Christina Li
At an early age, I had always gravitated towards interior design, long before I knew I wanted to pursue this career path. During my four years at Humber College, I’ve acquired a wealth of skills and knowledge that will help elevate the wellbeing and experiences of users through my designs. I’m thrilled to channel my passion for art and design into my final thesis project, which aims to create a space for youth to foster their passions and forge their own paths.
Project Overview
Through the data collected during the research portion of this thesis project, there has been a lack of art education being provided to youth despite their importance. START is an art learning center designed for youth 12-14 to encourage the exploration of art and their creativity through the programs offered. START aims to provide their students with the skills and resources necessary to continue their art education in the future.
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Exploration of Transit Routes
Concept/Design Process
Art takes on many shapes and forms and it is not a linear process. By creating a space that encourages flexibility, it will enhance its users’ ability to think creatively and have fun with the process.
The learning center is meant to encourage art learning and the design is meant to reflect the creative process. During the design process, the essence of the subway system in Toronto inspired this design as the various intersecting routes showcase a structured system that allows users to create their own paths, much like the creative process. With the use of moving partitions and loose furniture, students can make their surroundings their own, to suit their needs.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
The START Learning Center is located on 21 Ossington Ave, in the Queen West Area, Toronto’s art district. Students can easily commute to the learning center via TTC, with an existing bus stop located in front of the building. The building is between residential and commercial zones and is within walking distance of two elementary schools. On the main floor, two undesignated studio spaces are located in the center of the design with partitions on a moving track that turn the separate studios into one or open the studios to the rest of the building.
Above the central studios is an interconnected floor space that allows daylight into the studios via a skylight, as well as let bystanders on the second floor peer into the space from above and be inspired. On the second floor, there are a variety of spaces that allow students to interact and collaborate with one another. An interactive area on the right side of the building will feature activities for students to drop in and interact with to learn new skills outside of the studios.
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Main Level Floor Plan
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Second Level Floor Plan
3D Views
These renderings capture the key spaces of the START Learning Center
Video
This video is a walkthrough of some of the key spaces shown in the 3D renderings and how the spaces connect to one another.
