, designed these bus stops. Largely made of steel, this bus stop design is very unconventional. There is a gritty artistic feel to the structures. Connections between members are rather crude than aesthetically pleasing. Steel members are pierced with many holes. This gives for a very industrial feel to the design. Glass panels resting on steel canopies provide for shelter from the elements but at the same time allow for maximal sunlight to penetrate through. Protection from wind is not really addressed. Seating is very nominal allowing for a maximum of three people to sit and most likely very uncomfortably so for adjacent strangers. The wood bench providing this seating hovers on top of the ground connecting to the large drum behind. The most striking thing about the design is the large bus facing concave drums that hover in the middle of the structures. Nicknamed Hannover, Germany’s “whispering station” utilizes these drums like four giant speaker cones. These cones amplify spoken word. These drums reflect noise so efficiently that another person standing up to fifty meters away can easily understand spoken words.

- Jeff Isbister

Ganseforth, Heinrich. Űstra: Design for Local Public Transport Infrastructure in Hannover. http://www.uestra.deengdownloadbusstop_folder_eng.pdf (Date Accessed: March 22, 2006).

Königsworther Platz Bus Stop

Ettore Sottsass, an Italian designer in the second half of the 20th century designed this fascinating bus stop. Sottsass reinterprets the principle of ‘table’ in his design. Sottsass, born 1917 is widely known for his bold forms and vibrant colors. This bus stop is no exception. The most noticeable feature is the yellow grid that easily reads as a series of ‘x’s and act as ‘legs’ to this tabletop design. Pinned as a ‘grey tablecloth’, the slim grey-lined roof canopies over the structure and provides shelter from the elements for those waiting for their bus. Minimal wind protection is provided. The roof is solid, allowing limited sunlight in to its interior. The base is made of synthetic stone and is rendered white with black specks. This block formed base is cut into to provide seating on both the interior and exterior on all sides of the shelter. Exterior seating has very minimal protection from both sun and precipitation. Being stone, these seats are fairly uncomfortable and not intended for extended use. Although this bus stop may catch your eye in the day, it is its night visuals that really make this design stand out. Spotlights placed in the base light up the grid making for an interesting visual effect on both the yellow grid and the roof. The bus shelter looks magnificent at night but sadly leaves its users in the dark at base level.

-Jeff Isbister

Ganseforth, Heinrich. Űstra: Design for Local Public Transport Infrastructure in Hannover. http://www.uestra.deengdownloadbusstop_folder_eng.pdf (Date Accessed: March 22, 2006).

Look

For my final design, I chose to study the areas of Boundaries & Views, Flexible Space, and Architecture as Sculpture. Through my case studies, I discovered that I wanted to make a small building that framed views for the voyager, awakening them to their surroundings. I also wanted it to be a versatile structure that could be placed just about anywhere, for anyone to experience. Finally, I wanted it to be a site for contemplation and reflection, where the architecture informs the spectator of their surroundings and does not detract from the view.

When entering the structure, the visitor will slowly ascend up the ramp and into the first “view port” - beginning the experience by ‘looking in’. The first “view port” functions to draw the visitor in. When within, the visitor is faced with an array of views - continually ‘looking around'.
Each port begins with a small opening. A feeling of tension is caused, reminding the visitor of the boundaries created by walls. For a moment, the visitor feels the periphery of the structure before adjusting to the transition and looking beyond the sheer facade. The visitor moves on, catching mere glimpses around and beyond the structure before entering the second port. The
second port opens wider, permitting better views that culminate into a view of the sky - ‘looking up’. The third port finally frames an unobstructed view of the context as the visitor reaches the top of the ramp. The experience is completed with a descent down a ramp and back to ground level. The entirety of the experiece is meant to awaken the visitor to their surroundings; to stir the notion of their existence and to recognize the plasticity of many boundaries with the phenomenon of complete awareness. By teasing the visitor with blurred and inhibited views that slowly unfold along the way, they become intrigued by their surroundings, ‘looking’ for the views and images that encircle them. The ascent up the ramp creates anticipation for the visitor as their view of what lies beyond improves. Reaching the top, a view of the context is framed by an elevated vantage point. This permits a look ‘into’ the context above eye-level, allowing the visitor to contemplate their environment in a new light. Coming back to ground level down the ramp, the visitor is freed from the boundaries of the structure and aware of their liberated existence. This evokes self-assurance because of the awareness and rite of passage between
constraint and liberation and inspires the individual’s beliefs and aspirations. Awareness is enlightened, promoting change and the desire to do away with boundaries. Whether placed within a park, among an urban context, or even within another building, this structure forces the visitor to consider the context of the environment it is in and challenges them to consider their existance within it.

Being a versatile structure that can be placed anywhere, it had to be of very light construction, able to be transported as well as assembled and disassembled easily. It is a tensile structure made of steel and fabric for the “view port” and steel decking for the walkway, supported with concrete blocks and bolted in place. The fabric would be sheer so that passersby could see the people within the structure and feel inclined to experience it first-hand by going in.

Jacqueline Pereira