Recent Daniels Faculty graduate, Danielle Berwick (M Arch, 2011) has received an Award of Excellence from Canadian Architect for her Master of Architecture thesis project Theatrics of Psychiatry.

Canadian Architect presents Awards of Excellence each year to architects and architectural graduates for buildings in the design stage. This year's jury members include  Donald Chong of Williamson Chong Architects in Toronto, Marie-Chantal Croft of Coarchitecture in Quebec City, and Bruce Haden of DIALOG in Vancouver.

Berwick's project looks at the relationship between architecture and mental health, which has experienced an uncomfortable history. Writes Berwick, "through the use of renovated construction equipment, a travelling road show of mental health workers navigates and infiltrates the windows of historic hotels in the fragile Downtown Eastside neighbourhood of Vancouver."

"This thesis proposes an intentionally provocative intervention that made me think of Architectural Association projects of similar inventiveness," commented juror Bruce Haden. "Its combination of graphic distinctiveness and a willingness to address head-on the issues of psychiatry and privacy creates a real thesis. This project would not have been so convincing without its tectonic rigour and a resolute willingness to address the intersection of mobility and fixed historic buildings. Passion and craft addressing a volatile subject is brightened by humour."

Click here for more comments from the jury and background on Berwick's project on the Canadian Architect website. Berwick's thesis advisor for this project was Associate Professor Rober Levit.