PORTFOLIO. Colin Williams
Welcome.
Howdy, My name is Colin Williams. I am a fifth-year student at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. I am currently seeking my final co-op work term placement starting January of 2021. Over the last 5 years, I have focused my architectural education on tangible design and construction experiences. I believe that this has helped me refine a technical understanding of design, detailing, and construction sequencing. More importantly, however, this focused approach has allowed me to discover my passion for designing with my hands and collaborating with skilled crafts-people. During my educational experience, I have had the opportunity to work with various indigenous communities across Canada. This has allowed me to develop a unique perspective on architecture and construction. I view the Design/Build process as a tool to physically and emotionally bring people together to create architecture that is representative of its history, time, and place. Thanks!
email: colin.williams@uwaterloo.ca phone: 1.506.292.5211
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Education. 09/2016 - present
Cambridge, ON
University of Waterloo School of Architecture. Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours, Co-op
Experience. 01/2020 - 08/2020
Lake|Flato Architects - Residential Studio
01/2019 - present
Dowling Architects
01/2019 - present
BUILD Contracting
01/2018 - 04/2018
Mckinley Burkart Architects
San Antonio, TX
Paris, ON
Galt, ON
Vancouver, BC
Architectural Intern.
Architectural Intern.
Excavation, Foundation, Framing, Finish, Millwork.
Architectural Intern.
Awards. 08/2020 08/2020
Canadian Institue of Steel Construction Design Competition - Finalist International ACSA Steel Design Competition - 2nd Place Award
Leadership. 04/2018 - 08/2019 01/2019 - present 05/2019 01/2019 - present 09/2017 09/2016 - 05/2017
UWSA Design Build Teaching assistant, Project Coordinator. Waterloo Architecture - Graduating class of 2021 Class Representative. Waterloo Architecture - Admissions Panelist. Waterloo Architecture - Digital fabrication/woodshop student supervisor. UWSA Orientation Leader - University of Waterloo. Waterloo Architecture Student Association - Athletic Coordinator.
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For Reference.
October 4, 2020 To whom it may concern, I am writing to give my recommendation for Colin Williams. I worked with Colin at Lake|Flato Architects for a period of six months from 2019 to 2020. During that time Colin was an Architectural Intern on two projects that I was leading in our Residential Studio. The first, a conceptual master plan for a West Texas pecan ranch that included a horse barn, party barn, and private gun range. Colin was heavily involved in the design of this project and also produced all of the graphics for the final client presentation. The second was a single-family residence in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. On this project, Colin came in after the Concept Design, His role was developing the Revit model as we transitioned into Schematic Design and Design Development. This was a complex role as there were multiple design options for a campus of buildings. Not to be understated, the Sullivan’s Island work was completed while transitioning to remote working during a global pandemic. Colin was engaged, consistently available, and calm in a unique and challenging working environment. Over the past twelve and a half years I’ve had the pleasure of working with extremely talented young architects and engineers at SOM Chicago, and Lake|Flato Architects. I mention this only because Colin is no exception. He is passionate about design and enthusiastic to continue learning. He was able to complete any task asked of him and always went above and beyond. If Colin didn’t know the answer, he would research before coming to ask for guidance. He was always prepared and organized. I could give Colin very general direction on a task knowing that his creativity and talent would produce a thoughtful solution. Most important, Colin is a pleasure to work with. He is collaborative, well-spoken and a talented designer and thinker. I’m confident Colin will continue to challenge himself and those around him in whatever direction his career takes him. It is a pleasure to give Colin Williams my professional recommendation. Sincerely,
Colin Gorsuch, AIA Project Architect Lake|Flato Architects 311 Third Street San Antonio, TX, 78205 P: 210.227.3335
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Vice President Development Key International 848 Brickell Avenue Suite 1100, Miami, FL 33131 C: 312-622-5018
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
dowlingarchitects
14 Banfield Street Paris Ontario CANADA N3L 2Y4 519 774 5079 office@dowlingarchitects.ca
October 12, 2019 To whom it may concern: As co-coordinator of the Waterloo School of Architecture DesignBuild program, I was introduced to Colin Williams during his second year at the school. His work demonstrated an exceptional maturity and confidence, and he quickly emerged as a natural leader within the class. I invited Colin to join our office for the 2019 summer cooperative work term, and he continues to work with us on a part time basis. Colin brings an obvious care for both the material and social aspects of architecture, showing curiosity and ingenuity in how the construction process can unfold in the best way possible for everyone involved. His work while at our office began with design development and construction process drawings leading to site construction for a small private library and residential addition. Colin was physically involved in all aspects of construction including site work, concrete formwork and finishing, rough carpentry, insulation and weather barrier. Colin has an exceptionally positive attitude and a great desire to learn. I would not hesitate to recommend him as an addition to your team.
Yours Truly,
Paul Dowling, Principal BES, B Arch, OAA DesignBuild Co-Coordinator, University of Waterloo School of Architecture
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For Reference.
mckinley burkart architects inc.
vancouver + calgary 412 - 611 alexander street vancouver bc V6A 1E1 t 778 379 6761 www.mckinleyburkart.com
vancouver + calgary 412 - 611 alexander street vancouver bc V6A 1E1 t 778 379 6761 www.mckinleyburkart.com
June 21, 2018
mckinley burkart architects inc. To whom it may concern,
June 21, 2018 To whom it maywas concern, Colin Williams a student intern at McKinley Burkart Architects in Vancouver for four months from January to April
2018. During this time, he worked on two multi-residential projects located in Calgary, AB, assisting with developing the site model in 3D and providing presentation work at the early stages of these projects. June 21, 2018 Colin fit in well with the office. He is enthusiastic, has a positive attitude and communicates well. He was key at To whom it may concern, contributing to our opened championing the implementation andfor execution of our model making space off Colin Williams was anewly student intern office, at McKinley Burkart Architects in Vancouver four months from January to April 2018. site. He worked well independently, taking on the responsibility of building out and fitting out the model space as well During this time, he worked on two multi-residential projects located in Calgary, AB, assisting with developing the site model in as constructing presentation models, one of private residential and one for an art gallery study for the office.
3D and providing presentation work at the early stages of these projects.
McKinley Burkart Colin for your consideration. Please do not hesitate reach from out ifJanuary you have any Colin Williams was recommends a student intern at McKinley Burkart Architects in Vancouver for fourto months to April
Colin fitDuring in wellthis withtime, the office. He is on enthusiastic, has a positive attitudelocated and communicates well. He was with key atdeveloping contributing to questions. 2018. he worked two multi-residential projects in Calgary, AB, assisting the our newly opened office, championing the implementation and execution of our model making space off site. He worked well site model in 3D and providing presentation work at the early stages of these projects. independently, taking on the responsibility of building out and fitting out the model space as well as constructing presentation models, of private residential for an art gallery for theattitude office. and communicates well. He was key at Colin fit one in well with the office. and Heone is enthusiastic, hasstudy a positive Regards, contributing to our newly opened office, championing the implementation and execution of our model making space off
site. He worked taking theconsideration. responsibilityPlease of building outhesitate and fitting out the space asqueswell McKinley Burkart well highlyindependently, recommends Colin foronyour do not to reach out model if you have any as constructing presentation models, one of private residential and one for an art gallery study for the office. tions. McKinley Burkart recommends Colin for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any cynthia toyota, architect questions. senior associate
aaa mraic leed ap Regards
Regards,
cynthia toyota, architect senior associate aaa mraic leed ap
6file location:
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Contents. Peltaeum. 8-19
Agri-Hub. 20-27
Hopewell. 28-33
Isumanivivik. 34-45
Scales. 46-51
Asigin. 52-57
Handmade. 58-67
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Peltaeum.
dowlingarchitects
14 Banfield Street Paris Ontario CANADA N3L 2Y4 519 774 5079 office@dowlingarchitects.ca
Peltaeum
dowlingarchitects
14 Banfield Street Paris Ontario CANADA N3L 2Y4 519 774 5079 office@dowlingarchitects.ca
Cambridge, ON. October 12, 2019
The Peltaeum is a 50m2 private library and study situated on a narrow, sloping residential To whom it may concern: To whom it may concern: backyard in Southern Ontario. Board-formed As of the Waterloo School of Architecture DesignBuild I was introduced Asco-coordinator co-coordinator of the Waterloo School of program, Architecture DesignBuild program, I was introduced to Colin Williams during his second yearaat the school. His work demonstrated an exceptional concrete walls and corrugated roof to Colin Williamsandduring second yearleader atmetal the the school. His work demonstrated an exceptional maturity and confidence, he quicklyhis emerged as a natural within class. I invited Colin to join our office for the 2019 summer cooperative work term, and he continues to work with shell the approximate maturityenclose and confidence, and he quickly 8000-edition emerged as a natural leader within the class. I invited us on a part time basis. Colin to join our office for the 2019 summer cooperative work term, and he continues to work with private collection on crafted Douglas fir millColin brings an obvious care for both the material and social aspects of architecture, showing us on a part time basis. curiosity ingenuity in how the construction process can unfold in the best way possible for work.and The interior is liberally daylit through everyone involved. glazing along thewithEast-West whileprocess panColin brings obvious care for bothaxis theconstruction material anddrawings social aspects of architecture, showing His work while at ouran office began design development and leading to site construction for a smallin private library andconstruction residential addition. process Colin was physically curiosity and ingenuity how the can unfold in the best way possible for oramic windows provide unobstructed involved in all aspects of construction including site work, concrete formwork and views finishing, rough everyone involved. carpentry, insulation and weather barrier. to the adjacent gardens. October 12, 2019
Colin has an exceptionally positive attitude and a great desire to learn. I would not hesitate to recommend as an addition to your team. began with design development His workhimwhile at our office
and construction process drawings
leading the to site construction for a Ismall private libraryon andallresidential addition. Colin was physically Over past two years, have worked involved in all aspects of construction including site work, concrete formwork and finishing, rough Yours Truly, aspects the project - Involved carpentry, of insulation and weather barrier. in the earliest stages of site layout and excavation, and Colin has an exceptionally and finishes a great desire to learn. I would not hesitate to have seen it through positive to theattitude interior recommend him as an addition to your team. and millwork. Paul Dowling, Principal BES, B Arch, OAA DesignBuild Co-Coordinator, University of Waterloo School of Architecture
My third coop was split into two segments; the Yours Truly, first, as an architectural intern, the second, as a construction labourer working through the design and assembly process of the project. This has single-handedly been the most valuable learning experience of my architectural education. has taught me the importance of Paul Dowling, It Principal BES, B Arch,rigor, OAA and the importance of design accuracy, DesignBuild Co-Coordinator, University of Waterloo School of Architecture coordination. Currently, I am working on-site 2-3 days a week during my 4A school term. Anticipated completion for both projects is the end of 2020.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Peltaeum.
1
1 - Boardform Garden Wall
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2
2 - Entry Vestibule
3 - Stairway to Basement
3
4 - Powder room
5-W
Work Surface
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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6 - Lounge
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7 - Reading Porch
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7
Site Section.
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Peltaeum.
Private Library The interior of the library is generously clad in Douglas Fir millwork, Walnut work surfaces, Waxed steel rolling ladders , and polished concrete floors. Consistent datums throughout the project guide the detailing which has been crafted to create subtle reveals and deliberate framed views throughout.
Concrete Foundation.
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Lumber Fram
ming.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Interior Millwork.
Finish Details.
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Peltaeum.
Residential Addition The second phase of the project consisted of a lean residential addition that wraps around the exterior of an existing historic home on the site. The addition adds an entry vestibule, full bath, and expands the existing kitchen. Simultaneously, it creates a compressive pathway towards the library and reveals expansive views along the axis of the site.
Concrete Formwork.
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Lumber Fram
ming.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
WRB/Strapping.
Glazing.
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Peltaeum.
Interior Finishes The interior of the addition maximizes the valuable space within through the use of comforting materials and carefully curated lightwells. The project aims to be comfortable to the human scale, as well as the human touch. With that in mind, all interior finishes have been handcrafted in close collaboration with skilled craftspeople - from the custom casted concrete sink, winding oak stairs, waxed steel handrails and drawer pulls.
Shower/Skylight.
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Cast on-site Concrete
e Sink.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
South Facing Kitchen Glazing.
Oak Stairscase.
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Peltaeum.
1 2
3 4
5
6
7 1 - Garden Wall
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2 - Existing Living 3 - Entry Vestibule 4 - Existing Kitchen
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5 - Stairwell 6 - Bathroom
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7 - Powder room 8 - Workspace 9 - Reading Nook 10 - Sun Porch Site Plan.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
1:200 Site Model.
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Agri-Hub.
Detroit Urban Agricultural HUB Detroit, MI.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the American Institute of Steel Construction: 2nd Place Finalist - 2020 ‘MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION NOVEMBER 2020’ Publication In collaboration with: Callum Nolan, Ethan Paddock and Patrick Stephen.
AgriHub consists of four main programmatic elements, beginning with an extension of the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative’s community gardens. These gardens allow for an expansion of the existing traditional growing methods that exist already at the MUFI center. The gardens then lead to the exterior space of the Market Hub. The Market Hub houses both indoor and outdoor public market space, as well as teaching and small scale commercial kitchens for local restauranteurs to create added value products. The Plant Library offers the community a quiet space to learn, cultivate, and connect. Scaffolding occupies the decommissioned church building, allowing the space to adapt and change with the needs of the community. The Distribution and Industrial Growing Hub occupies a retrofitted warehouse that was structurally reinforced and gutted, allowing it to accommodate the spatial requirements of vertical and aquaponic farming, as well as packaging and distribution facility for a widespread outreach to the surrounding community.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Agri-Hub.
West Facade.
Existing MUFI building.
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Abandon Lots.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Exterior Garden and Market.
Transportation Network.
Research Facility.
Agri-Hub Superblock.
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Name of project etc. Agri-Hub.
Interior Market.
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Tea Garden.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Research Facility.
Distribution Center.
Sectional Perspective.
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Agri-Hub.
Steel Axis.
Facade Connec
Top Pin Connection.
Bottom Pin Connection.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Market Canteen.
ction.
Tea Garden.
Scaffolding Connection.
PV detail.
Steel Reinforcement Connection.
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Hopewell.
Hopewell The Bay of Fundy, NB.
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction: Finalist - 2020 In collaboration with: Callum Nolan, Ethan Paddock and Patrick Stephen.
The Hopewell Rocks are one of New Brunswick’s most popular tourist attractions. The impressive rock formations are home to the largest tides in the world, rising more than 6m every 12 hours. As the tide recedes, visitors can freely traverse the ocean floor. The proposed stairs are strategically placed within a natural rock formation with a form that suggests a continuation of the existing monolith. The stairs weave through the projecting columns bringing visitors through two distinct observation platforms before reaching the ocean floor. The column matrix (inspired by traditional fishing weirs), structural details, and material palette create a unique experience while acknowledging the humble vernacular of the Maritime culture.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Hopewell.
FUNDY NATIONAL PARK
THE BAY OF FUNDY
Context Map.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Render at dawn.
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Hopewell.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Connection Details.
View at Receding Tide.
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Isumanivivik.
Isumanivivik /Place of your own thoughts/. Kujujjuaq, QC.
The promotion of Inuit arts in a cross-cultural context as a means of preserving Inuit culture serves as the grounds for a new crafts school based in Kuujjuaq. The curriculum will bolster a contemporary Inuit arts culture which pushes the boundaries of traditional craft, iconography and meaning with modern techniques and materials. From a pragmatic standpoint, the project addresses a lack of jobs as the leading cause of unemployment in Nunavik and produces an environment where the statistically supplemental or recreational traditional and cultural activities of Inuit can alternatively support a fiscally independent northern life. The realities of the existing arts economy, Inuit arts culture, and northern education inform the programmatic and physical needs of the school. Programs include carving space, a woodworking shop, a fashion studio, drawing studio, printmaking studio, classroom space, photo studio, residency for masters, and gallery space showcasing student work. The interstitial space between these programs acts as a mixing ground for collaboration and experimentation of cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural nature.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Isumanivivik.
Alianait Festival
Arctic Winter Games 2026
Iqaluit Cape Dorset
Ivujivik
Salluit
Kangiqsujuaq Quaktaq Aupalak
Kangiqsualujjuaq
Akuluvik Puvirnituq
Tasiujaq
Kuujjuaq
Inukjuak KSB Carpentry Program
Arts & Crafts School Tivi Gallery
Hunting Camp
Kangirsuk
Aqpik Jam
Umiujaq
Tivi Gallery
Kuujjuarapik
Ivakkak Dog Sledding Race
Vancouver Inuit Gallery of Vancouver Haida Argillite Deposits
Winnipeg Winnipeg Art Gallery
Quebec
Mus Que
Soa Min
Museum of Civilization
Gatineau Ottawa National Gallery of Canada Ottawa School of Art $375/term
Toronto Art Gallery of Ontario OCAD U $3650/term
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Montreal
Concordia Fine Arts $4470/term Nunavik Creations
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Kuujjuaq, QC. / Iqaluit, NU.
Regional Arts Network N 300km Relative number of Inuit artists (range from 2 to 25+)
Before the design process began, there was an intensive period of regional study and expert consultation. With the suggestion of such a significant art school in a Northern region, it was crucial to develop an adequate understanding of the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Kuujjuaq. the 3B Option-Studio class, led by Lola Sheppard, had the opportunity to travel north to Iqaluit, NU., and then continue traveling east towards Kuujjuaq, QC. The final resting site of the project. During our travels, we visited various different Primary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary educational institutions across Northern-Canada. This allowed us to engage in dialogue with local teachers, students, and community members to understand the cultural underpinnings of the community before beginning the design process. With this new information, we had a greater understanding as to how our school for the arts could tie into the existing network of material and cultural arts and trades. The successful integration of this school would allow for the youth of Kuujjuauq to embrace traditional and contemporary Inuit arts. Through education, the tradition of exploitative colonizing business practices would be replaced with autonomous, educated Inuit artists.
sĂŠe de ebec
apstone ne
Inuit Artists Economic Distribution Network.
Sylvia Grinnell National Park - Iqaluit, NU.
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Isumanivivik.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Worms-eye Plan Perspective.
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Isumanivivik.
Art Gallery.
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Distribution Bay.
Compute
er Lab.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Tannery.
Workshop.
Art Studio.
Sectional Perspective.
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Isumanivivik.
Lobby.
North Facade Perspective.
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.
Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Workshop.
Gallery.
South Facade Perspective.
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Isumanivivik.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
1:100 Structural Model.
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Scales.
Scales
UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing. Vancouver, BC.
Students from the University of British Columbia, the University of Waterloo , and the University of Stuttgart came together in collaboration to explore a prompted theme of wood design, with the aim to push the building and wood design industry in a progressive and innovative direction. ‘Scales’ was designed as an experimental crossing of traditional materials with contemporary building technologies. This year, the goal was to explore the idea of shingling - a traditional method of mitigating water permeability. An intricate wooden structure was created through the use of complex parametric design algorithms and the introduction of a 7-axis CNC robotic arm. With these tools, a unique shape and connection method was developed to turn an ordinary sheet of mahogany plywood into an experimental design installation.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Scales.
Joinery Sequence.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Scales Pavillion - UBC Main Lawn - 2019.
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Scales.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Centre for Advanced Wood Processing - UBC.
Grasshopper script.
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Asigin.
Asigin /Gather/Collect/. Missisaugas of the New Credit Reservation, ON.
Since the completion of a two-year project organized through the University of Waterloo Design-Build program, ‘Asigin’ has become one of the most culturally significant places of gathering for the Missisauga’s of the New Credit Annual Pow-Wow. In collaboration with the community and a selected group of second-year students from the University of Waterloo, a design was arrived upon which represented the internally focused values of the users. A materially sensitive palette was developed, which respects the surrounding context and the land in which it is rooted. The traditional land practices of the Mississaugas were thoughtfully and whole-heartedly implemented into every stage of the Design/ Build process. Gestures as simple as tobacco offerings to the earth at the base of each column, an East facing entry to the Pavillion, and the use of sacred Cedar wood as the connection point between the structure and the earth. Over the two year process, I had the privilege of filling a senior role as a project coordinator and teaching assistant. My main role was the guidance and coordination of second-year students who had a wide spectrum of building experience. The project was developed through a mixture of pre-fabrication at the shop located at the University of Waterloo and the final installation took place over a series of weeks spent on site.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Asigin.
Glulam Beam Fabrication.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Site Photos.
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Asigin.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Missisauagas of the New Credit Pow-Wow - August 2019.
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Hand-made.
Hand-made
Analog Model Making. Through the exploitation of materiality, form, and structure a model can serve as one of the most useful tools an architect has in the process of developing and representing an idea. I am a firm believer in the power of a skillfully crafted model, in the design process and regularly use sketch models as a key tool in my repertoire of design skills.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
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Hand-made.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
1:100 Podium Model - Whistler Residence - Mckinley Burkart.
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Hand-made.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
!:250 Display Model - Calgary Contemporary Arts Centre - Mckinley Burkart.
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Hand-made.
Selected for permanent display at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
1:100 Scale Model.
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Hand-made.
Selected for permanent display at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.
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Colin Williams - Portfolio.
Chicago Auditorium Building - Sullivan & Adler.
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Thank you.
email: phone:
colin.williams@uwaterloo.ca 1.506.292.5211