sprawling landscapes Sander Waxman

Aero-Tecture

As both an important piece of history and a valuable piece of development land in the city of Toronto, Downsview Park is above all an important opportunity for the city and people of Toronto to reclaim a large plot of urban property. It should be seen as an opportunity to test and explore the possibilities of a progressive, sustainable and environmentally conscious driven community on a truly urban development scale, combating the tendency for most large development projects to move north of the city in the form of urban sprawl.

Located on the grounds of the former CFB Downsview air force base, the park has a rich history of both military and civilian aircraft and airport buildings that lend themselves to a unique and specific language of architectural form, elegance and structure. The position of this project is to not only take cues from these architectural forms and structures, but to actually reuse the recycled aircraft themselves to introduce a new archetype of small building that will be used throughout the park. By informing a practice of recycling construction materials, a message of sustainability and environmental awareness will be promoted as well as a preservation of the history and legacy of the people and planes that once used this space.

CycleparC

In the development of Parc Downsview Park, it will be necessary to incorporate and promote the use of bicycles as a means of transportation. There is evidence in the Development Guidelines that the designers are looking for cycling to be the secondary means of transportation, next to walking, within the complex. Subsequently, there must be methods in place within the design framework in which to promote the use of bicycles in a suburban community. Providing safe units, in convenient areas throughout the complex, for riders to store their bicycles is a method. Attached to these units can also be a bicycle rental service where a bicycle can be “borrowed” and returned to the nearest station to his or her destination.

Parc Downsview Park could benefit from a bicycle program because of the poor walkability of the site. The plans are for Parc Downsview Park to be an interactive and vibrant community. Thus, transportation to all areas of the site is vital if this concept is to work. However, this transportation method must be sustainable as well as accessible and easy to use. Most case studies for bicycle-rental programs are located in small European communities or in downtown city centres. Parc Downsview Park is a suburban community so most people will be inclined to use personal vehicles as a primary means of transportation. A bicycle-rental system, if implemented properly will work, but if rental stations are also supported with personal bicycle storage they may provided an added convenience for people who do not want to rent. If a well thought-out and efficient system is developed, people will use it. Providing bike stands along city streets is no longer feasible. They must be supplemented with other services like rental and maintenance/repair.

My concept for Parc Downsview Park is a bicycle storage, rental and maintenance program called CycleParC. It is a complex-wide program that will have kiosks stationed at numerous points within Parc Downsview Park and at Downsview Station. This program enhances the concept of the “sustainable campus” because it is a sustainable means of transportation and it supports other sustainable transportation like the bus and subway. It encourages healthy living within the community keeping people active. They kiosks are also sustainable as they use recycled aluminum and solar powered security lighting. This concept will become part of a network within Parc Downsview Park and potentially be the first “sustainable bicycle community” within Toronto.

Lisiane D'Amico

airCRAFT architecture

Team members: M. Albinger, E. Lee, J. Lin, G. Nasser

The masterplan for Parc Downsview Park includes many smaller areas within the larger context. The Cultivation Campus has been selected as the focus for this design exercise. This area is intended to provide educational and social opportunities for the community, within a sustainable paradigm.

Parc Downsview Park lies on a large swath of land to the northwest of downtown Toronto. The site has a long history associated with aviation. The first airfield was constructed in 1929, and was used continuously until the 1990s for this purpose, when the land was designated to become a public park. Phase 1 of the new masterplan has been implemented, with more development to follow. The future for Parc Downsview Park holds virtually unlimited opportunity to create a place that will inspire the future generations of visitors that experience the site.

Following a phase of site analysis and historical research on Parc Downsview Park, our group developed a coordinated aesthetic that each team member used in their design. One growing trend that was discovered was the recycling and reuse of decommissioned commercial aircraft in the architectural profession. Hundreds of airplanes are grounded each year ending up on massive “airplane graveyards” in the desert. Incorporating old aircraft components into the design for the small buildings of Parc Downsview Park is a natural response to both the heritage of the site and the sustainable vision for the park’s future.

Downsview Park - Group Submission

Downsview Park, Group Design

Group Members: Mike Blois, Tara Whelen, Aiden Mai, Sheila Crowe, Pamela Sin, Stephanie Downes

This posting is a preview of some of the work created by our group under a collaborative effort of design criteria for small buildings and furniture at Downsview Park.

The following is our criteria for 

which the designs were based:

Identity - sustainable, industrial,suitable in all seasons (self-finishing materials)

Rules for Design:

- Columns are exposed (I-beam)

  and may allow plant growth

- Foundation walls extend past 

   grade and allow seating

- Solid Walls made from rammed

   earth

- Roof Construction - OWSJ - can 

   be wood truss + steel deck or

   exposed wood slat

- Water collection visible

- Porous Paving

- Futuristic design

Our designs reflects the unique elements that the creation of Downsview Park presents.  Building a park from its inception allows for careful design and consideration to be given to all of the parks furnishings and these small buildings and furniture should reflect the parks desire for sustainability, the needs of the community and an identity that is unique and that will define the parks character.  

Downsview Park’s master plan focuses on an ‘Edible Landscape’ which combines the aesthetics of landscaping with the production of fresh produce. With aesthetics and productivity hand in hand, it creates a sustainable local food supply and lifestyle ethic for the residents on site. A small group of market vendors are suitable for the site, allowing fresh and ready produce to be purchased walking distance from resident’s homes, at a lower price. These market vendors can fold up into a storage container while the Market is not in service. Wheels on the bottom allow for each to be moved to a different located on the site.

Build your own kit house

Last seen available at the CCA, this portable, prefabulous dream home will only set you back $5.00.

IRON BUILDING OF NEW YORK

The Iron Building in NEW YORK is a small building as well. It is adequately located at the intersection of two streets. You can hug both sides of the building at this intersection because it is very narrow.

Upon entering the building from one side of the street, it is literally a only a couple of steps until you exit on the other side of the street.

Niven I.

MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), Mobile Home

This was an interesting exhibition piece in the MOMA. this is a house for 2 persons on the go. It includes 2 beds, not bedrooms with an open closet, a kitchen and a washroom with adequate storage space.

Niven I.

DOLL HOUSES

I came across this picture on flickr.com and I though it would be interesting to share. Apparently, a doll house, is a small building too! The starting price for these types of houses is from $120 to about $2000. Do you think the real estate value for these is going to go up as well?

They can come fully furnished, or custom made!

Niven I.

The lighthouse is one of the worlds oldest small building structures with such a specifically defined purpose and use. As a tower building or framework that sends out light to aid navagation and piloting, these maratime beacons have marked the earths most dangerous shores, guiding ships at sea for over 2000 years.
Its basic purpose, opertation and technology have remained remarkably consistnat despite the many different styles, forms and colours it can be found in throughout the world today.
With the advent of GPS and advancements in other modern navigational devices, the lighthouse is slowly becoming less of a useful tool and runs the risk of becoming obsolete.

In doing this research on lighthouses around the world, it became clear that although certain specific details regarding materials, or style were reflected regionally, their overall form and technology have remained remarkably constitant over the last 2000 years. Again, with the invention of satelite technology, GPS and other advanced navigational tools, the lighthouse is becoming more and more obsolete. It would appear that the future of the lighthouse is growing “dim” as more and more of them fall out of service everyday.
The importance of lighthouses and their historic roles has not gone unnoticed as we see more and more preservation groups worldwide determined to ensure that the legacy of these formidable structures remains intact. The lighthouse will continue to act as a strong symbolic figure in many aspects of our modern popular culture and will always stand as inspiring monuments to our many rich maritime heritages around the world.

Floating Small Building

A boat is a watercraft that floats on water. Its main purpose is providing transportation over water. Since many years ago that faster means of transportation have been created, travelling on water is not as common, unless for entertainment purposes, or fishing far in the oceans. Some larger boats/ships can be seen transformed into restaurants, permanently parked in the harbors. Be it travelling around the world, cruise tour, or fishing, the travelers on board usually have certain accommodations accordingly, due to the unpredictable sea conditions. The boat therefore can be counted as a small building.

Treehouses : Not Just For Kids

Throughout history, the structure known as the “treehouse” to many people has changed its purpose, form, function, and scale in many ways. The treehouse began as a hunting necessity by the primitive hunters of the Stone Age. Beginning the transformations into the primary shelter of the Korowai people of Iran Jaya, and was sometimes used as a resting place for their dead. The treehouse had created new and innovative ideas for people to transport themselves from the ground and upward. The treehouse structure within the South Pacific and South East Asia had given the human being of a new tradition of refuge and shelter, protecting them from the elements of nature. When the treehouse had passed becoming a structure for shelter and protection to the primitive man, it had later became the structure for delight and escapism. Time periods dating back as Ancient Rome, Renaissance, and Romantic period have all showed of signs of the treehouse as a function of delight.

Today, the treehouse has changed once again. Now living in an environmentally cautious world, treehouse has become an alternative shelter. The methods of construction have changed dramatically, creating innovative methods to construct stronger, safer, larger/smaller, and environmentally safe treehouses. The type of issues that affect the treehouse design are being analyzed, and its impacts to its surroundings and the environmental damage that takes place from delivery vehicles bringing structural components to the project site, and the process of cutting down trees in order to produce wood studs to construct a home. The world had been taking notice into the multiple design issues of treehouses. International competitions are held to design the best and innovative treehouse design. Cases such as the Canopy Raft and The SolVin Bretzel were studied for the dynamic approach in design and scale of treehouse design.

The small structure of the treehouse has grown into an idea of a kid’s backyard playground to a environmental living solution. The world has now developing and changing the idea of the treehouse, and transforming its form and structure that could coexist with our rapidly changing environments.

Houseboats

In our study, it was our objective to analyze houseboats as completely and thoroughly as was possible. We determined that the best format for our assignment would be to examine houseboats on a region-by-region basis and then construct a comparative analysis of all the different types we discovered. As we progressed from country to country, compiling all the information we could, we unearthed many fascinating variations within this intriguing building type.

We quickly began to understand that there were houseboats, such as the kolu boats in Kashmir, which were initially designed to be something else altogether and gradually evolved into the water-going domiciles that they are today. In direct contrast to this, we also established the fact that there are modern houseboats which were designed from the beginning to be just that – houseboats. We found variations in every aspect of the houseboats; from their uses, to their formal qualities, to the social context which surrounds them. To highlight this, in one area, the boats were constructed out of natural, local materials, while elsewhere; the houseboats consisted of heavily refined, high-tech building products.

There were also some obvious similarities between the houseboats, even when they were designed centuries apart. For example, we found a familiarity between hull designs; the way in which the modern houseboat hull rises out of water is reminiscent of the rising hull on the kolu houseboat. Also, the general forms of some of the vessels were similar in that they maintained the sleek, streamlined shape of a boat while incorporating dwelling space on the deck.

However, as we delved into some of these similarities we gained insight into another level of variation. To further explain what we mean by this, if we look at the traditional Chinese sampan, we see that bulkheads have been designed into the hull. Bulkheads are also present in the hulls and pontoons of modern recreational houseboats. However, these design features were meant for two vastly different purposes. On the sampan, the bulkheads were in essence, bedrooms; while on the modern houseboat the bulkheads are used to contain possible leaks to one section of the hull.

We found it very interesting to watch tried and true design and construction methods persevere throughout the years, while at the same time witnessing all of the different ways in which houseboats exist from region to region and from one time period to another. Truly, the houseboat is a unique and highly versatile small building.

Trulli houses: they are "trulli" remarkable...

In the heel of the boot that is Italy, or the southernmost part of Italy known as Puglia, mortar-less stone structures called trulli houses evolved from a land where stone was in abundance, and timber had long since run out.

Although local history speculates that the easily dismantled trulli were built in the 1600s in order to avoid the taxation of extra dwellings, other less-romanticized theories on the origins of trulli have been put forward by historians. One theory suggests that the trulli may have been an evolution of Mycenaean monumental stone tombs called tholos, while another maintains that trulli evolved from nuraghi: un-mortared, cylindrical domed towers made of stone. The last theory of course is that trulli houses may have simply evolved as a vernacular form independently, without the influence of other stone structures.

Trulli, back then, were used primarily as housing and storage, but their function depended largely on where they were built. In most areas of Puglia, a trullo was used as a temporary shelter for field workers and in some cases, evolved into the establishment of permanent residences; in the town of Alberobello, trulli were used as bars, stores and offices.

The most primitive form of the trulli are capanne, small pit dwellings with stone foundations and wooden roofs, which evolved into different variations, depending on where they were built. These trulli can vary from capanne-like structures located in the northern area of this region, to stepped-pyramid looking casella located on the eastern coast, to dry-stone shelters called chipuri in the south. However, it is only in the Murgia region of Puglia where permanent trulli dwellings were established, forming complex, multi-room structures.

Trulli were generally built without mortar, using limestone from nearby fields. They have very little openings and as well as very minimal interior space. Starting with a rectangular base, trulli walls are built up of limestone and rubble to create a domed roof. The main room of the trulli is located directly beneath the cupola, which is built from concentric rings of stone and is topped with a pinnacle, which in most cases, takes the form of a sphere.

Of all the the trulli found in Puglia, there are two buildings that particularly stand out. The Trullo Sovrano has the distinction of being one of few two storey trulli built in the area, and the Casa D’Amore represents the significant shift of trulli houses from the prehistoric to the palazzo.

In 1996, the trulli located in the Alberobello region of Puglia were designated as a World Heritage site by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for being one of the few ancient structures that employ prehistoric building techniques, but are still functioning today. The International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) also establish that the trulli are important examples of dry stone walling, and their high concentration of buildings in one area also make the trulli houses very unique. Although there has been a preservation plan in place for the Alberobello trulli, many of them have fallen into disrepair, left abandoned by their private owners, and as many of these preservation guidelines have been overlooked, many more of these small buildings have lost their authentic integrity as they have been altered for commercial purposes.

m.t. tran / l. d'amico / g. nasser / s.m. albinger / c. lin / a.n. mai / s. downes / a.r. kae

I have sinned!

Confessional Booths in churches are intriguing small buildings with unified function. The confession culture has always been integrated with human lives in various forms. Confession as a religious ritual had been embraced in Christianity more than others, consequently a separate space have been dedicated to such activity in catholic churches. Each confessional booth represents a different era in Architecture and they have collectively evolved as the philosophy of religion has. Traditional Confessional Booths are well-crafted separate installed features of the church, while the modern ones are incorporated in the architecture and building of the church. Today as we face a new united Christianity, confession culture, does not take place as extensively, instead it has been replaced in virtual spaces such as Journals, Magazines, Reality Television or Speaker Corners. Despite the fading of religion rituals, these small buildings are kept to remind us of the power of religion in old days and their social, psychological and cultural impacts. The photos show respectively St.Micheal’s Catholic church in Toronto as a traditional model and St. Columba church on Minnesota as a contemporary model. The following video is confession in a more contemporary, casual manner in today's popular culture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXrZ65-qkkM

Mobile Homes Project 1

http://www.thingsmagazine.net/2006_07_01_oldthings.html

    The topic of mobile homes includes a large variety of both types of buildings, and public preconceptions. They may be viewed as a lower standard of living by some, but they were clearly once a promising future amenity, encompassing affordability and flexibility of travel. In short it is a lifestyle choice, not just a home.  Many aspects of construction have been influenced by these ideas, including modular construction industries for profit, and emergency shelters for the needy.  It has been very interesting to learn about a living and building style that may seem so distant to us, but is actually all around us. 

     Our Report includes information regarding the history, construction, dimension and transportation, statistics and communities of mobile homes.  

Sahar Ahamadabadipour  Sara Khudhair  Laura Games David Lee Damian Saramak  Sander Waxman  Justin Yeung

PHONE BOOTHS-GROUP 1

PHONE BOOTHS

In its simplest state a telephone booth can be described as a box that one would enter in order to make a phone call in a public place. The booth provides comfort from noise and the elements. On the other end of the spectrum the telephone booth is part of a complex global communication network that links people together. The telephone booth is a small building that is culturally important and rich with history. It has it roots in a time of great progress and invention during the industrial revolution. They began to emerge in industrialized countries in the later 19th century in areas of high traffic and later would dot the entire urban fabric as they do today. The principal behind the telephone booth remains the same however they have gone through an evolution of style, form and structure. The materials used have evolved from wood structure to a more sophisticated us of modern metals, glass, plastic and fibreglass. Form has evolved from heavily ornamented gothic and classical inspired kiosks to sleek modern glass pavilions. The phone booth is deeply embedded in our culture. There have been numerous instances where phone booths have emerged in popular culture to become cultural icons. The red telephone boxes of England have remained on the streets because of how they have become part of the cultural context. Unfortunately with the rise of cell phone use it has been suggested that the survival of the telephone booth is in question. Some countries have gotten rid of them completely. But perhaps it is too soon to write off this small building. Much like kiosks were adaptively reused for phone booths at the turn of the century perhaps the future lies with retrofitting phone booths with the latest in communication technology. The internet is already popping up in phone booths all over the world. There are some booths that are designated simply for cell phone use. There have even been proposals for the possibility of creating communication pods that would have desks for a laptop. All this suggest that the evolution of this small building type continues.

Poster By:

s. banerd, j.black, m. Cameron, j.han, r. jang, j. jirasek, a. Massender, l. parks, m.siemicki

Public Washrooms_Group 02

Although they are not the most preferred places to be, public washrooms are increasingly becoming recognized as an important component in architecture. Varying in history, materials, form, physical contexts, and details, they often hint at the community in which they are found. The economic, environmental, and political aspects which affect a community’s architecture trickles down and is reflected in their washrooms as well. As such, there has been, and will continue to be, a major gap concerning the standard of public washrooms.

(The image above was taken in a public washroom in Nam San Tower in Seoul, South Korea)

Where did that Igloo come from?

Not sure who built this, but it's awesome! Hopefully some architecture students are responsible 'cause I think it's really cool.

J. Fung

Head Houses

Head houses exist within our built environment in many different sizes, uses and forms. They ‘pop-up’ as region indicators towards a subterranean program hidden beneath the surface level of our cities. These modern day obelisks remind our place in the city centre’s we work, live and play in. Occurring in various types, head houses seem to speak of both their immediate physical and social contexts. Additionally, head houses seem to radiate urban development schemes, act as nodal points along transportation systems, filter circulation below grade and stand proud as monumental cultural icons. The head house is an example of a small building that has a place in almost every culture in our world, ranging from the Egyptian Empire to our modern day societies.

Group 05

Small Houses! Big Problems?

Lane way housing is a great way to intensify the urban fabric and it has recently become a outlet for innovative housing designs in many large cities around the world. Lane way housing is an practical, affordable and sustainable option that allows more people to enjoy the benefits of city living. However, it also presents a number of inherit challenges, such as restricted spaces, that force designers to be creative and calculated in their designs. Often these circumstances produce some fantastic architecture which people get to live in but this is not always the case.

Lane way housing housing actually has very humble roots that originate in the community of the working poor. Historically cities like Toronto have had a large population of recent immigrants that have come to Canada with very little money. These people come to Canada and need a place to stay. They often found shelter by renting converted out buildings or other makeshift housing in lane ways. In todays society where there is an increasing polarization of the classes and a large number of working poor there is still a huge demand for affordable housing in major cities around the world.

In a short walk around Toronto we found a number of makeshift residences crammed into lane ways and it makes you think about not only the problem of homelessness in the city but also the unfortunate living conditions of many of the cities working poor. Behind the tapestry of many beautiful row houses in Toronto is an entire city that few of us know about and if few give much thought. Maybe it's time we start thinking.

Jordan Matchett

This piece is located behind architecture building at Ryerson university. It appears to be a sculpture made of steel . It looks appealing to me but hidden between the two buildings.

Architecture To Die For...

This is monumental architecture at it's best. The owners of this crypt is the Jarvis family. This includes the William Jarvis who had a street named after him. The use of materials and neo-classical style reflect the need to immortalize the Jarvis name. This is placed near the far end of St. James Cemetery, next to Parliament and Wellesley St. Other crypts include other influential families; such as the Brock family. Although it may invoke other feelings that are associated with burial grounds, there is a rich history to discover by walking through a cemetery, like this one. The unique aspect of this building, is if taken out of context, would it still be considered a crypt?
-Warren

Small building squeezed between bigger buildings

This small shop is located on Markham st. south of Bloor st. w. build on the setbacks of the two neighbor's property.

posted by: Shoghik Koujekian

Mongolian Tents

These small tents seem modest, but in actuality represent a proud nomadic culture. The basic structure is a rigid bamboo skeleton that is forced in compression by the fabric, in tension.

The tents shown here have a concrete pad, and are geared toward curious tourists. Thus, the interior is rendered with running water electricity.

However manicured these particular tents are, true Mongolian tents are required to withstand the sub-zero temperature of the night and the plus 40 temperature during the day; typical of dessert climate.

-Jay Fung

Small Building on Wheels

I'm sure many of you have seen this truck parked along Queen Street in front of Nathan Phillip’s Square. These days, not only are homes mobile, but offices, libraries and restaurants are as well. This portable fast food joint has the ability to travel anywhere to provide their services. It is becoming more evident that in North American culture easy accessibility to fast, inexpensive food is expected. Right now it Toronto, the type of food that can be sold from venders is limited. Maybe eventually these venders will be able to sell a variety of food products. Also, with the vast amount of these venders on our streets, maybe space will be provided specifically for them in the design of future streets. L.P.

Three in One!

This small building is located on Dundas St., close to Sherbourne. From a distance, it looks like there are three separate houses but as you come closer, you realize that these houses are segregated by the use of different colours on the main façade. Considering the fact that there are three different houses, notice that there are only two main entrances. The little shop in the front functions on its own even though it is an extension to the houses. It looks very appealing since it is actually an old bigger building functioning as a small building.

By: Mahwish Babary

Sculpture or Street Furniture??

This sculpture is located on Jarvis street behind a building. It appears to be a sculpture made of stainless steel but is used as street furniture. It lights up at night and looks very appealing!!

By: Naela Ahmed