Greater Sudbury Architectural Tour

Tasked as a historical preservation course assignment, I have had the great pleasure of putting together this video presentation of Greater Sudbury and its historic architecture. With a city founded on its rich minerals, it is unfortunate that many buildings have been lost in the city's landscape. Through archival research, Greater Sudbury has multiple architectural styles, and this video shares an excellent overview of some of these styles and buildings. Which one is your favourite?

I MA.ID it!!!

Here is a glimpse of the final thesis project for my Masters of Arts in Interior Design at SCAD.

Life as we once knew it quickly altered in early 2020. Consequently, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted societies to work from home (WFH) and accept a perpetual phase of experiencing life in a single dwelling. As a defying ordeal, large accounts of residence configurations aren't suitable to deliver the varying needs of each dweller. From remote work to virtual learning and myriad distractions, various fundamental needs require attention to afford resolute appropriations to lessen the compact sentiments of households. A triangulation research approach has explored existing studies and delivered new investigative revelations employing surveys, interviews, observations, and creative schematics. Conferred by the millennial generation, results have identified a diverse necessity to balance separation and unification. With WFH discipline proclaimed as becoming a new societal norm in a post-pandemic era, interior design theories likewise require a traditional shift. When surveying 70 millennials, only 54% have indicated their desire to maintain a WFH practice in the post-pandemic: of these individuals, a majority of 70% reveal having a designated workspace. Identified as enticing work productivity, WFH also eases household and familial needs by hosting shared responsibilities in childcare and routine domestic maintenance. Alternatively, it blurs the separation of work-life balance. These results unveiled the fluidity of transpiring all daily tasks in the same space and how WFH methods heavily rely on technology and its continuous connectivity. Ultimately, the dire need to connect with nature in actual and figurative ways has shielded WFH individuals and dwellers' daily stresses. By adopting flexible and adaptable means, dwellers can have an immediate impression of being within one space providing multiple uses. Such application directly acknowledges the drawbacks fundamentally exhibited from their workspace. The in-depth analysis of user needs proposes key essential mediations to meet the complex emotional, physical, and social needs of WFH during the pandemic and beyond by expending tangible modular elements, nature-driven features, and adequate disperse between private and shared environments.

For a more in-depth look at my final thesis project here is a link to a digital copy of the full thesis document.

Emerging Materials Magazine

As a course project, we were assigned to investigate emerging interior materials and create a magazine excerpt. With my selection focusing on my love for terrazzo floor and sustainable wood, I have proudly produced a presentation that captivates and educates us on the new up-and-coming finishes of our present and future.

Design Collaborations

Over the last eight years, I have had the absolute pleasure of collaborating on various commercial and residential projects in Southern Ontario. In cooperation with the Gordana Car Design firm and Condo Culture Design, each collaboration has allowed me to master my craft and continuously grow as an interior designer. The following is a shortlist of random projects that I would like to highlight and share.

Condo Culture Design

• Caroline Street Private Residences

• Circa 1877

• The Gaslight District Condos

• Avenue M

• 430 Essa Condos

• Otis Condos

• Station Park- Union Towers

Gordana Car Design

• Decor Centers

• Lil Brew Hops (Restaurant)

• Along with multiple Condominium Developments, Presentation Centres, Sales Offices, Private Residences, etc.

#oldtonew

When my aunt told me she was getting rid of this old chair at the cottage... I knew right away I wanted to give it a new life. From the original warn down orange leather with embossing and stained arms, I reupholstered the chair with a woollen fabric and sanded down the arm rests to the bare wood. It's now a perfect addition to my reading nook.

#creating options for a 10'x10' kitchen.

Quick stair makeover...

After a friend asked for some help in giving life to her current drabby stairs that have recently been stripped from its worn down carpet finish... I suggested that a nice coat of paint, some trim and some TLC will not only give them life again but give life to her foyer. We painted the threads with Benjamin Moore, Chelsea Gray, HC-168, and the risers and trim we painted with Benjamin Moore, Balboa Mist, OC-27, and Voilà

London, UK Vacation

As a self-graduation gift, I embarked on a relaxing and exploring voyage across the pond. Spending over a week in the beautiful city of London, I had the pleasure of exploring and enjoy everything from cuisine, theatre, shopping and much sightseeing.  Being my second time to this magnificent city, I toook advangage of the guided tours and witnessed the world’s magnificence of Stonehenge and Bath, where both demonstrate such history and beauty.

The Weegiwahm Haven Homeless Shelter - Bach. of I.D. Thesis

THESIS ABSTRACT

With the constant growing homeless population in our country, it is undoubtedly imperative we require homeless shelters in all communities. Explicitly analyzing Greater Sudbury's aboriginal community, we can identify that this community could benefit from the Weegiwahm Haven Homeless Shelter, which will ensure the safety and well-being of all who find themselves living on the streets. This type of establishment must function 365 days a year and 24 hours a day to ensure the community's diversity is never overlooked. Through multiple literature reviews, case studies, and interviews, information was investigated, especially with the indigenous community and their powerful and valued life stories in Canada's copious territories. With a dedication to mother earth, the indigenous community has demonstrated much appreciation for sustainable design through their rich history. Thus, the historical building, the original Old City Hall, will be an ideal location to provide support for the community at large in Sudbury's downtown core.

DESIGN BRIEF

       With this historical structure's overall reconfiguration, the Weegiwahm Haven Homeless Shelter design provides a space to temporarily call home and support this northern homeless population community temporarily. With a specific focus on private versus public areas, the overall organization offers multiple benefits with its resources and services for temporary shelter of residents while also providing the support necessary for those residents to attain the independence they desire. By incorporating aboriginal cultural elements, we can showcase cultural artifacts and references by including architecture in various spaces. With all residents' well-being at its forefront, this shelter demonstrates care for a vast spectrum of citizens that may suffer perpetual or transient homelessness.

- The following images are an excerpt of the Final Design Book; including an excerpt from the project’s specification book.

Traditional-Efficient-Vanity

From the initial concept to the finished product, this project was a great success. While seeking more storage in an average size bathroom, we were challenged with certain limitations. Nonetheless, creating a custom vanity with specific envisions from the client would allow for ample storage. Through a custom mill-worker team, this vanities final product reflects the superior craftsmanship of Ricky and Sam.

The finishes vary from a classic gray stain, with an ocean foam quartz counter, brushed aluminum hardware, and a black glass mosaic, representing the efficiency and luxury appeal this vanity demonstrates.

'Open' Loft Concept

  The overall design concept of this Loft development has systematized itself with the appreciation of openness and the utility of organic provisions for a natural and individual approach through the association of old and new. From an original historical, contemporary building, the broad spectrum of style has intertwined itself into three different occupancies; Private Residence, Design Office, and Rental Suite. Keeping many elements naked and the overall industrial setting has created an approach that represents an organic emotion of history and maintains honesty to space.

  The Private Residence has deemed itself a rustic Tuscan villa with a metropolitan backdrop. The combination of positive and negative space fashions and overall grandeur, which allows for an entertaining atmosphere. A private and public space was respected and specifically allocated.

  The innovative office space focused on the area and gathered a visual appeal that promotes collaboration. With vibrancy and cylindrical sheerness, space allows for architectural features that will undoubtedly motivate.

  Ultimately the rental unit is construed as an abode that functions wonderfully with minimal use of space. The inclusive suite allows for an inventive space that surpasses all critical needs set out by potential occupiers.

- The following images are an excerpt of the Final Loft Design Book. 

Boutique Hotel Renovation Concept

This project was a complete restoration of an existing Boutique Hotel. In keeping with the existing Tudor architectural style, we modernized the space to adhere to a more current consumer appeal. Along with a lounge and reception area, this design includes a restaurant and twenty-seven various suites to accommodate guests. With its historical designation, the project's overall goal was to create a sophisticated and charming hotel.

'Curvable Shanty' Concept

With the purpose of providing security, shelter, and healthy alterations, the exemplar knowledge of oil extraction has created a significant impact on our natural environment but also on the societal alterations affected. Specifically, in Sudan, Africa, the Darfur region has been presented with environmental, social, and psychological sufferance. The basic workforce of oil extraction is with the multiple oil reservoirs situated in the southern Sudan region that have stimulated a demountable, assembled versatile shelter. With the UN Refugee Agency at UNHCR determining the rising needs of safeguarding, Darfur civilians can appreciate a more substantial barrier, which will increase security as currently, fabric tents do not provide. By introducing global equality, we have evaluated that environmental requirements should undoubtedly be attained and no longer be put aside. With a simplified assembly, we are conceptualizing an already existing shape and creating a mass populated community.

A Mauve Revamp

Inspired by the wallcovering find, this bedroom received simple cosmetic transformations. While repurposing many existing furniture items, this project was in its own fashion sustainable; even the antique light fixture was given a new life. Originally gold with glass crystals, a simple coat of light sage coloured paint, along with crystals and pearls, this fixture and bedroom received a whole new elegance. Other projects that this transformation included was the ‘white antiquing’ style of an antique headboard and side table. Once again, with simple white paint, candle wax, and sandpaper, this chic furniture was renewed.

From Tapioca to Merlot

A quick way to give pizazz to a bleak room is always to select a wall and create an accent or focal point. This dining room went from a light yellow cream wall with a mirror, to a rich burgundy wall adorned with an assembly of various decorative and collectible plates. 

Scared of Colour?

After having a client strictly told me she was scared of applying colors to her wall, curtains, or furniture pieces, it was evident that we would use a monochromatic palette in a brown taupe colour and add a punch colour. With keeping a unified look around her space, we chose to throw in a few lime green accents, which allowed for a punch of color that is very vibrant but still subtle. Being in the industry, I realize that many clients are afraid of commitment to colour. Is this how you feel? If so, what most people don’t understand is that we need to apply colour to significant items that occupy the space; however, introducing colour in accent items or decorative items allows for easy change and adjustment.

Re-upholster something old to something new...

     The reality of antique furniture is most often the stability; strength and detail are more evident.  One day my grandparents found two lovely chairs and immediately had my creativity come to mind. “We knew you could create something beautiful out of these chairs” said my grandma.  While spending quality time with my wonderful grandparents, I had the pleasure to simply purchase a high-gloss black paint, and a vibrant red cotton fabric to re-purpose these wicker lattice armchairs.

     Re-upholstering this chair was very simple and achievable by anyone. Creating simple piping, and purchasing fabric buttons allowed for beautiful masterpieces that will always treasure.

- Manny

Put a book on your wall...

Ever had a wall and wanting to add character to it but don't want to paint? Here is a simple and great way to do it.

What you will need...

Take an old novel that you love - the older the book, the better the paper colour and typography. Collect a significant amount of mounting (removable double-sided) tape and calculate from the page size how many pieces of adhesive tape you will need to adhere a minimum of two pieces of tape to each page. A long, straight-edged item, level, and HB pencil will also be required to determine the installation's beginning. To be used very cautiously, you will need an Exacto knife and some scissors.

How to start...

While enjoying your novel one last time before it adorns your wall, take it apart from the spine, maintaining the page shape's authenticity. Avoid tearing or cutting the pages themselves; I suggest you cautiously use an Exacto knife on the spine of the novel.

After clearing all of the wall and furniture adjacent to the wall, use your straight-edge item, level, and HB pencil to draw a straight vertical line from the top to bottom of the wall in the middle.

Read as you go...

Once all pages have been separated, adhere small pieces of mounting tape to the back and mount pages to the wall from the ceiling downward, following the line previously drawn in pencil. Continue this step until the baseboard, and repeat on each side of the line until you reach the end of the wall. When arriving at the end, carefully take scissors and cut the last page at the appropriate place as neatly as possible, using extra mounting tape, making sure none can be viewed from the scissor cut.

Voilà...

After mounting each page of your favored novel to your wall, return furniture and art and enjoy a new subtle accent wall!

Building a Christmas Tree

Starting from old to new traditions a Christmas tree has been part of major society for decades. Each and every single family or corporation has had their own twist or vision of what a Christmas tree should depict. Traditionally speaking an evergreen such as a pine or spruce was to be cut down and brought in a home to be decorated with whichever items the owner should so choose. Retail establishments have grown from traditional colours of red, green, silver, and gold to have to have more unique and even perhaps media-conscious styles. From Disney to other characters in pop culture a Christmas tree can have many forms of decorations. Not only do polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or better known as artificial trees take form of a typical evergreen, but more and more have taken on very different forms and materials entirely. There are rot iron trees, wire trees embellished with sequins, reclaimed wood trees, and even papier mache trees! 

Once a tree has been chosen, the most important thing is the decorations and lights which allow the tree its own form of grandness and beauty. For this 2013 Holiday Season I had the pleasure to work with my partner in creating a unique 'woodland' styled tree, which he named as an homage to cottage life in Canada. He was very keen this year on bringing the homey feel of a cottage environment into his condo in the city. Foregoing traditional colours of red and green we opted instead for shades of brown, cream, and light gold. We had the enjoyment of transforming everyday material into beautiful ornaments for a truly wholesome feeling of this themed tree. Potpourri, feathers and raffia are materials that were chosen in giving a sense of belonging with the rest of the room's environment. From glue-gun burned fingers, feathered fingers, and glittered clothing a tree came to life!

- Manny

Nuit Blanche 2013

With great friends I had the pleasure to attend Nuit Blanche Toronto 2013.  For one full evening the city of Toronto is transformed by various artists of all kinds who have the chance to exhibit their creations in outstanding ways. Whether it be in physical form, words, sounds or other cumulative methods there is always something around ready to captivate you. This year the most highly anticipated installation was the bicycle sculpture entitled 'Forever Bicycles' by  Ai Weiwei, which was displayed at Nathan Phillips square.  

An exhibition that particularly enthralled me was 'Built for ART' at 401 Richmond. The various installations of subjects and materials were well displayed in a fabulous historic factory building that utilized all of its features to display the art. From the basement, courtyards to the loading docks all the spaces were utilized creatively and effectively.

I recommend checking out 'Nuit Blanche' next time as an introductory of sorts into the art scene in Toronto especially since the artists featured are both local and international. I know I will be going next year - hope to see you there!

-Manny

Forever Bicycles by Ai Weiwei