Dominique Charles
My name is Dominique Charles and I was born and raised on the island of Barbados. After Bajan; design is truly my second language. I love all things creative and I am motivated, dependable, hardworking and more than enthusiastic about the interior design industry. I desire to have a long term career in community based design. I believe that my purpose revolves around helping people and communities through design. As a result, this thesis is extremely close to my heart. This project, De Caribbean Marina, allowed me to fully dive into community based design and to implement human centered design strategies such as interviews and focus groups to hear directly from the community that I was designing for. Every aspect of the design from the choice of location to the programming to the furnishings and finishes was informed by the community.
Project Overview
What? - A Community Centre for International Caribbean students studying in Toronto
Who? - The real client for this project are the current post-secondary International Caribbean students studying in Toronto whose needs and desires fuel every aspect of the design
Why? - My thesis research brought to light the realities of International Caribbean students living in Toronto. This research indicated that these students have SEVERAL needs that are not being met. They need to access information and tools as well as community and support to survive and to perhaps even have the opportunity to thrive while studying. These factors have justified the need for this design.
Where? - 3120 Lakeshore Blvd West (Alteration of the existing Humber Police Foundations Building)
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Inspiration Image: Romora Bay (The Bahamas)
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Main Parti Diagram
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Parti Diagram Model
Concept/Design Process
HARBOR: The intent is to play with the elements of line, point, space and texture to achieve the principles of Movement, Rhythm, Unity and Variety emanating from Caribbean harbors and docking ports. The design of the centre will foster an open, airy, Caribbean atmosphere which encourages students to connect with one another, share culture and stories and feel a sense of belonging and connection, while also having breaks for privacy and rejuvenation in the midst their new context; Toronto.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
As mentioned in the concept statement, the elements of line, point, space and texture were used throughout the entire ground floor and mezzanine plan to achieve the principles of Movement, Rhythm, Unity and Variety. The structure of the building was altered, cut on an angle, to allow for the central diagonal building thoroughfare to protrude out of the now cut building geometry. The programming for the community centre has been fully informed through a focus group which I conducted with current and past international Caribbean students in Toronto as well as interviews with design professionals and Caribbean administrators in Toronto.
The spaces and design of the centre are based on the real needs and desires of the students. This design is extremley purpose driven and intentional, there is no aspect of the design which is arbitrary. The ground floor features the reception area, advisory offices, hair salon/ barber shop "Roots", dance studio, community lounge "Izza Lime Lounge" which doubles as an event space, cafe "Da Falls Cafe", Tuk Shop, main washrooms and a Caribbean restaurant. The mezzanine level features "The Beach Retreat" which is a semi-private space overlooking the community lounge and cafe which allows for rejuvenation and rest.
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De Caribbean Marina_Ground Floor Plan
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De Caribbean Marina_Mezzanine Plan
3D Views
Reception - This area is the face of the community centre. It is meant to welcome the students to the space. Elements such as the sea mural, the bright colorful lacquered pendant lights and the angled skylight, which allows the sun dynamic entry into the space, entice the students and create sense of place.
Da Falls Cafe - This area features a beautiful rock waterfall, green wall, bar, rattan bar stools, outdoor seating and cobblestone flooring. This space is meant to bring the outdoors indoors or rather bring the Caribbean forests to Toronto. Elements such as the sound of the flowing water, the texture of the rock, and the plethora of greenery creates and immersive and relaxing experiencing taking the students right back to the tropical and subtropical moist forests in their island homes.
Beach Retreat - The mezzanine was extended and completely converted to create an oasis for the students. As the name suggests this area was inspired by Caribbean beaches. A restful and serene environment has been created utilizing canopies, palm trees, sand textures, cabanas with thatched rooves and access to direct sunlight through a rectilinear skylight. Students can visit this space to rejuvenate, rest and decompress from the challenges and struggles that they face dealing with their new normal, life in Toronto.
Poster
This poster is a snippet of De Caribbean Marina project featuring project background info, the concept / design process, the floor plans, mood board and renderings!
