As National Indigenous History Month 2023 comes to a close, the Daniels Faculty is proud to announce an initiative that also looks to the future: the establishment of the Nelda Rodger Indigenous Student Award in Architecture and Design, an endowed award intended to support the recruitment of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students interested in those fields.  

Historically, Indigenous groups have been underrepresented in architectural education and consequently in the profession and practice of architecture. Of the more than 7,000 registered architects in Canada last year, only about 20 were First Nations or Métis, according to a 2022 report in The Globe and Mail.  

“The Faculty is thrilled to introduce this award as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance Indigenous representation both at the Daniels Faculty and in the design professions,” says Dean Juan Du. “As co-founder of Azure Media and editor-in-chief of Azure magazine, Nelda Rodger was a long-time advocate for contemporary architecture and design and for inclusivity and community in the design professions. We are grateful to her husband and partner, Azure Media CEO Sergio Sgaramella, for endowing this award in her honour.” 

Based in Toronto, Rodger (pictured below) served as editor-in-chief of Azure, the internationally respected architecture and design publication, for nearly three decades, from 1985 (the year that she and Sgaramella co-founded it) to 2013. In addition to spearheading the magazine, she was instrumental in launching the annual AZ Awards, which recognize worldwide excellence in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, product design and other related disciplines. Rodger passed away after a long illness in January of this year. 

“Nelda and I both wanted to establish a way of helping young Indigenous students access higher education, something to which we understood many face barriers,” Sgaramella says. “In collaboration with the Daniels Faculty, we have established this bursary to recognize and assist qualifying Indigenous students pursuing degrees in architecture—the first initiative of this kind at U of T.” 

Preference for the new award will be given to full-time undergraduate students in the Faculty’s Architectural Studies program, although graduate students in the Master of Architecture program will also be considered. 

The award is a renewable one, meaning that recipients continue to receive it in subsequent years of enrolment, providing that they continue to demonstrate financial need. 

Amos Key Jr., one of the three members of the Daniels Faculty’s First Peoples Leadership Advisory Group, welcomed the award, noting the importance of now spreading the word about it among Indigenous high schoolers in Ontario and the rest of Canada. 

“I don’t think [a career in architecture] is necessarily on their radar,” elaborates Key, a member of the Mohawk Nation and a leading figure in the ongoing language revitalization movement among First Nations people in Canada. “This is a good start.” 

Contributions to the Nelda Rodger Indigenous Student Award in Architecture and Design, to be granted for the first time in 2024, may be made by clicking here. For more details, contact Stacey Charles at 416-978-4340 or stacey.charles@daniels.utoronto.ca.  

As the 2022/2023 academic year closes, we asked 10 recent graduates to reflect on their time at the Daniels Faculty. From courses that changed the way they think about their field to the advice they’d share with new students and what the future holds, their responses were incisive and insightful. Take a look at what they had to say.

Angela Yue Gou (she/her)
Program: Master of Architecture   
Hometown: Lanzhou, China  
 
Were you involved with any clubs or organizations at Daniels?  

I have been involved with GALDSU for the past three years and am lucky to have had the chance to serve as president in my final year of studies. Being involved with the school community has been one of the most memorable and enriching experiences of my life.    

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

From designing the Mohawk Cultural Centre for ARC1012 (Design Studio II) led by Professor Adrian Phiffer to the House for Piranesi: Drawing as Thesis led by Professor John Shiner, these courses, profs and classmates that I have met have inspired and encouraged me to push my boundaries of how to think about design.   

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  
 
I have been able to be part of the Little Jamaica Outreach program—an Engage Design Build Project in collaboration with Daniels and high school students from the Toronto District School Board—led by Professor Michael Piper and Otto Ojo.  

We worked with students through various design and construction workshops, tours and events with stakeholders in their local community to help foster design interest and help them create an end of year showcase. It was very inspiring to see the future generation engage with design and explore its career possibilities.   
 
Any tips for current or future students?
 
Be proactive and be open to new ideas, perspectives and information. Join clubs that you are interested in and be involved with the school community, as you will meet and learn from so many people through these activities. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support and support those around you as the journey is much more enjoyable taken with others. Most importantly, enjoy and have fun with your time at Daniels!   

Callum Gauthier (he/him) 
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
History and Theory Specialist stream 
Hometown: Merrickville, Ontario  

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?  

I loved working in the studio with friends and peers at crunch times throughout my degree. Though I was more often writing than working on models and drawings, it was great to be in a space that was so social and supportive—and where I could bug my friends in the Design stream for Photoshop help when I was making something visual. Our Faculty studies the importance of spaces and places, so it was great to experience a school culture so meaningfully tied to its spaces.  

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

Architecture and Media (ARC353), taught by Mary Lou Lobsinger, was an incredible course that offered challenging and enriching ways of thinking about architecture. I found the short writing assignments, in response to course readings, were very helpful in developing my writing: a skill that everyone in the disciplines of architecture and design—not just historians and critics—should constantly be working on.  

What are some of your future plans?  

I’ll be starting a master's degree in Critical, Curatorial and Conceptual Practices at Columbia University’s GSAPP in September. I’m very excited to continue my development as an architectural researcher, and maybe work in exhibition or publication during and after that degree. I think soon after that I may do a Ph.D. in Architectural History, but I’ll have to see where my research takes me.  

Any tips for current or future students?  

Don’t be afraid to explore different types of courses and broaden your horizons, especially in the early years of undergrad. Bachelor’s degrees are a great time to develop your critical thinking, communication and values; ideally, this should be as much, if not more, of a focus than developing specific skills for the professional world. Having a broad knowledge base and keen cultural awareness will make you a better designer, artist or architect in the long run, and better candidates for graduate programs. 

Nazanin Naserian (she/her)
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies  
Hometown: Tehran, Iran; Toronto, Ontario 
 
Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

My favourite classes were those that challenged me while also allowing me to experiment with new mediums and reimagine new ways of interpreting the world around me. Contemporary Printing (VIS209) in particular gave me a renewed appreciation for printmaking and how, in collaboration with textiles, it can be a way to link past and present experiences in a process-oriented and tactile way.  
 
What are some of your future plans?  

My future plans include finding a place in a community where I can work with others to realize a collective artistic vision. I can’t imagine a future where I’m not a creative and don’t get to witness others’ artistic processes. Daniels has taught me that, despite my introverted nature, I find great joy and fulfillment in working together with others to create something bigger than one individual could. 

Any tips for current or future students?  

Even though it’s easier said than done, try to enjoy the process as much as the final product/vision. Your process does not always have to consist of working on your individual project without breaks; it can also include connecting with others in their processes and any difficulties they may be experiencing. In other words, your friends and classmates are a part of your journey and growth as much as you are! 

Samantha Miotto (she/her)
Program: Master of Landscape Architecture 
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario 

Were you involved with any clubs or organizations at Daniels?  

I was part of the mentorship program during my first year and I highly recommend it. The program was a great way to get to know each other, upper-year classmates, and learn from their experiences.  

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

Design Studio II was a favourite for so many reasons. The theme focused on Indigenous culture and knowledge, and taught us to navigate the ever-present relationship between culture and landscape. The process involved a lot of unlearning and relearning to see the world through a non-Western lens, understanding reciprocal relationships between people and plants, and curating meaningful, purposeful material and plant palettes. I feel like this studio truly taught me to see the world through a different lens and its teachings resonate with me still to this day. 

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  

In my third year at Daniels, I had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam through my Option Studio. It was a great way to learn about landscape practices around the world, especially regarding global issues such as coastal flooding and stormwater management. The studio was driven by community-based solutions and engagement with local residents while in Vietnam. I feel like the studio fostered community-led growth, which is crucial if we want to design landscapes that last for generations. 

Any tips for current or future students?  

Enjoy the experience and soak it all in! Three years will fly by—you will grow so much during this short but memorable chapter. Find people you enjoy collaborating with, and really lean into the sense of community that the studio culture fosters. Work together and build each other up and you will develop friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Anusha Prakash (she/her)  
Program: Master of Urban Design 
Hometown: Bengaluru, India 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

The MUD Program offered many exciting experiences as we had the opportunity to explore various locations, ranging from Toronto to as far as Yukon. Along the way, I formed strong connections with my cohort, and what started as mere teammates evolved into deep friendships. The collaborative nature of the program allowed us to learn from each other, and I truly appreciate the invaluable guidance provided by the Daniels faculty.  

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  

I had the opportunity to engage in a community-based experience through volunteering at the Climate Solution Research Workshop at ChocoSol. This experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of Canadian climates and how garden roofs can contribute to sustainable solutions.  

What are some of your future plans?   

Urban Design has equipped me with a comprehensive knowledge base, enabling me to approach projects with a holistic perspective. I am keen on exploring an intricate relationship between architecture, urban development and the social fabric of communities. I aim to contribute to the creation of sustainable and inclusive urban environments that promote well-being and enhance the quality of life for residents.  

Whether it's through working in a design firm, collaborating with urban planning organizations, or pursuing research opportunities, I am eager to apply my skills and contribute to the field of urban design in a meaningful way. 

Any tips for current or future students?  

I would recommend prioritizing a good work-life balance by taking frequent breaks between assignments. Additionally, I recommend managing your time effectively by completing the majority of your design work a week before the deadline. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to explore various elective courses that align with your interests and broaden your skill set. Lastly, networking is crucial. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with professionals in your field and build meaningful relationships that can benefit your future career. 

Aileen Duncan (she/her) 
Program: Master of Forest Conservation
Specialization in Environmental Studies 
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

I really enjoyed the campus tree walks led by alumni and some of our teaching assistants. It was a fantastic way to learn about biodiversity without going very far. The St. George campus has a great variety of trees that represent several forest types in Canada.  

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

So hard to choose! I really enjoyed the field courses. The Masters of Forest Conservation program is very hands-on, and I think this is one of its great strengths. For our in-class activities, I really enjoyed learning how to use Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS). Spatial data is incredibly valuable for forestry, and learning this software inspired me to do my Capstone research project on mapping access to green space in Ottawa. 

What are some of your future plans?   

I am currently working as a policy analyst with the Canadian Forest Service, which is part of Natural Resources Canada. In February, I was granted a provisional license to practice forestry as a Registered Professional Forester in Training. I am particularly interested in urban forestry and sustainable forest management, and I have also discovered how much I enjoy learning how best to look after the health of individual trees. To this end, I am gaining work experience and studying to take the ISA-Arborist certification exam.  

Any tips for current or future students?  

Even if you are busy, spend the time to look for and apply to scholarships. It can really help finance your studies, and it may open you up to new networks or experiences. Also, don’t be afraid to take a break from school, but also know that it is there for you when you are ready to come back. I worked for eight years after my Bachelor’s, and that time was essential for me to understand what I wanted to be doing and what education I needed to do that. I was nervous about going back to school in my early 30s, but trusting my decisions and doing a graduate degree was absolutely worth it. 

Julie Seeger (she/her) 
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
Design Specialist stream 
Minor in Buddhism Mental Health and Psychology 
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

I completed my undergraduate design thesis in April, titled “This is How We Heal.” It investigated how an attitude of care through design can transform the Koffler Centre into a space where students can embody a sense of belonging. I wrestled with what the final design should look like for months, had countless iterations, and had honest conversations about mental health. My final presentation was the cumulation of my interests and experiences I had undergone throughout my degree, and it was very special to share it. 

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  

Mental health has been an increasingly important topic, both on an individual level and on a wider institutional level. In my second year I joined AVSSU, as well as Health and Wellness’ student advocacy team. I took these experiences with me to VUSAC, where I led the Mental Wellness Commission for two years. Through viewing mental health from different perspectives including policy-making, healthcare and institutional culture, it has become clear that this wicked problem requires a collective effort from multiple fronts. My experiences have driven me to continue pursuing how design can begin to solve this problem. 

What are some of your future plans?   

I am returning to Daniels in the fall to pursue my Master’s of Architecture and I’m really excited to continue exploring the ways design can be used to solve problems surrounding human health.  

Any tips for current or future students?  

Design becomes much more exciting when it is used to solve problems. I tend to bring my personal experiences into my work, and it has made it much more meaningful for me. As you move through the world, pay attention to the experiences or events that elicit strong reactions from you, and learn how you can use your education to begin to solve them. 

Audrey Ammann (she/her) 
Program: Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies 
Hometown: Barrington, New Hampshire, USA 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

One of my favourite memories was the Artists' Multiples exchange we did in VIS321. Everyone in the class made 20-something small art pieces for the final assignment that got distributed so that each person went home with one of each. It was so special to carry home a goody bag full of little heartfelt artworks from such a talented bunch. Some were even customized with names and initials, which totally made me cry. 

Were you involved with any clubs or organizations at Daniels?  

Yes! I was elected as one of the curators of the Daniels Art Directive in my third year, and I was an honorary member of the Applied Architecture and Landscape Design club for my contributions as a lecturer for the Daniels Minecraft Camp.  

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

I can say my favourite project was my site-specific sound-art performance at El Mocambo for VIS340: Advanced Sound Studio. I got to play a field recording that I made of myself dancing along to the Rolling Stone’s Honky Tonk Women from their Live at the El Mocambo album on the house sound system, and then host my critique on stage at the historic venue. 

Any tips for current or future students?  

Asking for help serves two purposes: It shows you are committed to doing well, and it shows that you are interested in what your professor (or any faculty member) has to offer. Either way, you are squeezing the most out of your university experience and opening doors to new insights and opportunities. 

Liane Werdina (she/her) 
Program: Master of Architecture 
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

Definitely all the amazing connections I made at Daniels. Specifically, the final thesis year was filled with memories with my classmates, peers and professors. The studio culture and camaraderie at Daniels was truly memorable in that last year, as was finishing thesis year by not only presenting my own thesis but attending my colleagues’ thesis presentations. This felt like a great culmination and celebration of years of hard work and was such a rewarding learning experience.  

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  

My thesis research was rooted in collecting experiences of diaspora in the Kurdish regions of modern-day Turkey. Being allowed to do research on such an important and sensitive topic allowed me to reach out to and connect with many Kurdish people, architects and designers who were also interested in the research of my thesis and helped to contribute to its development. Being able to use the Daniels Faculty and resources to reach out to communities and work abroad helped ground my work in reality.

What are some of your future plans?   

I hope to continue the research I conducted during my time at Daniels, by addressing how design and architecture can be used to expose and represent power relationships in space. My goal is not only to be a good designer and contribute to architecture but to continue to develop methods in which design tools can positively impact and change the way we shape social, cultural and political dynamics.  

Currently, I am working with Lukas Pauer in the Vertical Geopolitics Lab, a research-based practice. We are working on a future exhibition that aims to decode and expose relationships between space and power.  

Any tips for current or future students?  

The program goes by a lot quicker than expected, so take advantage of all the great opportunities available to you at the Daniels Faculty. The studios, specifically thesis, are great opportunities to explore your interests before making your way into the profession of architecture. Some of the best advice I received was to use these as the jumping-off point for discovering where you want to take your career, and to see them as beginnings rather than ends. 

Chloë Quinn Lauder (she/her) 
Program: Master of Landscape Architecture 
Hometown: Unionville, Ontario 

What is your favourite memory of the Daniels Faculty?   

Thesis reviews were one of my favourite memories at the Daniels Faculty. It was incredible to see the deeply personal, innovative and beautiful work that my peers presented. It made me feel so proud to be a part of this talented body of students.  

Did you have a favourite project and/or course?  

My favourite project, titled “Unearthed,” took place in the Integrated Urbanism Studio. I had so much fun working with an amazing team to produce drawings at the urban fabric scale, and investigating the impact that inequitable policy and planning has on landscapes in Toronto.  

What community-based or international experience did you acquire?  

I visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam during my Option Studio. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I worked with international faculty and students from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH) to better understand the challenges of climate change, and how culture shapes common spaces.   

Any tips for current or future students?  

Time flies, so make the most of your experience and remember to put your mental health first. Be bold, try new things, and have fun! 

Zanira Ali chose the University of Toronto to pursue her master's studies in architecture because it was a place that she could explore her community-based approach to the field.

“I enjoy the community engagement aspect of architecture,” she says. “I want to understand and hear from communities about how they interact with public spaces.”

This morning (June 12) Ali walked across the stage at Convocation Hall with a master’s degree from the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design determined to continue work that fuses advocacy, communities and architecture. Most importantly, she has her sights set on making her mark—and impact—in mentorship within the field, as she recently told the Black Research Network.

Read the full article on the Black Research Network website.

A Daniels Faculty tradition, the 2022/2023 End of Year Show showcases a wide range of student work from architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, urban design and visual studies.  

By the end of this academic year—the first since the Faculty’s full return to in-person learning—our studios, classrooms, labs, shops and galleries were flooded with objects and things. The return was met with exceptional enthusiasm, optimism and an unparalleled appetite to engage again with the culture of making. The models, artwork, plants and equipment left behind are a testament to the energy exerted in their production. 

Curated by Assistant Professor Mauricio Quirós Pacheco, the 2022/2023 End of Year Show not only displays what we produce as a school, but honours this work by inviting the community to experience its scope, range and quality. It is also an effort to invite the public into our walls to directly experience the nature of the output we create and the spaces we inhabit. This year’s exhibition coordination included Associate Professor Jeannie Kim, Taryn Magee, Sifei Mo and Kari Silver.  

The exhibition is on view in the Student Commons area of the Daniels Building until June 16. The building is open to the public 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, closed on weekends. 

Image Credit: (1-2) Mauricio Quirós Pacheco; (3) Taryn Magee.

A team of researchers led by Professor Sean Thomas of Forestry has been awarded a $1.3-million grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The grant, provided through NSERC’s Alliance Mission program, is one of the largest single research grants ever provided for an individual project at the Daniels Faculty.

The funding is intended to support the creation of “novel strategies” for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from urban forestry waste.

“Everyone has seen urban forestry waste, but it kind of goes unnoticed,” says Professor Thomas, who is also the Faculty’s Associate Dean, Research. “Think of the tree-pruning guys with the aerial lift and the noisy chipper. Where does all that stuff go? It turns out that all the chipped bits of branches and leaves are first taken to large storage yards, and then mostly end up in compost facilities. A large part, unfortunately, also goes to landfill. From forestry studies, we know that this kind of material can be a large source of greenhouse gas emissions—not just carbon dioxide, but also methane, which now represents about 30 percent of climate forcing. The GHG emissions specific to urban forestry waste have not previously been quantified.”

To measure and potentially mitigate those emissions, Thomas has been joined by a cadre of co-researchers. Fellow “principal investigators” include Sandy M. Smith and Rasoul Yousefpour of Forestry, Alison D. Munson and Janani Sivarajah from Université Laval, Carly Ziter of Concordia University and Scott Chang of the University of Alberta.

Other collaborators include Liat Margolis of the Daniels Faculty, Deborah Wunch from U of T’s Department of Physics and Nathan Basiliko of Lakehead University.

The endeavour also extends beyond academia. Among the project’s municipal partners are City of Toronto Forestry, Quebec City Forestry and City of Edmonton Parks and Roads Services. Partners from the private sector include Titan Smart Carbon Technologies, Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Ltd., Airex Énergie, Innovative Reduction Strategies and Seed the North.

In addition to better quantifying direct GHG emissions from urban soils and vegetation in Canada, including the elucidation of urban GHG-emission “hotspots” connected with urban forestry waste, the far-flung team aims to explore novel soil amendment and vegetation planting strategies to reduce emissions, with a focus on the use of modified forms of pyrolyzed organic matter (biochar) as an urban soil amendment to enhance urban soil C sequestration, reduce direct GHG emissions, and increase urban vegetation growth and resilience to stresses. 

“Integration, modeling and life-cycle analysis components of the project,” the grant proposal states, “will address the potential for novel strategies to generate a ‘virtuous cycle’ in which waste material from urban vegetation is recycled via pyrolysis for use in urban green infrastructure, with knock-on benefits that include reduced urban energy demand.”

Examples of “urban green infrastructure,” Professor Thomas says, run the gamut from green roofs to bioswales to street trees—any kind of vegetation or soils “valued for providing ecosystem services, like reducing urban flooding and mitigating the urban heat-island effect.”

He adds: “Urban forestry waste isn’t exactly glamorous, but urgent action is needed on climate change, which is ultimately driven by various kinds of waste. This project addresses a small part of the big picture of GHG emissions, but it is a part we can really do something about in the short term. The most gratifying part is to work as part of a team to actually have an impact.”

On that note, Professor Thomas says, “it’s great to get this grant, but I need help. We have funding in hand for students (undergrads, Masters, PhDs) to make the measurements, implement experiments, do inventories, run the economic numbers, take action. It’s important.”

Any students who are interested in participating, he notes, should connect with him via e-mail at sc.thomas@utoronto.ca. 

“If you’re grabbed by this, please contact me. You can be part of this unglamorous but important effort.”

Tree waste image: A significant amount of urban tree-pruning waste, shown above next to a chipper, ends up in landfills. It is also a source of GHG emissions.

The annual Thesis Booklet showcasing the final thesis projects of Master of Architecture (MARC), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Master of Urban Design (MUD) and Master of Visual Studies (MVS) students at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design is now available for viewing.

Thesis booklets are a Daniels Faculty tradition, printed for and distributed to graduate thesis students, as well as thesis advisors, external reviewers and guests.

The booklet contains images and brief statements by students who are presenting thesis projects for the semester(s) listed at the culmination of their studies.

Flip through the latest booklet below or download a PDF here.

Ingrid Jones, an independent curator, multidisciplinary artist and student in the Daniels Faculty’s Master of Visual Studies in Curatorial Studies program, is the recipient of this year’s Reesa Greenberg Curatorial Studies Award. 

Now in its ninth year, the award was established by the internationally renowned art historian, scholar and museums consultant Reesa Greenberg to recognize outstanding work by students in their first semester of graduate studies in the MVS Curatorial program. The award comes with a monetary prize of $5,000 and is adjudicated annually by the Faculty's visual arts and curatorial studies faculty.

“I feel honoured and very thankful to have won the award after a year of rigorous study,” Jones says. “I am in a fantastic cohort, and it feels great to be recognized by the jury and supported by my peers.”

This summer, Jones will be completing an unpaid internship in Europe as part of her degree, most likely at a gallery in Berlin. Next spring, she will be mounting her thesis exhibition. Both endeavours, she says, “will require a substantial amount of subsidizing. Like most of my cohort, I’ve applied for a few grants and await replies. That will determine how these [award] funds will be spent.”

With a background in design and creative direction, Jones’s curatorial practice encompasses a range of formats, including installation, media and collaborative projects, “to interrogate themes of marginalization and refusal.”

Past projects include the the 2009-2012 indie magazine Poor But Sexy, a 2021 collaborative project that blind-paired six interdisciplinary artists called DEALR, and a hybrid on-site and digital exhibition called Nostalgia Interrupted (2022). 

Jones has also developed master classes and lectures for Sheridan College and Toronto Metropolitan University on photographic best practices and design as a tool for innovation and activism, and has previously received grants, awards and recognition for her work from the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Design Exchange and the Toronto Short Film Festival. 

In its announcement of Jones’s Reesa Greenberg win, the Art Museum at the University of Toronto described her first-semester MVS work as “exceptional.”

As well as the annual monetary award, Greenberg’s donation supports an additional biannual award of $10,000 for students in the MVS Curatorial program to pursue international travel or a paid internship position.

Architect and alumnus Irving Grossman, well-known for his socially conscious design work, is the namesake of a new Fund aimed at inspiring innovation in an area challenging Toronto and other major cities around the world right now: housing affordability. 

The Irving Grossman Fund in Affordable Housing, named for the award-winning Toronto modernist who acquired his Bachelor of Architecture degree from U of T in 1950, will recognize and support Daniels Faculty students, professors and community partners tackling the urgent issue of how to make housing more accessible to all. 

Grossman, who also taught at U of T’s School of Architecture for many years, designed a wide range of buildings throughout his 45-year career, from single-family homes to synagogues to the Administration Building at Expo 67, but he was especially noted for his social and mixed-income projects, including such milestone Toronto housing developments as Flemingdon Park, Edgeley Village and the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. 

“My working-class background, together with my interest in art, led to architecture being a natural creative outlet for me, especially social housing,” he once said. 

Irving and Helena Grossman’s son, Jonas Grossman, established the Irving Grossman Fund in Affordable Housing to honour his father’s legacy and to inspire a new generation of architects and urbanists to make a contribution in the field, a prominent area of teaching and research at the Faculty. 

Over the past several years, more and more students across disciplines have been exploring affordability issues, which are especially resonant in Toronto, a city increasingly marked by income and housing disparities. New faculty with expertise in the subject are being appointed, while exhibitions such as the recent Housing Multitudes show highlight ongoing Faculty research on the topic. 

“The Irving Grossman Fund in Affordable Housing will further enable our Faculty to advance and disseminate novel knowledge on housing with an emphasis on social equity, urban affordability and design innovation,” says Dean Juan Du. “It’s a fitting tribute to Irving Grossman, who made significant contributions in these areas, especially through his projects here in Toronto. We appreciate the Grossman family’s continued contributions to the city and the Faculty.” 

The new Fund, which takes effect in 2023-2024, is the second initiative to bear Irving Grossman’s name at the Faculty.  

In 2002, Helena Grossman led family and friends in the establishment of the Irving Grossman Prize, which is awarded annually to two Master of Architecture students demonstrating excellence and innovation in their final design theses on the subjects of multiple-unit housing or the adaptive reuse of buildings for housing purposes. 

To date, more than three dozen students with demonstrated professional promise have been awarded the Irving Grossman Prize. 

For their sustained contributions to the University of Toronto, both Irving and Helena Grossman received Arbor Awards, the highest honour bestowed on volunteers by U of T.   

In 2018, Helena Grossman (here flanked by U of T President Meric Gertler and U of T Chancellor Rose M. Patten) received an Arbor Award for her significant volunteer contributions to the Daniels Faculty. 

As a student, Irving Grossman was already garnering accolades, winning the Ontario Association of Architects Scholarship, the Architectural Guild Medal and the prestigious Pilkington Glass Fellowship. Among his professional awards were the Massey Medal for Architecture and a Canadian Centennial Medal. He was also a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. 

In 1995, the year of Grossman’s death, he and fellow architect Jerome Markson, a good friend, were honoured by the Toronto Society of Architects with a fellowship award in recognition of their “exceptional contribution to the profession of architecture and the cultural life of Toronto.” 

More than a decade later, Irving Grossman was awarded his very last prize: a posthumous Landmark Award from the OAA for his role in the design of the still-vibrant St. Lawrence Neighbourhood, regarded by many as a paragon of mixed-income development and, as The Globe and Mail described it in 2013, “a template for urban housing.” 

Banner image: Architect Irving Grossman surveys the burgeoning St. Lawrence Neighbourhood in 1979. Graham Bezant photo courtesy Toronto Star Photograph Archives

9 a.m., Tuesday, April 11 to 6 p.m., Friday, April 28
Daniels Faculty Building,
1 Spadina Crescent, Toronto, Ontario

Throughout April, students in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and forestry will present final projects to their instructors. Students of the Daniels Faculty will also present to guest critics from both academia and the professional community in attendance.

Follow the Daniels Faculty @UofTDaniels on Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtag #DanielsReviews.

Tuesday, April 11 | Undergraduate

Design Studio I
JAV101H1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Jay Pooley (Coordinator), Anamarija Korolj, Batoul Faour, Phat Le, Jeffrey Garcia, Katy Chey, Kara Verbeek, Kearon Roy Taylor, Samantha Eby, Jennifer Kudlats, Brian Boigon, Monifa Charles-Dedier, Mariano Martellacci, Jamie Lipson, Mohammed Soroor

Rooms: 215, 230, 240, 315, 330, Main Hall

Wednesday, April 12 | Undergraduate

Design Studio II
ARC201H1
9 a.m.–1 p.m. ET

Instructors: Fiona Lim Tung (Coordinator), Dan Briker, Quan Thai, Carol Moukheiber, Shane Williamson, Nova Tayona, David Verbeek, Anne Ma, Tomg Ngo, Gonzalo Munoz Vera, Francesco Martire

Rooms: 209, 215, 230, 240, 315, 340, Main Hall

Landscape Architecture Studio IV
ARC364Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Pete North

Room: 330

Thursday, April 13 | Undergraduate

Architecture Studio IV
ARC362Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Mauricio Quiros Pacheco (Coordinator), Chloe Town, Jon Cummings

Rooms: 215, 230, 240, 330

Technology Studio IV
ARC381Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Andrew Bako (Coordinator), Timothy Boll

Room: Main Hall

Friday, April 14 | Graduate & Undergraduate

Design Studio 2
LAN1012Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Elise Shelley (Coordinator), Terence Radford, Agata Mrozowski

Room: 330

Urban Design Studio Options
URD1012Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Simon Rabyniuk

Room: 230

Design + Engineering I
ARC112H1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Jay Pooley (Coordinator), Jennifer Davis, Clinton Langevin

Rooms: 200

Drawing and Representation I
ARC200H1
9 a.m.–1 p.m. ET

Instructors: Roberto Damiani (Coordinator), Jon Cummings, Francesco Valente-Gorjup, Otto Ojo, Scott Norsworthy

Rooms: 215, 240, 315, 340

Monday, April 17 | Graduate

Design Studio 2
ARC1012Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Adrian Phiffer (Coordinator), James Bird, Chloe Town, Anne-Marie Armstrong, Mauricio Quiros Pacheco, Behnaz Assadi, Julia DiCastri

Room: Main Hall

Tuesday, April 18 | Graduate

Design Studio 4
ARC2014Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Samuel Dufaux (Coordinator), Brigitte Shim, Steven Fong, Chris Cornecelli, James Macgillivray, Carol Moukheiber, Carol Phillips, Francesco Martire

Rooms: 230, 330, Main Hall

Wednesday, April 19 | Graduate

Design Studio 4
ARC2014Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Samuel Dufaux (Coordinator), Brigitte Shim, Steven Fong, Chris Cornecelli, James Macgillivray, Carol Moukheiber, Carol Phillips, Francesco Martire

Rooms: 230, 215, Main Hall

Design Studio 4
LAN2014Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Alissa North, Todd Douglas

Room: 330

Thursday, April 20 | Graduate & Undergraduate

Design Studio Thesis
LAN3017Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Fadi Masoud (Coordinator), Elise Shelley, Behnaz Assadi, Pete North, Alissa North, Jane Wolff, Francesco Martire, Matthew Perotto, Megan Esopenko

Rooms: 209, 230, 242, 330

Senior Seminar in Design (Thesis)
ARC462Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Laura Miller

Room: Main Hall A

Senior Seminar in Technology (Thesis)
ARC487Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Nicholas Hoban

Rooms: Main Hall B & C

Friday, April 21 | Graduate & Undergraduate

Design Studio Thesis
LAN3017Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Fadi Masoud (Coordinator), Elise Shelley, Behnaz Assadi, Pete North, Alissa North, Jane Wolff, Francesco Martire, Matthew Perotto, Megan Esopenko

Rooms: 209, 230, 242, 330

Urban Design Studio Thesis
URD2015Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Michael Piper, Otto Ojo

Rooms: 315, 340

Senior Seminar in Design (Thesis)
ARC462Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Laura Miller

Room: Main Hall A

Senior Seminar in Technology (Thesis)
ARC487Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Nicholas Hoban

Rooms: Main Hall B & C

Monday, April 24 | Graduate

Architectural Design Studio: Research 2
ARC3021Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Brian Boigon, Lukas Pauer, Laura Miller, Zachary Mollica, Petros Babasikas

Rooms: 215, 230, 240, 330, Main Hall

Tuesday, April 25 | Graduate

Architectural Design Studio: Research 2
ARC3021Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Jeannie Kim, Laura Miller, Petros Babasikas, Zachary Mollica, John Shnier

Rooms: 209, 215, 230, 240, 242, 330, Main Hall, 1st Floor Hallway

Wednesday, April 26 | Graduate

Architectural Design Studio: Research 2
ARC3021Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructors: Jeannie Kim, Shane Williamson, Marc McQuade, Marina Tabassum, John Shnier

Rooms: 209, 215, 230, 240, 242, 330, Main Hall, 1st Floor Hallway

Thursday, April 27 | Graduate & Undergraduate

Thesis 2
ALA4022Y
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Mason White (Coordinator)

Rooms: 215, 240

Senior Seminar in History and Theory (Thesis)
ARC457Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Simon Rabyniuk

Room: Main Hall

Friday, April 28 | Undergraduate

Senior Seminar in History and Theory (Thesis)
ARC457Y1
9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

Instructor: Simon Rabyniuk

Room: Main Hall

This year’s Building Black Success through Design (BBSD) Showcase—a presentation of the work of Black high-school-aged design mentees—will be held in the Main Hall of the Daniels Building on Saturday, April 15.

Now in its second year, BBSD is a 12-week mentorship program offered through the Daniels Faculty for Black high-school students who are interested in architecture and design. The goal of the program is to inspire Black students to pursue excellence and innovation within design industries and academia, thereby enhancing diversity within the fields and building Black success through design.

The BBSD Showcase, held last year at Collision Gallery in Toronto’s Commerce Court (pictured below and on the homepage), exhibits the final projects of participating students. The 2023 Showcase on April 15 will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 1 Spadina Crescent.

The event is free and open to all. Attendees are invited to register for tickets here.

This year, 18 students from high schools across the Greater Toronto Area and as far away as Sudbury will be completing the program, the theme of which is Design for Belonging. Grades 9 to 12 were represented; 10 of the students undertook the program in person, while eight participated online.

To guide the students, eight mentors were hired—four for the online cohort and four for the in-person group. All of the mentors were either Black current students or Black alumni.

Serving as Faculty advisors were Assistant Professor Bomani Khemet, Assistant Professor Petros Babasikas and Dr. Jewel Amoah, Assistant Dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The program was administered by a coordinating team of six, including program supervisors Clara James and Rayah Flash, program facilitators Renée Powell-Hines and Mariam Abdelrahman, outreach and recruitment coordinator Julien Todd, and graphic designer Angelica Blake.

Although the two students cohorts each received initial instruction in the fundamentals of the design process, from tools to techniques, the focus of their designs ultimately diverged. The in-person group was tasked with making Toronto’s David Pecault Square, characterized by its hardscaping and location in the city core, more welcoming and inclusive, while the online cohort looked at achieving similar results for two lakeside parks near Ontario Place.

By many accounts, the exercises and outcomes were well received.

“My favourite part of the program,” one mentee wrote in a recent survey, “is learning how to rethink spaces to account for the people near them.”

“I like that this is a space to grow and develop your talents while feeling supported and encouraged,” said another.

In addition to the Showcase on the 15th, the drawings, models and other design work produced by the mentees may also be used by those who want to pursue further education “in an admissions portfolio to various post-secondary programs,” a key goal of the program.

For a sneak peek at the students’ process and work so far, link to the BBSD feed on Instagram by clicking here.