An Immigration Experience
A Process of Acceptance & Denial
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The intention of this investigation is to expose the Hispanic immigrants’ experience, the difficulties they face in the quest of opportunities in a new land where the final results are not always the desired ones, as well as a criticism to the Canadian Government regarding the unceasing alterations to the migratory system, disregarding the consequences those activities have on prospective immigrants’ well being, time and economy. Canada should take advantage of the many privileges it possesses, analyze the root of the issue in the amount of talent currently being underuseddue to the lack of international academic recognition,and use that wasted skill to create entrepreneurs, economicactivity and social benefit.The issue is portrayed through a Wayfinding System starting at the Harbourfront and finalizing at Toronto City Hall. The merging of Immigration and Wayfinding System comes down to one common denominator: Experience.
Stage 1: Opportunity
MESSAGE SYSTEM
Translation from English to Spanish is only available during the green stage.
FORM
A door is both a entrance and an exit. Being the first form in the system, it welcomes immigrants into the country. It is also significant to the action that in order to enter a new place the immigrant must leave a place, roots, culture and family behind.
Stage 2: Restriction
MESSAGE SYSTEM
Hispanic immigrants cannot longer understand the messages. It also introduces new directions for Arquitects and Engineers due to the additional barriers proposed by the Professional Associations.
FORM
A blocked doorframe is synonym of restrictive entrance. The openness from the prior stage is not as welcoming anymore because in order to proceed in the process the individual must fulfill more requirements that may change his/her destination. From this point the messages are only available in English because the immigrant is expected to be able to fully understand the language.
Stage 3: Barrier
MESSAGE SYSTEM
At the blue stage signs become ambiguous by arrows pointing at different directions because the system is broken.
FORM
The doorframe is significantly narrower and smaller from the two previous stages, signifying that the wide open door immigrants once passed through looking for opportunities is each time harder to get through and more barriers are now obstructing the way.
Stage 4: New Rule
MESSAGE SYSTEM
Rejecting stage informing the immigrant they do not longer qualify and have to return to their home country.
FORM
The form in the final stage is small, attached to the ground and un-welcoming. The ramp shape symbolizes its origins, as it is slowly rising from the land Canadians stand on. A new law is not imposed from one day to another; on the contrary it takes time to get established by the Canadian Government
