Venice Chen Portfolio

Residential Design - 37 Bulwer St

Project Description

In a back alley industrial space at 37 Bulwer St, I designed a custom residence for my client who suffered from PTSD. At least 50% of the exterior brick walls was kept intact due to the project requirement, including a fire escape and a backdoor on the south façade. The original site covered an area of 13.8m by 8.8m, and the area for extension on the west side was of 13.8m by 6m.

This is an individual project.

Software: Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign

Summary

To alleviate the client's hypervigilance and intense fear resulted from PTSD, this renovated house has an open floor plan with minimized use of interior walls and a central atrium to expend the vision between each floor.

With the concern of the noise sources, privacy, illumination, ventilation, and the fact that the house is too close to the street and adjacent buildings, the north, west, and east façade of the house are more enclosed compared to the south façade.

The house is expanded over the extension area for more versatile interior space planning, while the widened space is beneficial for the alleviation of the client's symptoms and him to achieve the goals of his new life.

Site Analysis & Design Considerations

Construction Constraints

A 1.2m wide sidewalk spans in front of the building at the north side; standing on the sidewalk are wire poles with the approximate height of 6m, and a row of garbage cans; no extension is allowed over the sidewalk.

Extension

A space on the west is allowed for extension based on the project description. All the space is used to incorporate a backyard, a private parking space, and more flexible interior programming.

Noise Analysis

A construction zone is right next to the west side of the project site producing a loud noise in 60dB - 80dB. This level of noise may cause hearing damage if exposure is prolonged or excessive, and may trigger flashbacks or other symptoms of PTSD for our client. Other sources of noise may come from vehicles passing by at the north side and east side, and the school right across Bulwer St.

Visibility & Privacy

Adjacent office buildings at the east and west side of the project building have blocked most of the vision, and their distances in-between leave privacy concerns as well. Therefore, windows would be minimized on the west and east façade.

Solar Analysis

Low-rise buildings around the project site allow direct sunlight to come into the project building from the south and to the rooftop. Therefore, the south façade would be open up, and the solar-power collection systems would be adopted for sustainability achievement.

Wind Analysis

Based on the wind statistics in Toronto taken between 2007 - 2019 daily, the annual dominant wind direction is from northwest to southwest, though wind also comes from the southwest in December, January, and July. More windows, therefore, would be added on the south and north façade for better ventilation.

Backyard

A part of the south corner is subtracted for the backyard; a tree is put there to hide the backyard from the adjacent building.

Roof Terrace

The addition of a pergola creates more possibilities for the use of the roof terrace.

Completion

The renovated house now covers an area of 13.8m by 14.8m. 75% of the original exterior brick walls are kept intact.

Site Plan & Elevations

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Roof Plan

Design Highlights

Central Atrium

The open floor plan with minimized use of interior walls and the central atrium expend the vision between each floor and alleviate the client's symptoms.

The extended area ensures enough space for hosting supporting groups, taking counseling, and family reunion, based on the client's expectation.

The addition of glazing panels on the south façade, the backyard, the roof garden, and plants inside help to achieve the biophilic design strategies.