Estefani Romero-Ayala
For my final thesis project, I decided to create New Hope Community Centre. This centre focuses on providing art programs in order to benefit the mental well-being of inhabitants. Through design research, it was evident that there is a lack in Toronto of art programs and mental health services. Integrating the two have been found to support the mental well-being of participants. There are studios, as well as counselling rooms to allow users to decide how they will approach their mental health.
Project Overview
New Hope Community Centre is a safe space for Latinx/Hispanic immigrants to come and explore their mental health through the use of the arts sector. The building will encourage others to learn of a different culture through the arts. The main objective is to create a safe space for communication, vulnerability, friendship, learning, connection and mental well-being for all users.
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Parti Diagrams
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Material Palette
Concept/Design Process
The concept that will be used throughout the design of this thesis building - 3120 Lakeshore Blvd. W - is the concept of the Void. The purpose of this thesis building is to give Latinx/Hispanic immigrants a safe place to address their mental health struggles through the use of the arts sector and mental health services provided by professionals.
Through my research from the Fall semester, I found that there is not only a lack for mental health services in Toronto, but also art programs. Art programs have been linked to overall better mental health for people of all ages. With this, the thesis building aims to fill this Void that is missing in the city of Toronto for immigrants.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
New Hope Community Centre focuses on providing inhabitants a way to address their mental health through the use of the arts. From theatrical to culinary arts, inhabitants will have the opportunity to engage with others who may be going through the same situation and create a community to lean on. Each space was designed to create a sense of comfortability to ease inhabitants' anxieties, allowing them to open up to others effortlessly.
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Main & Mezzanine Level
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The Site
3D Views
These rendering highlight a few of the key spaces that will give a good understanding of New Hope Community Centre. The event space is a multi-purpose area that may be transformed to meet the needs of inhabitants. The chill space is an area where inhabitants may grab a drink and create communication and friendship with others alike. The theatre is a space where inhabitants can put on shows, watch a movie and/or have speakers come to engage inhabitants in conversation.
Video/Poster
This poster provides a summary of New Hope Community Centre located at 3120 Lake Shore Blvd W. Included are floor plans, the concept and renderings of key areas in the space.
