Catalogue 22/Culinary Institue - J. Squizzato

Part of Catalogue 22, Catalogue 22 on Google Maps

Culinary Institute

Designer: Jaclyn Squizzato
Degree: B. Architecture
School: Carleton University
Year: 2009
Location of Project: York Street and Dalhousie Street
Project Status: Unbuilt

The objective of the culinary institute was to combine a restaurant, cooking school, and chef residences into a cohesive structure. After exploring the Byward market and the prospective site, the overwhelming number of regular geometric brick structures and the amazingly energetic, and colorful Byward market stood out as contrasting yet, defining elements of the neighborhood. The importance of the site as a corner lot, and its ability to intersect pedestrian traffic and thereby pull the Byward into the Institute was also of primary importance.The central courtyard rapidly became a key element of the Institute since it was able to easily relate back to a community and also draw the public into the Institute. The courtyard then expanded conceptually to incorporate the idea of carnivorous architecture. Specifically an architecture that would begin to cannibalize itself in portions, literally taking on the role of an “Eating Institute”.