01:_EXTENSION

Student Housing Project

Nature: Academic Role: 100% Individual Course: ARC362 - Architecture Studio IV Instructor: Lukas Pauer

Date: Jan. 2022-Apr. 2022 Location: Spadina Avenue, Toronto

The University of Toronto student housing project is my first composition of a fugue between the old and new elements and materials. The pandemic has witnessed the growth in students' demands for a lively environment, a sense of belonging, and social interactions in their dormitory experience. However, it had been ten years since the UoT had last built a new residence hall. The cramped, aging, and single function imposed a sense of depression on students. In my renovation project, I strived to add freshness and vitality to the accommodation while preserving the historical building. In such a context, a rich spiritual life is spontaneously generated: students can freely read, draw, sing, and communicate here. I was glad to see a new passion for life germinate around the new residence hall.

Most Canadians feel the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some degree of psychological distress to them.

Students are now paying 25% more for housing than the average Canadian renter, and that’s pushing rents up for everyone.

Toronto Student Housing Development Timeline

SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING HEALTHY, SAFE, COHESIVE AND OPEN STUDENT HOUSING & MICRO-COMMUNITIES

By providing a variety of room types to meet the needs of different students, which creates a friendly community by providing them with a healthy, safe and comfortable living environment and atmosphere while having open spaces and facilities for learning and communication for students and others in the community. Designed through three dimensions: public space, semi-public space, and private space, interweaving with the natural green environment, the residence serves as an intermediary between student solitude and unity.

CONNECTION ACTIVE COMMUNICATION: Open and carved out part of the building space, and provides the possibility of vertical and horizontal expansion of the open public space for cummunity.

AFFORDABILITY AND AGENCY: Owners can model their desired home according to financial status and preferred floor layout

NATURAL LIGHT ENTRY: Access through public areas allows connection to the community and gradual integration into private areas to respect and respond to the community.

EXTRACT ARCH ELEMENTS FROM HERITAGE BUILDING ： Combined with the preservation of the old building reflects the preservation of the community culture without being eliminated.

Creation Process

The Section

Unit Types Analysis

Unit Type 1

This type of unit consists of a living room, kitchen, balcony and bedroom. This type of room is more suitable for students who prefer to live alone and maximizes the need for private space.

Unit Type 2

The second room type is a transformation from the first one, adding an extra bedroom with the same area, and is suitable for students with dependents or those who wish to share a suite between two people. The placement of a balcony allows for a more open form of space with a private outdoor space.

Unit Type 3

Unit type three is the largest in the design and runs through both ends of the apartment. This room type is suitable for group accommodation, with four separate bedrooms, a shared living room, and a kitchen, which can accommodate 4-8 people. This type of room suits students who like to live together and has a huge shared space.

Unit Type 4

This unit type is the most common type of single and double room in the apartment, which is relatively small and does not have a living room and kitchen, but it is the most cost-effective room type for students.

Renovated Lecture Hall

The lecture room was renovated from the original historic building with the retaining original brick material, and concrete was added, blending old and new cultures. The renovated classroom provides a space for students and faculty to teach and hold events in the apartment.

UNDERGROUND LIBRARY & CIRCULAR ATRIUM

The atrium on this level is accompanied by a ramp entry and turns into a large gathering place. A small library is located on this level, along with an open courtyard on both sides, providing students with more natural light and a space to relax and unwind.

Roof Garden

The roof garden is connected to the open outdoor space to the south, eventually reaching the roof as the floors rise, becoming the largest area of greenery in the building. There are arched corridors and steps, along with planting and seating, to provide maximum green space for students to relax.