Micro housing design development. Communication Studio, Ryerson University
Scenario
Design a micro home suitable for a Toronto Ryerson Student, that can live in while attending Ryerson and will be rented out after graduate.. This is part of a (fictional) program to alleviate Toronto’s housing crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. There are encampments all over Toronto that demonstrate the need that is only increasing for many reasons which you are encouraged to discuss in studio.
The site
The city is lucky to have many parking lots on the sites of present and former Ontario Beer Stores. Some of them are already in various stages of redevelopment for housing and other better uses than surface parking.
This project proposes the redevelopment of the Beer Store parking lot at Church Street. It will be located in the lot – 572/ 572A Church Street, only a short walk from the Ryerson Architecture building. Very convenient! Collectively along with other member of the Communication Studio section will be designing a small community within the larger neighbourhood. Placement of buildings and site considerations was discussed with member of sections in Studio sessions.
The building massing is produced by three volumes, two rectangular cuboid volumes. The lower volume, responds to Entrance, Kitchen, foldable dining/living, mechanical and bathroom areas, and The higher volume responds to bedroom, storage, and foldable studio space. Connecting both of these volumes is a rectangular prism which contains the stairs, operating as a transitional threshold between private and the public.
The programs of each level influenced the material selection. On the first level the materials would be tolerating a higher circulation, as the concrete used on the floor. The rectangular prism transition contains the stairs, made of corten steel and it gives stiffness to lateral forces. On the second level, wood frame construction was used, with a wood interior that relates more with the comfort of a bedroom area. This second upper volume is supported by wood posts, connected by steel cables that relate with the transitional passage on compositional on angle and materiality
The building is proposing as many openings as possible, with a wood panel system on the outside that regulates the light penetration and gives privacy of the spaces. The separation of the public and the private is also given by the vertical positioning of the program spaces, which allow increasing building opening on the upper volume.
With a very different performance from the rest of the building, the transitional passage between the first and second level is made of corten steel and frosted glass, which is revealing the light and shadow of the circulation moment between the levels.
As an important part of the design of this housing unit, foldable furniture was important to be considered in spaces as the dining and desk in the bedroom. Also, the storage area was located under the bed, by raising it and placing sliding storage units under it.
This building explores the possibilities of functional furniture in a small space. Also expressing itself by creating volumes that would respond to the program, creating a three-dimensional narrative of the public and the private space by separating from the main public channel of communication, the ground level.
While looking to be functional, the sustainabilities qualities were also important on the design development, by creating openings on every possible side of the volumes and regulating the interaction with the outside and light penetration with a wood panel system. The green roof is also looking to reduce the heat island effect that this building would normally create. So by sustainable techniques, this building is also expressing its beauty. Functionality and purpose intention becomes the main elements of expression of this project.
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