Shane Williamson received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with Highest Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1994 and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University in 1999. The following fall he began teaching at the Daniels Faculty where his research and teaching interests involve an exploration of the digitally based convergence of representation and production afforded through parametric software and digital fabrication.

Professor Williamson’s research and creative practice employs advanced digital tools as a means to critically engage traditional modes of construction and tectonic expression. Ongoing research seeks to situate digital fabrication and wood construction in a broader cultural context and link theories of design and technology respective of sustainable building strategies. Over the past decade, his research has been funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation,  the National Research Council of Canada, Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Professor Williamson is a partner of Williamson Chong, an architecture practice that operates at multiple scales ranging from furniture design to master planning. One of the recurring themes within Williamson Chong’s body of work is the notion of “Incremental Urbanism” which recognizes the possibilities of intensification latent in the morphology of urban fabric.

Professor Williamson’s work has been published in Architecture, Architectural Record, Azure, Canadian Architect, Domus, Dwell, I.D., Metropolis, Praxis, and Thresholds. His work has been exhibited at the National Building Museum, Washington, DC; the Municipal Center for the Arts, New York, NY; Mercer Union, Toronto; Design Exchange, Toronto, ON; I-Space Gallery, Chicago, IL; the Urban Center, New York, NY; and most recently at the Corkin Gallery, Toronto, ON.

Professor Williamson’s notable project-based awards include an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects (2010), an Ontario WoodWorks Award (2011), a North American Wood Design Award (2011), two Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence (2011, 2014), and three Residential Architect Design Awards (2014).

Professor Williamson’s notable practice-based awards include the Ronald J. Thom Award for Early Design Achievement (2008) and the Professional Prix de Rome for Architecture (2012) from the Canada Council of the Arts, the Emerging Architectural Practice Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (2014), the Young Architects Prize (2006) and the Emerging Voices Award (2014) from the Architecture League of New York.

The Daniels Faculty is proud to host a popular public lecture series featuring leading professionals and academics in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and visual studies. All events are free and open to the public (unless otherwise stated). Tickets are not required for events at 230 College Street and seating is provided on a first come, first served basis. As many of our speakers attract capacity crowds, we recommend that you arrive early to avoid disappointment. No latecomers will be admitted into the theatre once the lecture has started, however an overflow room with a live video-feed will be set up in Room 106 for those unable to obtain a seat in the main lecture hall. We also post videos of most evening lectures on our YouTube channel. If you have any questions about upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to contact our Events and Communications Coordinator Pamela Walls at pamela.walls@daniels.utoronto.ca or 416-978-2253.