Of the thesis entitled: A Tool, a Room, a House, a Village: Urban Cottages for Domestic Crafting
Abstract:
When we craft objects, we become absorbed in work, intimately involved with the physical piece. These things populate our homes, carrying our imprint. Whether making or using our handiwork, our crafts bring us joy. However, most of us no longer make things. At all scales of our world, everything is a commodity, from clothing and tableware to furniture and homes. Although we know we cannot buy happiness, we do not present ourselves with any alternatives.
There are over 2400 lanes in Toronto, many of which have room for development. With the signing of Bill 826, where laneway suites can be built as of right, laneways offer a considerable opportunity for the establishment of small communities within the downtown.
Imagine cottages organized close to each other on a laneway, supporting a community focused on living more enriching lives. The typology of the cottage carries connotations of craft and self-sustainability. In urban Toronto, residents gain access to valuable resources - materials, artists, and patrons. In such a village, people can escape the cycle of consumption and create objects they enjoy. People form stronger relationships with themselves, their families, and their neighbours in crafting them. I have designed each of these cottages from the smallest scale of architecture to the largest.
The design grows from the craft outwards.
The examining committee is as follows:
Supervisor:
Donald McKay, University of Waterloo
Committee Member:
Andrew
Levitt,
University
of
Waterloo
John
McMinn,
University
of
Waterloo
External Reader:
Janna Levitt
The
committee
has
been
approved
as
authorized
by
the
Graduate
Studies
Committee.
The
Defence
Examination
will
take
place:
Friday September
6,
2019
10:00
AM
ARC
2026
A
copy
of
the
thesis
is
available
for
perusal
in
ARC
2106A.