This study was carried out during the 2020 COVID pandemic. It aimed to assess the potential benefits of tele-health in addressing the needs of patients with respiratory illnesses who were most vulnerable during the pandemic and require extra precaution to prevent their infection. A proposed solution to tackling one of the hospital’s many challenges during... Read more »
This project proposes a collaboration with Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York to enhance dog welfare on the 4th & 6th floors of the medical center’s workplace. Aligned with AMC’s mission and responding to the increasing demand for pet-friendly workplaces post-Pandemic, the submission aims to develop a toolkit with the client’s expertise. This... Read more »
Welcome to PRECEDE! The Public Repository to Engage Community and Enhance Design Equity (PRECEDE) is an open-source dashboard that makes it easier for architects and designers to access health, socioeconomic, and environmental data to improve design outcomes. By leveraging access to several public health databases—such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Environmental Protection Agency,... Read more »
There is a known gap in architectural design between the ability to engineer acoustics and the need to design for the perception of sound, or “soundscape.” Equity falls through that gap, in terms of accessibility but also social cohesion. Because the Living Building Challenge is the only architectural certification to specify Equity in its standard,... Read more »
The purpose of this Toolkit is to start weaving together diverse perspectives and voices, each contributing to the creation of spaces that align with Indigenous values. It strives to provide a comprehensive resource that promotes collaborative, ethical, and culturally sensitive design practices that honour Indigenous perspectives, history, and sustainability goals. Nonetheless, the engagement tools and... Read more »
How do we keep our humanity at the forefront? This research project aims to uncover potential AI blind spots and set up a framework for using the optimal AI tools to reach equitable human-centric design solutions. As we move into a world of AI, our digital heritage becomes an important aspect of how our knowledge... Read more »
This project assessed a methodology for calculating a Bike Share Propensity Index (BSPI). The BSPI identifies areas within a city that exhibit characteristics favorable for bike sharing. The results and insights gained from this project will enable us to support better the cities we collaborate with. We evaluated and tested three different statistical approaches to... Read more »
The current processes around Project Specifications may feel tiring and have a steep learning curve for novices. Recent advances in natural language processing (NLP), such as ChatGPT, enable human-like interaction with AI-bots that can quickly parse large amounts of text. We hypothesize that incorporating Conversational AI into product submittal reviews can lead to quicker responses,... Read more »
This research delves into the impact of AI, particularly AI-generated images, on architectural design processes. Initially exploring the dynamic and iterative nature of architectural design, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of traditional and digital tools. Focusing on the application of AI, the research contends that when effectively employed, AI enhances creativity by swiftly providing... Read more »
In North America, the queer community has seen their identity in the public realm contested over the years, bringing out anti-queer activists protesting queer presence in public spaces. These ongoing efforts to oppress queer use and expression have contributed to a decline in the physical and mental health of queer individuals. This research project brings... Read more »
The detrimental effects of climate change due to the increase of carbon emission into our atmosphere have led to several issues in our cities and impacted the health of residents. The high use of motor vehicles, the long distances of transit, and the increased number of impervious surfaces have not helped mitigate the heat island... Read more »
