Five Daniels alumni and faculty members are among eight finalist design teams for the Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument Public Art Competition:

• North Design Office — the firm of Daniels Faculty Professors Pete North and Alissa North — joined with Blackwell and Mulvi&Banani to form the team North Design/Blackwell/Mulvi&Banani.
• Lecturer Nima Javidi (MUD 2005) and Behnaz Assadi (MLA 2008) are working under the name Javidi/Errazuriz/Assadi.
• David Leinster (BLA 1985) collaborated with Douglas Coupland and Karen Mills to form Coupland/Leinster/Mills.

“The Jury was overwhelmed with the extraordinary qualifications and achievements of the design teams,” writes Adrian Burns, Jury Chair. “As you can imagine, evaluating so much talent and experience made our task exceedingly difficult.”

Earlier this year, the Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument Public Art Competition invited teams to submit design proposals for what is expected to become a prominent new landmark in Ottawa. The monument will be built in time for the 125^th anniversary of the Stanley Cup Trophy — a Canadian symbol that originated with Canada’s sixth governor general, Lord Stanley of Preston.

The winning design will be announced in October 2016 on the advice of a jury of eminent Canadians who are highly respected in the fields of public art, culture, history, and hockey. The monument will be donated to the City of Ottawa, and unveiled in December 2017 in downtown Ottawa at the corner of Elgin and Sparks Streets — steps from the site where Lord Stanley of Preston gifted the Stanley Cup on March 18, 1892.

On Friday, June 24th, the Art Museum will host "Building Museums: Building Cities (Part 2)," a panel discussion featuring Adrian Blackwell (MUD 2002), Shirley Blumberg (BArch 1976), Associate Professor Barbara Fischer, and Dean Richard Sommer.

The event builds on a previous discussion that considered Toronto’s recent cultural building revival, the surge of large capital projects, and the renewals of museum spaces currently developing across Canada. The follow up event will focus more critically on the nature of museum architecture in the context of international development. The Daniels Faculty members will be joined by French architect Eric Lapierre, Charles Renfro of New York-based Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Paris-based writer and critic Philippe Trétiack.

From the University of Toronto Art Centre website:

"The discussion will centre on recent museum architecture in the context of the paradigmatic transformations of ideas of the museum’s role in the larger culture. Taking as their point of departure recent examples in Canada, the US and France, the panelists will examine the tendency toward spectacular architecture and its role in urban renewal and gentrification, but also the transformation of the idea of the museum space—from a hallowed, quasi-religious and authoritarian space to one increasingly focused on the notion of the emancipated audience, broader visitor engagement, the purpose of social gatherings, as a laboratory of ideas, and/or space of affective, immersive experience."

The discussion will take place in the Debates Room of the Hart House, and will start at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 24^th.

For more information, visit the Art Museum's website.

Today, the Daniels Faculty’s graduating students will participate in the historic procession across King’s College Circle, where they will receive their diploma. As the Class of 2016 begins this new chapter in their lives, we asked alumni across all of our programs for some words of wisdom.

Here are 12 pieces of advice from #DanielsAlum.

1.

Experience working in different sizes of firms — each with a different office culture — and do a range of different types of buildings. All the while keep asking yourself: Is this the type of work I want to contribute to our civic culture and is this the right environment for me to do my best work? — Janna Levitt, Bachelor of Architecture, 1986

2.

Don't take everyone's advice. Consider what's relevant, and learn to be a good sieve.

Don't be afraid to bring who you are into your practice. Your quirks, your habits, your unrelated talents and obsessions: let the seemingly irrelevant engage with your work. It's the deviations that are deeply interesting and contribute to a better and more human design approach. — Denise Pinto, Master of Landscape Architecture 2011

3.

Write an introduction about a future version of yourself. Leave no reservations based on practical concerns, but only your most ideal state of being. Print it out, and read it. This activity will offer you a raw future you can now begin to edit. 

Make as many allies as you can, and be kind to people who are kind to you. Be honest about your opinions — when you choose to "behave well" and conceal your thoughts, this "well-managed" relationship will never be a close connection. 

You signed up to do architecture. Be an expert of it, and be good at everything else. — Jimenez Lai, Master of Architecture, 2007

4.

Early work experience is very special, it provides the framework for your professional career. Look for employment that offers a broad range of opportunities. Seek out ways to engage in what you are passionate about, it really matters that your work is challenging. — Eha Naylor, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, 1980

5.

Stay close to your cohort and your faculty. Take time to work on all the projects you put aside. Make new work, the projects that you believed in and never realized, disseminate them, seek funding and remember to have fun along the way. Take each rejection as a sign for motivation. — Ali El-Darsa, Master of Visual Studies (Studio), 2015

6.

Travel. See what other cities are doing in urban design, landscape, gardens, architecture, public art, cultural programming, festivals. See art. Work in other parts of the world. Blur boundaries. — Victoria Taylor, Master of Landscape Architecture 2008

7.

Look for ways to continue exploring ideas from your thesis or final studio project - whether it is finding a job in an office that does similar work, collaborating with like-minded colleagues, attending conferences, or joining special interest groups  - your thesis can give your career a sense of direction moving forward. — Duncan Sabiston, Master of Architecture, 2014

8.

My friend and filmmaker Atom Egoyan recently had a simple inspirational message for students at Trinity College as they prepared to embark on their working lives. “Be what you want to become.”

I think the message applies to us all at every stage of life and it is especially relevant for young architects who will succeed in a competitive and challenging field with an independent, creative spirit and a strong sense of purpose. — Anne McIlroy, Bachelor of Architecture, 1986

9.

Enthusiasm and desire. While you're on the job and in everything you do in life... give it everything you have. — Shaimaa Atef, Master of Urban Design 2015

10.
Photo credit: Ruth Maria Murphy

Don't underestimate the value of mentorship both within and outside of the office. There is a lot to learn, so it's important to have a good support system while remaining patient and enthusiastic along the way. — Sonia Ramundi, Master of Architecture, 2012

11.

Learn to trust your intuition.

Substance over Style.

— Claude Cormier, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, 1986

12.

Dare to Configure - Oser Configurer!

Every Building Implies a City.

— Bruce Kuwabara, Bachelor of Architecture 1972

Do you have advice you’d like to share with our graduating class? Post your words of wisdom on Twitter and Instagram and tag with #Adviceforgrads.

Here are some resources for students joining the Daniels Faculty's alumni community today: 

• 9 ways to stay connected after graduation
• Daniels Faculty alumni page
• U of T's alumni services website

It’s not common for undergraduate students studying architecture to get a job in the field after their first year of study, but Nicole Orofino, who 10 years later on June 16 will graduate from the Daniels Faculty’s Master of Architecture Program, did just that. Having seized the opportunity to travel to Singapore and Holland while completing her degrees, Orofino is now working in the Netherlands at the European Headquarters of Nike. Orofino chatted with Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies student Josie Harrison (HBA 2017) about the value of travel and networking, and how she plans to celebrate her convocation from U of T.   

You started working after the first year of your undergraduate degree — how did you get a start in the professional world at such an early stage in your education?

Before starting my degree, I worked for a low-rise residential developer in the suburbs of Toronto as an on-site administrator. When I told my supervisor that I was pursuing a career in architecture and looking for work experience at a firm, they were good enough to refer me to an architecture firm they were working with at the time (Quadrangle Architects). This led to an interview and review of my initial portfolio. I ended up working for Quadrangle that summer and continued on part-time into the school year. I’ve found that in many cases, if you reach out to your network, and let people know what you’re looking for, they will try to help you.

Do you think that work experience gave you a different perspective during your studio courses in your undergrad and masters?

Absolutely. It was a challenge in the beginning. In studio, at school, you focus more on ideation and the concepts that drive a project. The thinking process that we’re afforded in school is different from the professional world. The professional world has a very systematic approach — design is completed in phases, and projects are realized through construction schedules that involve a number of different people and teams. The studio is more flexible. You have the time and capacity to explore different concepts and imagine new possibilities, based on your own intent.

How did studying in Toronto influence your experience as a student of architecture?

Toronto is incredibly inspirational and makes studying architecture at U of T really exciting as the Faculty is located in the heart of city. Being able to experience the cultural diversity, urban renewal and revitalization, circulation patterns, and the change in the built environment really helps to influence design and inspire creativity. As a student, you spend a lot of your time in the studio, and being able to instantly step out into the buzz of the city is one of the many benefits of studying at U of T.

You also spent some time during your degree studying and working abroad. How did this contribute to your experience as a student?

During my undergraduate degree, I went to Singapore for one semester. I chose to go because I thought there would be no better way and time to combine studying with travel. It was an incredibly valuable learning and personal experience. Similarly, I sought international experience three years into my Masters Degree. I took two semesters off, before entering into my thesis term, to work for a creative agency located in The Netherlands. I was interested in working for a creative agency because it is quite different than a typical architectural firm (which I had worked for in the past) with a client list of developers or cities. Agencies focus more on ideation, strategy, and concept creation. I told my thesis prep advisor, Laura Miller, about my desire to pursue international work experience, and she was completely supportive of my decision to take the break, as was the Daniels Faculty’s registrar and assistant dean of students Andrea McGee. Taking a step back and exploring opportunities outside of the degree was the best thing that I could’ve done at the time. By being in Amsterdam and networking, I was able to jump to the position that I’m in now.

Could you describe your current role and a project you have worked on?

I am a Project Manager for Brand Design and Strategic Account functions for Nike, working out of their European headquarters located in The Netherlands. I lead a team of designers and partnered vendors. We are responsible for creating and elevating retail and event spaces within partnered retailers across Western Europe, by creating consumer experiences, bespoke fixture systems, and curated product presentation strategies. We deliver environments that enable Nike to showcase and launch new product and innovation stories. My role is a combination of creative direction, concept creation, design, and management.

Last year, we teamed up with Nike’s Central European team to create an event that would launch the Nike Sneakerboot in Moscow, Russia. My team was responsible for concepting, planning, and creatively directing the five-day-long event, which included scouting the location in the centre of Moscow, designing massive art installations and bespoke fixtures that would showcase the Nike product, and working closely with our partnered vendors in Moscow to deliver an unforgettable experience. We designed programmed light installations, a rainwall that people could walk into, and fixtures made out of ice that held the Nike Sneakerboot. My role as project lead was to work closely with the art director and partnered vendors in Moscow. I was responsible for securing the location, locating the installations within the space, working with production on material choices, over-seeing the production of the fixtures, and ensuring the quality of the completion of the built environment so that the products were shown in the best way possible for media. The project, though successful, tested my skillset, and I was able to learn about processes that I hadn’t been familiar with prior to the event launch.

Do you have any advice for students starting their undergrad or masters?

My advice for undergraduates is to be mindful about your goals. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’re here to learn, and to become better. Sometimes, as creatives, we tend to work best under pressure. My advice would be to step back, and think about whether the pressure will help you or hinder you. More often than not, the pressure hinders your imagination, and autopilot sets in — especially in third and fourth year. Try your best to keep the pressure at arms length, so that you can keep the ideas flowing poetically.

My advice for Masters students would be to constantly remind yourself why you started. I cannot emphasize this enough. Keep a reminder somewhere: on your desk, your laptop, or your phone. Reminding yourself why you started will keep you focused. To keep you motivated and inspired, try to travel as much as you can - there is plenty of support given by the Daniels Faculty to travel, like the Global Architecture Program, and the various travel awards available. Lastly, be mindful of a strategy. Take the time to network yourself — this can only benefit you post-grad.

How will you celebrate your convocation?

I will be travelling back to Toronto for convocation. My family has planned a lovely dinner party — my sister and my mom have outdone themselves with the planning. I’m looking forward to spending time with my family — they have supported me fully throughout my degrees. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better support system, and I owe them the world for that, so it’s only fitting that I celebrate this milestone with them.

Thanks to generous donations made by alumni and donors, Daniels Faculty students can apply for grants, fellowships, or scholarships to fund travel and research at sites of interest both within Canada and abroad.

We’ve asked students who received travel awards last year to share their experiences with us. Last week, we heard from Saarinen Balagengatharadilak and Vanessa Abram. Today, we hear from Master of Architecture student Hamza Vora , who spent six weeks conducting research in Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Fez in Morroco, and Tunis in Tunisia with support from the Paul Oberman Graduate Student Endowment Fund.

Why did you decide to go to Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, and Tunis, and what did you hope to learn while you were there?
I wanted to study street vendors in North African cities to see the urban condition and context they currently operate in.  I intended to observe the street vendors and public life of the souks (markets) that are still vital part of the old city centres. Morocco and Tunisia both have well preserved and vibrant old city centres where street vendors in the souks are an integral part of daily life.

Tell us about something interesting that you discovered.
I had this idea of authenticity and that the markets would only sell local goods and support the local community. It was a bit shocking to see that majority of the street vendors sold counterfeit goods made in China. This was particularly in the case Tunis. It is a real problem as it has been devastating to the local industries.

How has this travel research opportunity enhanced your academic career?
I got a better understanding of the meaning of public space. It informed some of my decisions for my thesis project. Urban life in these North African cities is very chaotic. It is an organized mess. To comprehend that, you have to experience it first hand.

How will this research inform your future work?
I am still very interested in street vendors and how they contribute to an informal economy. During my research trip I was looking at how they function and negotiate public pace. I still want to continue learning about this and how they contribute to different public spaces.

For more information on Hamza’s research download his report [PDF].

Visit the Current Students section of the Daniels Faculy's website for more information on the travel awards.

This winter, Montreal's art district, Quartier des Spectacles, became a space of urban play for the sixth annual Luminothérapie festival. The public space was transformed into an interactive landscape by Lateral Office, firm of Associate Professor Mason White.

Their creation, Impulse, is a series of thirty interactive see-saws that respond and transform when in motion. Each one produces a dynamic light and sound sequence that can be activated and played by the public. The unique set of tones generated by each see-saw was developed by Toronto sound-artist Mitchell Akiyama.

In order to create a unified Luminothérapie concept, the installation by Lateral Office was complemented by a series of video projections by Montreal artists Maotik and Iregular.

As an ever-changing urban instrument, Impulse embodies ideas of serialism, repetition and variation, encouraging public play and interaction.

photos by Ulysse Lemerise / OSA | Drawing by Lateral Office

Places Journal, an Academic Partner of the Daniels Faculty, recently published the first volume of the Places Books series, titled Where Are the Women Architects? by Despina Stratigakos. This short paperback grew out of two articles written for Places: “Unforgetting Women Architects” and “What I Learned from Architect Barbie.”

From Princeton University Press:

For a century and a half, women have been proving their passion and talent for building and, in recent decades, their enrollment in architecture schools has soared. Yet the number of women working as architects remains stubbornly low, and the higher one looks in the profession, the scarcer women become. Law and medicine, two equally demanding and traditionally male professions, have been much more successful in retaining and integrating women. So why do women still struggle to keep a toehold in architecture? Where Are the Women Architects? tells the story of women's stagnating numbers in a profession that remains a male citadel, and explores how a new generation of activists is fighting back, grabbing headlines, and building coalitions that promise to bring about change.

Despina Stratigakos, the author of Where Are the Women Architects?, is an architectural historian and the interim chair of the architecture department at the University of Buffalo. She has previously published five articles on Places Journal, and has published extensively on the history of women in architecture.

Places Journal is “a leading journal of contemporary architecture, landscape, and urbanism” that publishes “essays, criticism, photography, and narrative journalism, as well as peer-reviewed scholarship that deserves a wide audience.” Places Books is a recent project undertaken by Places Journal in collaboration with Princeton University Press. The series offers readers accessible paperbacks and e-books of writing that developed from Places articles.

From 1991 to 1994, Associate Professor Brian Boigon ran Culture Lab at the back of a rock club, where he would host guest participants with disciplinary backgrounds in architecture, art, film, video, music, comedy, science and fashion. The panel, with Boigon at the helm, would be thrown into an unknown social architecture, yielding new speculations about what constitutes cultural production in the transitional years between the analogue and the digital. Culture Lab themes ranged from Insider Criticism and Weaklings to Dip Sticks.

On March 31, 2016, at 6:00pm Boigon will be giving a talk at the CCA titled "Fucking with Interoperability." He will be addressing the temporal and social ramifications that led up and into the Culture Lab project and beyond.

Culture Lab: Brian Boigon — "Fucking with Interoperability"
March 31, 2016 | 6:00 pm
Centre Canadien d'Architecture / Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)
1920 Baile, Montreal, Quebec H3H 2S6

RSVP to the event on Facebook.

Master of Architecture alumni Mario Christian (MArch 2012) and Heng Tang (MArch 2012) are co-founders, along with Luca Daniel, of the innovative jewery firm Daniel Christian Tang. The team recently launched a new line titled “ICON – An Exhibit at the Intersection of Jewery and Architecture,” which has received significant media attention.

Writes the National Post:

Tang and Mario Christian Lavorato, both 31, met at the University of Toronto, where they graduated from the masters of architecture program. During their studies, they started getting involved in digital fabrication and 3D printing, and worked on architectural pieces using the emerging technology.

“We realized at that time that we could actually take files and designs we had done for architecture and turn them into wearable pieces of art,” Mario Christian Lavorato recalled in a recent interview at an Oakville, Ont., 3D printing facility, where he and Tang awaited completion of one of their pieces.

“A lot of our pieces are inspiration from what we took from architecture, what we’ve designed, what we’ve learned in school,” said Tang, who also has a degree in biochemistry.

Daniel Christian Tang has seen their jewelry published in AZURE Magazine, ELLE, Globe & Mail, FLARE, among others. Additionally, they have recently been nominated for a Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories from the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards.

Their latest collection "ICON" will make its runway debut at Toronto Fashion Week, March 17^th on the Main Runway at David Pecaut Square.

Undergraduate architecture course "How to Design Almost Anything" introduces students to the process of design using a variety of media including photography, video games, and film. One of the assignments students were tasked with in the winter of 2014 was to create a video inspired by a poem. Students were asked to interpret the city and built world with the stanza as their starting point.

Students Martin Drozdowski and Kevin Ayala Diaz, under the direction of Instructor Jay Pooley, chose the poem "Design" by Billy Collins as the inspiration for their video:

"Design" by Billy Collins

"We understand Bill Collins' poem 'Design' as an exploration of interpreting basic shape based on experiences of the poet's life. The circle that he uses is simple enough that it can become the frame upon which his own imagination and thoughts can form. This process of extrapolation is what we want to showcase in our short film. From this poetic stanza we created a short video on the relationships between design, architecture, and the city. This was achieved through the magic of stop motion animation, a wooden tabletop, and a lot of salt." 

Martin and Kevin also broke their video down frame by frame into a storyboard, detailing the different geometric concepts featured in the film.

Watch the stop motion video, and other student videos, on the Student Work playlist on the Daniels Faculty Youtube Channel.