Andy Co
As a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Interior Design program at Humber College, Andy brings positivity wherever he goes as he loves to interact with people, help others out and always has a smile on his face. His inspiration for this project was to give back to the community as throughout his years in the program he understands that anxiety and stress can have a toll on a person. He wanted to help the future generations on managing their anxiety and stress through making, as a hobby. His intention on this project was to enhance the quality of life in an individual in order to live a happier and stress-free life. In addition to this, Andy loves exploring the outdoors and was fascinated on bringing the outdoors inside, as you can see from this project.
Project Overview
The Garden of Making is a makerspace that helps individuals manage their anxiety and stress. The intention of this makerspace is to allow users to make and call it their third place. This third place is a space where individuals can interact with people socially, exchange ideas and be apart of a community while simultaneously participating in activities that utilize their hands to express their emotions to alleviate anxiety and stress. The goal is to improve one's mental health and enhance the quality of life in an individual.
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Conceptual Spatial Configuration.
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Interpretation of Transition in 2 Ways.
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Parti Diagram.
Concept/Design Process
The concept for this makerspace is transition. Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. The central aim of this makerspace is to enhance the quality of life through making by unlocking the inherent creative potential in people as they transition from a stressful life to a happier and stress-free life. Transition can be interpreted two ways in this concept, first is a mental aspect as through making it reduces anxiety and stress to enhance the quality of life. Second is a physical aspect as spaces can be created, connected, or divide through the change in level, change in material and foldable and transparent partitions.
Site Plan/Floor Plan
The Garden of Making will be located at 3120 Lakeshore Blvd. West. The aim for this space was to create an environment that simulates the sense of a journey, as they transition to a happier and stress-free life. There are four main milestones along the journey, Socializing, Thinking, Making and Display. The socializing areas are situated near the entrance and center of the area to allow spontaneous interactions with other users. This area includes a small in-house café and two lounge areas. Thinking areas are adjacent to the social areas to allow patrons to form ideas from the interactions that were sparked in the social areas. This area includes individual and collaborative thinking hubs and private enclaves. The making areas or makerspaces are located on along the exterior of the building to provide more natural light into the space. The makerspaces consist of various making activities, that allow users to utilize their hands as it is a way of expressing our emotions. The display space is located at the end of the journey marking their transition into a better and happier life while providing patrons a sense of accomplishment. The display area is a gallery where patrons can showcase their work to other users thus creating motivation and inspiration.
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Floor Plan.
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Site Plan.
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Longitudinal Section.
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Cross Section.
Sections
Throughout the space there are multiple transitional aspects that have been integrated into the design. The main aspect is the change in level, this allows the space to feel like the users are walking through a garden. The canopies allow for specific areas to be designated while simultaneously connecting to the surrounding spaces. The skylights allow the space to be filled with natural light to help create a more natural and uplifting environment. In addition to the change in levels, another aspect includes transitional dividers. These transitional dividers include sliding glass partition which allows a certain area to be open and connect with another while simultaneously being a private room when needed.
3D Views
The key spaces that were selected includes the entry, social area and the robotics makerspace. The entry marks the beginning of the journey that the patrons will be traveling through the space. The space will utilize natural elements such as vegetations, wood and stone to create an organic environment, a garden. Skylights are located throughout the space to help simulate a natural environment. The LED lights and the change in materials will provide a sense of direction that will directly lead to the end goal, the gallery. Furthermore, the space gradually transitions horizontally from a public to a private atmosphere. The Social Area is a space that sparks spontaneous interactions that can help individuals formulate ideas for projects. The space will simulate a open and lively atmosphere. The Robotics Makerspace is one of the many makerspaces throughout the facility that offers a unique experience for individuals to help alleviate their anxiety and stress through making.
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Entry of The Garden of Making.
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Social Area.
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Robotics Makerspace.
Poster
This poster displays The Garden of Making. The content of the poster showcases the concept, location, main spaces, plans and section of the facility.
