News

Feel free to try out the interface and explore new features including a more in-depth look into the company and our design values. A News section has been added, with updates on Studio Jonah's projects and community involvement. The News section is a more personal look at what has been happening with the company including insights and background information on projects and current events. With frequent updates, hopes for the News are to bring the reality of architectural projects to the realm of the everyday patron.

Additionally, take a look at past projects Studio Jonah and principal architect Onah Jung has been involved with. The new index of projects is a quick way to view the direction the company aims for. This includes a focus on Sustainability and Urban Design.

As Studio Jonah grows, this website will continue to keep track of its achievements. These checkpoints will undoubtedly create a colourful collection of references, not only for the company but for anybody with interests in the vast field of architecture. Less

In early March of 2012, Principal architect Onah Jung was invited to the Ryerson University Department of Architecture to participate in a design charette held by the student-led group Freedom By Design (FBD). Through design and fundraising, FBD provides accessibility in the homes of lower-income disabled individuals, receiving aid and mentorship from industry professionals and willing sponsors. The client for the 2012 term, Ecuhome, is an organization providing subsidized housing for lower-income persons, usually having just left the homeless shelter system. Through the full-day charette, Onah along with other architects and construction managers provided input and guidance into the potential accessibility designs which ranged from reprogramming the apartment spaces, to widening access points, to a complete redesign of the washroom. The critical point of Onah's and other industry professionals' involvement was the element of reality injected into the venture. Accompanying grandiose schemes were the reminders of budgeting and time-constraints. The desire for aesthetics was balanced with a consideration for a broad range of client needs. However, despite differences in experience and background, a common element of the day permeating not only the professionals and students but the client as well was the feeling of optimism for the project ahead. Less

Developing projects outside of the physical realm of Western architecture is always an interesting experience. The same considerations of history, identity, and cost are all taken into account but are reflected upon much more critically simply due to its foreign nature. Studio Jonah is fortunate enough to be undertaking this exciting endeavor with a commission for a residential home in Akure, Nigeria. The client, who had specified a 'different' design, hired Studio Jonah to provide a Western approach to the home.

This is where the word 'different' must be questioned. Nigeria, with such a strong sense of the vernacular cannot simply have a Western design imported in. How to balance the need for identity preservation with a desire for a modern edge? Rather than simply importing a design, it is important to translate Western values into Nigerian ones. Extracting what will provide enough of a thrill and challenge to the identity of a home yet at the same time preserving what works or is important to Nigerian culture.

Studio Jonah's outlook is to create a modern aesthetic but have it built with the local sensibilities in mind. One of these sensibilities would be the use of CEBs - Compressed Earth Blocks, similar to Compressed Masonry Units and adobe but with better heat and humidity resistance. Omitting mortar and a shorter setting time makes it a practical application that will help retain some of the vernacular feel to the project.

Our interaction overseas with the client will prove to be a valuable one as Studio Jonah strives toward bringing a new outlook to Nigerian architecture amidst the distinct culture and climate. More updates to design and client feedback are imminent! Less