environmental design portfolio: elaine kinyanjui
DESCRIPTION
architecture, urban design, interior design compilationTRANSCRIPT
P O R T F O L I O
E l a i n E K i n y a n j u i
P1
P3
P4
P5
R e s I d e n T I a L R e n O vaT I O n
B O T I Q U e R e Ta I L :P.a.T.H Intergration
G a L L e R Y :Building conversion
L I v I n G e n v I R O n M e n T s :mixed-use development model
P2R e s I d e n T I a L R e M O d e L I n G
c O n T e n T s
s K e T c H e s + R e n d e R I n G s
M O d e L B U I L d I n G
d e s I G n e X P L O R aT I O n s
P1
This residential renovation is designed to provide a versatile live-work environment for an established sculpture artist.
Located in the historical Fashion district, the renovation of this early 20th c building explores the transformation between the area’s historic era as the industrial Garment district and its contemporary character as a style center. The building envelope cosmetically explores this concept through a po-lemic lens. The play of existing and new finishes juxtaposes the neighborhood’s historical origins with a modern building typology of glass, steel and concrete.
Residential renovation
The volumetric expression and spatial organization of the residence is
achieved by applying the additive and subtractive processes employed in
the sculptural arts.
The projecting glass volume and sunlight atrium provide display space for
the client's sculptural works.
The site constraints that influenced the design strategy were:
- The location of the eastern wall sitting on the
property line made it necessary to design it as a
solid firewall with no portals
- daylight consideration:
This required other methods of bringing in
additional natural daylight into the interior space
such as; axial skylight, three storey glazed atrium, the
corner glass display volume, glass flooring along
the skylight axis.
- Privacy considerations
desIGn sTRaTeGY
BasEmEnt floor
Bed RM.
BaTH RM.
IndOOR
GaRden
LaUndRY/ cLOseT
MecHanIcaL RM.
scULPTURe
dIsPLaY
LIvInG aRea
dInnInG aRea
KITcHen
main floor/ aBovE gradE sEcond floor/ roof Patio
KITcHenLIBRaRY
OFFIceWORKsHOP
ROOF
GaRden
Basement floor Office
Library dinning area
Office
secTIOnaL eLevaTIOnsdaylight studies
glazEd axisProgramatic dElinEation
In this open plan, spatial delineation between private and public (live/work) functions is
expressed as an axial relationship between the two volumes.
The central glazed floor and skylight act as spatial anchors, which allow for subtle transi-
tions between the new and old sections of the building. spatial permeability is achieved
through elements such as a sunlight atrium, a floating glass stair, and interior glass parti-
tions.
Glazed corridor
Glazed atrium
deTaIL dRaWInGs
D 4
D 4.1
D 3
D6
Cantilevered glass
stair
Floor Framing&exterior Wall assembly
P2
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING
PAN
TRY
KITCHENETTE
GUEST RM. 4
SHARED BATH
ENSUITE
BATH
MASTER
BED RM.
WALK-IN
CLOSET
STUDY
FAMILY
RM.
GUEST RM.2
GUEST RM.3
GUEST RM.# 1
GYMN.
WASH RM.
POWDERRM.
KITCHEN
DINNING RM.
LIVING RM.
LAUNDRY RM.
IRONING RM.
GARAGE
FOYER
MAIN
ENTRANCE
ENTRY WAY
GARAGE
ENTRANCE
HOSPITALITYBOUtiQUe Retail
P3
In a collaborative effort with two other partners, this boutique hotel was
designed as an urban retreat for city dwellers and tourists alike.
The conceptual premise was based on the idea of a cenote - a subter-
ranean world of seclusion and tranquility fed by a network of aquatic
pathways. The inclusion of the Toronto PaTH system into the hotel’s pro-
gram was a means of embedding it within
the city’s socio-economic and physical framework.
The retail component was designed to house the fashion collective - FaT-
and occupies the south-West corner of the building. The treatment of the
fashion store’s interior re-interprates the physical qualities of a cenote.
The juxtaposition of voids and masses define the space’s experiential
qualities while the jagged forms and shapes of the display units cosmeti-
cally evoke the sublime cavernous world of the cenote.
HOSPITALITYBOUtiQUe Retail
concEPt| FaT |(Fashion and art Toronto) is a design collective whose man-date is to showcase artistic disciplines rooted in fashion such as fash-ion design, photography, installation and performance art.
Their design sensibility lies in the experimental and avant-garde – rediscovering and redefining the boundaries of fashion.
combining the idea of the cenote -a cavernous underworld - with the idea of discovery as a starting point, the store’s layout and plan-ning is designed as a sequence of encounters. vast open space gives way to hidden enclosures below.
Planningcirculation is conceived as a series of elevated gangways or catwalks evocative of both archeological sites and the runways simultaneous-ly. during exhibitions these circulation paths would be used as actual runway platforms. The glass elevator provides access to all three levels.
The use of diagonal axes and skewed alignment re-orients movement through the store giving it a dynamic quality and evoking a sense of exploration for the customers. a play of light, shadow and void add to this dynamism. Daylight from the ground floor filters into the PATH level through the double height void located at the center of the store.
The ground level is visualized as an open and light ambient space. The program consists of an accessories display section and a centrally lo-cated cash island. The main store entrance is conceived as a glazed vestibule gangway flanked by a glazed display case. The cash island transforms into a storage volume with display niches at PaTH level below.
ground lEvEl sKEtcH
MezzanIne LeveL PLan : desIGneR's sTUdIO
ElEv.
dEsignEr'sstudio
gangway
c c
sTReeT LeveL PLan : dIsPLaY scHeMe
accEsoriEs
disPlay
casHarEa
catwalK
cafE
ElEv.
c c
1 B1 B
secTIOn c
P. a . t . H level
street level
P. a . t . H lEvEl Plan
cafE
fittingrm.
stocKrm.
loungE
casHElEv.
1a
c
1a
P. a . t . H level
street level
MezzanIne LeveL PLan : desIGneR's sTUdIO
ElEv.
dEsignEr'sstudio
gangway
c c
sTReeT LeveL PLan : dIsPLaY scHeMe
accEsoriEs
disPlay
casHarEa
catwalK
cafE
ElEv.
c c
1 B1 B
P. a . t . H lEvEl Plan
cafE
fittingrm.
stocKrm.
loungE
casHElEv.
1a
c
1a
illuminatEd
catwalK
P. a . t . H lEvEl Plan
stocKrm.
c
P. a . t . H lEvEl PErsPEctivE
secTIOn c
1 a
1 B
InTeRIOR eLevaTIOns
dIsPLaY UnIT
As part of a larger scheme, this project entailed the conversion of one of
the periphery buildings at the don valley Brick Works site. The heritage
status building required a very subtle approach in refurbishment and con-
version. The extant structure was maintained.
The buildings conversion into a gallery space was implemented as a se-
ries of interior design moves. an elevator was introduced into an auxiliary
shaft volume. The central winding stair celebrates the ambulatory nature
art viewing. Tension rods from a ceiling track suspended art pieces along
the circulatory path of the stair. The combination stair form (spiral/ stan-
dard) though generated out the spatial constraints allows for a full view of
the space as one ascends.
The existing industrial sieves were re-conceived as the gallery focal point.
Their voluminous capacity was re-purposed for wine storage for the newly
introduced mini bar.
GalleRYBuilding Conversion
P4
nOTes:
• GUTTED SEIVES FITTED WITH CUSTOM
BUILT-In WIne sHeLvInG
• ADDITIONAL SHELVIING WRAPS
aROUnd THe eXTeRIOR OF THe seIves
• SERPENTINE STAIRS PROVIDE ACCESS
TO TO THe RaIsed PLaTFORM
cOnveRTedIndUsTRIaL seIvesWine storage
MInI BaR MILLWORK
Technical drawings
This factory renovation project is conceived as an exercise in
developing a live-work environment for a self-sustaining com-
munity. The working model presented features commercial
space and 4 apartment units.
The scheme focuses on renewable energy and the provision of
social, commercial and productive spaces. The aim is to gener-
ate a thriving community-based lifestyle within an urban con-
text.
The replicable live-work model presented features ground
level commercial space and 4 upper level apartment units.
GROUnd FLOOR sQ. FOOTaGe In 4 -UnIT scHeMe:
model footprint: 2,025’ Sq.ft
sustainable social Housing mixed-use developmentP5
Residential:2 storey apt units
Ground floor:commercial space
2 storey residential units
commercial space
circulation
green space
productive facade
2 storey residential units
commercial space
circulation
green space
productive facade
at 800 sq.ft a unit, the double storey apartments
are designed to accomodate singles and small
families. The open plan at grade would facilitate
commercial entrprises for residents or could be
rented out to neighbourood businesses.
First storeysecond storey
2 storey residential units
PErforatEd Paving
auxillary PowEr
sourcE
grEEn roof:tHErmal covEr
Biological watEr trEatmEnt/ gardEn
ROOF GaRden:Biological water treatment
Green corridor
PassIve sTRaTeGIes
summEr
1. Interior plantings enhance air quality2. stack ventilation
3. Operable skylight provides sunlight and fresh air to interior space (n)
4. Planted roofs -interior cooling effect
5. Roof overhang provides shade
wintEr
6. Concrete /stone tile floors - thermal mass (night warming)
7. south facing, double skin glazed facade- solar heat source
8. Interior windows open into ventilated corridor: stackventilation
Passive ventilation
desiGne X P L O R aT I O n s
Inspired by Shuehei Endo’s Springtecture project, this transitional pavilion
is conceived as a space that integrates fluidly into its natural environs.
This objective is achieved through its design as an unbroken visual ele-
ment, its organic undulating form and permeable configuration.
The first iteration, consists of patterned pvc panels, actualized through the
application 3d printing techniques.
The second is based on the application of open weaving techniques. a
unique steel framework combined with the flexible wicker panels allow
for a complex geometric form.
Both models, animate the space within with a play of light, shadow and
color.
P e r m e a b l e enclosures
park pavilion
P e r m e a b l e enclosures
park pavilion
Modeled after the amazonian water lily (victoria amazonica), this canopy installation is designed as a seasonally responsive art piece.
In addition to providing nightime illumination,the installation's purpose is to express the ephemeral transformations of light and shadow oc-curing through the day.
Day time:
In the course of the day, the perforated canopy filters light and casts
abstracted shadows in reference to the sun’s trajectory resulting in a
dynamic play of light and shadow.
Night:
A series of fiber optic and insulated LED lamps embedded within the
translucent skin illuminates the surrounds with a cool ambient glow.
Winter:
as successive layers of ice build up on the canopy framework, a
membrane would form a translucent skin and in effect complete the
organic form of the leaf it was modeled after.
luminEscEnt canoPyinstallation
MedIa:
- rHino (oBjEct modEling)- 3d Printing - PHotosHoP (rEndEring)
dRawinGRe n d e R i n g
&
sKeT
cH
es
Ren
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InG
s
Ren
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s
Ren
deR
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s
MO
deL
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