Natalie Wood
Natalie is a passionate interior designer who takes pride in her attention to user experience. Natalie's focus for her thesis project was to create a space for college and university students that supports their spiritual health and well-being. To accomplish this, she applied her interest in space psychology and how users interact within the built environment.
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Project Overview
Toronto's Multi-Faith Centre for College and University Students is located at 21 Ossington Avenue in the heart of Toronto. This centre is created for the college and university students in the area that wish to enhance their spiritual health and well-being. Religious and non-religious students can utilize this centre for individual spiritual needs, group events, studying, lounging and socializing with others.
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Conceptual Diagram
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Theories applied
Concept/Design Process
The design concept for the Multi-Faith Centre has been based on the concept of "radiant passage". This is shown through light wells, windows, cutouts and the general use of light.
Radiance refers to the form and shape that light creates in each space, while passage is the experience influenced by the users. To ensure the concept is shown in the design, theories of light trail, pathways, nodes, sequence and unbodied are applied in the project. Here, "unbodied" is the spiritual presence or transcendent feeling that the space enacts on the users.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
Carrying the conceptual diagram right into the plan, the pathways, sequence of shape and nodes (or gathering places) are prominently shown. The main worship space is the primary space where religious events as well as individuals can go to reflect or worship. The narthex or pre-function space, creates a transition between everyday life and the spiritual environment.
The level 2 plan consists of social spaces like the library, lounge, café and a secondary reflection room. The library and lounge allow for religious and non-religious students to learn about different religions and spiritualities. The level 2 spaces create opportunities for studying, social events, and spiritual conversation and connection among peers.
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"Tree of Life"
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Roof structure
Sections/Elevations
These sections help with the portrayal of vertical space and structure.
3D Views
The main worship space is a large ovular structure consisting of large ribbed glass curtain walls and acoustic wood slats. This space is open and devoid of a pulpit and religious symbols to ensure whoever uses the space can feel welcome and comfortable. The main worship space is anchored with a metaphorical "tree of life" that is abstracted for multi-religious use.
The neutral design and flexible arrangements allow users to experience the space however they want to. This is translated into the reflection room as well, where users can control the lighting to suit their needs. The wave shape of the ceiling converges facing East for users to orient themselves properly when practicing their religions. The café on level 2, allows students to mingle and share food and drink together. This is important in many religions and can promote healthy relationships with other students of varying religious and spiritual backgrounds.
Multi-Faith Centre Poster
Poster
This poster depicts the Multi-Faith Centre and some of the main spaces that the design entails.
