NATIVE + HOUSE

Course

Design Studio, Second Year

Location

Hamilton, ON

Once a natural part of the Niagara Escarpment, construction led to a park that is foreign to the escarpment in topography and native plants. My design focuses on bringing Sam Lawrence park back into the escarpment through the growth and education of native plants on the site and in Hamilton.

The form of the building follows the topography and sits in the depression in the site. It acts as a connection to nature; through constant views to nature in the building, through tasting of native plants in the form of teas and desserts, and through transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. A tea house is the main educational program of building and ultimately, it would bring to life the different edible uses of the plants and as well as challenge the idea of many of these plants as poisonous.