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Lauraine Ramadan headshot

Lauraine Ramadan

Hello! My name is Lauraine and I am so excited to share my final thesis project with everyone! My four years at Humber have helped me build my skills and technical knowledge in the world of Interior Design which inspires my goal of building spaces that reflect the well-being and safety of its users. My project is an entrepreneurship centre for Arab Muslim women, and I aim to foster a welcoming and empowering environment that celebrates the cultural heritage of the Arab Muslim community.

Project Overview

META Entrepreneurship Centre is located at 21 Ossington Avenue. META Entrepreneurship Centre caters to immigrant Arab Muslim women in Toronto to help utilize their skills and develop them further in order to start their own businesses or integrate themselves into the workforce. This space will allow users to utilize resources and support offered at the centre such as podcast rooms, a library, event space, child care, classrooms, and community spaces. It is an empowering and welcoming space for these women to form relationships, learn, and integrate themselves into society.

Concept drawings

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Part Diagram and Concept

Concept/Design Process

The concept of META revolves around the aerodynamics of the butterfly and its journey from point A to point B. The journey is never linear, and neither are our journeys through life. This was reflected through my parti diagram which I then translated through my floor plan and various elements within the space. The butterfly holds great significance as it symbolizes a transformative journey which resonates with the women using this space.

Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)

To achieve the goals of inclusivity, self-sufficiency, and empowerment, I have incorporated several design elements into the center as well as well thought out programming, including flexible multipurpose rooms, quiet reflection areas for prayer and meditation, a teaching kitchen for culinary education and training, a transformative central hub for events that acts as a weekend market for women to market their businesses, and an indoor garden to provide a connection to nature and promote well-being.

My focal areas for this project are the central hub, cafe, and indoor garden. In my surveys and interviews, there was an emphasis on the need for a communal space for women to gather, share stories, and create relationships. These spaces are the heart and soul of the entrepreneurship centre which is why I decided to make them my focal areas.

2D diagram of ground floor plan

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Ground Floor Plan

2D diagram of second floor plan

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Second Floor Plan

3D render of cafe interior design

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Cafe

3D render of interior garden design

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Indoor Garden

3D render of interior garden design with benches

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Indoor Garden

3D Views

These renders capture the essence of the focal spaces.

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