JNKMdesign

JNKM is a full service design agency created by Josh Nelson & Katarina Mijatovic-Virijevic offering everything from property styling, project consulting to retail development. Trained at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCADu) in the Environmental Design discipline, we bring a creative depth and breadth in visual arts and architectural training along side a combined 10 years of industry experience. We're commited to exeeding expectations by delivering quality design into your home, work and life at a price you can afford*

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In a not-so-far-off Augmented Reality I'll be cladding my favourite Canadian buildings in wood. Whats your thoughts on this and how do you feel the roll of architecture along with the built environment will change as individuals begin to hijack the world around them?

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janbeau.tumblr.com

Hi! I’m Jan Beau (previously 18thlabel) and I started this blog a year and a half ago because opening a blog was one of the things i wanted to check in my “things to do before i die” list, so here I am, uploading what makes me happy, not only photography, but collages, videos, gifs, 100% original by me. But let me explain you a little bit more about myself.

I am originally from Madrid, Spain, but a year ago i decided to move to Toronto, so there I was, a waitress in a restaurant, (continue reading, this gets better) and i met wonderful people, I finally felt comfortable with my sexuality and discovered my passion, i fell in love with photography again, and the best thing is that my passion was to create things that inspired others, to pursue my ideas and dreams. I was the kid with bad grades, everyone thought i was going nowhere, and honestly, i don’t know where i am going to finish, but i feel like a poet when I am with my camera (a Canon 5d Mark III), I shoot what i feel at 3 am, i am pure with photography.. now, do I have any special projects? I do, I am preparing a book for next year, and starting to do some video things, maybe open an online clothing store or maybe i fly a unicorn on Saturday, no-one knows, i want to keep learning new things, meet new people that inspires me, and be happy. For me, photography has helped me to realize who i am. Thank you. :) (i told you this was going to get better ;)

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Learn about working at JNKM DESIGN. Join LinkedIn today for free. See who you know at JNKM DESIGN, leverage your professional network, and get hired.

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More than just decorators, JNKM Designers are on site, in the studio and hands on. #jnkmdesign (at Junction Triangle)

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A Critique on Modernization: The Royal Ontario Museum vs The Royal Conservatory of Music.

These two renovation projects are both historical Canadian structures, each is a Royal institute of Ontario, and both share proximate site locations. In spite of that the Architects who modernized these buildings have gone in separate directions with their design solutions creating oppositional pieces of architecture. The two pieces that are explored below were additionally selected for their relationship with their corresponding periodical agenda’s (the publishers typical style of content). The first is the focal article in Canadian Architect entitled ‘Instrumental Composition’ which explored the Royal Conservatory of Music. “Canadian Architect is a magazine for architects and related professionals practicing in Canada – and - has been in (monthly) continuous publication since 1955” (sourced from website). My feeling has been that CA is predominately used for the purpose of documenting architecture and doesn’t often present a bias or opinion on the work. Harmoniously the modernization project for the Royal Conservatory also has a style un-biased and passive. In juxtaposition, the other choice decided was on the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) from Architectural Design’s 4D Social issue, interactive design environments with guest editor Lucy Bullivant. Copied from their site Wiley Academy self describes “Architectural Design, launched in 1930, is an influential and prestigious publication with an almost unrivalled reputation worldwide, consistently at the forefront of cultural thought and design. Time and again it has proved stimulating and provocative – inspiring theoretical, creative and technological advances, and providing space for topical architectural issues in a way that is impossible in other publications” (sourced from sleeve). Published bi-monthly, AD is as stated above provocative and focuses on both design and thought. Thought was key to my selection, it was necessary to me that I compare the ways that design is being not only documented for utilitarian purposes, but to also explore the idea of the project beyond structural elements and materialistic surfacing. In that way architectural theory and writing is constructing the opinions and views of the observer. So below I take the definition of architecture to explore the words used to construct it. What stood out strongest for me was the ‘regard to a specific period, place, or culture’.

  architecture : noun

1 the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings.

• the style in which a building is designed or constructed, esp. with regard to a specific period, place, or culture : Victorian architecture.

2 the complex or carefully designed structure of something : the chemical architecture of the human brain.

• the conceptual structure and logical organization of a computer or computer-based system : a client/server architecture.

  ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from Latin architectura, from architectus (see architect ).

As already been established there are varying levels of objectivity in the written communication between AD and CA. I personally feel it is important that both these exist for the reasons to document the historic information and also the content of emotion by which we as a society are currently in. Our opinions will inevitably evolve and it is essential that these thoughts also be documented. Information and theory in architecture is a growing element in the design process and as architecture evolves beyond the modernist theories of function it is essential we follow novel avenues.

  The article on the Royal Conservatory starts off by providing the historical context of the "century-old Romanesque" building that is being modernized. It provides the reader with all the essential information related to the project including programs, commissioner, project scope, location and architect/designer. Significant information is a consistent template used for the paragraphs to follow. Each paragraph builds from the previous assembling the article in a manner to how one may experience the space. With additional information box’s on the sides of the article provides a directory with information relating to the corresponding images and text. This is very useful in gathering data about the structure along with understanding specific elements of the design throughout the article. The writer uses a high level of architectural knowledge to articulate features of the building to attract educated readers. This presents a mild level of exclusivity to whom may read these stories, which feel adds to the legacy of CA.  

  However the writer for AD uses an entirely different approach. Opening with a quote: “Toronto can be characterized by a fusion of culture, attitude and a desire to discover and explore. Yet for the past two decades the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) seemed more of a forbidding fortress - the massive stone edifice and blackened windows largely impenetrable - rather than a welcoming institution of experience, knowledge and exploration.” (Sean Stanwick, opening statement) Immediately Stanwick has positioned himself strong and opinionated which reflects both the rest of the article and Libeskind’s renovation itself. He follows up by stating “our perception of the city's cultural grande dame and ultimately the city of Toronto is about to be forever changed - the massive expansion initiative asserts itself as a key protagonist in the city's architectural renaissance.” This not only juxtaposes the way Lam opened his article with direct information but furthermore the way each writer describes the architecture. Stanwick acknowledges how new solutions carry consequences; he does not prescribe their effects. This differs from how Lam lavishly compliments each design phase with terms like ‘masterfully executed addition’ and ‘world-class performance venue’. Despite the fact that most of these statements are companioned with arranged imagery and verbal depictions I tend to be made aware of her feelings above all. Though, through research I found she is thoroughly educated in Architecture starting with her degree at Waterloo, Masters at McGill and PhD at Columbia which makes it a valuable view for the reader.

  In the first assignment of academic goals I professed what inspired me to become a designer using a quote from Lady Morgan. “Architecture is the printing-press of all ages, and gives a history of the state of the society in which it was erected”. This to me is were I justify new abstracted structures like Ghery’s Disney Music Hall or Libeskind’s Crystal. In this article, Sean Stanwick reinforces this idea professing 4D experience with the built environment has ability to inspire change.  Using a direct quote from an interview, Libeskind states “Architecture at its deepest sense is about creating space that has never been there, and giving people a kind of vista ... as if one would see the city in a very different way through this new space” (interview with the author, June 2006). Before looking at the quotes context, some key words immediately stuck out. These were words Stanwick used early in his text that I felt was a great feature and tool to accord his work directly to Libeskinds words. Additionally I give the author credit because he didn’t re-appropriate a quote to suit his text, but instead had one first hand specially for the article.

  On Images.

In understanding architecture there is a set language through drawings and diagrams, a currency exchanged between designers and architects alike.  Here is where Lam provides value to here article. Using a series of elevations, sections, plans and detailed images she quickly expresses the projects style and engineering. Without these images it would be difficult to understand the level of complexity the music conservatory embodies. This is also more then a method for writers, but a tool for keeping a captive audience. As the reader progress’s throughout the article they maybe become inspired. In the current state of society it is much easier to Google images and quick search information about projects so for magazines like Canadian Architect it is important to have additional content that may not be so quickly found online. Unfortunately Stanwick’s article only provided the reader with two images; one of the current construction phase (the article was published before the completion of the ROM) and the other of a larger rendering from above. In defence this article was not about the program of the spaces, the construction methods or even the galleries, it was about the shift in design and the possible effects to emerge from radical solutions.

  So in the end these two articles have both positive and negative elements to them. It strongly depends on what the reader is interested in and what kind of project is being analyzed. In this case the legacy of the Royal Ontario Museum is not going to be it’s functional layout and accommodating gallery spaces but instead the structure as a catalyst bringing attention to the museum and additionally depicting the state of our society as a pop-consumerist nation. Stanwick did a great job at presenting how architecture is much more then a structure for human habitation, but a means for form space and create moments. The strong juxtaposition of this would be the Royal Music Conservatory which captures the moment of history when music was a popular cultural art form and creates a nostalgic space where guests are transported back in time. Lam literates this through details of texture and materiality, memory and instants.

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All white and smooth all over. This eloquent yet rustic space envelopes JNKM's style masterfully. #rendering #render #autocad #interiordesign #jnkm #jnkmdesign

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Retro Rendering Alert! Here is an image from the JNKM archives. A 2009 office design rendering done completely in AutoCAD. #AutoCAD #AutoDESK #3dcad #3Dmodelling #interiorDesign #lighting #jnkmdesign #jnkm #brick

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Landscape Design Project for a Rest & Relaxation Pavilion. #rendering #render #3DCAD #designViz #designvisualization #visualization #cadDesign #landscape #landscapeDesign #JNKM #JNKMdesign

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Commercial Washroom Design #blackGranite #JNKM #ourStyle #interiorDesign #granite #countertop #sink #washroom #bathroom

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Kitchen Island and The Chair vs The Stool

Can't decide between the kitchen island or the extra breakfast seating area, or maybe a combination of both? Here's a tip I carry home from the pub. This morning as I finished scrambling eggs, baking potatoes, flipping pancakes, cutting fruit and toasting bread I had a couple friends sitting on the sofa balancing cereal bowls and few more friends lined up along the kitchen island. Ugh you get the point - kitchens are crazy and cooking is messy. Luckily the kitchen island arrangement works best for me and performs the great for groups, gatherings and especially parties (both during or the morning after). A long kitchen island functions perfectly when making that 99 ingredient recipe you found on epicurious.com as well as those busy work weeks when your kitchen becomes your in-between office space. For more info on selecting kitchen counter tops click here.

Design Advice:

Select the right seating. As a designer I love stools, the long legs open up floor space and sight lines, they are more versatile as furniture and even the inexpensive ones look great! 

     #1 During university my industrial design friends professed that all stools should have a raised back edge, but not necessarily a full back. This raised back edge is to inform the body while affording acute support to the seated users back. For space planning this works well because a stool with a low back can be pushed under the counter area where as a full back extends beyond the finished counter surface. So a low edge stool can be out of sight if more people are there than there are chairs, everyone can simply share that space without block the counter. 

     #2 One cannot argue that there is something more comforting about sitting in a chair. When designed properly they support the body so much so that they feel natural, an extension of your body. They are ergonomically superior to a stool for long sitting times (nobody has ever designed the ergonomic reclining stool successfully) and historically chairs express comfort, wealth and class. However in our current society that psychological status is long lost since anyone can pick up a new chair from Ikea for under $20 CAD. Now picking the right chair is very difficult and we won't go into it here. Even the story of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears walks you through the difficulty of selecting the right chair for you. For more on chairs click here. However we just want to point out that unless you are planning a lot of formal dinners maybe the typical dinning room isn't necessary and you could use that space differently.

     #3 Some people have a two-tier kitchen island offering a lowered "breakfast" sitting area. This can be an intimate space and it works perfectly for some, however I think the raised section of the main portion of the counter always feels off and somewhat impeding onto the lower eating surface. Also consider that now you will have a mix of chairs and stools and you need to ask yourself should these chairs match the dinning room chairs, or if it is open concept how does this little zone flow for the rest of the room? 

Here's a trick that Pubs in the UK and Ireland use. High stools! High stools levels out sitting and standing height ensuring nobody is hovering above you while seated. So if someone walks over to your table to say hello or chat for a minute, they don't need to pull up an additional chair because they are already eye level with you. Perfect, they have been doing it for centuries, why change a good thing. Bring this idea back into your kitchen so while you are cooking away, your guests can be seated there at the counter with you and nobody feels awkward. 

In the end I always suggest going with your personal taste, however take the time to consider the advice, always try out kitchen layouts and act out different events imagining how your design solution will hold up. Kitchens are dynamic exciting and social spaces that and are the modern heart of the home. Long gone are the fire place gatherings and even everyone sitting around the TV glow. For more design advice contact us at [email protected] and we can arrange a in home consultation. 

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Here's the full Architectural Elevation of the Balfour Building Facade drawn by Josh Nelson. #jnkm #jnkmdesign #architecturallines #architecture #drafting (at Balfour Building)

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Design Primary Katarina Mijatovic uses bold geometry in this showpiece washroom. #kitchenandbath #washroomDesign @katmkk

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Our Design Primary @got_josh Nelson working on his distorted cartography black stainless panels. #art #design #jnkmdesign

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Utilizing Savoia 6mm porcelain slabs as the working surface allowed us to create a light-weight marble desk solution with a high quality unibody finish. Mirrored Stainless Steel trims float the light stone off the desk frame adding an industrial finish to a beautiful material. Lastly, harmonizing the design we hand tufted white leather a front panel to create privacy for the receptionist. 

To ensure all these details weren't masked by any chair, we selected the ghost chair to add transparency and lightness to the space as well as reduce the floor print of the reception area.