Architecture

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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).

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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”.
Spatial Storytelling Through Augmented Reality: Toronto’s Water and the Technocene
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-09) Park, Justin Kyung In
This thesis utilizes augmented reality to illustrate visual and spatial stories of the Technocene regarding water in Toronto. The thesis begins by studying the etymology of the Technocene, and it establishes the need for storytelling through this definition. The thesis then assesses different visual storytelling methods to conclude that Augmented Reality(AR) is a practical approach when discussing the Technocene. After determining the need for Augmented reality, the various techniques and technologies of performing Augmented Reality are evaluated to create a technological foundation before designing the stories. The stories of water are then researched and developed into an AR experience by using the criteria to tell a situated and pedagogical story of the Technocene. Throughout the development of the thesis, a criteria system was developed to help guide the design of the outcome for the thesis. Starting with pedagogical storytelling, the thesis utilizes the criteria to review existing research on situated storytelling and formulate a guideline for situated urban storytelling. These metrics are used to review visual storytelling mediums. Derivatives of these two metrics are also used in literature reviews of AR software to help guide the types of AR technologies and software used in designing the thesis. Finally, to assess the designed stories, all of the developed criteria are used to help explore AR opportunities for this thesis. Toronto and its stories of water were chosen for their significance in terms of culture, ecosystem, and geography. Technocene is a multilayered framework that incorporates technology driven by social activities or issues to understand which environmental outcomes are induced by such activity. To visualize these stories, the site had to be an environment that has undergone dense urban growth to easily locate elements of the Technocene. Toronto has abundant city infrastructure and buildings built of engineered materials, being an appropriate site to spawn these stories. Four specific stories of lost rivers, porosity, flooding, and naturalization were chosen because of water’s crucial role in the ecosystem and the geographical abundance of water in Toronto.
Community Threads: Building Integration Networks for Refugee Claimants
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-04) Gregorio, Nurielle
In recent years, the Canadian government has implemented the use of hotels as a provisional measure to address the influx of refugee claimants. Persistent global issues have resulted in prolonged stays, leading to what is termed the ‘hotelisation’ of refugee claimants. This living arrangement manifests a disconnect from normalcy and the broader community. With the lack of integration, issues of isolation arise, further affecting the mental and physical well-being of refugee claimants. Although hotels are utilised to quickly accommodate refugee claimants, this thesis asks: how can we balance urgency without compromising suitable living conditions that initiate a promising future? The heart of the city—its neighbourhoods—is constantly changing, facing issues of gentrification and social equity. While the city of Toronto demonstrates commitment to creating inclusive neighbourhoods, there remains a notable gap in involving refugee claimants in existing strategies. An understanding of neighbourhoods through site analyses, mapping, and design precedents reveals sustainable approaches to integrate refugee claimants into the urban fabric. By emphasising the role of the community—collaborative efforts among policymakers, stakeholders, and locals—this thesis aims to redefine inclusive neighbourhoods to promote safe, suitable built environments for refugee claimants. The design proposal explores a network of interventions woven into the urban scale of neighbourhoods, encouraging local exchange and connectivity. In its entirety, this thesis argues that social infrastructure and a robust network of resources in the community is a catalyst to an easier transition to normalcy—the architecture itself cannot solve the refugee crisis, but it can however, initiate a sense of comfort and belonging.
Between Fields and Meadows: A Strategy for Naturalistic Sport Landscape Across Liminal Urban Spaces
(University of Waterloo, 2024-09-04) Supryka, Anna Rose
This thesis explores the productive intersection between often-separated "sport landscapes" and "landscapes of biodiversity" through the redesign of the Strachan Street general open space in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, as a biodiverse sport landscape. The site of an abandoned road expansion, the open space connects two major urban parks (Bayfront Park, Jackie Washington Park) but divides the waterfront-adjacent North End neighbourhood from downtown-adjacent Central and Beasley neighbourhoods. As the urban core of Hamilton is set to double over the next five decades, the development of this underutilized threshold to the invaluable waterfront is inevitable. The city of Hamilton has stated two critical needs: 1) enhanced public engagement with biodiversity by introducing forest-garden types (wild-growing, uninterrupted "meadows") into urban areas, and 2) the continued development of a robust recreation network that is responsive of proximity, access, and amenity-related needs (maintained, well-groomed "fields"). The incorporation of public space into reclaimed post-industrial landscapes has precedent in Hamilton, but a key challenge is how design can resolve the incorporation of these seemingly conflicting public space typologies within increasingly confined urban space. The sports-driven "field" type alone cannot satisfy the multi-faceted ways that Hamiltonians participate in play, though a fully biodiversity-driven "meadow" approach negates the intense need for formal play spaces. These types also pose limits: the systematization of sport has degraded the play quality, and the forest-garden is a relatively new type that often lacks the amenities to invigorate use beyond a singular program. Therefore, the thesis explores how architecture can mediate between outdoor sport and biodiversity using the common theme of play. Case studies explore dimensions of "sport landscapes" and "landscapes of biodiversity" that correspond to existing site conditions as a method of informing design. The thesis explores three typologies that bring "sport landscapes" and "landscapes of biodiversity" into close friction: 1) Woodland Sport-scape: a linear forest-garden, containing native perennials and low growing shrubs, with simplistic structures that mingle play and vegetation growth; 2) Orchard Sport-scape: multi-purpose sports areas and niches of sun-loving berry guilds, mediated by a pavilion for climbing, sitting, harvesting, cultivating; 3) Nursery Sport-scape: the adaptive re-use of post-industrial sites for seed and tree production with flexible sport areas created amidst the shuffling of potted plants and seasonal growth. A set of design guidelines reflective of Hamilton’s network of environmental and recreation stewards is produced to offer guidance in two dimensions: for the City and for the citizen. This enables aspects of top-down design that fulfils the critical needs identified while enabling bottom-up design rooted in citizen engagement at the scale of the neighbourhood. Future iterations of the guidelines should present methods for addressing environmental and social challenges posed by adapting post-industrial or liminal sites. Though Strachan Street open space was selected for its urban connectivity, the proximity to the active railway presents considerable hazards that require further study of air, noise, and soil pollution; likewise, additional research must be directed towards understanding community social dynamics to ensure the project effectively mediates and equitably represents the holistic "public." Thus, this architectural thesis presents a basis for questioning the role of the public park in everyday life.

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