Project

Nourish: The Collective Mosaic

Year: 2022

Category: Residential Architecture

Skills: Rhino, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Enscape

by Mara Acosta and Emilio Gonzales _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ The City of Brampton is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, with an average population growth rate of approximately 4.0% annually between 2001 and 2016. Census data reveals the story of an ageing population, showing a steady growth in its senior population rising 40% between 2011 and 2016. Indicating a population that thoroughly enjoys the community they live in, and a need for more spaces and infrastructure that supports the idea of ageing in place. Sitting between the cusp of Bramalea’s Central Park Neighbourhood, as well as the Bramalea City Centre Mall, Nourish proposes a housing model that seeks to form spaces that promote residential autonomy, and opportunities for economic growth by providing spaces which encourage a flexible means of economic gain through the public market hall, as well as urban farming greenhouses situated at the top of the market. The building enables spaces of opportunity for the community to nurture themselves and one another: economic growth from the market hall/cafe, garden that gives access to food, and spaces to gather and host events that allow them to connect with their surrounding community. To further build on the neighbourhood’s desire for more public greenspace, the design extends into a public woonerf which sits adjacent to the building’s active market hall. The building’s bifold façade doors on the ground floor open directly to the woonerf, connecting the active market hall and producing a series of shared spaces that allow movement within and connect to the community internally and externally.

lightbox

Site Axo and Statistics

The surrounding amenities of the apartment building include Bramalea City Centre Mall, parks, bus terminals, and many more, making it an ideal and convenient location for its residents. The building is mainly constructed with mass timber and its façade is covered with green walls and planting spaces. Also, its south facing orientation maximizes sunlight for residents' farms and their living spaces as well.

lightbox

Axonometric Section, Material Life Cycle, and Section

(Left to Right) The Axonometric Section depicts the diverse circular economy systems embedded within the building, including the Markethall, Cafe, and Residential agriculture and waste systems.  The accompanying diagram showcases the sustainable and circular economy principles underpinning the construction materials, with an emphasis on the advantages of mass timber in reducing the building's carbon footprint while enabling repurposing during its operational life.  The Section portrays the interior systems of the building, showcasing the advanced methods of water filtration, storage, and recycling, coupled with the effective recovery of excess heat for further utilization, contributing to the building's operational efficiency.

lightbox

Building Plans and Detailed Unit Plans

PLANS Ground Floor Plan shows the public Markethall with the connecting Artwalk and outdoor woonerf, as well as the private residential entrances. (First row, left to right) Second Floor Plan shows the second floor of the Markethall, as well as various communal spaces for the residents. Third Floor Plan shows the communal green houses, where vendors of the market hall are welcome to rent out and grow their own produce, along with a transformable flex space for the local residents.  (Second row, left to right) Typical Co-Housing Floor Plan shows the communal floor units along with its shared Winter Garden Spaces. Typical Tower Floor plan shows the private residential units along with its shared terrace space. UNIT PLANS (First row) A perspective plan of the Co-Housing units shows the communal hallway, kitchen, and terrace space along with its units.  (Second row, left to right) Perspective plan of a Typical 3 Bedroom Unit. Perspective Plan of a Typical 4 Bedroom Unit.  (Third row, left to right) Perspective plan of a Typical 1 Bedroom Unit. Perspective plan of a Typical 2 Bedroom Unit.

lightbox

Building Elevations and Detailed Section

The elevation shows both the residential and commercial Floors facing west. The detailed sections depict life within the building, cutting through the residential areas and their garden spaces, as well as the commercial areas such as the artwalk and markethall. The flow of air throughout the building is also illustrated, circulating through windows and doors.

lightbox

Artwalk and Markethall Render and Residential Gathering Space and Winter Garden

The Artwalk/Markethall and woonerf are at its liveliest when the folding doors and bi-folding doors are opened, blurring the boundaries between these spaces. The Residential gathering space is located in the Co-housing floors, where residents can socialize and admire the Winter Garden Balcony which can also be adapted to increase or decrease the living space depending on the weather and temperature.

profile image

Emilio Gonzales