Architecture

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9902

This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's School of Architecture.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

Waterloo faculty, students, and staff can contact us or visit the UWSpace guide to learn more about depositing their research.

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 827

An Architecture for Social Participation
(University of Waterloo, 2024-12-19) Zheng, Ling Yi
A large and growing number of Canadian seniors are socially isolated. People’s appetite for group activities remains unfulfilled due to a lack of convenient and compelling opportunity. Introducing small-scale, locally relevant gathering places within existing neighbourhoods would support seniors aging in place and contribute toward an age-friendly community. Research into Ray Oldenburg’s concept of third place informs the creation of a best practices guide for the design of local destinations for social participation. The guide is then referenced for my design proposal of a gathering place in my Toronto neighbourhood.
Niagara Escarpment II : Exploring Soleri's Arcology
(University of Waterloo, 2024-12-17) El-Naggar, Maryam
This thesis explores the ecological potential of an Arcology within a utopic and visionary context. Niagara Escarpment II is an adaptation of Paolo Soleri’s Arcology with an Italian hill town aesthetic, using today’s technological systems with an intent to integrate ecology and urban settlements in Niagara Falls to resolve environmental concerns. This is a rejection of the current technologically driven “Green Skyscrapers” and “Eco Towers” and proposes an alternative with an ecological inclination. The exploration of integrating ecological processes back into urban processes is historically a heavily researched theme but rarely discussed within the context of an Arcology. A close examination of Paolo Soleri’s Arcology, engineered systems of megastructures, examination of indigenous architecture of the Mat Buildings, and analysis of the System’s thinking details a niche for this iteration of the Arcology. This thesis has a pragmatic approach to ecological processes and explores what architectural features work for ecology and what do not. The thesis hypothesizes that a successful Arcology must be designed on a massive scale to integrate fauna, flora, farming, living systems, aquifers, and aquaponics systems into urban settlements to improve air cycles and water cycles within the structure of the Arcology. The goal is to offer a design methodology that shows visible ecological and urban systems on multi-scales through sections within the Arcology. This is achieved by analyzing the design process into Structural organization, Human, and Ecological Processes, and integrating key interactions within the Heat, Water, Waste, and Energy System models integrated within the Arcology. The intention is to provide ecosystem services to the social system by integrating networks with low-tech biological metabolisms. The systems focus on resolving non-linear, dynamic, and cyclic within the structure. The Niagara Escarpment II is designed for 11‘000 visitors, 11’000 residents where each resident will have approximately, 2 trees, 37 plants, 56 plants for food, and Plants that recycle wastewater to deliver a water cycle of 3-5 days, depending on water use. Arcology is not only developed to improve the quality of life for individuals within but intends to increase the Niagara Escarpment’s expansion and increase naturalization of the city of Niagara Falls along the peripheries by up to 17%. The Arcology in turn must be a massive structure, with substantial carbon-embodied structural systems to hold these systems. The proposal of this Arcology involves an interdisciplinary team to govern these systems within the lifetime of this Arcology and phasing for 16 years from start to finish. This research offers a deep dive into ecological and social integration and systems analysis within a large-scale Arcology framework.
Burning Up: Fire Safety Barriers to Low Embodied Carbon Housing in the NBCC
(University of Waterloo, 2024-12-12) Perry, Maxwell
The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) emerged in response to, and developed from, catastrophic conflagrations throughout history which demanded the need for consistent construction and fire safety standards for buildings across the country. While fire safety remains an essential consideration in the development of Canadian society, many Code requirements inadvertently prescribe construction with high embodied carbon – emissions arising from the production, maintenance, and disposal of building materials – failing to recognize climate change as an existential threat. This thesis identifies, quantifies, and proposes alternatives to fire safety regulations within Part 3 of the NBCC that impede the design of low embodied carbon housing, particularly in missing middle and mid-rise typologies. While removing these regulatory barriers will not directly reduce embodied carbon, it enables future construction to have lower embodied carbon emissions which is critical to addressing Canada’s ongoing climate and housing crises. Significant emissions reductions must occur in order to keep global temperatures from rising above +2°C and avoid climate catastrophe. Embodied carbon contributes approximately 13% of Canadian emissions and is essential to address, especially as operational carbon decreases with decarbonized energy and greater insulation. Missing middle and mid-rise housing offer the opportunity to provide low embodied carbon housing, however current NBCC regulations inhibit these benefits by prescribing urban, formal, and material requirements that are more restrictive than necessary. The contemporary version of the NBCC is the result of continuous incremental development which reflects historical perspectives, scientific research, shifting social values, and arbitrary adjustments that can trace its roots back to the London fire of 1087. Construction materials, fire detection and suppression, and occupant behaviour have shifted significantly since the underlying structure of the building code was written. This work analyzes the Code as not only a technical document, but also as a historical and political artifact, emphasizing the importance of reconsidering regulatory assumptions in light of current fire safety and climate goals. Critically, the Code must explicitly include embodied carbon as one of its objectives. Part 3 of the NBCC, which governs fire protection, accessibility, and safety, holds the potential to significantly reduce embodied carbon both through the amelioration of its explicit barriers, and through its influence on holistic design decisions. Seven barriers to low carbon housing at the urban, building, and material scale are identified through literature and expert interviews. Furter, their impact on fire safety and embodied carbon is analyzed, resulting in proposed changes which range from specific Code amendments to broad directions for future development. The findings demonstrate that there are significant opportunities to align NBCC regulations with low embodied carbon goals without compromising fire safety. While the list of barriers investigated is inexhaustive, the breadth serves to illustrate the persistent manner that the Code specifies high embodied carbon while defining which changes are most impactful in emissions reduction. They provide starting points for more focused research and offer a framework through which to critically evaluate the Code. The work encourages architects and associated professionals to view the NBCC as a malleable document and advocates for greater involvement in future editions. Further, this thesis makes a unique contribution by identifying the relationship between fire safety and embodied carbon and by addressing their potential interactions through quantifiable metrics.
A digital platform for furniture mass customization
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-23) Clusiau, Silas
The aim of this project is to develop a platform that enables users to design and acquire semi-customizable furniture. Positioned between mass-produced furniture and fully custom millwork, the platform promotes user agency by allowing individuals to customize designs to better fit their space, preferences, and needs. By simplifying the design process and making it more affordable, this approach aims to bridge the gap between mass production and craft production through the concept of mass customization. The platform also addresses the following issues: limited control over furniture design, high cost barriers to custom millwork, difficulty in connecting with fabricators, and the need for furniture that can adapt over time. Additionally, it will offer intelligent design feedback to help users make informed decisions about materials, costs, and sustainability. The final product includes a digital tool that allows users to configure pre-designed units into furniture and connects them with local builders for fabrication. This approach seeks to make semi-custom furniture more accessible, engaging, and adaptable to users’ evolving spaces and needs
Eleven Exercises in the Art of Augmented Design: Reflections on the Instrumentality of Generative AI in Navigating the Open-Closed Spectrum of Architectural Drawing.
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Carr-Harris, Philip
This thesis, inspired by Marco Frascari's eleven exercises1, explores the instrumentality of image-based generative AI in the context of architectural drawing. As image-based generative AI tools gain popularity, this research explores a series of 11 exercises translated from Frascari’s work into the age of generative AI. Primary research questions: RQ1: What is the historical and contemporary role of architectural drawing in education and practice? RQ2: How does generative AI disrupt traditional architectural drawing processes? RQ:3 How can generative AI be instrumentalized to empower architects? To address these questions, this thesis proposes and applies the Open-Closed Drawing Framework, which positions architectural drawings on a continuum from open, ambiguous sketches to closed, precise drawings. This framework is instrumental in understanding the varying degrees of ambiguity and precision in architectural representations and their potential augmentation through AI collaboration. A key component of this research is the development of a set of eleven exercises for engaging with generative AI in the production of architectural drawings. By beginning with Marco Frascari’s eleven exercises, and adapting them to engage with image-based generative AI, the translation between the two becomes an exciting challenge in its own right, underscoring the differences between traditional and generative creative processes. These eleven, translated exercises lean on the Open-Closed Drawing Framework to organize architectural drawings in relation to each other. By providing a structured framework and exploring a series of exercises, the thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse on AI's role in architectural drawing. It offers a nuanced perspective that views generative AI as a catalyst for innovation rather than a substitute for human creativity. This research invites architects to engage with the future of architectural drawing through a series of exercises exploring image-based generative AI.
Empowering Immigrants’ Environmental Engagement: Intersectional Community Building in Richmond, B.C.
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Cheng, Lok Ching Nadia
My thesis explores the dynamics between ecological challenges, spaces inhabited by immigrants, and cultural identity. Given Canada’s current ambitious immigration policies, the project takes an empathetic stance, drawing from local ecological conditions to support immigrants’ integration in Canada by proposing spatial conditions to foster social integration. Ethnic Chinese immigration to Canada has been common since the country’s establishment for diverse reasons including labour migration, family reunification, business immigration, and political tensions. Many have relocated to Metro Vancouver in British Columbia (B.C.), especially Richmond, where many cite their ethnic origin as China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. There is a complex amalgamation of issues here. Segregation between immigrants and English-speaking locals is visible through the tension regarding Chinese-only signage in the city. The city is also prone to flooding. The city provides various environmental stewardship programs, yet they often rarely target immigrants. There is a stereotype that immigrants care less about environmental issues, given their priority of economic stability. However, flooding can hinder financial stability. Hence, this thesis asks how architecture can facilitate environmental stewardship initiatives by engaging immigrants in the context of Richmond’s immigrant-dominated demographic. To address the research question, I analyze existing literature. However, limited materials provide insight into this niche and ever-changing subject encompassing social, political, and ecological considerations. Instead, scholars offer insights into various disaggregated aspects of the topic and highlight the importance of redefining the relationship between ethnic minority groups and environmental movements. Moreover, I explore Richmond’s environmental and anti-racism initiatives, analyzing their successes and shortcomings. The goal is to understand the barriers to implementing community-building or environmental programs for Canada’s immigrants. This research will materialize in the latter part of the project in the form of a housing cooperative (co-op) design. In response to the critical reading of Richmond’s existing initiatives and policies, I advocate for designing smaller interventions that are well-integrated with daily life in place of massive-scaled projects to address a community’s intersectional issues. Moreover, I aim to address Richmond’s intersectional environmental issues by designing a housing cooperative as a response to B.C.’s housing crisis, a critical issue in the province. The design process will involve site planning, context analysis, program analysis, and photographic analysis. Overall, the design aims to acknowledge the financial benefits of living with environmentalism, and the importance of collective participation to create a sustainable project over the long term. Ultimately, as a child of immigrants from Hong Kong, this topic is not just a professional interest but a deeply personal one. This research aims to inform forthcoming design projects, enabling diverse immigrant groups to engage in a spectrum of environmental stewardship initiatives.
Living Mycelium: A Generational Shift from Blocks to Unbounded Living Architecture
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Garcia, Nixon
The thesis explores the emerging realm of “living” fungal-based composites in architecture, examining a shift from methods that form and dry mycelium (fungi's rootlike networks,) - referred to here as "nonliving", to methods based on mycelium's unique growth processes, referred to here as "living". By utilizing the biological functions of mycelium in its living state, this generation of living methodologies addresses the challenges and limitations faced by earlier mycelium applications and further advances the potential of mycelium in the construction and architecture industry. For the past decade, there has been a growing interest in the bio-fabrication of mycelium due to its sustainable, structural, and economic benefits. Claimed as one of the leading classes of biomaterials, mycelium-based composites building material alternatives that promote low-carbon emission and are compostable. Despite gaining recognition, the integration of mycelium in architecture remains limited, with the composite mostly applied to installation and exhibition scale projects. By drying and killing the organism, the predominant brick-and-panel approach of mycelium research of the last decade has tended to fix mycelium in the shape of a given formwork rather than privileging mycelium's unique growth capacities. Earlier research on using mycelium in construction relied heavily on traditional construction methods and replicating conventional materials without fully utilizing its capability for self-healing, self-growth, and self-organization. By analyzing five case studies that reflect this generation of recent "living" mycelium research, this thesis aims to demonstrate the benefits of preserving mycelium in its living state to translate their innovative methodologies to mainstream architecture applications. Specifically, the thesis investigates five strategies and illustrative mycelium research projects that foreground mycelium’s unique biological properties in its living state: Myco-welding of conventional mycelium-based blocks (La Parete Fungina), Fibre reinforcement and welding of 3D-printed components (Mycera), Bio-collaboration of mycelium-based composite and bacterial cellulose (BioKnit), Bio-tectonic of living mycelium (Mycelium Tectonics), and Senso-aesthetics of mycelium’s natural processes (Mycelium Rope). The thesis identifies three key characteristics of this generation of research across these projects: 1. biological utilization (the active harnessing of mycelium's unique biological processes), 2. integral and lost formwork (the use of formwork that becomes a permanent part of the structure), and 3. material understanding and visual acceptance (the understanding of technical knowledge and aesthetic appreciation of mycelium as a building material) . Each case study's research goals, design intentions, methodologies, and reflections will be explored to provide insights into the potential of living mycelium architecture. The concepts presented in the paper challenge traditional notions of today’s static architecture and propose a dynamic and living framework capable of adapting to its environment. The study positions living mycelium as a model for resilient and adaptive structures. This approach offers new insights for sustainable construction that harness the self-repairing, regenerative properties of living organisms. The purpose of this comparative research is not to undermine the existing development of non-living mycelium architecture but rather to expand the knowledge of the unique natural functions of living mycelium toward sustainable design practices.
Elements and Patterns of Virtual Contested Space: Understanding the Spatial Anatomy of Competitive Multiplayer First-Person Shooter Video Game Maps
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Niu, Meizhu (Julie)
The spatial anatomy of video game spaces present a valuable opportunity for architectural research. As the virtual increasingly becomes a prevalent medium for the experience of space, it is important for architects to understand the limitations and possibilities presented within the pixelated landscape. Presently, principles for virtual spaces and their utility are still developing due to their relative novelty. This thesis posits that the field of video gaming, particularly first-person shooter (FPS) games, offers fertile ground for precedents in virtual environment design. Virtual spaces, especially in video games, challenge traditional perceptions of space and offer new ways of seeing and navigating. FPS games, with their immersive first-person perspective, exemplify this by providing dynamic environments where spatial awareness and strategic decision-making are crucial. The design of FPS maps, reminiscent to mazes, creates spaces of contest where players vie for victory through spatial control. This thesis investigates the spatial anatomy of competitive multiplayer FPS video game environments, with a specific focus on maps retrieved from Valorant (2020), one of the most successful titles in the genre. The study identifies key spatial elements within these maps, cataloging these elements into a hierarchical taxonomy, and analyzing how they interact to form patterns that dictate gameplay modalities. This reveals how game designers utilize spatial configurations to achieve specific objectives such as directing player flow, creating tension, and balancing competitive play. By applying space syntax and pattern theory, informed by the works of Bill Hillier, Julienne Hanson, and Christopher Alexander, the deconstruction of FPS maps provides an investigative strategy for understanding how virtual architectural elements influence player behavior and gameplay dynamics. Through this analysis, the aim is to broaden the understanding of digitized space through its use and augmentations in video game environments. This thesis illustrates the significance of FPS video game architecture as artifacts of virtual space and its potential contributions for designing animated, engaging, and purposeful virtual environments as we collectively move towards digitality.
Reclaiming Callejón Otaiza: Connecting the Chinese Diaspora in Central Lima
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Siu, Kenneth
Lima’s Chinatown is a vibrant tapestry woven with the stories of multiple generations of Chinese immigrants. Over the years, it has supported the lives of many Chinese immigrants and Chinese Peruvian descendants alike. However, the Chinese population in Chinatown is stagnating due to the scarcity of residential and commercial units. The area has become so congested that it can no longer accommodate the needs of the growing community. As a result, many members of the Chinese community have migrated to other districts within Lima, where there is more space to support their businesses and residential needs. Apart from the space restraints within Lima’s Chinatown, new Chinese immigrants arriving are from different regions of China, causing subtle cultural differences. This shift has created a subtle divide within the Chinese diaspora, as the community becomes increasingly dispersed across the city. This thesis investigates the relationship between Lima’s Chinese diaspora and Central Lima’s Chinatown by exploring the historical injustices and marginalization faced by the Chinese community in Lima. In response to these discriminatory events, the community united and shaped the enclave using architectural and commercial ownership strategies. Building on these historical strategies that led to the community’s prosperity, this study proposes a new commercial space at the historical site of Callejón Otaiza. By combining space occupation strategies from the callejones (a tenement with symmetrically aligned rooms on either side of an alley) of Lima with the architectural typologies of the galerías, the proposed design aims to foster community cohesion and economic opportunities for the Chinese community in Lima’s Chinatown.
Beyond The Unit: A Typology Of Rooms for Adaptive Living and Contemporary Kinship
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-17) Tang, Bill CM
This thesis reimagines housing in response to the limitations of the dwelling unit. In its various forms both as a detached suburban houses and stacked into apartment blocks and condos, the architecture of the unitized family dwelling is a typology of units that embodies the specific social values of the nuclear family it is designed to accommodate and is often hostile to other family types and living arrangements. Its enshrinement in policy and cultural assumption as the default way to build and organize our communities, has contributed to increasing social isolation, unaffordability, and inefficient use of resources. Breaking down the patterns of unit dwelling and drawing from existing alternatives like co-living, housing co-operatives, and cohousing, this thesis proposes a new and adaptable housing typology based on the aggregation of rooms. This typology of rooms replaces predefined and static units with a dynamic system of rooms with porous and mobile boundaries, which residents can assemble into dwellings and continuously reconfigure according to their changing spatial needs. The goal is to empower residents with tools to create dwellings that can accommodate their diverse living arrangements within a socially responsive building. The thesis further examines how this typology can be realized through various adaptability strategies responding to its unique parameters and goals, including changes to the design process, governance, operation, and ownership models of buildings. To demonstrate the principles of the typology, four prototypes are designed at different scales, each employing a unique set of strategies to illustrate the breath of contexts possible for the typology in practice.
Unveiling Chinese Presence and History in Quebec City's Lost Chinatown
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-16) Wong, Madeleine Audrey Sze Mun
Chinatowns in Canada are markers of Chinese history and immigration, playing an important role in promoting and sustaining Chinese social networks, community identity and sense of belonging. During the early twentieth century, numerous Chinatowns developed in Canadian cities and towns. Today, aside from those in major cities, they cease to exist with little record of their existence. This thesis will investigate a widely forgotten Chinatown that once existed in Quebec City’s Saint-Roch neighbourhood during the twentieth century. Emerging in the 1930’s as a small concentrated street of Chinese residents, Chinatown expanded to a network of Chinese restaurants, businesses and institutions spanning Quebec City by the 1960’s. Over the last decades of the twentieth century, urban renewal projects and French language laws pushed Chinese businesses and families out of the city, dispersing into the suburbs and other Canadian cities. Today, there are little physical remnants of the lost Chinatown and little documentation of its existence and characteristics. Many residents of Quebec City, including those of Chinese ethnicity are unaware a Chinatown once existed. Quebec City’s Chinatown is lost, both physically and within the collective memory of the city. Through interviews with past Chinese residents of Quebec City and archival research, this thesis uncovers and documents Quebec City’s lost Chinatown, its Chinese restaurants and the stories of its community. Chinese restaurants played a vital role in the Chinese population’s formation of a close community, providing spaces to gather and belong. Stories from past residents frame the restaurant as a multifaceted space of community, family, cultural exchange and resiliency. Referencing the importance of the Chinese restaurant, the thesis culminates in an event proposal held at the only remaining Chinese restaurant from Quebec City’s lost Chinatown, Wok n Roll. The event will unveil Quebec City’s lost Chinatown and share the unheard stories of its past residents. The preservation of these narratives and architectural spaces where they unfolded, through both formal documentation and storytelling, is essential to safeguarding the rich history of Quebec City’s Chinese community for future generations.
Building Climate Literacy through a Climate Communication Platform for the Lower Fraser Basin
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-16) Lam, Phyllis
In the age of social media, people are increasingly relying on digital tools as a means of information, education, and participation. There has been growing recognition and discussion regarding the use of social networks to engage communities in climate actions. Many campaigns and initiatives have emerged in recent years which aim to involve individuals closely in the education of this problem. Amid the ongoing climate crisis, the role of climate communication takes centre stage, particularly in the Lower Fraser Basin of British Columbia. Currently, the Lower Fraser Basin lacks an effective comprehensive platform for public engagement and emergency mapping. The urgency of this matter becomes evident as climate change poses a substantial threat to the southern coastal communities of Canada. Despite proven scientific research pointing to the anthropogenic influence on climate change, misinformation and politicization has contributed to a divide in the public lens. Surveys indicate that a majority of people are willing to take action on climate change. There has been a growing use of social networks to engage communities in government actions; however, despite increasing awareness of social networks, there are limited applications in relation to climate policy. This research aims to study climate change communication platforms and its impacts on the dissemination of information, with the aim of building climate literacy. The study will cumulate into a digital communication platform, in which users are able to engage with a spatial toolkit of various infrastructural, meteorological, and community resources in the Lower Fraser Basin through the development of a design framework. Promoting awareness of these strategies will facilitate education on the anthropogenic impacts on our ecosystem, ensuring that communities can continue to enjoy life by the water. Considering the importance of digital platforms in climate communication, this thesis asks: How can synthesizing data on climate causes, risks, and adaptations with meteorological, infrastructural, and ecological information in a climate communication platform enhance climate literacy among residents of the Lower Fraser Basin, particularly in understanding and preparing for region-specific climate challenges?
Tatreez as Archive: Spatializing the Palestinian Diaspora
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-16) Alqasas, Batool
Despite the extensive research produced on the topic of Palestinian homes and mobility within the Occupied Territories, the experiences of Palestinians living in the Diaspora are greatly underrepresented. More specifically, accurate information in the form of published data on Palestinian immigrants in Canada is unavailable due to their stateless status and global dispersion. As a result, research to record diasporic knowledge of home for Palestinians living in exile is crucial to understand how local contexts and practices reflect embedded memories and past experiences. This thesis will analyze how architecture and design work to enhance and augment existing Palestinian-led efforts in both a social and spatial sense. It explores the theme of collective memory and the spatial-temporal aspects of diasporic living by mapping the emergence of ‘tatreez-making’ spaces (Palestinian embroidery) in the Greater Toronto Area. The design proposal offers a collaborative approach that re-imagines the existing Palestine House in the city of Mississauga which acts as a living archive and an event space that celebrates tatreez and empowers its users. Tatreez is a visual language that has been linked to the shifting social, economic, and political landscape. Historically, the landscape was a major source of inspiration for Palestinian women in designing the motifs. As such, each village carried its own expressions, patterns, and thread colours. Following the displacement, tatreez evolved from being a symbol of regional pride to a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, especially for the diaspora community. Through tatreez as a guiding medium, the thesis proposes new ways of seeing, understanding, and constructing our visual and material environment in relation to textiles, design, and architecture. By analyzing existing Palestinian initiatives, my research aims to address the following question: How might re-imagined architecture facilitate the preservation of Palestinian culture, identity, and knowledge while maintaining connections to local contexts? The objective of the thesis is to push architects to consider diasporic populations in design research in order to record historical data on migration and employ diasporic knowledge within architectural discourse.
Home Safe Home: A Comprehensive Design Guideline to Retrofit Toronto’s Post-War Apartment Towers to be Healthier
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-10) Shah, Oshin
The concept of ‘home’ goes beyond the simple responsibility of providing shelter. In today’s dynamic socio-economic landscape, homes do not only provide physical safety but should also promote mental and social well-being. As defined by the World Health Organization, a healthy house should support and promote complete physical, mental and social well-being. Therefore, it is important to extend the focus beyond personal health and include the health of inhabited buildings as they have a direct impact on well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic started important discussions about architecture and its profound impact on health. The focus of this research lies at the intersection of emerging health trends and the soaring housing crisis in Canada. As urbanization surges, the challenges of creating livable spaces that are both healthy and affordable become increasingly complex. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has a stock of post-war residential towers that once were symbolic of modernist urban planning. Today, this aging housing stock suffers from neglect, disinvestment and isolation, however, it is home to nearly one million people. These towers have become long-term and permanent housing options for many low-income residents and new immigrants, despite the unhealthy living conditions, lack of maintenance and outdated building standards. The Tower Renewal Partnership is a non-profit initiative that has researched, advocated and developed guidelines to transform these towers and their neighbourhoods to be healthier and connected to their neighbourhood. Delving into the critical elements that define spaces within a home, — lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, materials, and spatial design— this thesis develops a guideline for best practices to retrofit this housing stock for a better quality of life. Using the Humberwood Place Tower as a case study for exploring these elements, this thesis aims to build upon the strong foundation of work developed by the Tower Renewal Partnership and improve the health and well-being of residents within the building.
Negotiating Borders:Bharat & Pakistan
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-08) Khandelwal, Harsh Pavan
Often referred to as the “Line of Division,” the India-Pakistan border is a poignant representation of a once-united legacy now partitioned into two separate nations. As the annals of history rolled out, this division has remained a silent observer to the constant socio-political tensions that define the relationship between these countries. The physical markers of the boundary may not have changed significantly over time, but the symbolic divide has notably widened. Political machinations have largely steered the creation of narratives, leading to growing detachment in communities on both ends. The architectural imprints of this border, characterized by watchtowers, barriers, and checkpoints, amplify notions of division, vigilance, and caution. However, this design thesis seeks to reimagine this space, transitioning from an emblem of separation to a beacon of hope, unity, and potential reconciliation. This research undertakes a detailed examination of the architectural facets of the border, revealing the influence of these physical edifices not only in perpetuating division but also in molding perceptions and identities. Aligning the architectural stories of the India-Pakistan border with other global border designs unveils the transformative essence of design, demonstrating its power to turn conflict areas into hubs of mutual respect and cooperation. At the core of this thesis is an innovative architectural concept — a space derived from a blend of historical wisdom, present requirements, and future aspirations. Beyond its tangible presence, this design stands as a symbolic gesture, envisioning a future where borders serve as connectors, celebrating the shared cultural roots and destinies of inhabitants on either side. Recognizing the dynamic nature of the Line of Control’s geology and border, the thesis strategically emphasizes two distinct terrains: Land and Water. Rooted in their indigenous contexts yet influenced by global examples, this design thesis challenges the traditional view of borders as obstructions. Instead, it reinterprets them as facilitators, promoting dialogue, cultural exchanges, and mutual prosperity. Bearing in mind the initial human discord that led to the geographical split, this design aims to invert this dynamic, striving to unite individuals and bridge the gap. In its essence, this project doesn’t only propose an architectural innovation but kindles a broader conversation, advocating a rethinking of our modern relationship, interaction, and design approach to borders.
Mycelium Wall Systems: Harnessing Adaptive Fabrication with Biocomposites in Buildings
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-17) Garboushian, Razmig
Wall assembly prototyping is a strategy that allows for technical performance analysis of construction materials to investigate the function of a building façade and its integrated components. Departing from the complexity of a given building, façades must constantly mediate evolving human needs for comfort and environmental performance. However, traditional construction strategies to address these complex, changing needs, such as multiple wall layers with fluid-wall and fluid-solid interfaces are practically and environmentally inefficient. Mycelium biocomposites can combine effective performance properties for wall systems with reduced layers while being biodegradable. This thesis introduces a novel mycelium biocomposite assembly integrated in a naturally prefabricated wall panel with reduced material layers compared to a typical system. Construction prototyping is employed through nine digitally modelled iterations, supported by three physical experiments and thermal simulations. The key impact of this research is in introducing a new framework for utilizing construction prototyping to efficiently accommodate the growth and performance requirements of mycelium biocomposites within a prefabricated wall assembly while applying hands-on procedures in façade engineering and design.
The Arrangement of the Universe: The Application of Architectural Metaphor to Modern Physics
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-17) Blay, Rowan
The ultimate goal of physics is to construct an accurate cosmology: to search for explanations of how the universe itself is constructed at its most fundamental level, and how this proliferates to the effects we see on a human scale and beyond. The models of the universe that physics and its predecessors have produced over the centuries have each, in their own turn, influenced our perception of how the universe functions, from Ptolemy’s concentric spheres to the uncertain world of quantum mechanics. The cosmology of how we believe the world is made affects how we arrange the world we build ourselves: how we group or organize the elements in our buildings, whether we think about objects or about voids, or the ratio and proportion of architectural features. While it is likely correlation due to a shared cultural zeitgeist and not direct causation in most cases, we can see a historical relationship between changes in dominant models of the universe and changes in architectural language. The discovery and acceptance of the heliocentric universe in the 16th and 17th centuries, for example, coincides with the increased use of ovals and other non-ideal shapes in architecture. The revolutions of modern physics, since the late 19th century to the present day, have propagated into the popular consciousness and into art, but its effects on architecture are less clear. How can modern physics influence our perception of our place in the universe and the shape of architecture, and how can architecture be used to communicate the reverse? I explore this question through the design of a museum of modern physics on Saint Mary’s University campus with exhibits focusing on Einstein’s theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and two potential theories of quantum gravity, using the design of each space to investigate how what the scientific discoveries on display say about how the universe is constructed.
Crafting Agency: Head in Hand
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-17) Si, Yue
Through a typology of leather artifacts this thesis aims to examine the value of craft with an architectural mindset. Contemporary craft is no longer a labour of necessity, instead, agency over artifacts which surround our everyday life draws many individuals to devote time and energy to such activities. The investment of time and care into objects that are created with materials and tools gathered by an individual is a rarity in this world of instant gratification. Leather has specific qualities that make it an enchanting material to work with; durability and breathability being two characteristics that make it hard to imitate artificially. In crafting these items, I became intimate with leather as a material, its texture, where it is sourced, how it ages and gains character, along with the tools I use. Each artifact is a medium in which an investigation into the philosophies behind making, design and a way of life takes place. With these considerations in mind, it is easy to draw parallels to a thoughtful architectural practice.
Revival: A study of regeneration for unitised curtain walls in healthcare sector
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-13) Billa, Anmol
This study examines the circular potential and limitations of current aluminium unitised curtain wall facades, primarily through strategies such as reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacture. Despite being widely used in commercial buildings, including healthcare facilities, curtain walls present significant challenges in performance, adaptability, and sustainability. The research aims the critical issue of embodied carbon and resource depletion associated with these facades, particularly in the context of Toronto's healthcare infrastructure, which is undergoing extensive renovations. Buildings contribute immensely to environmental disruption, accounting for a significant portion of energy consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions. The construction industry is working to reduce operational carbon emissions and enhance occupant safety. However, there is little focus on embodied carbon and the act of valuable materials in the early design phase, particularly in complex facade systems where high-carbon-intensity materials are found in curtain walls, such as aluminium and glass. To address global issues, the development of Toronto's healthcare infrastructure from the 1970s onwards, with ongoing renovations focusing on its building envelope systems, has become a potential model for studying, analysing, and applying sustainable practices. Hospitals like SickKids, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Toronto General Hospital are in the process of sustainably upgrading their building exteriors. This process includes updating their curtain wall and window-wall systems with material substitution and modular designs. It's crucial to incorporate end-of-life plans for new products and strategies for older ones to combat the "take-make dispose" culture", especially in Toronto's healthcare sector. A forensic analysis, including a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), is being carried out to measure the quantity and quality of curtain walls and window wall systems and to assess the potential carbon emissions produced by facilities like the Patient Support Centre (Research site) at SickKids. Also, a mixed-method approach, combining interviews with international facade and material experts and case studies, is being used to investigate the possibility of implementing circular practices. The Design for Disassembly practice is customised and adapted to the research site (Patient Support Centre building), reflecting the opportunity and limitations of the curtain walls and offering guidance for handling such complex facade systems. The study found that while downcycling unitised curtain wall components is possible, achieving true circularity through reuse and remanufacturing is hindered by factors such as poor thermal performance, complex disassembly, and limited compatibility with new building designs. While the research demonstrates the potential for upcycling certain components, it highlights the need for a paradigm shift toward building better envelope systems that prioritise disassembly, adaptability, and material recovery. The findings emphasize the importance of developing alternative facade systems that better align with circular economy principles and exploring policy incentives to encourage their adoption. By uncovering the current unitised curtain wall systems, this research contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges and opportunities for achieving circularity in the building industry. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, designers, and building owners seeking to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.
Harmony in Highrises for Humans and their Loyal Companions: A canine inclusive design guideline for best practices
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-10) Wong-Chun-Sen, Matthew
The idea of a house has always been present since the beginning and as humanity underwent evolutionary transitions over the course of history, so did the understanding of what a house is. Architecturally, while houses have modernized with regard to construction methods, materiality, and technology, the essence of a home seems to have remained the same. At first glance, many who read the previous statement do not see anything wrong with it, but take a second and dig a little deeper and you will begin to realize the underlying issues within. If modern homes can be defined as permanent or semi-permanent spaces used as residences for one or more human occupants, which is clearly driven by the necessities of people, then what happens when society evolves? If the people change, shouldn’t the essence of a home change with it and be reflected in the architecture? In the last few decades, there has been a noticeable surge in the canine population in North America, a trend that further accelerated in the wake of the 2021 pandemic (Institute 2022). While the concept of dog-inclusive architecture is still in its infancy, a comprehensive synthesis can be attained by exploring the realms of both canine behavioral psychology and selective architectural philosophies. Notable figures like Aldo Van Eyck and Jane Jacobs have contributed their spatial design philosophies in public realms (Jacobs 2011), serving as foundational references. Though they didn't specifically address dogs, Eyck, for instance, explored the concept of affordances – the possibility of action - through his playground designs (Strauven 2007). Additionally, and arguably more importantly, the work of Jakob von Uexküll, a Baltic German biologist, delves into animal behavior studies and introduces the concept of Umwelt, acknowledging the unique subjective worlds of animals and humans (Uexküll 2010). Uexküll argued that different species perceive and engage with their environments differently, emphasizing the importance of comprehending these distinct perspectives to truly understand animal experiences (Uexküll 2010). Therefore, to successfully create an architecture for both humans and dogs, we must first recognize the shift society underwent to coexist with dogs and then understand their Umwelt. This thesis aims to tackle the social neglect towards our dogs as their presence has grown in our society and challenges what the new fundamental ingredients are that structure the essence of what a modern home should be. Specifically, this research will investigate how to create a canine-inclusive design guide for high-density North American urban landscapes, by reimagining high-rise residential architecture in order to improve the everyday quality of life for our canine companions. Concepts such as inclusivity, sustainability, and building science will be considered to help guide the research, which eventually will culminate in a final design proposal in Toronto’s Liberty Village as a successful canine inclusive example. It is our responsibility as Architects to understand the fundamental distinction between a house and a home, recognizing that both are integral to the creation of successful designs. While this thesis attempts to offer a fresh perspective on architecture, it also seeks to emphasize the profound significance of the bond between humanity and our loyal canine companions - between “man-kind” and “man’s best friend”.

Browse

Recent Submissions