Coffee Shop - The University of Toronto (2004)
This project for an architecture course from the university called for the design of a coffee shop on the main historic campus. The challenge was in creating a building which would integrate into an already existing context and not steal focus from the primary structures on location.

The solution after extensive research was a modest, triangular design which extends slightly from the site, shying away to the more powerful establishment of the main university tower. The coffee shop pays tribute to historical structures by directing attention away from itself and towards them.

Thought has also been given to the culture of students on campus. The building extends over the sidewalk, creating a tunnel through which students would have to pass under. This unites the building into the life of students, strengthening the sense of community at the university.

Due to the limitation of space, the coffee shop is attached to an existing building. A row of windows which look out from the existing building is allowed to retain its view by using a glass passage which opens out midway through the coffee shop, giving a clear picture out onto the grass field of the university. A northern facade composed mainly from glass allows sunlight into the building.

A PDF format of the complete project is available
If interested, please contact me