Lawrence Henry Lardizabal
Lawrence’s passion for interior design was built on his interest in visual arts. The opportunity to be creative, and at the same time, design a space for the betterment of the user’s experience in interiors is what has led him to pursue interior design. For his thesis project, Lawrence has designed a community centre that focuses on recreational programs for newcomer youth aged 15 to 24 years old. Newcomer Youth Community Centre Project is supported by a study he conducted before the conceptual development phase. Lawrence’s gathered data showed that newcomer youth face so many challenges and that applying biophilic design principles to the community centre in conjunction with the contributions of sociocultural support enhances the development of Newcomer Youth’s cognitive function and physical and physical and psychological well-being.
Project Overview
An accessible, welcoming, safe, and comforting community recreation centre is essential as the number of immigrants arises in Canada. Recreational facilities would support newcomer youth's critical development during the settlement process and their transition from childhood to young adulthood. The Newcomer Youth Community Centre (NYCC) consists of a gymnasium, multi-functional spaces, and program facilities such as an art and craft room, fitness room, and dance studio. NYCC will be a new recreation hub where newcomer youth will find refuge, make friends, develop new skills, play sports, and find enjoyment.
Concept/Design Process
The concept for the NYCC project is Radial. It is derived from the recreation centre’s vision and mission which is to provide a facility that builds connections in support of the development of the newcomer youth community. Radial in its form consists of linear forms extending outward from a centrally located core element that can grow into networks linked by linear arms.
The concept is developed to build a core space, a simulated indoor garden, as a main area within NYCC for newcomer youth to network and link to recreational programs. The biophilic design approach brings nature into the centre, incorporating its radial forms and patterns such as the pathways, tree branches, leaf veins and stone fissures. Natural elements are also incorporated with cautious applications of vegetation, natural ventilation, and natural daylight as it has a huge positive impact on the users’ well-being.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
NYCC Is located at 3120 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, an ideal site for a new community centre as it is near residential houses, educational institutions, public libraries, and parks and is accessible through public transit. Members can enter through the main entrance door on the west side of the building. As they enter, their first sightline is the indoor garden. Members and guests can register through the wall-mounted kiosk or at the reception desk. All the events like heritage month celebrations and workshops will happen in the multipurpose room.
While waiting for the events to start, members can go to the cafe and dine in the indoor garden. Members can go to the newcomer youth lounge where they can lounge, play board games, and read books. The registered program facilities such as the arts and craft room, dance studio and fitness room are in the east part of the building and are all adjacent to the washrooms. The secondary entrance is located on the east side of the building. This is an ideal entrance for the members who are going to use the gymnasium as they can immediately go to the locker to get a change. Then there is a gymnasium for drop-in programs which are sports like basketball, badminton, volleyball, pickle ball and soccer.
3D Views
These 3D views highlight three different spaces that offer unique spatial experiences. The indoor garden is the main space to connect with the community, with customized step seating and a dining area. The art and craft room is just one of the program facilities in the centre designed to accommodate each program's needs. Lastly, the corridor features an interactive wall where members can create patterns by pushing and pulling the objects, this gives an interest to the members to pause and interact. All spaces are also designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, giving them the same spatial experience as others.
Video/Poster
The video is a 2-minute walkthrough of the project’s focal area with photo slides which allows the viewers to look closely at the design details of certain spaces. The poster highlights perspective renders of the Indoor Garden (Main poster image), the Newcomer Youth Lounge, the Corridor that features an interactive wall, and the program facilities. The concept and project overview with diagrams and images are also included for viewers to better understand the design approach of the project. Both materials were being displayed at the Humber College Resilience Interior Design Thesis show happened on the 27th of April 2023.
