Narrowest House puts a Broad Smile on our Face Keret House by Jakub Szczesny ekes out a place in our Hearts

Image Collage by Wo-Built: Jakub Szczesny’s Keret House

Images Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

"I started to think who could live there. It had to be a person that would like to be a hermit, someone who would like to spend time alone doing something…It requires a sense of humour, as you cannot stay long in a place like this"

~ Jakub Szczesny, Architect

Source: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

The Keret House, squeezed into a crevice between two buildings in the centre of Warsaw, is a perfect example of how light can transform even the smallest of spaces into a place perfectly livable.

Image: Etgar Keret in his house, Photo by Bartek Warzecha

Source*: kerethouse.com: KeretHouse: First night at home: Etgar Keret in his house

Well, okay, claustrophobes need not apply. But considering that the house, designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny, is a mere 122cm at its widest point, one cannot but smile at the ingenuity of design and clever use of space—what little there is of it.

Image: Keret House: Entrance Hall & Stairwell.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

According to the official website, Keret House was an exercise attempting to “fill the cracks” of a disjointed Warsaw.

“Jakub Szczęsny decided to fill such a crack, to restore its existence by turning it into a perfectly functional living space and by inviting somebody to take care of this space. The architect designed a House, which, despite its microscale caused by the size of the plot, constitutes a functional space – a place to live. Szczęsny invited an Israeli writer of Polish descent - Etgar Keret to live in the House. By doing so he imparted one more function to the House – the function of a study.”
Source: kerethouse.com: Keret House: Settle in Void

Image: Keret House: Looking down on staircase.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

Szczesny paired up with Israeli writer Etgar Keret and began developing the triangular house which could reasonably accompany a single person to live and work—the kind of work a writer might do.

Image: Keret House: Main level after staircase “hatch” closed.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

All the furnishings in the house are custom, which is how they managed to fit all the furnishings, according to Szczesny.

Image: Keret House: Custom furniture is as minimalist as the house is narrow.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

We here at Wo-Built think that Keret House is more than just some novelty or one-off art project.

Image: One would have to be very friendly with anyone sharing Keret House’s only bed.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

We think Keret House demonstrates what can be achieved with the use of natural light and how remarkably tight spaces can be made to feel more open and inviting (if not exactly “spacious”).

Image: Keret House.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

There are many homes in old Toronto, Etobicoke, Markham and elsewhere build on long, narrow lots. While none of these houses are as extremely narrow an example as Keret House, a great deal can be learned from its example in opening up the feel of these old houses, and making better use of space.

Image: Keret House in Warsaw, Poland rendering.

Source*: dezeen.com: Dezeen - architecture and design magazine: World's narrowest house by Jakub Szczesny

Just how useable is the space? See the Keret House “in action,” below:

YouTube Video: The world's thinnest home has been built in a Polish alleyway Published by ITN

Source: youtube.com: The world's thinnest home has been built in a Polish alleyway

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build
Project Director
PeapodLife - Advanced Human Habitat via Building EcoSystems & Technology

* Image Photography is by Bartek Warzecha, © Polish Modern Art Foundation, The National Centre for Culture.

"Bringing the outdoors in" is Our Kind of Language!

Image Montage by Wo-Built: Wo-Built and PeapodLife Logos + “pPodLite” Rainforest Ecosystem alongside Full-page Article from The Toronto Sun’s New Homes and Condos Section: “Bringing the outdoors in” by Erica Geldman, “Condo Chic.” 

Source: virtual.homes-extra.ca: Toronto Sun: New Homes & Condos: Condo Living

"Bringing the outdoors in" - The Toronto Sun Lives up to its Name

"The Light which shines in the eye is really the Light of the heart."

~ Rumi, Ancient Sufi Poet

Source: allgreatquotes.com: Love Poems of Jalal ad-Din Rumi

We love light. Natural, full-spectrum, warm, inviting, comforting, Vitamin-D-enriching, plant-nourishing, soul-rejuvenating, glorious light.

So here’s a shout-out to Erica Gelman of The Toronto Sun. Her recent “Condo Chic” column in the paper’s New Homes & Condos section (Friday July 19th & Sunday July 21st, 2013), simply entitled: “Bringing the outdoors in” was right up Wo-Built’s alley.

Erica’s argument in a nutshell?...

“...we can’t always rely on Mother Nature to provide us with ideal outdoor weather. … Why not design spaces that allow you to bring the outdoors in and enjoy summer living all year round [and]…rejuvenate in your own oasis all year long.” 

~ Erica Gelman, “Bringing the outdoors in, ” Toronto Sun

Wo-Built couldn’t agree with you more, Erica!  That’s why we began PeapodLife Building EcoSystems & Technology: to create Advanced Human Habitat that makes your home literally feel like it’s situated, not just in the woods, but in a rainforest!

Erica suggests “choosing pieces that reflect the outdoors will automatically refresh your home,” even if it means simply “having fresh flowers on your kitchen table.” (Erica Gelman, “Bringing the outdoors in, ” Toronto Star) PeapodLife Rainforest EcoSystems do much more than that! Just look at a smaller “pPodLite” systems:

Image: PeapodLife Composite photo rendering: “pPodLite” Rainforest EcoSystem spruces up drab interior.

Bromeliads, orchids, and lush moss leap from the one-of-a-kind Living Wall Ecosystem, filling your senses with a symphony of colour while trickling waterfalls gently fill your ears with the sounds of life.

All the while, the high-order ecosystem scrubs the air of toxins, allergens, VOC’s and those nasty “I’m stuck inside a building” aromas that can ruin your outdoors-indoors experience. Ecosystems produce air naturally, and can make your indoor air quality up to 10 times fresher and cleaner than outside!

If you’ve got the budget and are looking for something a little more dramatic, an addition or complete re-design and re-build of your home is no problem for Wo-Built. We specialize in taking older Toronto properties and giving them spectacular contemporary overhauls: 

Image: Complete Overhaul & Second Storey Addition Before & After by Wo-Built

As you can see from the before and after photos, above, Wo-Built is known for delivering:

• High ceilings
• Lots of natural light
• Plenty of practical, useable space
• Innovative designs (no cookie-cutter approach here)
• Pleasant design & build experience with a woman-owned company

Image: Kitchen Makeover Before & After by Wo-Built

For more information on how Wo-Built can help you get more outdoors, indoors, visit our website.

To literally get the best of nature into your home, office, spa, etc., visit peapodlife.com today.

Top Five Design Ideas for Kitchens

Screenshot: Kitchen Gallery Webpage of Wo-Built Inc: the Vision Builder
From L to R: Kitchen renovation to give the kitchen a new lease on life with a completely new look.
New kitchen integrated into open-concept space matching existing furniture with new kitchen cabinets.
New open plan kitchen designed and built to fit into open-concept space and make the kitchen a focal point.
2013 @ wobuilt.com

Over the years we have asked ourselves what made some of the kitchen spaces more successful than others. Hence, we have come up with our list of top best design ideas for kitchens:

• 1. The kitchen is the heart of the house;
• 2. Make the kitchen bright and light;
• 3. Make the kitchen a multi-functional social space;
• 4. Explore natural textures and materials;
• 5. Bring nature into the space.

1. The kitchen is the heart of the house

The kitchen is the heart of the house; it becomes the center for living and entertaining, a social hub for the family and guests. So we found that by providing a semi or complete open concept between the kitchen and the living area enables a much better interaction and communication.Open concept also gives the illusion of more space and often facilitates having more light in the space, because more windows can contribute to the light level. Neutral light not bold trendy colours also help by having better light reflection, making the space look brighter. Which leads to the second top idea:

2. Make the kitchen bright and light: highlight surfaces and provide focal points

The kitchen designs were most successful if a lot of daylight could be provided and make the kitchen bright and light. This had to be enhanced by energy efficient task lighting and general lighting which highlight surfaces and provide focal points.

3. Make the kitchen a multi-functional social space for the family and guests

Technology such WiFi, homework nook, extra electrical outlets for computers, a place for a TV also contribute in making the kitchen a multi-functional social space.

4. Explore natural textures and materials: environmentally friendly sustainable kitchen

As our emphasis is always about green building and sustainability some of the ideas revolved around the choice of materials. In open concept spaces it is nicer to have the same floor treatment in the living area and the kitchen. Good choices are Bamboo and Cork (good because they grow fast, but have large transportation impacts). Natural materials for countertops are preferable. Unfortunately granite and marble have a large footprint as they have to be transported over large distances, but soapstone and concrete counters are alternatives.

5. Bring nature into the space and provide a stunning effect to your kitchen

And, of course, one design idea we can always recommend. Bringing nature into the space. Our next evolution in kitchen designs. Eco-systems that provide, air, food and well being. Stay tuned for updates.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt.com:blog: Home Automation Trending at CES 2013
wobuilt.com/blog: Interior Design Show 2012 – Wo-Built’s WOW! Moments
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Design Tips: Why to Remodel
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Design Trends: Emerging Trends for Kitchens
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Designs – Are We Missing the Boat?
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Upgrade – Plan Yours Today!

Daylighting - Why Are We Regulating?

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
"...we could brighten the staircase with two large and spectacular side by side skylights."

Photo © Wo-Built Inc.

Daylighting - Why Are We Regulating Even Limiting One of the Best Resources in Buildings

Yesterday I attended the IES Toronto Chapter technical session on Daylight Harvesting since daylight is such an important part of PeapodLife, our holistic approach to Energy, Shelter and Food.

The session covered good daylighting design, it's importance in the space, the current codes and standards and some basic calculation methods; all in all a welcome refresher course for me, since my MSc thesis many, many years ago was in daylighting.

We, at Wo-Built, are passionate proponent for daylight in spaces and all our designs in the past have used skylights where possible. As the presenter (Sandra Stashik) mentioned studies have shown that daylight can increase sales, have students learn faster and bring about a better work performance. But for us daylight is more than just statistics, it brings a quality of life to the space that cannot be measured. It energizes us.

But the light alone is not enough in our opinion. Diffuse daylight is the most boring light quality that there is. That's why people like to switch on the light fixtures during the day, even though there is enough light quantity coming from the windows and skylights. The artificial lights give the impression of quality. What makes daylighting interesting is the sun aspect, the element that is most maligned in building design. It causes contrast on computer screens and work surfaces (shocking), heat gains (positively horrible) and heaven's forbid, since the sun is allowed to come through clear glass, you the user has a view to the outside.

I am not advocating that sun and daylight should not be controlled; on the contrary, a good lighting design should always use the proper shading devices, dimmers, orientation and keep in mind the use of the space. But one should not design interest out of a space. Unless there are safety factors where contrast is a visibility issue or where small manufacturing tolerances are required, the human eye and body often are happy to accommodate light and heat variances within reason. We also have the free will to change our seating position and work environment to suit.

The reason for the rant is that I feel that the current codes and standards are again bringing with them a benign big brother approach and are in danger of stifling creativity. It is great to mandate that daylight is required in buildings over a certain size, but does it have to go into details of fenestration sizes etc. Why can't it be left to the designers and architects to decide what is the best for the building use? All I am asking is that we have a little bit of common sense and not stifle creativity and innovation.

A lot of the decisions are made due to energy saving considerations not space quality ones, but just imagine you could have a building with mostly glass, still have large R values to offset heat loss, more choices in variable shading of the glass giving a dynamic environment, enough light to grow food in the space, enjoy the sunshine safely, maximize the daylight and produce energy at the same time. An outward looking dynamic building system, that encourages innovation and creativity. This is what PeapodLife is about.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

No place for an all-glass addition? Time for “Peapod Light!”

Image: Plants inside Conventional House
Image Credit: MS Office ClipArt: House silhouette and tree design

Peapod Life: Beyond traditional hydroponics, Peapod Life is a living and breathing addition to your home. The custom designed items are multipurpose: it's a usable living space, a living wall and window garden, a source for solar power and a method for collecting rainwater. Essentially, you create your very own mini-ecosystem yielding edible, medicinal, fragrant and ornamental plants tailored to your lifestyle.
Green Benefit: locally-sourced organic food, a reduction in electricity and water consumption
Cost: Peapod Life costs about the same as a comparably-sized standard edition.
Corporate Knights: Guest Post: Best of Green Living Show 2012 by Erin Poeta

Recently we were asked if the Peapod Life concept could be integrated with a more conventional building method rather than a complete glass enclosure.

It’s a good question, since an all-glass aesthetic may not always work; whether due to the application required, lot layout, and many other factors.

Still, the short answer is yes. With some adjustments, we can build a kind of “Peapod Light” into just about any conventional building.

To quickly recap, Peapod Life integrates energy generation and conservation with efficient use of natural resources in closed-loop systems to enable food production.

The Peapod Life is easily achieved with an all-glass design. A non-glass design simply limits the size of the ecosystem, the amount of plant material which can be grown inside, and ultimately the quantity of food the system can produce.

So the fundamentals of Peapod Life are still intact; just downsized.

• A living wall is key for better air quality and the indoor/outdoor lifestyle experience living with your plants. The living wall can support food plants as well as ornamentals.
• With this approach we still recommend at least 50% windows and skylights to maximize sunlight exposure. Thus, natural ventilation and natural lighting are maintained.
• Humidity control, which was easier in the full glass construction, dictates that the walls be treated more like bathroom walls. Some materials, such as hardwood flooring, will not be used due to moisture movements.
• Other green elements, such as rainwater collection and solar collectors should still be considered to maintain the essence of Peapod Life.

Your property may not be able to support an all-glass Peapod Life addition; but as design and build contractors specializing in additions and major renovations, we are confident we can give you the best Peapod Light experience possible, no matter what the constraints of the building project.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Check other articles about livable and sustainable design for future:
A New Construction Paradigm for Buildings
Indoor Landscapes: Companies See the Light of a whole New Level of "wow, cool!"
Combining Old and New Technology - The New Paradigm for Building?

A New Construction Paradigm for Buildings

Image: Indoor Ecosystem from Peapod Life
Can Achieve 10x Better Air Quality than Outdoor Air

In my resent post Being Inspired by the Little Bit of Magic in My 'Backyard' I talked about the park that is magic, a small working eco-system in the middle of an urban environment, a place that derives its magic from the co-existence of its stakeholders, humans and animals, and its aliveness. The place resonates on an emotional level, bringing happiness and joy. I also eluded to that these elements could be key to a livable and sustainable design for interior spaces for the future.

But why bother pushing this concept? We seem to be happy with the status quo of building. Boxes with windows which according to the new building codes will have to have higher and higher degrees of insulation and less air leakage; trying to seal the building off from the outside world to achieve less energy consumption or net zero energy consumption. But we believe that this is a kneejerk reaction to an issue, but not the solution for the future. This approach disregards the natural environment that can be used to make our lives livable, we need daylight, natural ventilation.

Using an integrated eco system to enhance the interior space, living windows, living walls, living floor, nature as your decorator – what are the advantages?

The advantages are:

1. Better air quality. With the right eco-system you can have air that is 10 times better than the outside City air. Less stress, less respiratory difficulties;
2. Growing your own food 12 month of the year. We have food shortage in the City, there are areas where people do not have access to fresh food, also food variety has dwindled due to the way we produce our fresh food. So with a living eco-system the personal food production could be supplemented;
3. Ample use of daylight/sunlight. We as human beings need bright spaces for our physical and mental health. It provides Vitamin D;
4. Use of living wall systems that use aquaponics (fish and plants), next generation on food supply;
5. Integrated systems: a. such as solar cells for energy generation to help growing the plants and reduce overall energy consumption in homes; b. rain water recovery for watering;
6. Future push for better and newer building materials which will make these eco systems more effective;
7. But the most important reason: Tranquility: Plants help regenerate your emotional state. There is nothing better than sitting in your garden, or going out into nature, all of this has a calming quality. Just imagine having this at home 12 months of the year. This space is like a sanctuary, emotional reactions, joy and happiness.

These are some of the reasons why this approach to building is worth pursuing. We might even be talking about a new construction paradigm in building.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Stay tuned as we will keep you posted with updates, here on our blog.

Lighting Design of a Retail Space

Photo: Corus Entertainment Building - Overlooking the Atrium
See how the eye is drawn towards the light.
2011 @ wobuilt.com
Uploaded on twitpic.com

Design is all around us. Coming from an architecture background I look at spaces and often start analyzing them to see what makes them work or more often not. Recently I looked at the impact daylight has on the illumination of an up-market restaurant.

Let's imagine a restaurant with a store front, i.e. any passer-by can look into the restaurant and daylight can enter the building. This is a challenge during the day due to the brightness contrast between outside and inside. If the restaurant is not lit brightly enough to be seen, the space will look dark and forbidding from the outside. How often have we stood in front of a restaurant or a shop and wondered if it is open or closed. And, of course, if there is uncertainty we don't even try the door.

An up-market restaurant is a special case, since over lighting it during the day would make customers feel as if they were in a fast food environment, not very romantic and relaxing, but under lighting it would not be very inviting from the outside. Big dilemma.

Fortunately, a solution for this dilemma is simple and inexpensive. The solution is a combination of lighting and surface treatment. As the eye is automatically drawn to bright areas, the end area or wall of the restaurant has to be brightened up by using lighter colours and light fixtures that will wash the wall with light. This will give the inviting element to the space. The remaining restaurant can be kept relatively darker to create the more intimate setting. The lighting should be concentrated to shine on the tables, so that the diner can appreciate the food as we do eat with all our senses: taste, smell, appearance and even sound (just remember the crunchiness of freshly baked bread).

It is important to be able to create different light levels, as at night the contrast to the outside is reversed and it does not take as much light to sparkle. Hence in any design dimmers and selective switching of light fixtures is a must.

Lighting design is not cookie cutter and each situation need to be designed on its own merits. We incorporate lighting in all of our designs, and for restaurants and retail spaces good lighting is an absolute must. It will often make or break a space. Just imagine how much better your business would do if you created the right ambiance for your space.


Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build
Member of IESNA
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

Forget the Darker Side of Urban Life: Get Yourself Some Stairs and Step up into the Light

Photo Collage: Forget the Darker Side of Urban Life:
Get Yourself Some Stairs and Step up into the Light
2011 @ wobuilt.com

"They may be America's last pioneers, urban nomads in search of wide open interior spaces."
Cathleen McGuigan

When it comes to housing, you will pay per square footage according to the following:

1. Proximity to “happening places;”
2. How “happening” your place is;
3. Number of years since your place first “happened.”

Consider downtown Toronto for a moment. If want new apartment on a budget, expect to live in a 300 sq. ft. closet—er ...bachelor. You can save some coin while living relatively close to downtown in a slightly more spacious apartment with not too many creepy-crawly “tenants.”

What is true for condos is especially true for houses. To live near the lake, be it the Beaches, East York, Etobicoke or even Oakville, you might think you have to settle for a tiny bungalow built either at the turn-of-the-century or just after WWII. Welcome to “the dark side” of urban housing compromise.

But let’s take a look at that brand new 300 square foot bachelor studio condo for a moment. From brand new kitchens and stainless steel appliances to high-tech lighting and a murphy bed, a small space can be pretty swanky…when it’s planned and built with state of the art technology and modern design.

The trouble with older houses is that they were designed and built with the technology of their day. Luckily, a house (bungalow, backsplit, whatever) can not only be re-built, it can be expanded and upgraded with space that doesn’t exist yet. All it takes is a little vision to “see the light” of urban living.

Want a 3000 sq. ft. home near the Danforth and the lake instead of an hour north of Toronto? Then transform your 1000 sq. ft. bungalow into a two-story plus loft. (Maybe put a home gym, home theatre or legal apartment for guests or income in your newly re-imagined and bone-dry finished basement).

Are you an urban nomad in search of wide open interior spaces? Don’t search; find the wide open space above your head, beneath your feet, in front or out back. Call a vision builder who specializes in cutting-edge designs with the personal touch so you can step up into the light of a no-compromise urban life.

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt.com/blog: Another Addition Renovation We Are Proud of: The Wow Factor Approach!

wobuilt.com/blog: Good Daylight Design Strategy for Your Home

Design in Motion … in a House!?

Jerome Olivet Visionary Design: Architecture: Jet House
Image Credit: Jérôme OLIVET Book: Architecture: Plant inspiration

Good Engineering and Beautiful Aesthetics Can Go Hand in Hand in Your Home.

In recent years, there has been an emerging school of thought in design that could be called "motion design" or even "design in motion." From computer animation to automotive, the focus is on designs that look good while moving, not just while standing still. In the automotive world, the approach evolved from ever-more intense aerodynamic testing for performance and fuel efficiency. In other words, it was a natural progression of an age-old tradition in design called "form follows function." When we consider design in motion as another example of form follows function, we can apply the concept directly to home design and layout — and no, we’re not talking mobile homes!

A house is in constant motion. It’s all a question of perspective and relativity. After all, in a wind tunnel test, a car stays in one spot: it’s artificially generated wind that’s really moving; and yet, its aerodynamics can be tested … that is design in motion. In much the same way, rooms, hallways, counters, closets — all these elements stay put. It’s the people living in and around them that move. The motion of a house relates to its occupants. So, if you really think about it, design in motion is perhaps the most relevant consideration when building a house, an addition or any major re-redesign project.

Here are some questions worthy of consideration: in the morning, how many people are there in the house getting ready within the same time-frame? What is the flow of people between bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and hallways? Where are the “bottlenecks”? We live in Canada: does the home have an alternate entrance and/or mudroom where slushy shoes and snowsuits can be removed and stored away from the primary entrance (i.e. the one used by visitors and guests)? Speaking of guests, is there an office or sitting room relatively near the main entrance close to a powder room where surprise guests can be entertained without disturbing the rest of the household? Perhaps that same office can contain a sofa bed or futon to accommodate overnight guests (in which case it’s best the powder room also has a shower for them to use). Is there a handyman in the house? A gardener? How about a laundry room with a shower within easy reach of the garden, workshop, or wherever soiled people and their clothes enter the house?

Of course, people are not the only things that move in a house. Sound is also an element that is in motion; "sound carries." Anyone who has ever lived in a side-split or back-split arrangement will attest to a design which essentially turns the entire house into a single audio zone (and these are very common among the many "cookie-cutter" designs prevalent in the Greater Toronto Area and elsewhere in Ontario). The placement of rooms next to or above other rooms where "noise contamination" may take place is an important consideration. In some cases (positioning a baby room) you may want to hear every sound coming from the adjacent room. Of course, sound carries through houses in sometimes unanticipated ways. Duct-work can channel noise remarkably efficiently. A finished basement with ceiling vents connected to existing duct-work could inadvertently make a direct (and unfortunate) "audio pipeline" between the basement washroom and the main floor kitchen or living room.

Similarly, light is also an element in constant motion. Obviously, over the course of a day, daylight and shadow shift from one side of the house to the other. But in the evenings, artificial light from one space within the home can "flood" an adjacent space quite easily. There can be too much light or not enough given the activities in any particular room. Often, designer fixtures that "look good" in the showroom are sorely lacking in terms of providing adequate light. Finally, new digital dimmers and timers add a whole other dimension of motion—changes in lighting intensity over time.

The point is this: aesthetic considerations of design aside, a home must be lived in. Designing the layout and functionality of a house in motion will result in a more livable home. The key is to work with a designer and/or contractor who has the ability and the patience to take you through the process of understanding the numerous motions the house will go through to determine the best design.

If all this sounds too much like an exercise in engineering and too little like design, remember: good engineering and beautiful aesthetics go hand-in hand. Truly, having one without the other is not very practical when it comes to building anything that "must be lived with" (lived in). However, one thing is absolutely certain: having a home that just "looks good" at first glance will become very tiresome very quickly if it encumbers the natural flow of the people and daily life. Maybe that’s why so many people in Toronto are opting to build additions or have dramatic re-designs and re-builds done on their existing properties — what was aesthetically pleasing once must be brought up to speed of 21st Century living.

As for the "Aerodynamic House" in the image that opens this blog: in the not-too-distant future, global warming and more extreme weather patterns — particularly here in Canada — may indeed begin to play a more critical role in design in motion considerations as they relate to homes. But that, as they say, is a topic for another day.

Attila Lendvai
VP of Strategic Development
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
Jérôme OLIVET. La boutique

Jerome Olivet Visionary Design

gizmodo.com: home is where the art is: Jet House is a New Look on an Old Design
By Christopher Mascari

Cjacotguth’s Blog: Research: Aerodynamic House
By Charlotte Margareta Jacot Guth

luxist.com: The Jet House, Sleek Aerodynamic Living
by Rigel Celeste

Good Daylight Design Strategy for Your Home

Collage: Mirror, mirror on the wall,
What is the best light source of all?
- Daylight, sunlight is best of all!
Image Credit: MS Office ClipArt: Homes, Houses, Mirrors
2011 @ wobuilt.com

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what is the best light source of all? - Daylight / sunlight is best of all.

Wouldn't be great to have a magic mirror that can give a definitive answer all the time? Life would be so easy. But this was an easy question as the answer is undisputed. Generally, we humans love daylight and sunlight, it makes us feel more secure, safe, our productivity is up and our health improves. So it is absolutely important to include daylight/sunlight into our designs.

Now the question how to do this would stretch even the best magical mirror, since there are so many different things to consider:

• Is it used for lighting or heating?
• Are the windows used for views or sunlight penetration?
• Do you need even lighting or can there be highlights?
• What are the spaces used for?
• And many more...

Let's look at some of the components:

Daylight as a light source
Daylight is diffused light, that has less extreme brightness contrasts and thermal impacts, than direct sunlight. For working environments daylight is preferred, as it has excellent colour rendering, high even light levels that make tasks easier to perform, creates a visual comfort and allows energy savings. However, there is no drama in daylight and it provides little visual stimulation.

So a good daylight design will take natural visual variations into consideration. Maybe sunlight is reflected via light shelves to an area that is not necessary for tasks performance such as a ceiling or an end wall. Or the windows provide a view to the outside world. The challenge is to avoid glare, so that a comfortable working environment can be achieved.

Sunlight as a thermal source
However direct sunlight is perfect for passive solar design where a thermal mass such as a floor or a wall is heated up by the sun and acts as a heat sink. The heat, if designed properly, will be released during the cooler periods to heat the environment.

The two components are often in conflict with each other and a balance will have to be struck, even in a residential setting. Lighting and thermal design is not only for offices, malls, commercial and public buildings, but also has to be considered for a person's home. For example, glare in a kitchen would not do considering that sharp knives are used and glare could lead to accidents. Overheating in summer would be very uncomfortable. And view windows in a bathroom might not be appropriate.

Daylight will have to be introduced in a sensitive and effective method via skylights or utilizing external shading devices such as overhangs and trees. Trees, especially trees that loose their leaves in winter are very good sources of sunlight control as they provide shade in summer and let through light and heat in winter.

Daylight can also be introduced by using light tubes, which are coated on the inside with highly reflective material, which allows the light to travel longer to an area. Light tubes can bring light into basements from the roof, making the spaces more pleasant.

Daylight / sunlight is a renewable energy, it is available in abundance and if designed correctly will enhance spaces and make them more comfortable while saving energy.

Martina Ernst
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

links:
wobuilt.com/blog: Illuminating with Presents from the IESNA
IESNA - Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

wobuilt.com/blog: Light – the Music of Architecture

bchydro.com: Make The Most Of Natural Light
Daylight is by far the best light source. It's free, sustainable and can give a sense of energy and well being. Some housing is not well designed to catch sunlight, but by making the most of the light that is available, you are likely to achieve some energy savings and create a more comfortable and healthy living space.

www.gia.uk.com: Natural Light Works

creativeapplications.net: DaylightCal visualises the duration, angle and quality of sunlight wherever you are.
Using weather forecast data, DaylightCal calculates the distribution of daylight for any location and date worldwide. Find out how much daylight you’ve got left today and how much to expect tomorrow.

omeonet.info: Light medicine of the future: Let there be light
By d.hagers

freelanceswitch.com: 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Home Office Cheaply
9. Improve the lighting
By Collis Ta'eed | The Working Day

useefficiency.eu: Educational issue: “Rule of thumb“ for students in architecture
"To include energy optimized building design from the beginning of a draft there are some simple rules architectural students can follow to avoid problems with the daylight, the ventilation and the protection against overheating."
Escrito por Sonja Schelbach, HCU-Hamburg

Illuminating with Presents from the IESNA

Screenshot: IES Illuminating Engineering Society
Credit: iesna.org

Wo-Built Got Presents Today Courtesy of IESNA

This morning I felt like a kid in a candy store, two huge boxes were delivered to the office. From the IESNA, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Since I am now a member of the Society they sent copies of the current IES Lighting Library (Hurray!), including the latest IES Lighting Handbook 10th edition, a verifiable door stopper.

Looking back to my roots transforming spaces through light and my love for lighting design, this is going to be such a treat reading about the latest technologies and processes. The Lighting Library is a huge step towards Wo-Built’s goal to become more involved in large scale lighting and non-residential interior renovations. It brings the most up to date knowledge at our disposal to be able to add to our comprehensive experience about lighting. We are no strangers to large scale lighting projects having worked in the past with the Metro Toronto region school boards and on the Singapore MRT expansion.

One of the Publications caught my eye immediately: A Guide to Designing Quality Lighting for People and Buildings. As designers and contractors, we at Wo-Built are always pushing for quality design of spaces through our design processes. Therefore I wanted to see what the Society had to say.

Quoting a paragraph under the architecture section: "A successful lighting design supports the architect’s artistic intent. Lighting can be used to "paint" a space with light to meet the architect’s goals of inspiration, spaciousness, interest, etc." to highlight a fact it looks completely like my sentiments. In March 2011 I wrote a post Architectural Lighting Design as a Work of Art: Painting with Light where I compared the processes of painting and lighting design using a local artist’s painting for illustration.

Daylight design is an important aspect for our projects and I was pleased to see that the Society is putting emphasis on this topic. Our philosophy of light design was well presented in the description of a development of one of our addition project where we introduced skylights over the staircase. We achieved two effects: making the staircase a feature in the room and allowing plenty of daylight to penetrate to the lower open concept level as the staircase has a very open design. Further, we like daylight because it allows energy savings, but more importantly it enhances living and working comfort.

Looking forward now to attending meeting of the local Toronto Chapter, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

Martina Ernst, proud member of IESNA
President/CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
"...allowing plenty of daylight to penetrate to the lower level as the staircase has a very open design."
Photo © 2008-2011 Wo-Built Inc.

links:
iestoronto.ca: Illuminating Engineering Society Toronto
iesna.org: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
The IES seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.
Illuminating Engineering Society:
twitter: @IllumEngSoc
hashtag: #IESNA
linkedin: IESNA
facebook: IES Community

wobuilt.com/blog: Light – the Music of Architecture
wobuilt.com/blog: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1
wobuilt.com/blog: Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits
wobuilt.com/blog: Kitchen Lighting Trends

Architectural Lighting Design as a Work of Art: Painting with Light

Lighting Design in Space: The Cityscape, The Bridge: Art by Clara Song
Original artwork, oil on canvas paintings by Clara Song, artist.
2011 @ wobuilt.com

The process of lighting design in a space often resembles painting a picture.

Recently I was looking at paintings from one of our local artists, Clara Song, and I was struck at the notion that the process of creating a picture is similar to that of lighting design.

First you choose a focal point, the important feature of your painting or space, the one the eye drawn to immediately, and then you emphasize it, make it stand out. As in painting, lighting effects are often about contrast and intensity ratios. In The Cityscape the eye wanders immediately to the building at the end as it stands out in stark contrast to the other buildings doused in various shades of grey with hints of colour. The end building feels like a destination.

Now, imagine you have a lobby area where the reception desk is at the far end of the space. By using the same technique and making the area around the reception desk much brighter than the other areas, the visitors to the space would know immediately where to go. This does not mean the other walls in the space need to be boring; they, as the buildings in the picture, just have to be of a lesser importance.

The Bridge is in stark contrast with the background. In the painting the choice of colours accentuates the bridge. In lighting the effect would be achieved by back lighting the object with a hint of light to the front to show the details of the object. If only back lighting is used the object will be in silhouette and will lose all definition on the front.

In The Piazza the important area is surrounded literally by lights. Though, the other elements in the picture are still teaming with interest and life, they are not as important as the group of people in the square. A similar technique can be used in a space, where the most important part is somewhere in the middle: meeting points are prime examples. It may not be feasible to surround the element with torches or streetlamps, but one way is to light the surrounding vertical surfaces such as columns and creating a space within a space.

The Flowers painting uses a similar technique as The Cityscape, just with colour. Here by layering the colours depths is created and a focal point. Light can be used in the same way. It can lengthen and shorten a space by lighting surfaces and objects selectively. By-the-way colour and light are interlinked. By introducing colour on the surfaces it will alter the appearance of the light. If done properly colour can emphasize the effect.

The idea of painting with light is to create spaces that evoke emotions in us. Emotions such as excitement, feeling safe, calm, stimulated and many others. Not all spaces can be as dramatic as Clara’s paintings, most spaces have to fulfill a function as well, but nevertheless all spaces should have some elements of drama. Architectural lighting will effectively set a mood and will help you to transform your spaces inside and outside. The art of painting with light is to combine the drama with the necessary light levels, safety requirements, energy guidelines and costs limitations. With light you can create your own canvas.

Martina Ernst
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Painting with Light: The Piazza, The Flowers: Art by Clara Song
Original artwork, oil on canvas paintings by Clara Song, artist.
2011 @ wobuilt.com

Clara Song lives in Toronto and she exhibits her paintings at Agio Ristorante in Corso Italia, Toronto.

For more information on these paintings and other works, please call 647-348-4814.

Light – the Music of Architecture

Collage: Light – the Music of Architecture
2011 @ wobuilt.com

We all know that music touches our emotions. But so does light. Its use can make us feel joy, awe, it can lift our spirits, it can calm us down, it even can inspire us, it can bore us, make us feel safe or threatened or help us feel romantic. Of course there is a functional component to light, it makes us see our environment. Its level of intensity helps us work, play and function.

Lighting design is the art to produce the right light level with the appropriate emotion for the space. It would not be productive for your staff to feel compelled to dancing when entering the office or have audiences fall asleep during a drama performance, but it is important to combine interest and function in each space. Some space might be the equivalent of adagio, others allegro. Every space needs the right amount of drama.

It seems that the majority of noteworthy light comments come from either architects or poets. My personal favorites:

• "Light is the attempt to give dreams to somebody, who doesn't have them."
  Massimiliano Fuksas, Italian architect
  
  
• "If the spaces we create do not move the heart and mind, then they are surely only addressing one part of their function. Any engineer can quantify light by which to read a book, but what about the poetic dimension of natural light: the changing nature of an overcast sky, the discovery of shade, the lightness of a patch of sunlight?"
  Sir Norman Foster, British architect

Lighting design was my first passion in architecture. Without light and its controls there is no architecture, no spaces, no buildings. Bad lighting can destroy spaces. Good lighting enhances them.

I believe lighting design is necessary for all commercial spaces, since in addition to the quality of the light it is also important to control it properly to save energy. But it has also a role in the home. The quality of life can be enhanced greatly by lighting in a new building, addition or renovation.

In all of our projects we offer our expertise as lighting experts to provide quality spaces using both daylight and artificial sources and their controls. Sometimes I feel like a conductor, the orchestra are the light fixtures, the sun and the daylight.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc. - Innovative Design and Build

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
"...allowing plenty of daylight to penetrate to the lower level as the staircase has a very open design."
Photo © 2008-2011 Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built Inc: Design + Build Construction Company: The Development of Our Addition Project

architectr: architecture news aggregation engine

Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits

Collage: Lighting with LEDs – The Benefits
Credit: MS Office: keywords: electronics, LEDs, light-emitting diodes, technology

Light emitting diodes (LED) seem to be the way of the future and the benefits are endless!

Unlike incandescent bulbs which produce heat driven light emissions by way of a filament, LEDs are light emitting diodes made of semiconductor materials. Their unique construction means an LED system can provide 50,000 to 100,000 hours of light compared to the 1,000 hours offered by ordinary incandescent bulbs. One compact fluorescent bulb has only 8,000 hours of light. They also run cooler so they are much safer to use.

LED light bulbs are so energy efficient that, depending on how often you have them turned on, they can actually pay for themselves in just one year’s time.

LED Benefits:

• LED fixtures will last 30 years or even longer so the need to replace them is minimal.
• Low voltage wiring – regular conventional halogen bulbs require 10 volts of household power. LEDs operate on 12 volts.
• LED bulbs do not need to be replaced, so that means waste reduction. They are environmentally friendly, and therefore don’t have harmful materials. They can be disposed of in a normal manner. Incandescent light bulbs put carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and nuclear waste into landfills.
• LEDs do not have a filament. They are 100% solid state material encapsulated in epoxy resin. LEDs are resistant to shock vibration, and extreme temperature.
• No UVs – LEDs do not radiate UVs, therefore this makes them very safe for museums and galleries.
• LEDs have a pure white color. Traditional halogen bulbs are yellow with typical colour temperatures around 3200 Kelvin. Manufacturers have attempted to correct this yellowness by using expensive coatings and filters to remove some of the yellow light. LEDs can be engineered to produce white light at the preferred colour temperature of 4400K so no filters are needed. Basically, the quality of light is much better with LEDs.
• LEDs have yet another environmental benefit. It is the directionality of the light combating light pollution that has become a mission for organizations. LEDs emit patterns directly toward the illuminator target & not in the sky.

All in all LEDs are economical and environmentally friendly. More and more people are embracing LEDs in an effort to be green all year round.

Deborah McKenna
Senior Construction Project Management / Interior Designer
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Natural Resources Canada: Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE)
Interesting Reading: Government Help for Going Green in Homes

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The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1

Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
Photo © 2008 Wo-Built Inc.

This year we were fortunate in being a part of an addition project and its many challenges. In this project we gutted the main floor to create a totally open concept space. In a space like this there are two main challenges: integrating a large visual element such as a kitchen and lighting the space that accentuates positively in a comfortable way.

The kitchen has to be an integral part that stands out and makes a statement, but does not dominate to the detriment of the remaining space. The kitchen needs to be designed in such a way that it looks included in the space - not just to stand out in one area with no relationship to the rest.

We (the client and our wo-built team) managed to integrate the kitchen by continuing the cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen, hence tying the space together. The client’s furniture also added a correct scale to the place.

The lighting in a large room is always a challenge. It is absolutely vital to have an up-lighting component in one or more areas to ensure that the ceiling does not feel too low. A bright ceiling makes a room feel higher. Lighting of the perimeter is necessary to brighten the boundaries of the space for reference. Light walls make a room feel larger.

Our client wanted to match the kitchen cabinets with their existing furniture and opted for a rich dark finish which presented a challenge for the lighting. The pot lights were continued around the perimeter for definition, but because of the dark finish the area would have looked too dark due to the very little reflection coming off the cabinets. The area was brightened with pendent light fixtures that brought a diffused lighting quality to the space. Under counter lighting was also introduced to brighten the area.

All of the elements described above made the project a great success!

Stay tuned for a further progress report on our addition project.

Martina Ernst
CEO
Wo-Built Inc.

links:
Wo-Built's Projects
Wo-Built's Second Floor Addition Project
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of an Addition Project: Part 1
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of Our Addition Project: Part 2
Wo-Built Inc.: The Development of Our Addition Project: Part 3

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