Nguzarello Designs

Melissa Nguyen & Ariel Azzarello Juneau
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The idea of linking the ‘natural’ with the human-crafted world of architecture is central to sustainable design. Instead of changing the landscape to suit our needs, there has been a shift in ideologies and methods so that architecture, its forms, structures and aesthetics, all can be more so than just impacted by the natural orders, but is influenced, transformed and innovated to make use of them while framing and bringing to light their unique qualities.

To understand and be able to maximize the natural resources through design strategies allows a meshing of architecture and nature into a symbiotic relationship. This relationship will pave the way for a much needed change in the way the world understands and uses energy and will lay the foundations for the future of zero-emission infrastructure.

Site Context

Plan of the neighbourhood in which the site is located. Adjacent buildings are mainly residential with hints of industrial buildings and green space/community parks.

Project Locale - Climate & Geographic Data

Location:
Latitude: 43°40’00.000” N
Longitude: 79°24’00.000” W
Elevation: 112.50 m
Climate:
Average Yearly Rainfall: 59.15 mm
Average Yearly Snowfall: 19 mm (from the months of October – April)
Temperature Ranges:
Spring and Summer Averages: 15 C (60F) to 25C (80F)
Winter Averages: 0 C (32F) to -5 C (23F)

Additional (and more in-depth) information can be found here: http://www.climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=5051&lang=e&dCode=1&province=ONT&provBut=&month1=0&month2=12

http://www.toronto.ca/toronto_overview/climate.htm

Shadow Study: Massing Response to Natural Lighting (Sunlight) The light study shows the effect of sunlight on the building at the same time during the day (at noon and 3 pm, respectively) as well as during different seasons. The lighter shade shows the sun’s angle during a summer month (July) and the darker shade shows the sun’s angle during a winter month (December).

Shadow Study: Massing Response to Natural Lighting (Sunlight)

The light study shows the effect of sunlight on the building at the same time during the day (at noon and 3 pm, respectively) as well as during different seasons. The lighter shade shows the sun’s angle during a summer month (July) and the darker shade shows the sun’s angle during a winter month (December).

Housing Complex Model in Site Model

To maximize the sustainability of the complex we have made use of both active and passive solar collection as well as through recyclable and eco-friendly materials with the predominant use of wood siding, recycled aluminum and recycled glass.

The siting of the complex itself aligns with the street and differs somewhat from the spatial layout of the rest of the context, breaking up the regularity of wind to reduce contact speed and resultant heat loss. Of the complex itself, the repetitive planes at different perpendicular angle serves to produce the same effect.

Environmental Strategies I

Image 1: Gradual Interior Cooling Through Ground Level Temperature Absorption and Continuous Heat Release

Image 2: Photovoltaic Cell Implementation for the Collection of Solar Gains to Provide Electricity and for Water Heating

Environmental Strategies II

To effectively make use of the space on the rooftop, we have designed a green roof with accompanying rooftop garden and solar panel-covered terrace. The rooftop garden will grow crops that are suitable for the weekly farmer’s market that takes place at Sorauren Park. The solar-panel covered terrace uses a permeable pavement for its foundations so that any water that falls on it will permeate through the surface and into the drainage tubes which lead back to the garden and grass as an excess reservoir for water.

Housing Complex Spatial Organization

Massing of the complex maximizes the use of space and material as we have connected all three housing units so that they are able to share utilities (located in a communal basement) and electrical, mechanical and structural systems.

Private - Public Division of Housing Complex The integration of the existing site as a community-based area provided the means of incorporating public domains into organization of the housing complex. Public applies both to spaces which are accesssible by all households (family of 2, 4 and 6) in addition to the community at large (via the public/private space). There still remains ample spaces which are strictly private to allow personal comfort to the residences. The lightest shade of purple (public/private space) shows the communal staircase that leads from the ground floor to the rooftop.

Private - Public Division of Housing Complex

The integration of the existing site as a community-based area provided the means of incorporating public domains into organization of the housing complex. Public applies both to spaces which are accesssible by all households (family of 2, 4 and 6) in addition to the community at large (via the public/private space). There still remains ample spaces which are strictly private to allow personal comfort to the residences.

The lightest shade of purple (public/private space) shows the communal staircase that leads from the ground floor to the rooftop.