Derek Cariglia

For Award Considerations 2023

Environmental Design
2023
"Why can't life between buildings be exceptional?" In a word, pragmatism. This is news to absolutely no one - But the thought stays with me as I take my daily walks through the heart of the downtown core in Toronto, looking up at the menacing glass facades, and concrete that surrounds me.There exists a plaza that is tucked away on the North-East corner of one of the busiest intersections of Toronto; Adelaide Courtyard. It resides on some of the most valuable land in Canada and yet, just North-East of Yonge and King, and even during the peak hours of the work day, it is a lifeless void that stretched up around me, save the occasional smoker or commuter passing through."Why can't life between buildings be exceptional?" I thought as I ate my sandwich in silence, among the cluttered remnants of past design, with only the distant, weathered security guard as a companion.The site itself suffers from multiple shortcomings: A lack of coherent plan with a scattered program elements between a bar, two fast food restaurants surrounded by heritage, historical office buildings.A lack of direct sunlight and mediocre illumination at night, creating a non-interactive atmosphere.A lack of critical use, by the public and even by the employees within the surrounding office buildings.I aim to change this, and create a breath, however brief of pause and wonderment, amidst all the lifeless glass facades.

“My thesis aims to re-imagine Adelaide courtyard into a contemplative and extraordinary space with 3 distinct goals:Freeing the site from prior programmatic shortcomings while creating free flowing, PATH accessible and useable spacesRe-introducing a historical, Toronto specific typological material in the form of brick.Expressing day light and nighttime illumination as a beautiful and practical addition to the courtyard”

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Site Context
Site Context
Flow & Sun Elements
Flow & Sun Elements
FloorPlans
FloorPlans
East Section
East Section
Site Complete Axo
Site Complete Axo
Occulus Detail
Occulus Detail
Long Render
Long Render
Adelaide Looking south
Adelaide Looking south
Victoria Looking down
Victoria Looking down
Center View Render
Center View Render

Work by

Derek Cariglia

Environmental Design

“You say to a brick, "What do you want, brick?" - Louis Khan”