Moving and Organizing a Design Library

Our firm is moving to a larger location and my colleague and I have been charged with the task of organizing the fledgling library and ensuring a smooth move. Not an easy task, the library is 5 years old and has out-grown the space so things have become a bit hodge podge as well.

So the first task will be to decide on an organization, which will probably be according to the CSI Masterformat, and then labelling the material sample books and the various catalogues according to the categories. Then we will pack them according to where they will be unpacked and set up in the new space.

I will have more on this as we work this out.

York University, Glendon Campus

Some very cool work is being done at the York University's under construction campus.





A Daily Dose of Architecture: Today's archidose #814: Here are a few wintry scenes for your Monday, President's Day here in the United States. Centre of Excellence - York University, Glend...

Tahanto Regional Middle/High School

Tahanto Regional Middle/High School



A very dynamic and yet calming space. Great control over levels of energy exuded by the design, the colours are not kindergarten and just the right amount of pop.

Will Berlin Become Home of the First Church-Mosque-Synagogue?

Will Berlin Become Home of the First Church-Mosque-Synagogue?



I find the idea very interesting, an attempt to bring together the three Abrahamic religions can create a unique genre in religious architecture. There are many similarities in the basic philosophies which can translate into a design that all users can relate to.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope, Nieuwkoop, The Netherlands :

This mixed-use building by LEVS Architecten has a reed exterior! Very innovative use of local and natural materials. I would definitely not mind retiring here.

The reed facade

A close-up of the reed facade

Notice the pink roller skates!

DAE Building

DAE Building, Aguascalientes, Mexico :

I just couldn't help putting this project here by Arkylab. Its beautiful and kind of whimsical with the 'soda bubbles'. A really fun place that's bright and airy.

Thesis: Centre for The Visually Impaired - The Design 2

The Plans & Sections

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Renderings

A strong contrast of colour and materials

Main Entrance

The Cafe

Tactile Art in Bronze in the Cafe

Tactile Clay Art on the curved wall leading to the Clay Studio

The Retail/Gallery displaying student work

Tactile Art in Wood outside the Wood Workshop

The lounge & meeting room behind it - The Business Centre

Staircase leading to Second Floor

The Staircase - It reaches up to the roof and has a skylight

The Second Floor

Tactile Painting outside the Painting Studio

The Painting Studio

The Library -  Attempts to maximize daylight with cuts in the ceiling overhead

Thesis: Centre for the Visually Impaired - The Design 1

There are so many thoughts that go into a design when putting it together, especially a design that is created for a sensory experience where all the elements may not be apparent to the visual senses. 

Natural Light Levels

Noise levels - as produced by the different areas

Activity Levels

Vertical Movement

Program adjacencies

The grid of the city

In Toronto we orient ourselves with the grid the city was designed around. That is an influence in creating the plan of the interior, to enable a more natural and instinctive method of orientation.

The grid of the site

The building has a 200 yr-old timber structure which also creates a natural grid.

Thesis: Centre for the Visually Impaired - Ideation and Sketches

Initial thoughts

The design of the tactile and sensory experiences have been inspired by the work of Alvar Aalto. He took the sensory experience into account when designing.

Villa Mairea (www.pinterest.com)

Heilig-Geist-Kirche Wolfsburg (www.wikiartis.com)

Riola Parish Church (www.archdaily.com)

Viipuri Library (http://www.alvaraalto.fi)

The pulled back entrance will serve as a sheltered area for people and the lines of the ceiling will draw them in, right into the heart of the space: the cafe. The movement of the lines continues upward to further draw the eye and as an invitation to explore.

Architecture than can be experienced by touch: Design must not be limited to the vision

Light Levels - Calculations and Visualization