Laura Mattar

'ASMA' an airway net

Environmental Design

2020

ASMA’ is an architectural design project which vertically dissects Toronto's urban fabric then publicizes it by giving value to the atmosphere layer. Cities have always been looked at and studied using two dimensional maps when in reality the visible and invisible should be looked at as one overlapping entity. This thesis looks at all the overlapping layers that make up Toronto’s urban fabric concluding that one particular layer is being overlooked by the public since its existence is imperceptible and unattainable for ninety percent of the general public. According to the data acquired for this thesis and the multiple layers studied, the ‘Atmosphere’ layer would be a vital node when utilized, in solving Toronto’s major urban concerns from the ‘Ground’, such as congestion, residential segregation, gentrification. ‘ASMA’ connects the public from the ‘Ground’ to the ‘Atmosphere’ layer. It is an airway system made up of invisible cords that form a net, as well as, series of physical apexes which respond to the wind’s rapid movements and generate its energy.

“This thesis designs a new mesh in the vertical. It connects the ground to the enigma that is the atmosphere. It is transparent. It is the starting point...”