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Working together with our partners at UHN’s Open Lab, this report studies this trend from a spatial stand point to understand the architectural characteristics of these buildings and how we might modify them to adapt to their new users.
Cite: Humanics, & UHN OpenLab (2020). Vertical Aging: The Future of Aging in Place in Urban Canada, Social Spaces (No. 3). UHN OpenLab.
http://verticalaging.uhnopenlab.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/SocialSpaces_20-09-16.pdf
︎ Kathleen Fu
︎ Jonathan Enns
︎ UHN OpenLab
<download report>
Working together with our partners at UHN’s Open Lab, this report studies this trend from a spatial stand point to understand the architectural characteristics of these buildings and how we might modify them to adapt to their new users.
Cite: Humanics, & UHN OpenLab (2020). Vertical Aging: The Future of Aging in Place in Urban Canada, Social Spaces (No. 3). UHN OpenLab.
http://verticalaging.uhnopenlab.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/SocialSpaces_20-09-16.pdf
︎ Kathleen Fu
︎ Jonathan Enns
︎ UHN OpenLab
<download report>


Tetracell is part of ongoing research into architectural structures for open ended growth.
This system is a binary - comprised of two parts that allow the generation of both frames and brick-like structures.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns
This system is a binary - comprised of two parts that allow the generation of both frames and brick-like structures.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns


Geometric research into open modularity.
Hexblock allows self similar pairing - meaning you only need one repeated geometry for growth. By changing the nature of the mating detail - different aggregation possibilities are enabled. Hexblock is a project in search of maximum flexibility from a minimum number of parts.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns
Hexblock allows self similar pairing - meaning you only need one repeated geometry for growth. By changing the nature of the mating detail - different aggregation possibilities are enabled. Hexblock is a project in search of maximum flexibility from a minimum number of parts.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns


Block Builder lets non architects lay out designs modularly.
Modules proportioned to individual apartment units embed mechanical and structural constraints to prevent users from designing structural configurations that would be impossible at 1:1.
Each scaled block is held to the adjacent one with a connecting clip - and physically constrained by a ball bering.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns
Modules proportioned to individual apartment units embed mechanical and structural constraints to prevent users from designing structural configurations that would be impossible at 1:1.
Each scaled block is held to the adjacent one with a connecting clip - and physically constrained by a ball bering.
Photos by: Cecilia Lo, Sarah Hasan, Irina Rouby Apelbaum
︎ Jonathan Enns