Student Design Challenge
Grand Prize Winner
Ozyka Videlia & Neenan Ngo
School: University of Toronto
Category: Overall Winner - Innovative Kitchen/Bathroom Design
Comfort Living
Our submission explores comfortable living in small spaces. Condominiums are small spaces which often compromises functionality for compactness. We looked at a typical day and how you would use the kitchen and bathroom. Each day begins in the bathroom, often with a shower or at the least, tooth brushing. The kitchen is used every morning for preparing meals as well as in the evening for preparing dinner which can be shared amongst loved ones or guests. Finally, at the end of the day you retire to bed with a last stop in the bathroom.
We looked at what annoys us most and how we could make the kitchen and bathroom more comfortable. We are pleased to present our solution, shown in attached presentation boards. We found that the condominium kitchens are often lacking in storage, counter space, and space for guests. Therefore, we designed our kitchen to maximize useable storage and to scale for entertaining guests. The kitchen is highlighted in three design features.
The first feature is a unique system for wall-mounted cabinets. Rather than mounting the cabinets directly to the wall where the highest shelf is unreachable, these cabinets are mounted on sliding rails above the countertop and are hung on a system of pulleys attached to a counterweight. This allows the cabinets to effortlessly slide up and down so that every shelf of the cabinet can be easily reached. Using a system of quick-release locks, the cabinets can be fixed in the upright or lowered position for ease of access. Additional cabinet toe-kicks provide another layer of storage for pans and baking trays.
The second feature is a pull-out bar. The pull-out bar is a series of two cabinets on wheels that slide out to support 4’-3” of additional counter space. This provides much needed additional counter space in a small condo unit and also supports our third feature which is a 6’ long bar with three bar stools where guests can sit and talk while dinner is being prepared. When not in use, the pull-out bar can be folded away into a recessed pocked in the wall with the folding stools being stored on the side of the sliding cabinet and held in place by magnets. This systems has allowed us to maximize usability of the kitchen without compromising storage in a sleek good-looking package.
For the bathroom, we focused on creating convenience and wellbeing. Small bathrooms often include a shower and bathtub in a utilitarian room. To improve your daily routine, we transformed the bathroom into a space that feels good. The bathroom is entered through a sliding screen door to a stylish space. A glass partition encloses the shower and bathtub, separating dry and wet spaces. The walk-in shower is convenient and avoids having to climb into a bathtub to take a shower. In addition, standing on cedarplanks or sitting on the built-in bench makes for an enjoyable sauna-like experience. For those relaxing late nights when you just want to relax, there is an adjacent bathtub.
Our kitchen and bathroom design provide comfortable living in a small space by incorporating smart storage solutions, a unique kitchen expansion for entertaining guests, and a bathroom that is designed for your well-being.
Ozyka Videlia
Email: ozyka.videlia@mail.utoronto.ca
Instagram: ozyvidelia
Ozyka Videlia had her Architectural Technology diploma from Humber College in 2015. She continued to work as an architectural technologist for the following three years in curtain wall and window wall industries. She continues her study in architecture field by pursuing Daniel’s Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies in University of Toronto to better develop her skills and knowledge in designs and architecture which she started in Fall 2018. Ozyka is especially interested in home design, making a place feel like home by working around things that create a space a home, such as its kitchen, bath, liiving room, storage systems, bedroom, etc.
Keenan Ngo
Email: keenan.ngo@mail.utoronto.ca
Instagram: Keenan.ngo
Keenan Ngo completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc.) in civil engineering at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He has six years of experience as a professional structural engineer where he was a designer for water treatment plants, pump stations and reservoirs. Keenan was attracted to architecture through his space planning experience creating conceptual designs for infrastructure projects which included public amenities and blurred the line between utility and civic. He started the Master of Architecture at Daniel’s this past fall and is enjoying form finding in studio. He is most excited about designing spaces that merge public and social function into places that make people happy.