Continuing Education - School for Craft

"The practice of architecture has always been in the paradoxical position of being invested in the production of the physical  realm with the use of abstract tools"  Stan Allen

"Craft can be said to relate primary to materials and their innovative manufacture, fabrication and installation” James Carpenter

In order for architecture to be re-engaged by its occupants and observers in a meaningful way, architects must once again think of themselves as craftsman and their buildings as craft. The following are my strategies and tactics to accomplish this:

A. Design for Site and Program

One of the problems associated with modern architecture and the free plan is the relationship between program and site has been lost. Buildings are permanent objects which must be designed to respond to both climate and program seeking to integrate the two. 

1. Creating a central atrium which can connect the diverse program through the use of light.

2. Grouping and positioning program on the site to maximize the needed type and source of light. 

3. Allowing each programatic space to be individually manipulated to environmental conditions. 

B. Design for efficiency and performance

Using Prefabrication and CNC technologies to improve the efficiency and performance of building details both during and after construction. 

1. Create an exterior wall system which can be prefabricated and easily assembled on-site without compromising the integrity of the system

2. Use CNC fabricated components created from plywood to connect prefabricated elements. 

C. Tectonic Focus

It is important that we understand buildings by not only their space and volume, but also by their tactility and material characteristics. 

1. Using wood as a threshold material on both horizontal and vertical surfaces

2. Introducing a green wall into the central atrium to create a cohesive material space.  

My Site is located in Newmarket, Ontario just off of Yonge Street. Newmarket has a population just under 90,000 and represents a quickly growing small city with increasing development. The city was chosen as it currently has limited continuing education options, lies within the boundaries of the GTA, and has an older demographic. 

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