Through the design of supportive housing for adolescent mothers and their children, this practicum project explores the existing issue of teen parenting, and the importance of a supportive environment for teen mothers. Key areas of supportive design examined in the literature review include sense of control, social support, and positive distractions. This practicum also examines the developmental and environmental needs of infants. The comprehensive literature review of the existing challenges adolescent mothers face, the Theory of Supportive Design, and child development has informed the proposed design of House 784. / February 2017

Obesity within the Canadian population is on the rise, as people continue to lead hurried lifestyles there is little time to slow down and prepare a meal for oneself or one’s family. As younger generations grow up in these rushed lifestyles, the opportunities to learn about food and nutrition in the home is quickly disappearing. As a result this practicum project explores promoting healthy lifestyles by reconnecting people with food through the creation of a Culinary Learning Centre located in The Forks Market Building, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Individuals who are motivated to change the way they view and value food are provided with a comprehensive learning environment that approaches teaching through a holistic and collaborative manner. Informed by an extensive literature review into the Slow Food Movement, and learning theory; research into four case studies; and detailed programming, culminated in an interior design solution promoting positive learning, social interaction, and student well-being. / October 2016

This project focuses on the renovation of Union Station (VIA Rail) located at 123 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, into a hotel. The purpose of designing a hotel at Union Station will be to link users to the historical and cultural context that the building sits in. The facility will be a place that addresses the needs of VIA Rail’s travellers while creating a location where locals can visit. It will be an establishment unique from other hotels within the vicinity because of its strong literal ties to the rail industry being that it is attached to a train station, serving the clientele of the train station and that it reflects the inherent historical value of the site for Winnipeg. An investigation into Regulation Theory and place and interaction theories, a precedent analysis on typologies related to the one presented and a detailed programme will influence the design of the proposed hotel. / October 2016

The focus of this practicum project is to provide a culturally relevant, as well as mentally, emotionally, and spiritually supportive, funeral home for the Indigenous community in Saskatoon and surrounding area. The current Westwood Funeral Home at 1402 20th St. West in Treaty 6 Territory and owned by the Saskatoon Funeral Home, was updated in order to improve the services offered to their Indigenous patrons. Drawing on key principles of Indigenous worldviews regarding the natural environment and experience, the proposed design is a result of the investigation of three main theoretical frameworks: traditional Indigenous worldviews, nature centred design, and sensory perception involving multisensory design. / February 2017

"Over 1.5 million single family homes went up in the United States in 2003 alone, and the vast majority of them, sadly, following not a single green design principle." Not only was green design, which is the search for better choices from an environmental perspective, not considered in these homes, neither were the millions of already existing homes within our cities. Modern construction and increasing sprawl are completely out of sync with the ecosystem of the planet and not only is the environment suffering, so is the condition of our cities. The location and inefficiency of these cookie cutter homes greatly contribute to the increasing dependency on automobiles, the clogging of landfills, the destruction of natural wilderness areas and the decrease in human social interaction. Creating a better alternative to the quickly multiplying new homes of suburban America is crucial to improving the future of the environment and the fabric of our cities. By revitalizing the dilapidated, often historic, neighborhoods of our inner cities with green design and building techniques we can improve the fabric of our cities and the daily life of their inhabitants.Located not far from downtown Richmond and littered with bus stops, public schools, parks and markets, the location of the Byrd Park neighborhood works to the advantage of its inhabitants as well as to the advantage of the environment. These convenient factors make Byrd Park appealing, but with further design and development of the existing residential structures the neighborhood will be more attractive and accommodating for a broader range of people. With the help of design, it can be a culturally rich, diverse, safe, comfortable and convenient neighborhood with accommodations for various lifestyles and income levels. Attracting a broader range of people will intern create an area rich in culture, social stimulation and diversity.

According to Michael Pollan's article in Mother Jones Magazine, "The typical fruit or vegetable on an American's plate travels some 1,500 miles to get there, and is frequently better traveled and more worldly than its eater" (Pollan 38). The majority of citizens living in or near metropolitan centers rarely come in contact with produce pre-barcode; that is, produce still connected to the earth or not yet processed for mass distribution and consumption. This is especially the case in urban settings where land is at a premium and is valued more for residential and commercial purposes than for food production. In the case of U.S. cities, though we produce sufficiently to feed our population, the majority of produce consumed is grown outside of state lines if not entirely outside of the country. "In 2004, the U.S. exported nearly $20 million worth of lettuce - over 3/4 of it grown in California - to Mexico. The same year, it imported $20 million worth of Mexican lettuce" (Pollan 43). It is far more likely that urbanites seek references from their car mechanics and tailors than from producers of the food they consume. Locally grown and consumed food has several quality-of-life enhancing attributes, most importantly providing fresher, more nutritious produce with a known history, increased self-sufficiency with respect to food, and reduced environmental impact caused by reduced inter and intra-national transportation.

The program of the interior spaces of an urban country club is similar to that of an actual country club. The apparent differences between the two entities, independent of the interior, are primarily the location followed by the amenities offered. This club is set in a vastly urban location, where there is no alluring green space to be allocated to outdoor activities. The urban club must rely on social, indoor recreational spaces for its vitality. The urban club will be located in Riverfront Plaza West Tower, with views of the downtown and river, and will attract the urbanites of the surrounding area. These urbanites will enjoy the event and gathering spaces, restaurant and bar, while taking part in the workout and fitness facilities. The club will be private but not exclusive and based on social interactions. The space will be somewhere that the members of the community want to be with other members while dining, gathering, and working out. The feel of the space will be contemporary to mesh with the urban setting, and comfortable to reflect the feel of a rural get-a-way.

This project explores the juxtaposition of classical and contemporary architectural forms as they coexist within Richmond City’s urban fabric. It is an assessment and understanding of how the built environment can reinforce transitions between old and new in ways that both integrate architectural differences and embrace historical identity. Richmond, and a large part of Virginia in general, has been shaped by the historical events of its existence. The sights of the city reveal a clash of the old and new. It is a city where newer developments and traditional elements have been trying to co-mingle. The design incorporates a contemporary architectural language that joins with the building’s historical surroundings without breaking the balance of the composition.

This thesis explores the design of a food service space in an historic building in Richmond, Virginia near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. It is a result of retrofitting an awkward 1850s building by transforming it through the modern concept of a fast casual style restaurant, based in whole ingredients. The thesis is about the process of designing to rebalance the relationship between food and consumer in a modern era.

Located in Richmond, Virginia, MO Design is a small design/build company founded by Molly O’Saben. Ms. O’Saben received her bachelor’s degree in Craft & Material Studies and her master’s in Interior Environments from Virginia Commonwealth University. MO Design was founded in 2010 with a team of fellow alumni from VCU. We make objects that inspire inventiveness. Our reconfigurable components offer our clients the unique ability to adapt their environments to life’s ever-changing needs. We make MODs: Make your Own Designs. Our products are for people who appreciate efficient spaces, are open to exploring possibilities, and like to play. Just as Legos have uniform connections providing a myriad of options for building, our MODs offer the same versatility in a serious adult form. Use our building blocks to make a table, chair, or custom wall unit. When your needs change, dismantle your chair and rebuild it into a bookcase. We make objects that challenge the client to investigate. With exploration of their needs and implementation of their design comes a sense of accomplishment. We want to create this feeling of pride through working hard at play. MODs serve the needs of young and old, differing personalities, multiple demographics and help keep the world green with each reconfiguration. OUR MISSION: to bring the pride of making back to the individual. We design, build, and distribute our products. Our company designs components that offer versatility to our customers. MODs are block-like pieces that joint together using tradition mortise and tenon construction. The components we make can be reconfigured like puzzles, providing hours of entertainment for all ages. For our more conservative customers we make MOD PODs: a collection of MODs packaged and sold with assembly instructions to make a specific piece. MO Design also offers MOD Design Services. We can build a custom office, living room, or children’s bedroom with our products based on your unique specifications. We design to produce options, reduce waste, and create fun in the process. Our clients purchase products based on quality, versatility, and sustainability. Our products challenge how we see furniture – from monolithic, singular objects to dynamic tools for living. Small spaces need flexibility and the proper pieces are essential to an organized environment. Our products offer the: • opportunity for individuals to create custom designs. • ability to customize products without needing expensive, dangerous tools. • potential for growth with new designs that continue to connect to original parts. • enhancement of human needs, both physical and emotional. • excitement of exploration, collaboration, and play. • versatility to compliment any lifestyle, from highlighted piece to a closet storage system. • manageability of a product that can be moved and manipulated by a single person.• a challenge to our current product cycles: buy, use, and discard. So, lets play with MODs!