Kickoff 2026 I Design Development

Every successful installation begins with a single idea. For this project, that journey started with project leads Saad Malik and Jose-Miguel Calle, who began developing the initial sketches and concepts that would lay the foundation for the installation.

During the early planning stages, Saad and Jose explored different approaches for the node connections that would become the framework of this structure. They also investigated ways to integrate LED lighting into the design, ensuring that the installation would be both visually interesting and interactive. Through sketching, brainstorming, and testing ideas, the project began to take shape.

Initial Sketches From Saad's Sketchbook 

The first design for the installation aimed to mimic a kaleidoscope incorporating an open design that allows visitors to enter. The structure would use coloured translucent acrylic to reflect light.

Initial Design Concept with an Entrance 

Initial Design Concept with Kaleidoscope

The final design mimics the original geometry of the classical soccer ball using the truncated icosahedron. It will feature Alucobond reflective panels that act as a kaleidoscope that reflects like a gem within the structure.

Final Render of the Kickoff Instillation

Animation Showing Colour Changing Concept

As the school year came to an end in April, a team of students from first and second year came in to help turn this idea into reality.  Students worked together to develop the first physical model of the installation, working closely with the shop supervisors and each other to learn new skills. Using the shop's machinery and fabrication tools, students laser-cut and hand assembled the first physical model of the installation. These hands-on experiences allowed students to see how their designs would function in a three-dimensional space.

(Photos Taken By Andy Nguyen and Jorge Cruz Toro)

Students working together to construct the first model

The design continued to evolve as students refined details, tested new ideas, and improved upon earlier iterations. Through ongoing feedback and experimentation, the installation became more detailed and comprehensive with each revision.

Collaboration played a key role throughout the process. First- and second-year students worked side by side, sharing knowledge and learning new skills from one another. Together, they explored fabrication techniques, problem-solved design challenges, and gained valuable experience in both digital and physical creation.

With the groundwork established, the project entered its construction phase. Students began developing a more advanced physical model while simultaneously creating a detailed Rhino model to support the design process. These digital and physical prototypes will help guide the next stages of development as the installation continues to grow from concept to reality.

As the project moves forward, students remain committed to innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. What began as a series of sketches has already transformed into a promising installation, and the team is excited to continue bringing their vision to life.

Park(ing) Day 2025 | Team Proposals

Students from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Department of Architectural Science are participating in Park(ing) Day 2025. The site is set on Gould st, in the middle of our campus.
The Parking Day event is a three day installation. The event allows us to repurpose the spaces used by cars for people to gather. We split into three teams and focused on making human-scale spaces while reusing materials leftover from previous design builds.

Team 1 Proposal

Team 2 Proposal

Team 3 Proposal

NOVA | Final Drawings, Model, and Renders

Final elevations and detail drawings were made for the established NOVA Winter Station design.

Footing & Node Detail Drawings

With the issues ironed out from the scaled model iterations, a final 1:6 scaled model has now been built. Constructed of wooden dowels, MDF, and nodes printed in the same filament as their final counterparts.

Final Model Perspective

Final Model Elevation

Before construction and assembly gets underway. A final render was made to create a point of reference for the remainder of the Winter Station project. Pictured below are the renders for day and night time. These will be compared to the final imagery collected in February of 2024.

Final Render (Daytime)

Final Render (Nighttime)

Camp Winston Playground Project - Design Modifications

The students welcomed the chance for improvement after the initial presentation of the schematics to the Camp Winston members. Through a collaborative effort, they implemented design modifications that not only addressed the panel's suggestions but also elevated the overall quality and functionality of the project. The playground brings hierarchy and progression through the sequential introduction of  towers that helps the children in directing the interactions and connections. 

Camp Winston Playground Project - Schematic Proposal

Students from Toronto Metropolitan University were tasked by Camp Winston, a specialized camp catering to children with complex neurobiological abilities, to design a new playground to replace the camp's outdated play structure.
Working in smaller groups, the students started the initial design phase with the aim of presenting compelling proposals to the camp staff. Providing the support for a child's evolution in a fundamental stage of their human development was taken into consideration while designing, and a space that is both a comfortable meeting spot fostering social skills, and an organized interactable environment to help develop essential motor skills.

Bata Shoe Museum's Window Celebrating Canada's 150th Anniversary

Once again the Department of Architectural Science through [R]ed[U]x Lab have been asked to design, detail, and deliver on a window display that celebrates Canada's 150th anniversary. This was a difficult task given the benchmark established by the current installation, foot[age], a collaboration between Architectural Science and Interior Design students, led by [R]ed[U]x alumni and DFZ technicians Fil Tisler and Naveed Khan.

This initiative is led by Lisa Boulatova with John Zhang and Liam Hall with the support of students in the Department of Architectural Science. This design draws upon the provincial flowers as a unifying element wrapping around the prominent window. Composed of an array of 3D printed shoes, the installation undulates beyond a subtle backdrop that has been evolving for the past few months. This looks to be one of the [R]ed[U]x Lab's first projects that use the medium beyond prototyping and instead serving as the actual output.

Below are samples of the initial proposal to the Bata Shoe Museum. Special thanks to Remi for the excellent initial photos to work from in the montages.

FLUMMOX: [R]ed[U]x Lab at the TODO 2016 in the Junction

Once again the [R]ed[U]x Lab team has the privilege to participate in the Toronto Design Offsite festival in the Junction. This year the team will be mounting a window installation in Pandemonium: New and Used Books, CDs, DVDs, & Vinyl. Here are a couple of early renderings as the design concept developed.