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January 13th Issue
DAS News |
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Photo by Sidra Homam |
In this issue: Collaborative Exercise 2025 | Welcoming New Faculty & Staff | Open Forum with Lisa Landrum | ACU Mahalli (of the Place) Lecture | M.ARCH CAFÉ Housing Symposium & More! |
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DAS Collaborative Exercise 2025: Waterfront Stories |
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Now on Display: January 13–21 in the Paul H. Cocker Gallery
Waterfront Stories, this year’s Collaborative Exercise led by Professor Terri Peters, concluded last week with a vibrant display of creativity. The results of this four day event are now showcased in the Paul H. Cocker Gallery until January 21, inviting visitors to explore imaginative visions for the spaces under and around Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway. The course started with an inspiring talk by Robert McKaye, Senior Manager of Planning and Design at The Bentway. McKaye shared insights into the history and evolving future of Toronto’s waterfront, emphasizing the shift from highway-centric uses to hybrid, community-focused spaces around and below the Gardiner Expressway. Adding depth to the discussion, DAS PhD student Yaxin Jiang presented her recent research in collaboration with The Bentway, examining potential transformations for these urban areas as part of her Mitacs-supported doctoral project Quality in Canada’s Built Environment involving DAS faculty members Marco Polo, Leila Farah, and Terri Peters, as well as TMU researchers Samantha Biglieri and Fatih Sekercioglu with community partners including Open Architecture Collaborative OACC.
Highlights of Collaborative Exercise 2025
During the workshop, more than 160 students—undergraduates from all years and graduate student leaders—collaborated in 20 teams to reimagine the Gardiner Expressway’s potential. After site visits and hands-on exploration, the teams proposed designs such as dining and market spaces, climbing walls, multi-sensory gardens, walking paths, lookout towers, and skateparks. These ideas are represented in a series of 1:100 conceptual models, illustrating how the proposed spaces could integrate with the city and Toronto’s waterfront. Ely Torrenueva captured the course’s excitement and energy through daily videos, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the process. Graduate students Rikki Cai, Kyle Do Couto, Pantea Eslami, Saroash Haider, Mathieu Howard, Hyo Yeon Tiana Lee, Stenzo Martin, Ely Torrenueva, and Yaxin Jiang led the teams with enthusiasm and expertise.
A Word from the Department Chair
The Department of Architectural Science played a key role in supporting this year’s Collaborative Exercise. "Collab is a unique and invigorating experiential learning experience at DAS. This year was no exception in ambitiously reimagining the social infrastructure of Toronto’s waterfront and The Bentway," shared Department Chair Lisa Landrum.
"Thank you to Professor Terri Peters, PhD students Pantea Eslami and Yaxin Jiang, the team of supporting MArch students and faculty members, and Robert McKaye, whose collaboration and vision inspired the framing of this year’s activity."
Stop by the Paul H. Cocker Gallery before the exhibition closes on January 21!
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Welcome New Assistant Professor Dorothy Johns |
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Dorothy Johns begins her tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architectural Science this Winter term 2025. As previously announced, this follows the successful internal/external search conducted in 2024.
Dorothy is well known to DAS as a valuable instructor of Building Science Design Studios, and other courses including Sustainable Architecture, Theorizing Technology in Architecture, and Building Envelope Systems.
Dorothy has considerable professional and research expertise in both architecture and building science. She is a licensed architect and Certified Passive House Consultant with experience in several design practices and as a contributing researcher in multiple funded mass timber and sustainable design initiatives.
Dorothy holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Architectural Science from TMU. She is a PhD Candidate in Building Science in our Department - scheduled to defend her doctoral thesis on cross-laminated timber on February 7, 2025. This term, Dorothy is teaching BL8104 building Design Studio/Seminar, in collaboration with CUPE instructor Dr. Letzai Ruiz. Please join us in welcoming Dorothy to her new role.
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Welcome Administration Manager Frederick Lam |
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We are extremely pleased to announce that Frederick (Fred) Lam is joining the Department of Architectural Science as Administration Manager starting Monday, January 13, 2025, while Allyne Sareno takes a one-year secondment with TMU’s Creative School.
Fred brings a wealth of management expertise to DAS, with over 18 years of experience leading transformative initiatives that enhance effectiveness, academic success and student engagement.
He has served in a number of educational roles in both Canada and the United States, and arrives to TMU from the Toronto School of Management, where he worked as the Director of Student Services. His diverse skill set, which includes supporting global education and Mandarin instruction, demonstrates his adaptability and dedication to fostering inclusive working and learning environments. Before joining the academic sector, Fred led several successful manufacturing operations in China. He holds a BA in Economics from the University at Buffalo, a Master's degree in Education Policy and Leadership, and a Graduate Certificate in International Student Management from the State University of New York (Albany). Outside of work, Fred enjoys swimming, diving, and ice skating.
Please join in welcoming Fred Lam to the DAS team! |
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Interim Associate Chair Experiential Learning & Co-op |
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Welcome Prof. Yew-Thong Leong to the role of Associate Chair Experiential Learning and Cooperative Education. Yew-Thong will perform this role from January to December 2025, while Prof. Vincent Hui takes a one-year sabbatical to join The Living Room Collective in representing Canada at the Venice Biennale for Architecture, opening May 10, 2025.
Associate Professor Yew-Thong Leong is well-known to the Department of Architectural Science, having taught design and professional practice courses since 1996 and leading numerous experiential learning and partnership opportunities locally and abroad. He holds a BTech from DAS and BArch from Pratt University in New York. He is a registered architect, principal of SSG Architecture Inc., and his many outreach roles include currently serving as Dean of the RAIC College of Fellows.
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Welcome Visiting Researcher Dr. Han Zou |
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Dr. Han Zou, a professor of architecture from Hubei University of Technology in Wuhan, China, begins a one-year Visiting Research position at TMU’s Department of Architectural Science this term. Her research focuses on preservation and renovation of historic urban fabric and architecture. Han holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Architecture from Wuhan University of Technology. Her PhD, entitled “A Historical Study on Early-Modern Urban Planning and Construction in Hong Kong (1841-1997)” was completed as a joint-PhD with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris, France. She also earned a Master of Architecture from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Nancy, France. Prior research appointments include at Southeast University in Nanjing and the City University of Hong Kong. Supported by a prestigious grant from the China Scholarship Council, and in collaboration with Dr. Lisa Landrum, Han will use her time at Toronto Metropolitan University to advance research on heritage planning, cultural preservation and urban renewal. Dr. Zou will make temporary use of the ARC 325 office and is reachable by email: han.zou@torontomu.ca. |
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Open Forum with DAS Chair |
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Calling all students!
Join Department Chair Lisa Landrum for a conversation about life and learning in DAS. Share your ideas, perspective and thoughts, and find out about upcoming program reviews. Students at all levels in all disciplinary areas are welcome. Bring your own lunch (light snacks available). Organized in collaboration with ACU.
Date: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: The Pit (ARC 202)
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Upcoming Events |
ACU Presents: Mahalli (of the Place) Lecture |
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Join us on January 23, 2025 at 6:30 in the PIT (ARC 202)
Exploring Participatory Design to Foster Cultural Identity and a Sense of Place
Discover how local artisans shape interior renovations, redefining the authorship of design and scaling handcrafted practices. This engaging case study highlights architects as creators of systems and bridges between communities.
Meet our Speakers:
Farah and Nada have been longtime collaborators. In 2016, they co-founded Tri Design Studio in the United Arab Emirates, a boutique design practice with a profile of civic, educational, office, and retail projects, as well as public art installations. Living miles apart, they continue to find ways to collaborate and create together.
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Farah Al Amin | Associate, DIALOG Toronto, Canada
Internationally trained architect, designer, and photographer. Labels aside, she flourishes in-between. She has been practicing architecture and photography for over a decade in the Middle East and Canada. She’s currently an associate at DIALOG, contributing to design excellence across diverse project typologies, with a portfolio that includes healthcare, educational, civic, and sports and recreation projects.
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Nada Alobaidi | Project Architect, Holland Harvey London, UK
Architectural designer specializing in interior architecture and the retrofitting of existing structures. She has practiced in the UAE, Canada, and is currently based in the UK. Her diverse career includes designing exhibitions, temporary installations, furniture design, and curatorial practices. In 2024, she founded the Uninhabited Drawing Exhibition in Toronto. Nada has been a part-time instructor and is a regular reviewer in both Toronto and London.
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OPEN TO ALL!
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M.ARCH CAFÉ Housing Symposium |
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Join the first-year M.ARCH class for the M.ARCH CAFÉ Housing Symposium, in partnership with the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA)! The event runs from January 30 to February 1, 2025, at the TMU Architecture Building, featuring a gallery opening, interactive exhibitions, networking, and a panel discussion, "Housing the Future: Toronto’s Innovative Housing Practitioners." Contribute to CASA’s housing manifesto posters by submitting your manifesto here.
Registration is required: sign up here, & follow us on IG: @tmudas_symposium for updates!
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DAS Lecture Series |
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All lectures will run from 18:30 – 20:00 in ARC-202 (“The Pit”), located at 325 Church Street, Toronto unless otherwise noted.
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WINTER 2025
FEB 6
Claire Weisz x BEAT
Founding Partner, W X Y architecture + urban design, New York
NEW DATE: FEB 13
Alison Brooks x BEAT
Founder & Creative Director, Alison Brooks Architects, London
MARCH 6
Sarah Lynn Lopez
Author & Associate Professor at UPenn, Philadelphia
MARCH 27
Chris T Cornelius (Oneida)
Founding Principal, studio:indigenous
Professor and Chair of the Department of Architecture at the University of New Mexico |
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Our lecture series events qualify for 1.5 OAA Structured Con Ed hours (only for those working towards an OAA Certificate of Practice).
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Extracurricular
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Winter Stations 2025
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We’re thrilled to announce that our team of undergraduate students is among the winners of the 2025 Winter Stations international design competition! Guided by Professor Vincent Hui, the project team (led by Jade Yu Tung Wong and Arjun Jain) and design team members (Finn Ferrall, Marko Sikic, and Nick Kisil) have created Solair, which will be located at Toronto’s Kew and Woodbine beaches this winter.
Solair captures the ephemeral beauty of dawn using light, wind, and reflection to craft a dynamic sensory experience. The installation transforms sunlight and waterfront breezes into rippling shadows, flickering light, and melodic sounds, inviting visitors to engage with the natural elements in a profound and interactive way. As visitors move around and through the installation, they become active participants in this amplified natural performance.
Winter Stations is an annual competition showcasing innovative temporary art installations designed around Toronto’s iconic lifeguard towers. Winning designs will be on display for six weeks along the city’s waterfront, bringing life and creativity to the beaches during the colder months. Be sure to visit Solair and experience the magic of this year’s Winter Stations!
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AIAS FORUM 2025: Exploring "Crossroads" in Architecture
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The AIAS FORUM 2025 conference brought together architecture students from around the globe to tackle pressing industry challenges. With the theme Crossroads, the event focused on critical decisions shaping housing, climate resilience, and urban growth. Attendees included DAS students Nava Mahouri Monfared, Khushi Gandhi, Arjun Jain, Rafaela Sposito, and William Choi who participated in keynote sessions, hands-on workshops, city tours, and invaluable networking opportunities. “The AIAS FORUM is more than just a gathering of architecture students—it’s a platform where we engage with pressing industry topics, learn from accomplished professionals, and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the inspiration, it provides actionable insights, practical leadership strategies, and innovative approaches to problem-solving. These experiences allow us to return with a renewed perspective and tangible ideas that can elevate our chapter’s initiatives, strengthen our community engagement, and enhance opportunities for all our members,” shared Arjun Jain, AIAS PR Director.
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2025 ACSA Steel Competition |
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Registration deadline: April 9, 2025
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is pleased to announce the 25th Annual Steel Design Student Competition for the 2024-2025 academic year. Administered by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the program is intended to challenge undergraduate and graduate students, working individually or in teams, to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction. Steel must be used as the primary structural material and contain at least one space that requires a long-span steel structure, with special emphasis placed on innovation in steel design.
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AISC Steel Design-Build Grant Program |
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Deadline: January 13, 2025
Have an idea for a design-build project that will expand student engagement with materials? Let the AISC help you bring it to life--with steel!
Faculty members and students with faculty sponsors can propose projects to the AISC Steel Design-Build Grant Program, and they will fund one or a handful of them every year. Besides project funds, the AISC wants to give architecture students the opportunity to engage with steel--they'll pair them with fabricators who can collaborate at various stages of the project.
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External Events & Opportunities |
2025 RAIC Foundation Scholarships & Awards – Apply Now! |
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The RAIC Foundation has unveiled its 2025 portfolio, featuring new and expanded scholarships and awards for architecture students and interns across Canada.
Highlights include the new Bing Thom Award, an essay competition for students in Canadian architecture programs, and the updated College of Fellows Centennial Fund, now offering two awards. Explore sustainability-focused scholarships, leadership awards, and bursaries tailored to support your academic and professional journey.
Submissions open now! For details and a full list of opportunities, visit raicf.ca. |
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New RAIC Bing Thom Award – Win $3500! |
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The RAIC Foundation is proud to launch the Bing Thom Award, an essay competition honoring the legacy of Bing Thom, FRAIC. Submit an 800-word essay exploring how a work of architecture can be transformative; discuss its impact on communities and reflect on the potential of great design to inspire change.
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Two prizes of $3500 each will be awarded
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Deadline: March 7, 2025, 10:00 PM ET
Learn more and apply here: RAIC Foundation Website |
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Toronto Society of Architects events: |
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IDEAS Forum: Labour in Architecture (as part of DesignTO)
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Brief Description: Organized by DesignTO and the Toronto Society of Architects, “Ideas Forum: Labour in Architecture” will feature five fast-paced presentations (20 slides shown for 20 seconds each) and a panel discussion exploring how we can design better practices and labour standards in design fields through the lens of the architectural profession. Whether it is through community organizing, new models of practice, or increased transparency, each of our speakers will highlight the opportunities and challenges of building a better profession together. Join DesignTO and the TSA for what will prove to be a fascinating conversation with some diverse speakers!
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Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
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Time: 12:00 - 1:30 PM EST
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Location: Online via Zoom
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Price: FREE (RSVP Required)
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Event Link: https://torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/events/ideas-forum-labour-in-architecture/
The Legacy of Claude Cormier: Screening & Panel Discussion (as part of DesignTO)
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Brief Description: Organized by the Toronto Society of Architects, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), and UofT Daniels, this event will feature a screening of a 45-minute director’s cut of the TCLF’s Claude Cormier Oral History Project, specifically highlighting Claude’s Toronto projects. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion reflecting on Claude’s legacy and how we can carry it forward when shaping our future public spaces. Make sure to get your free tickets today to attend this special screening and inspiring discussion!
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Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
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Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM EST (Doors Open 6:00 PM)
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Location: Main Hall, Daniels Building (1 Spadina Cres), Toronto, ON
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Price: FREE (RSVP Required)
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Event Link: https://torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/events/the-legacy-of-claude-cormier-screening-panel-discussion/
TSA CONNECT 2025: Career Paths
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Brief Description: Get your tickets today for the next session of TSA CONNECT—a professional networking and mentorship event—where the TSA is highlighting the wide variety of career paths those with an architectural or related education can pursue (oh the possibilities!). Join the TSA and make some connections with our Featured Guests who have all carved their own unique paths, from traditional practice at all scales and specialties to working for client groups, municipalities, marketing and visualization, specifications writing, and so much more! It is a great opportunity for students and young professionals to better understand how their architectural education and experiences might translate into a unique professional journey.
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Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
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Time: 7:00 - 9:30 PM EST (Doors Open at 6:30 PM)
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Location: Centre for Social Innovation: Annex - Lounge (720 Bathurst St, Toronto)
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Price: $15 + HST General Admission, FREE for TSA Members (student membership is free!) Spots are limited -- get your ticket today!
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Event Link: https://torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/events/tsa-connect-2025-career-paths/
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OAA SHIFT2025 Challenge: “Reshaping Communities." |
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The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has launched the SHIFT2025 Challenge, calling on architects and design teams to propose innovative and sustainable solutions that reshape communities in response to the challenges of climate change and social shifts. This year’s theme, Reshaping Communities, encourages participants to explore how architectural thinking can help create stable, inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging in the face of urgent challenges like extreme weather, political instability, and rapid technological change.
Why Participate?
This challenge is a unique opportunity for architectural professionals to showcase their creativity, leadership, and commitment to driving social change. Winning entries will inspire new ways of thinking about how we build and adapt communities in an evolving world.
Don't miss out—submit your ideas by January 17, 2025, and help shape the future of our communities!
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2025 Lyceum Competition:
A Community for the Future of Food |
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Submission Deadline: Thursday, May 22, 2025, 8:00 PM EDT.
https://competition.lyceum-fellowship.org/
Calling all architecture students! The 2025 Lyceum Competition, A Community for the Future of Food, challenges participants to reimagine two reclaimed buildings along Bridgetown, Barbados’s iconic Carlisle Bay. Guided by Program Author and Jury Chair Pierre Serrao (Black Star Barbados, Ghetto Gastro), this year’s theme focuses on sustainable design rooted in the region’s culinary heritage.
Your mission: transform these beachfront spaces into dynamic hubs for culinary innovation and community connection. Highlighting the disparities in the Caribbean's food system, this competition encourages designs that promote ecological farming, local consumption, and cultural pride. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the future of food in the world’s youngest nation!
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Open Call: MCH + TC Cuadernos Publication Grant |
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Attention researchers and students! The Master in Collective Housing (MCH) program, in collaboration with TC Cuadernos, is offering a publication grant of up to €6,000 to support the adaptation of thesis or research work into a professionally published book. Successful applicants will have their work translated, designed, printed, and distributed in a bilingual edition (English-Spanish).
Eligible submissions include completed theses, advanced research projects, or new research proposals focused on collective housing and urban studies.
📅 Apply now and showcase your work on an international stage!
🔗 Learn more: MCH Master Website
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Call for Ideas: 2025 CCA Interuniversity Charrette |
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The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) invites architecture, landscape, urban planning, and design students to participate in the 2025 Interuniversity Charrette, Cartography of the Invisible.
Key Dates:
- March 11, 11 PM (EDT): Registration deadline
- March 13, 6 PM (EDT): Topic revealed (digital launch)
- March 17, 2 PM (EDT): Submission deadline
- March 20, 6 PM (EDT): Award ceremony, Montréal
Form teams (2-5 undergraduates or 2-3 graduates/recent grads), tackle the challenge in four days, and showcase your vision. Winning entries will receive CCA publications and prominent features on the competition microsite.
Instructors: Incorporate this into your winter syllabi and encourage students to join!
For details, contact Pedro Barbáchano at pbarbachano@cca.qc.ca |
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Deborah J. Norden Fund Travel Grant – Up to $7,500 |
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The 2025 Deborah J. Norden Fund invites students and recent graduates passionate about architecture, architectural history, and urban studies to submit proposals for independent travel-based research. This final granting cycle of the program offers one award of up to $7,500 for a project that demonstrates creativity, intellectual rigor, and commitment to the built environment.
Key Dates:
- February 24, 2025: Proposal submission deadline
- March 7, 2025: Recommendation letters deadline
- May 2025: Award announcement
Eligibility extends to full-time residents of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Preference will be given to applicants without prior extensive travel funding. |
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Shape Ottawa’s Future: NCC 2025 Urban Design Challenge |
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The National Capital Commission’s 2025 Urban Design Challenge is your chance to reimagine the Bronson Channel Lands in Ottawa. Propose bold, innovative ideas to connect iconic national landmarks, waterfronts, and emerging neighborhoods.
Key Deadlines:
- January 23, 2025: Registration closes
- March 27, 2025: Submissions due
- May 29, 2025: Awards presentation in Ottawa
Prizes include cash awards, a trip to Ottawa, and the chance to present your vision at the NCC’s Urbanism Lab. Interdisciplinary teamwork encouraged! |
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Exclusive Student Offer: AZURE Subscription for Just $27 |
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Students, don’t miss this limited-time deal! Get a one-year subscription to AZURE for over 58% off—just $27. Dive into cutting-edge architecture and design content that inspires and informs.
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Submit Your Work to the 2025 AZ Awards |
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Showcase your talent in AZURE’s international design competition! The AZ Awards celebrate excellence in architecture and design, with finalists and winners gaining global recognition and publication in the AZ Awards Annual issue.
Perks for Students:
- $5,000 cash prize for the student winner
- Discounted entry fees:
- $35 (early-bird deadline: Jan. 31)
- $45 (final deadline: Feb. 21)
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TMU Programming |
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Nominations Now Open for the Viola Desmond Awards |
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The Viola Desmond Awards are here! Recognizing the outstanding impact of Black women and gender-diverse people in our community. #ViolaDesmondAwards
The 2024 Viola Desmond Awards and Bursary Program is led by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI). This year, OVPECI is partnering with the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, with contributions from campus partners serving on the Viola Desmond Planning Committee.
Submit a nomination to the Viola Desmond Awards by June 10.
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Biotecture Inc. Innovation Scholarship:
Apply by December 31, 2024 |
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The 2024 Biotecture Inc. Innovation Scholarship is now open for undergraduate and graduate students passionate about merging healthcare and architectural design. This scholarship supports emerging leaders committed to creating accessible, inclusive environments. Prizes include mentorship, internship opportunities, and a $500 cash award. Applications are open until December 31, 2024. To apply, visit the Biotecture Inc. Scholarship page and submit your application online. Don’t miss this chance to drive meaningful change at the intersection of healthcare and architecture! |
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TSA Tech Series | Embedding Smart Building Technologies |
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Dates: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Times: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Price: $15+HST General Admission, FREE for TSA Members
In this upcoming virtual lecture, Akira Jones and Kelly Henderson of HH Angus will discuss advancements in new smart buildings technologies, such as cloud computing, 5G networks, advanced IoT sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), smart lighting, and advanced Building Automation Systems. |
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Missed an event? |
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Most of our guest lectures are live-streamed. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch our recordings! |
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Copyright © 2024 Department of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are part of the Department of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University community.
Our mailing address is:
Department of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University
325 Church Street
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