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In this issue: SCITHub Takes Shape | DAS Students Win BSAO Competition | Exhibition Stevan Evans' On the Edge: Photographs of Toronto’s Downtown Waterfront Open Until October 23rd | Guest Lecture with Arancha González Bernardo & Michael Fohring of Odami Studio & More!
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October 14th Issue

DAS News

The entire primary SCITHub structure is being built from a sophisticated mass timber system, featuring robust, five-inch-thick cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels made of spruce.

In this issue: SCITHub Takes Shape | DAS Students Win BSAO Competition | Exhibition Stevan Evans' On the Edge: Photographs of Toronto’s Downtown Waterfront Open Until October 23rd | Guest Lecture with Arancha González Bernardo & Michael Fohring of Odami Studio & More!
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New Canada Office: Council on Vertical Urbanism at DAS


DAS Chair, Lisa Landrum and CVU CEO, Javier Quintana de Uña launching the Toronto office. Photo credit: Elaine Nahli

The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), formally launched its new Canadian office in TMU’s Architecture Building on October 9, 2025. The ribbon-cutting and reception brought together members of the academic, architectural, and development communities. The event marked the closing day of CVU’s international 2025 conference, "From the Ground Up: Tall Buildings and City-Making," and was held in conjunction with a guest lecture by architect David Pontarini, founding partner of Hariri Pontarini Architects.



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Beam by Beam: SCITHub's Timber Frame Takes Shape


We're thrilled to announce that construction for the groundbreaking Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub (SCITHub) is currently underway! The second floor of the timber structure is quickly taking shape. "With the CLT structure nearly complete, our focus is on sealing the building envelope before winter," notes Patrick Barker, Greenferd Vice President. "We're on track to finish panel installations by the end of October, immediately followed by the roof membrane and waterproofing. Once we're watertight, the installation of the glazing and exterior siding will begin, allowing our interior trades to commence with the electrical and mechanical infrastructure."



Toronto Waterfront photo exhibition captures 40 years of change


Photo credit: Steven Evans

Article by: Savara Khokhar


 Featured in the On the Edge exhibition, photographer Steven Evans’s Music Garden in Summer captures the rhythm of a concert at the Toronto Music Garden, where crowds fill the grass amphitheatre overlooking Lake Ontario. Inspired by J.S. Bach, the park was co-designed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, and the City of Toronto. In the distance, Arthur Erickson’s King’s Landing condominium completes the scene.

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Be sure to visit On the Edge: Photographs of Toronto’s Downtown Waterfront 2023-2025 before it closes on Thursday, October 23rd. Steven Evans will be giving tours of the exhibit and an informal discussion about architectural photography on Wednesday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 23rd at 12pm at Paul H. Cocker Gallery. Those interested should simply join at that time. This will be a great opportunity to learn first-hand about the content of the exhibition but also the approach that this architectural photographer takes to the documentation of spaces and buildings.


Check out photos from the opening reception on our Flickr account!

BSAO Student Competition Results


Interdisciplinary team Lincoln Uy and Gavyn Cheung (just completed their 3rd year), and Masters of Building Science student Nafisa Ahmed just won a student competition organized by Building Science Association of Ontario (BSAO). Lincoln and Gavin’s Integration studio project: Redesigning Architecture Building presented deep understanding of sustainable strategies implementation in architectural design. They will be presenting at the BSAO October seminar, and their work will be features in the Spring 2026 issue of the BSAO magazine: pushing the envelope.

Upcoming Events

DAS Guest Lecture with Arancha González Bernardo &
Michael Fohring of Odami Studio


October 23, 2025

6:30 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT

Department of Architectural Science, 325 Church St, ARC 202 (the Pit)



Behind the work:
Tales & Lessons from Running a Small Practice


Starting a practice is intimidating, and running it successfully is hard. This “lecture” walks through select projects completed since the studio’s inception in 2018, using them to reflect upon the critical lessons learned along the way, from identity building, to dealing with contractors and clients, to structuring your day and workflow. In doing so, we hope to look beyond the work and shed some light on the aspects of running a practice that are often hidden from view, and offer some candid insights – and perhaps some entertaining stories – about what it takes to go out on your own.



Arancha (Aránzazu) González Bernardo
B.Sc.Arch, M.Arch

Born and raised in the Asturias region of Spain, Arancha grew up playing and helping out in her family’s busy fabric and clothing shops. She carried forward a strong relationship with composition and materials as well as a creative pragmatism in designing spaces that are jointly functional, welcoming, and resonant. 


Arancha studied architecture at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura in La Coruña, and has worked with award-winning design firms in Spain, Austria, Montréal, and Toronto, collaborating on projects across Europe and North America. In addition to leading Odami, she also teaches at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Interior Design.



Michael Fohring
B.Sc.Arch, M.Arch

Michael grew up in Ontario, Canada, in a family of carpenters, mechanics, and general tinkerers. Prior to studying architecture, he worked on construction sites and developed a deep interest in craft, assemblage, and making, driven by a desire to uncover more efficient and compelling approaches to design and fabrication.


Michael studied architecture at McGill University in Montréal, where, upon graduation, he was named to the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Honour Roll. He was also awarded the American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Medal and the RAIC Student Medal. Since 2017, he has taught as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture and the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Interior Design.



Register
Watch Previous Lectures on Our Youtube Channel

Student Opportunities

Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarship - Deadline Oct 17th


Call for Submissions: 2025 Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships for Wood Related Research
Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships are presented to graduate students, enrolled at Canadian Universities, who demonstrate excellence in their studies of structural wood products or wood design. The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) invites submissions from graduate students in engineering, architecture, and wood science. Submitted projects must demonstrate their value and impact on Canadian-made structural wood products and/or their role in advancing domestic wood construction.

Learn More

Light of Tomorrow: International VELUX Award for Students of Architecture

Same competition – new name.

The International VELUX Award for students of architecture is relaunched as Light of Tomorrow by VELUX for the 2026 edition of the competition and award!

Kickstart your journey – REGISTER NOW

Begin your journey by downloading the Award Brief

To receive updates and notifications, registration details, and key dates for the 2026 edition – sign up for our newsletter.

Get inspired by browsing the 2024 projects and previous winners:

About Light of Tomorrow by VELUX 2026

The competition and award challenges students to explore the theme of daylight – to create a deeper understanding of this ever-relevant source of energy, light, and life.

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27th International Garden Festival Issues Call for Proposals

The 27th International Garden Festival is calling for proposals for new temporary gardens to be showcased at Les Jardins de Métis – Reford Gardens, opening June 20, 2026. This edition, themed “Mapping Sensitivity,” invites designers to explore the emotional, relational, and subjective dimensions of space, encouraging gardens that are inclusive, experiential, and shaped by their users. Open to landscape architects, architects, visual artists, and multidisciplinary teams worldwide, the festival seeks proposals that consider sustainability and the afterlife of materials, with selected gardens to be exhibited for at least two summers. The submission deadline is October 27, 2025.

Learn More

James Harrison Steedman Fellowship in Architecture

The 2026 Steedman Fellowship invites proposals exploring the theme Collective Form / Forums, inspired by architect Fumihiko Maki’s influential ideas on architecture’s role in shaping pluralistic societies. This year’s fellowship asks how architecture can bring people together, amplify overlooked voices, and engage political and cultural challenges—particularly in the face of climate change and shifting collective values. Open worldwide to architects with a professional degree earned in the last eight years, the fellowship awards $100,000 for research to be completed within 18 months, with results shared through the Washington University and AIA St. Louis communities. Applications, including a portfolio, research proposal, and supporting materials, are due by November 1, 2025.

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The Future of Design and Construction: Collaboration, Implementation, and Adoption

The Future of Design and Construction: Collaboration, Implementation, & Adoption Industry Summit will unite three of our annual gatherings into one comprehensive and future-focused event. Together, we will spotlight the critical importance of collaborative approaches, effective implementation strategies, and the widespread adoption of innovation and technology across the design and construction lifecycle.

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2026 FORM Student Innovation Competition Now Open!

Submit your furniture design projects by Feb. 27, 2026, for your chance to win a trip to join Formica Corporation at NeoCon 2026 and a cash prize!

Formica Corporation invites architecture and design students to submit a furniture design embodying the theme “mood-boosting design”.


As expressive, meaningful and mood-boosting spaces are on the rise, Formica Corporation is inviting students to answer the call and create furniture pieces that inspire, emotionally uplift and spark joy. This can come to life, for example, with bold colors, unexpected color combinations, layered textures — all elements that can be achieved by experimenting with optical and physical textures across Formica Corporation’s product range. Pieces can be used for any residential and commercial setting and must incorporate at least three or more Formica® Brand and/or FENIX® products.

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Creating the City Within the City Competition

What is the “Creating the City within the City” competition?


An architecture ideas competition led by the McEwen School of Architecture, in collaboration with Vista Hospitality Co. Canada / Elm Place, open to architecture students and to intern architects. It offers the opportunity for entrants to think creatively about the potential adaptation of the Elm Place shopping center located in the heart of downtown Sudbury, filling in urban voids around the mall and building on top of/within the mall to transform an inward-facing commercial complex into a more diverse, vibrant and livable place by introducing new residential program.


The competition will demonstrate how architecture can lead the way in urban regeneration by rethinking the shopping mall so it can play a key role in transforming the Sudbury downtown core into the vibrant neighborhood it once was.


The competition calls the architects of tomorrow to imagine how we can reclaim space, redefine urban living, and create (or recreate) the city within the city…


Deadline to submit proposal: October 17th at 2 PM EST

Learn more

Competition - Spatializing Justice: Building Blocks

Critical intervention into the urban field requires first recognizing the contested spatial and institutional power dynamics that drive today’s urban and bio-regional crises. The 2026 Lyceum Fellowship competition asks participants to first expose and visualize a particular conflict—reflecting on the requisite political, economic, social, and spatial processes—then design the conditions to tackle this conflict.

Learn more

TMU Programming

TMU Student Care - Reminder of Services

By promoting community standards of respect, civility and safety, TMU Student Care supports students in distress and those in need of personal support. Students, faculty and staff can contact the office by email studentcare@torontomu.ca.


Students in need of counselling may contact the Centre for Student Development and Counselling, at csdc@torontomu.ca. Indicate “Architecture” in the subject line for prioritized appointments.


If you are in distress and need immediate assistance, please reach out to: The Gerstein Centre 24/7 Distress Line, a free, confidential support line for anyone experiencing an emotional crisis and needing immediate assistance:  416-929-5200; or Good 2 Talk, a free, confidential counselling support line specifically for post-secondary school students:  1-866-925-5454


If you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of a TMU community member, please contact TMU Community Safety and Security at: 416-979-5040, security@torontomu.ca, or for emergencies, please call 911.

Learn more

Know someone interested in applying to DAS? Encourage them to register for the Discover TMU Open House on Nov. 8th!

Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.


Fuel your curiosity and transform your future at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)!


Join us for Discover TMU: Open House on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Discover collaborative classrooms and immersive learning in the heart of the city. It’s your chance to explore TMU’s vibrant community, where students learn, grow and succeed together. Don’t miss your chance to experience your life as a TMU student.

Arriving early? Visit the TMU information tent on Gould Street starting at 10:30 a.m. Bring your questions, get directions and explore the all-day vendor market.

Learn more

Upcoming Group Let’s Talk About Us” Wellbeing Group for Black-Identified Students

Thursdays, October 23 – November 20
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Virtual/In-person)
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3c95x6nh


“Let’s Talk About Us” is a 5-week wellbeing group that explores and affirms the complexity, humanity, and emotional wellbeing of Black students in a soft and supportive space.

Facilitated by Black staff, students can expect to:

  • Connect with peers and share collective wisdom

  • Discover practical wellbeing strategies

  • Embrace lighthearted joy and community connection

External Events & Opportunities

Upcoming TSA Events & Call For Volunteers

TSA Walking Tours (Less than 2 months left to the 2025 season!)

  • Brief Description: All summer through to the end of October, join the TSA for fun and informative walks as we share some of the many captivating stories behind Toronto’s buildings and landscapes through our TSA Walking Tours. From well-known landmarks to hidden treasures, our volunteer TSA tour guides will share tales that will help you uncover the untold stories of our city’s built environment. Tours are 1.5-2 hours in length and we have 11 unique themes to choose from (new 2025 tour: King Spadina)!

  • Dates: May – October 25, 2025 (see link for full schedule)

  • Price: $15 General Admission, Free for TSA Members (student membership is free!)

  • Link: torontosocietyofarchitects.ca/tours/type/walking-tours/

plazaPOPS: Paradise in a Parking Lot

ON NOW in the Urbanspace Gallery until December 31st


plazaPOPS: Paradise in a Parking Lot invites visitors to celebrate the significant role that strip malls play in the social, cultural, and economic life of Toronto’s inner suburbs and the public health of local communities.


The exhibit also shares the work and future potential of plazaPOPS, a community-based not-for-profit public space organization that turns parking spaces into people places along Toronto’s strip mall main streets through partnership, co-creation, research, and advocacy.

Learn more

Alumni News

Call For Mentors

Are you ready to give back to the next generation of architecture leaders?


The Discover Mentorship Program at FEAS matches senior career professionals with third and fourth year students. Our goal is to provide students with professional development, support, and guidance as they prepare to embark in meaningful careers.


Mentorship can inspire and motivate students to achieve their full potential in the transition from university to the professional world. If you have five years of career experience and would like to learn more about getting involved as a mentor, please contact Kieran Lynch at kieran.lynch@torontomu.ca.

Have DAS news to share? Please let us know:

Comms Request Form

Missed an event?

Most of our guest lectures are live-streamed. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch our recordings!

YouTube Channel

For further information, please contact:

Department of Architectural Science
325 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3
Canada
P: 416-979-5000
F: 416-979-5353
E: arch.office@torontomu.ca
https://www.torontomu.ca/architectural-science/

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