STEVEN BIERSTEKER

ST. PETERS CHURCH

A project focussed on the manifestation of the spirit in architecture, this church located in the Donlands speaks to the central significance of the alter within catholicism. The radial form emanates from the central alter and the exterior landscapes follows suit. The curved corten steel exterior speaks to the relationship between the church and the world, as the curved from protects the contents and the people within it. This project was a collaborative project with Kevin Pu. 

ST. ANDREWS CHURCH

Located in downtown Toronto at Jarvis and College this project comprised the research portion of my M.Arch thesis. The full publication is can be viewed online at this LINK. This gallery contains a small selection of models, sketches, and diagrams from the project. As a renovation of an existing 19th century cathedral, the primary focus of the project was to create an architecture that reflected the craftsmanship, durability, and sensitivy of the existing structure. to accomplish this, each element references other elements in the building through honest materials and expressed structure. 

DAS HAUS

The urban corner housing project is a new typology designed to address the underutilized sites in downtown Toronto. The project boasts a highly insulated envelope, the integration of passive and active systems, and architectural engaging spaces. Designed as a collaborative between five M.Arch and five M.Bsc students, the project operates at a tenth of the Ontario average, and remains an affordable housing option for families in the city. The project received an analysis excellence award at the Department of Energy Race to Zero Competition and has been nominated as a finalist in the Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards. 

PUBLIC BOATHOUSE

This simple, yet elegant structure was imagined as a public boathouse on the Toronto Waterfront. The lower and upper horizontal planes float above the surface of the lake creating space to both enjoy the view and engage the water. The simple use of structural steel, wood decking, and glass enclosures creates a minimal visual impact while allowing the space to open up to its surroundings. 

ORPHANAGE

Located on the upper end of the second largest slum in Cali, the Siloe orphanage was designed with a modular bamboo system attached to a central gathering space. The central space is defined by its public program which orients itself around a simple water collection system which provides public access to clean water beside the sports fields. Finally the private rooms which are organized in 6m modules create flexible rooms with an open concept allowing for cross ventelation and continual expansion. 

FURNITURE

There is something about carpentry and the act of making that the mind, body and soul. This is a small selection of a few pieces I have created. Some are commissions and others are personal projects created from leftovers from other projects. Each one has a very unique identity as I used them to experiment with new techniques and ideas.

URBAN ENERGY CENTER

The Centre for Urban Energy is a project designed for the Ryerson University campus to tie together the buildings on Church Street. The building connects to the existing building to the North and a large cantilever creates a covered space on the ground floor. The most critical component of this project is the connection to grade and the buildings interaction with the public realm. 

LA ROULOTTE

Designed to fit within a simple utility trailer, the Roulotte is a conceptual proposal for a playful "cart" to be located within communities to bring people together. The Concept was to create an interesting form that could be transformed by a series of levers and wheels to encourage physical interaction and allow space for public performances and events. This project was designed and constructed as a collaborative exercise. 

YORK REGION CRAFT

Conceptualized around its program, the study of ceramics, this suburban school expresses the process of making through its form, materiality, and organization. Rammed earth, clay brick, and ceramic cladding express the materiality of the program and the overall form and flow of the building give reference to a firing kiln. To encourage public interaction, the process of ceramics is centralized and exposed rather than where is typically hidden. 

JARVIS ST. DANCE

Located at the corner of Javis and Gerrard St. in Toronto, the dance school and public theater was imagined as a mass which has been carved to allow light to penetrate to the centre of the site. The theater was designed as a floating mass which suspends itself above the street creating a strong presence and revealing the entrance on the street. 

CHURCH ST. CONDOS

The Centre for Urban Energy is a project designed for the Ryerson University campus to tie together the buildings on Church Street. The building connects to the existing building to the North and a large cantilever creates a covered space on the ground floor.