Architecture - Master's Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

https://laurentian.scholaris.ca/handle/10219/3249

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 171

From sonic space to sonic place: an architectural and urban design approach to enhancing community soundscapes in Northern Ontario
(2024-04-13) Duffy, Teresa Marie
Whether it is a piece of architecture, the urban environment as a whole, or the natural world, sound is an ever-present condition of the physical environment in which it exists. Despite this integral relationship, the role that sound plays in how people interact and understand their surroundings is often vastly undervalued and even ignored. Thus, noise pollution has become a growing global concern, de-sensualizing human reality through negative impacts on human health and well-being. As the ‘Gateway to the North’, the city of North Bay is a transportation hub, featuring multiple highways and rail lines that contribute to a noisy environment dedicated to the convenience of high-speed travel rather than the cultivation of engaging public places. This thesis explores how a soundscape design framework can address these issues in North Bay’s city centre, connecting the area’s downtown waterfront through urban design elements and a Performing Arts Center located on the shores of Lake Nipissing.
Supporting the Northern Ontario Equestrian Community: Re-Imagining the Sudbury Downs Raceway
(2024-05-17) Hudyma, Abigail Nellie
This thesis explores how identified architectural & non-architectural challenges in the Northern Ontario Equestrian Community can be addressed through a design proposal at the Sudbury Downs Raceway. The relationships identified by contextualizing shifts in past to present horse/ human relationships include the constant capacity for change in the equine sector. This has broad architectural implications for equine spaces that don’t always adequately center both equine and human wellness. By engaging in interviews with members of the equestrian community, this thesis assesses specific challenges and opportunities, including: access, affordability, design standards, and existing infrastructure. Thematic analysis findings from the interviews informs the scope of the design proposal. Reviving the Sudbury Downs Raceway as an equestrian horse park aims to provide a central hub for the local equestrian community, including nearby townships within Northern Ontario, while providing space for the broader Sudbury population through shared programming.
Connected in Jane and Finch: a story of the people
(2023-04-11) Benny Paul, Chris
The Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario has served as a crucial stepping stone to help new immigrants transition as they move to a new country. Initially, the community had essential services and support systems in place that would have made the transition easier. However, as the neighbourhood has grown and changed in the past fifty years, it has neglected to evolve these services and support systems to suit the needs of the current demographic. This thesis is an exploration of how to ensure that future generations living in Jane and Finch are set up for success. It is also a story of the people living in Jane and Finch and how to better serve them. By utilizing a methodology that relies on a creative narrative, a more personal connection to the people and neighbourhood is established, allowing for a sensitive design that targets the users’ specific needs.
Plants, people and historic buildings: adapting the TTC Danforth carhouse and garage In Toronto through biophilic design
(2023-04-13) Fortes, Danielle Stephanie
Over the years, historic buildings are gradually disappearing within the cities due to poor management, neglect, abandonment, or lack of funding. Renovation of these buildings is rewarding in the end, but it is a delicate, costly, and time-consuming process. The importance of building conservation and the issues of demolition as a conventional solution for old buildings become controversial and challenging. Adaptive reuse solution is now a rising architectural approach in building conservation. This study will focus on the adaptive reuse of buildings by integrating plants based on the concept of Biophilia with consideration of climatic conditions. The emergence of biophilic architecture is rapidly growing, and its value can no longer be ignored. The project proposes to adapt the unused Danforth Garage historic transit hub in Toronto into a sustainable community hub by applying the architectural concept of growth through the densification of both human and plant inhabitants. The planning and place-making design aspects nurture the connection between humans and nature in architectural designs.
Multi-faith+ architecture: fostering faith and spirituality on the Laurentian University campus
(2023-04-13) Ziesmann, Keller
Religious and Spiritual beliefs are more than shared morals and values, but cosmologies that enlighten personal truths, goals and faiths. The development of these cosmologies have always been essential for the evolution of respectful, mindful and concerned citizens, especially in higher education contexts. However, history reflects that North American university architecture and programs have not always aimed to foster various religious and spiritual world-views, despite the increasing diversity found on campuses post-WWI. More importantly, they have not aimed to foster interfaith and multicultural comprehension. Thus, this thesis proposes a re-conceptualized Multi-faith+ Centre at Laurentian University that seeks to reflect and foster the religiously, spiritually and culturally rich communities on campus Acting as more than just a home for distinct practices and beliefs of various faiths, this thesis investigates contemporary case studies and theoretical frameworks to establish a space that fosters interfaith acceptance, respect and understanding on the Laurentian University campus
The Collingwood terminals: an adaptive reuse approach to heritage buildings
(2023-04-12) Yarrow, Madison
This thesis offers a critique that focuses on adaptive reuse for contemporary architects currently practicing in Ontario. The critique states the approach of adaptive reuse is interpreted too widely, resulting in adaptive reuse projects dismissing the original building’s heritage values. This thesis posits that the architectural community should reimagine the adaptive reuse approach in consideration of heritage buildings. This thesis provides an alternative approach to the practice of adaptive reuse that involves engagement with the existing building, consisting of historical research and documentation. As well as a carefully considered program that connects the buildings history to the current economy and cultural needs. This proposed method is demonstrated through a study of a historic 1929 grain terminal in Collingwood, Ontario. The design proposal is for the adaptation into a spa that connects the Terminal building back to its history of place while reintegrating it into the new economy of tourism and recreation.
Sense-able transit: bridging the gap between human ability difference and the built environment through GO Transit Gateways
(2023-04-13) Membrere, Tiffany Elizabeth
Transportation has played a pivotal role in shaping cities while creating gateways within societies providing technological, economic, social and political growth. The Mimico GO station is one of many within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area providing its community with socio-economic opportunities through a series of accesses. A substantial number in population today require accessibility accommodations due to visible and invisible ability differences. Through critical analysis of disability studies, it is evident that the learnt environment greatly affects perceptions on the right to being and perceived as human. Therefore, the transformation of the mind and built environment combined sets a new framework for universal design. The framework investigates alternative technologies, adaptive reuse, sensorial enhancement, and spaces within the public realm that go beyond the minimum requirements. Focusing to capture moments of transition with detailed connection, ultimately delivering fluidity, adaptability, independence and pride to each individual user experience.
Giigido (s/he speaks in Ojibwe): an architectural exploration of Ojibwe language learning in the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation
(2023-04-11) Roy, Brook-Lynn
Acknowledging the endangered state of Indigenous Languages situated in the colonial narrative of Canada, this thesis investigates the capabilities of architecture as a tool to support existing language revitalization strategies. It presents a process of knowledge gathering, recording, and interpretation that identifies key concepts inherent to language and identity. Investigating topics through a lens of actions and processes, the body of knowledge is analyzed through the act of making. As a result of first-hand material explorations and community consultations, this thesis proposes an architectural typology unique to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation community. The proposed typology represents a spatial interpretation of the Ojibwe language, inherently criticizing the continuously imposed Western concept of education and imposed architectural designs. As a kit of parts, the proposal is fully adaptable to meet the community’s needs and is intended to complement their residential expansion and language revitalization plans.
Renforcer l’identité culturelle : la conception d’un Keemeenopin Keekeh pour les jeunes à Moosonee, Ontario
(2023-04-13) Wendling, Kyara
Cette thèse explore comment une architecture fondée sur les relations sociales et territoriales pourrait contribuer à la création d’un lieu qui procure un sentiment d’appartenance pour les jeunes de Moosonee. L’approche vise à invoquer une identité culturelle individuelle chez les jeunes, tout en fortifiant l’avenir culturel de la communauté. Issue de discussions avec des membres de la communauté, la thèse propose une approche unique à la conception et à la programmation d’une maison des jeunes qui est confortable et sécuritaire, un Keemeenopin Keekeh, se fondant sur leurs besoins et aspirations. Des sessions de recherche participative ont été accomplies pour donner une voix aux jeunes durant les phases initiales du projet. Celles-ci ont permis d’identifier 5 objectifs de design clés pour guider la conception de la maison. Le projet vise ainsi à supporter les jeunes dans la célébration de leur identité, ainsi que de leur place comme membres actifs dans leur communauté.
Movement legacy: a bioethical and epigenetically grounded architectural framework for healthy lifestyle change
(2023-04-15) Walter, Brett
New research in neuroscience, environmental psychology, and medicine have revealed factors in the built environment that improve health, however, these are not yet widely understood or adopted by the design community. A novel approach that better leverages the scientific literature to inform design is required. Recent discoveries in epigenetics reveal the immense impact our environment has on intergenerational human health through the process of epigenomic editing and the resultant genetic expression. This thesis argues that design and health are inextricably linked to bioethical questions that require deeper exploration and ought to compel designers to reframe their role and responsibility in community health. A new theoretical framework is developed that aligns design elements at multiple scales with evidence-based principles, which elicit positive health outcomes through increased physical activity prevalence. Informed by the framework, a network of design interventions for Sudbury, Ontario, demonstrates how the built environment can foster healthy lifestyle change.
The fight for change: redevelopment of Toronto’s yellow belt to address the housing crisis
(2023-04-13) Thompson, Zachary Myles
This thesis investigates a hidden component found in many North America cities that may be the key to solving the housing crisis. Through the research of Missing Middle housing in the Toronto, Ontario context, a new proposal is created that aims to be a possible solution to the housing crisis. Careful understanding of the transit line that runs through the Yellow Belt region reveals three potential sites for a new housing proposal. Through the process of iteration, a final site and design is created with the guidance of the fundamentals of lighting and street safety. An investigation into key case studies under these fundamentals brings new ideas in the creation of the final proposal. By challenging the current methods of urban design and returning to a more people focused approach, Toronto can fix its situation in the housing crisis and provide what all people deserve, a place to call home.
Weaving access: ecological architecture for refuge along the Welland Canal
(2023-04-12) Smith, Jacob Arthur
To engage everyone, human and non-human, and provide refuge, is an act of kindness. If the world we chose to create will be accessible to everyone, we must design it this way. Sensually, and socially, architecture can act as the tool we use as a community to create a landscape that engages us, while still connecting us to our biographical and geographical history. All within our control, some things, such as the industrial revolution, have forced communities including the indigenous, to move and develop around these infrastructures. Although economical, some infrastructures out of our control were a result of compromises, such as the Welland Canal and the Niagara Escarpment. Which begs the question, how can we provide refuge for the people who built our communities, the specially-abled, and the wildlife we depend on? Perhaps by reclaiming a site that has close ties to this industrial prominence from colonization, and making it our own again. Resembling a community space for healing, and recreation, activities we already informally participate in, and providing a sense of place to the site. In this case, the Welland Canal, and the site adjacent to the West of Lock 4.
The Red + Green: creating a regenerative narrative through the industrial wastelands of Sudbury, Ontario
(2023-04-14) Sheppard, Sydney
Sudbury, Ontario, is recognized for its miraculous late twentieth-century Regreening efforts to remediate the smelter-polluted ‘moonscape.’ Yet, given the continued extractive activity and unmanaged mine waste, some areas remain subject to extensive environmental degradation. Therefore, a critical reflection on these industrial practices is necessary to continue this incomplete regenerative narrative, fully restoring all parts of the land. Thus, this thesis is informed by research into innovative ground surface treatment and biotechnologies to treat mine waste, and in regenerative architectural design principles. It demonstrates the potential of lifting the veil on hidden industrial wastelands, rehabilitating Copper Cliff’s Central Tailings Area into a thriving regenerative park, and envisioning an interpretive centre into a mine waste facility that is harmoniously integrated into the changing landscape. This contributes to landscape remediation and integrates place-based storytelling to educate and empower future generations to participate in land stewardship and create ongoing sustainable environmental and social impacts.
Co-habitat: innovative solutions for coexistence between the human and non-human within the Port Lands
(2023-04-15) Rodrigues, Janae
How can architecture foster cohabitation through the multiple scales of the built environment? Part of this answer lies within the theoretical framework which explores ecological urbanism, specifically through the theories of landscape as a medium, biophilia, and wildlife inclusivity. The other part of the answer is a study of the building components and architectural forms informed by case studies of green buildings. This will impart the move to integrate nature within the site of Villiers Island, located in the Toronto Port Lands. The site is part of an ongoing revitalization project and an active bird flyover. The issue with the current master plan is that it proposed a harsh divide between the urban and natural ecosystems, causing the conflict. As humans dominate a large part of the Earth, the goal is to seek cohabitation for both humans and non-humans within this new ecosystem through a midrise, mixed-use residential building
The voice of the rural small town: how architecture can inspire locally grounded growth in Parry Sound, Ontario
(2023-04-12) McRoberts, Aaron
Many rural areas in Canada are financially dependent on tourism. There are negative effects of this dependency on the local working class as these small towns transition from tourism towards a community designed for an aging affluent population. Using Parry Sound as a case study, this thesis attempts to investigate how architecture could serve the neglected local working class by incentivizing investment in the local community rather than catering to seasonal tourism. Covid-19 also emphasized the gap in access to healthcare and lack of overall well-being, issues that the local community faced but the seasonal resident did not. This thesis found that a grounded design that amplified the voice of the local community would best aid their existing efforts to grow. Discussions with the local community organizations working in these areas provided the perspectives necessary to design an adequate program that would assist local grounded growth in Parry Sound. Through the lenses of housing, health, and food, architecture could support the existing network of community initiatives to achieve self-agency. A mixed-use design provides the necessary community spaces for these initiatives to foster a connection to people and landscape and achieve locally grounded growth.
Our land is our life: learning from Chinook “King” Salmon
(2023-04-11) Mason, Sarah
Yukon River Chinook salmon make the longest salmon migration in the world - 3200km - to reach their spawning grounds, however in the past few decades the population has decreased exponentially. As an indicator species, the endangered salmon population has had a critical impact on the river and ocean ecosystems in the Yukon region. Furthermore, salmon have played an important role in providing nutritional sustenance and developing cultural traditions for Indigenous communities throughout the Yukon River watershed who have been harvesting salmon at fish camps since time immemorial. The declining salmon numbers not only contributes to food insecurity felt by many of these communities but to cultural insecurity as well. This thesis uses Indigenous Food Sovereignty Theory as a theoretical framework for an architectural proposal that explores how Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science can be used to increase salmon stock in the Klondike River – a tributary of the Yukon River – through restoration, conservation hatchery, and ceremony.
Steam? More STEAM! Using an architectural approach to preserve cultural knowledge in Sudbury, Ontario with a community sauna
(2023-04-13) Kinnunen, Candice
In many communities, cultural knowledge of communal bathing rituals have been passed for thousands of years. One of which is Finnish cultural knowledge of the sauna bathing ritual. In the 1900s, over 250 000 single origin Finnish people moved and settled in Ontario, Canada.2 However, with Finnish-Canadians, the gaps in the cultural knowledge has increased with subsequent generations. Today, Sudbury is still called home to over 7000 residents with Finnish heritage, however there are no community saunas operating within the city.3 These unsettling issues thus indicated that a thoughtful approach is needed to ensure the passing of Finnish cultural knowledge of the sauna continues; one that does not require users to have Finnish heritage to benefit from the knowledge. This thesis proposes mixing architectural concepts of traditional Finnish sauna building knowledge and design with a community-built approach a design proposal that recognizes these issues and supports the cultivation of the continuity of cultural knowledge.
KUSHIRIKIANA: Une approche architecturale collaborative et résiliente supportant la prévention de la violence sexuelle à l’Est de la République Démocratique du Congo
(2023-04-12) Kabumbe, Jonathan
La violence sexuelle contre les femmes et les enfants à l’Est de la République Démocratique Congo est un problème enraciné dans une longue histoire de violences et relève de plusieurs enjeux politiques, sécuritaires, culturels, économiques et éducatifs. Ces trois derniers enjeux portent précisément sur la discrimination de la femme, sa vulnérabilité économique ainsi que son faible accès à l’éducation. L’architecture sociale fournit des principes socio-économiques et éducatifs pouvant donner pouvoir à une communauté. À prédominance masculine, le processus de construction élargit ces avenues spécifiquement pour les femmes. Cette thèse explore comment l’architecture, en particulier le processus de construction, peut contribuer à transformer l’image de la femme afin de soutenir la prévention de la violence sexuelle à l’Est du Congo. La thèse s’articule autour de la création d’un guide architectural pour des projets de développement d’ONG ainsi que de son application dans la conception d’un centre d’artisanat et d’agriculture pour femme à Businga, dans la province du Sud Kivu.
Junction at market value: a new life for the Toronto Weston flea market
(2023-04-11) Johnson, Christopher
The City of Toronto’s current urban development is driven largely by efforts to refurbish existing sites, or by the demolition of the existing fabric to construct new buildings. This thesis takes the position that the adaptive reuse of the existing building stock is a more environmentally and socioculturally sustainable option. Focusing on the site of the Toronto Weston Flea Market, which sits at the junction of three distinct neighbourhoods that are undergoing redevelopment for a new transit hub. This thesis develops a set of guidelines for this industrial site’s future adaptability and proposes the design of a mixed-use commercial community hub that offers numerous amenities while reflecting the surrounding neighbourhoods’ identities and values. This thesis presents an adaptive framework with a set of guidelines to reuse the Toronto Weston Flea Market in a single design intervention to promote an alternative to new construction.
Creating a sense of home: assisted living in the Timiskaming District
(2023-04-08) Hannah, Taylor
With a rapidly growing aging population, there is an imminent need for assisted living. This is especially true for Northern Ontario; specifically, more remote northern communities such as ones within the Timiskaming District. These communities suffer from being under serviced, leaving aging members of these areas unable to receive the levels of care they require. Moreover, when assisted living is offered, it is within the form of facility-based design. This creates a problem as these facilities do not take into account the northern identity, but also, they are not proven to be beneficial to the well-being and independence of senior adults. This thesis presents an alternative way that assisted living can be designed for the well-being of aging individuals through village – based, community design, that takes into account the northern identity. This can be done through creating a strong community amongst the residents, but also within the surrounding external community of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Browse

Recent Submissions