The And-Co Members Lounge is a place for stories. Formally inspired by the endless flow of a well designed skatepark, bike trail or boardwalk that winds through the woods, this sculptural space alludes to precious days, rich with adventure, that culminate in animated discussions around a campfire. This creative lounge boasts six spaces in one. From intimate booths for solitary deep work and one on one conversations, to larger coves for group discussions.
Built in collaboration with the Zenga Brothers and Shelter Studio
2021, Vancouver BC
Stainless steel, polycarbonate, LED
The public installation, Rings, features four hewn trees of various heights made with stainless steel and frosted polycarbonate. The placement and the variance in both height and width, together add visual variety; unobstructed sight-lines; and strategic shading, which optimizes natural light through interstitial canopies. An artful cross-sectioning of the trees reveal tree rings that are visible from both street level and from the residences above. The motif of tree rings makes reference to a historied object — that of an old-growth tree — which reflects a central tenet of the Arbutus Centre development: a vibrant and long-lasting public space. At night, the semi-transparent rings gently illuminate the public space that surround them, transforming the area by light.
Design by Christian Huizenga
Engineering by Miskimmin Structural Engineering
Fabrication in collaboration with Shelter Studio
2019, Richmond, BC
steel, douglas fir, cedar, concrete, rain garden
The goal of the Tait Waterfront Pavilion is to articulate a multi-use community space that not only provides shelter but brings a playful dynamism to the Richmond neighborhood. The pavilion was designed first-most as an inclusive space to facilitate a diverse range of uses and people. The pavilion is both visually and physically transparent at eye level, it utilizes very few barriers so to maximize the kinds of activities that can take place within and around it. The low-impact post system creates the effect of a buoyant roof structure. Overhead, the timber rafters comprise a twisting form reminiscent of West Coast, vernacular structures. Powder-coated aluminum panels rise and fall, merging the architectural with the image of undulating waves. Together, these intersecting forms create apertures for light to pass through and illuminate the space.
Design by Christian Huizenga
Engineering by Miskimmin Structural Engineering
Fabrication in collaboration with Shelter Studio
2018, New Westminister, BC
steel, cedar, concrete
A bus stop is nuanced in its status as a landmark for gathering. It is a one-time stop on the way to somewhere else; a daily and happen-chance shelter; a place for a rest, a place to wait; often, a punctuation in routine. The Queensborough bus shelter both serves and meditates upon these functions, specifically its role as a non-destination, a means to elsewhere.
Within Furled Trail, the directional slats comprising the bench, walls and roof of the structure invoke the motif of a trail. This motif is distorted through repetition, play with scale and placement; it is a tangled path to represent the suspension of a journey.
The bus shelter is first-most built to be mobility-inclusive, and thus to improve overall rider comfort and experience. The space is well-lit in day and night, with a large skylight in the roof and integrated nighttime lighting throughout.
2015, North Vancouver, BC
Steel, cedar
Bench Way is an architectural public sculpture with kinetic archways that stem from two benches. The work considers the aesthetic of functionality through alloy: the installation is half ubiquitous and rooted park bench, half a changing sculpture, overhead. The four kinetic features atop ten foot high stems move capriciously in wind, activating the interstitial passageway they articulate.
Layers, Steel, 2016
Layers is a reflection on one of Richmond's most important resources: soil. Soil plays a key role in Richmond's history, economy and vitality. It is because of soil, made up of diverse organisms and minerals, that a thriving natural ecosystem can exist, and does within the Alexandra Road Greenway. The work is a continuous railing, garden, and bench, inspired by the rich aggregation of sediment layers, upon which Richmond is built. Layers traces the greenway's northern edge, drawing emphasis to the preservation of green spaces within the city.
2020, Toronto ON
steel, aluminum, polycarbonate, solar panel, cedar, plants
Powered by the sun and moved by the wind, Forest, by Sun and Wind is a cluster of public space lights. The slightest gust of wind animates them and the lights highlight the irregularity of wind patterns throughout day and night. Celebration for these, often regarded as quotidian, elements is an exercise itself in presence. Stop. Breathe. Listen. Feel.
Light and planter design: Christian Huizenga
Fabrication: Peter Dowhaniuk, Niko Dellic, Miranda Fay, Christian Huizenga, Victor Perez-amado, Anton Skor
2015, Vancouver BC
wood, steel, arbutus tree
The Observation Pod is an abode that can be installed on existing ledges, beams or posts found throughout the city. Built with a single viewing window, the pod provides studio for contemplation and a lens to look only ahead, without peripheral distraction. The micro-shelter manipulates functionality and comfort in its constrictive size and simplicity, forcing its user to simply observe.
2014, Vancouver BC
reclaimed materials
Graffiti Living - Rail Ramp is a small studio space/ skateboard ramp that utilized Vancouver’s abandoned Olympic Rail Line as its foundation. The project was built to spark curiosity and to inspire conversations about the creative potential of underused urban spaces. The ramp was installed for two weeks, during which time it functioned as a mobile community space, for use to anyone who came across it.
Built in collaboration with Zenga Bros.
2014
wood, steel
Ramp Desk is a transformable object that provides environments for work and play. Taking on the form and function of both skateboard ramp and studio desk, the object allows its user to transition between a work space and a skate space.
When you feel the need to clear your mind, simply lower the Ramp Desk, grab your board, and shred. Feel energized and focused. The Ramp Desk will improve overall health, increase morale and productivity, while leaving you with a certain feeling that the future, is bright.
2015
charred cedar, steel, bronze, ceramic
Pit is a sculptural exploration into the act of making as a means to inner peace. Taking inspiration from the wooden Orthodox churches of the Russian North, the sculpture acts both as a work surface and a shelter. As the work bench digresses into a pitch, the table leg bores through its surface to support a distorted onion dome. The onion dome supports a series of steel rings counter-balanced by a hanging ceramic pendulum.
2016,
steel, fir
Hundreds of rods come together to form this sculptural banister.
2013
reclaimed materials
Studio-Outsider is a personal exploration of an all-encompassing mobile space which allows the refuge of the studio to be brought out into the streets. The splintered plywood seams, exposed glue, and untreated surfaces of common building materials presents an accessible form of makeshift fabrication. The bearded head represents the outsider folk aesthetic that I am continually inspired by; the casters demonstrate my interest in transient freedom; and the interior space made up of a tool chest, work space, tea cabinet, library, notebooks and inspiring quotes reflects my creative process. The detachable ramp refers to my interest in the relationship between work and play and the importance of focused, physical activity within the creative process.
2014, Vancouver BC
steel, cedar
Fade is a set of benches that melt into the rigid concrete foyer of Emily Carr University. The work considers the aesthetic of functionality by taking the ubiquitous park bench and presenting a malleable redefinition of such.
2015, Vancouver BC
plywood, spruce lumber, masonite, steel
Transforming the Burrard Hotel courtyard into a ripping skate session, this ramp was designed and built for the one-night hotel takeover art party hosted by Color Skateboard Magazine.
Built in collaboration with my brothers at Zenga Bros studios.
2019
Plywood mold, concrete, labourer, steel base
Designed to be efficiently and easily reproduced, the form of the brick is dictated by the mechanics of a two-part mold. The interlocking system creates a self-reliant brick: it does not require mortar to secure it.
Spiral Column and its brick is the result of an exercise in design for collective building. The built spiral column images a community as individuals coming together, a group made by unique and binding connections.
