Bachelor of Architecture 2006

Richard Yiu Cheong Li

 

 

Ryerson university is undergoing a period of rapid change and in particular the development of new graduate programs. From the fall of 2007, the department of architectural science will be offering a master of architecture program and in the fall of 2008, a new master of building science is scheduled to begin. Further graduate programs in project management and possibly other areas may follow. The Ryerson architecture building was designed by prominent Canadian architect Ron Thom in the late 1970s and the department has now occupied this facility for over 25 years. This building is showing signs of lack of maintenance, and a need for upgrade to meet modern requirements. These facilities will need to be expanded to accommodate the new programs.

 

 

Site

 

The department of architectural building is located on the east of Ryerson University's Kerr Hall at the intersection of Gerrad St. and Church St. The department of architectural building is enclosed by other Ryerson University's buildings such as the newly constructed Rogers Communications centre where and the main building off Ryerson's Kerr Hall. In addition, the student residence is located at a minute of walking distance on the east of the department. On the south side of the building, there is a green space where other department's student will interact with each other. It is also populated with the residents nearby. 

 

 

Design Concept- Brining the inside out and outside in. 

 

The building is showing signs of lack of maintenance, and a need for upgrade to meet modern requirements. The facilities will need to be expanded to accommodate the new programs. This project is about change, how to design for change, the importance of understanding how building evlve, how to renew them rather than remove them, and how this can enrich architectural design and building quality. The main concept of the design is to keep the strength and characteristic of the existing building and enrich it architecturally. The stair and the atrium are the most valuable aspect of the building where students can interact while circulating. 

 

The existing stair and atrium was only experienced internally and have no relationship with the surrouding. Therefore, the idea is to introduct the stairs and atrium to the exterior. Behing a curtain wall, this will allow better connection with the rest of the Ryerson University context and it also allows daylight to penetrate deep into the interior.

 

The building will have on additional floor and an extrusion over the main entrance of the building to accommodate the new program space that's required. The addition of studio space for the Master program will be placed on the third floor since they are to be closer with the faculties. The undergraduate will occupy the additional floor. 

 

The exterior of the building will remain the same as Ron Thom's design except for the new addition of the glazed curtain wall system. However, what is added to the building is the relationship with the building's interior and the context. The reorganization of the stair and atrium being the heart of the building, this space will have become where students interact, exhibition of the students' work, presentation, etc will be visible from the street.