Anna Renken, a PhD candidate at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, with a collaborative specialization in environmental studies, has been recognized by the Graham Foundation with the 2025 Carter Manny Research Award. 

Founded in 1956, the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts fosters the development and exchange of diverse and challenging ideas about architecture and its role in the arts, culture, and society. The award supports emerging scholars completing exceptional doctoral dissertations in this area.  

Renken’s doctoral thesis explores how North American architect-led laboratories advanced ecological design through engagement with science and technology from the 1970s to 1990s. Her research seeks to contribute to new histories of ecological design. Renken also received the Beatrice and Arthur Minden Graduate Research Fellowship from U of T’s School of the Environment. 

“Congratulations to Anna for this prestigious recognition of her research,” said Professor Claire Zimmerman, director of the PhD program at the Daniels Faculty. “The Carter Manny is the most celebrated doctoral award in our field. Anna’s work exemplifies the bold, interdisciplinary inquiries our graduate students are undertaking.”

Renken’s doctoral supervisor is Associate Professor Mary Louise Lobsinger and interdisciplinary committee members include James Graham, an assistant professor at the California College of the Arts, Assistant Professor Jason Nguyen, Avery Slater, an associate professor in the Department of English & Drama at the University of Toronto Mississauga and a research lead at U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, and Zimmerman. 

Stephen Verderber, a professor jointly appointed to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, has received the 2025 Career Award from the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA).

The award is given by the international organization for design professions in recognition of a career of sustained and significant contributions to environment design research, practice, or teaching.

Verderber is the director of the Centre for Design + Health Innovation at Daniels. A registered architect and co-founder of the U.S.-based firm R-2ARCH, his practice centres on design therapeutics and health. He also contributed pro bono community service work in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

Verderber is the author of ten books, including Architecture and Health Equity in an imperiled World (John Hopkins University Press, 2025). He was previously named a Distinguished Professor by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).

"A well-deserved recognition by EDRA of Stephen's contributions to environmental design and health equity," said Robert Levit, acting dean of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. "His scholarship and practice is helping drive forward innovation and progress at the intersection of architecture and public health."

The ALD PhD Program sponsors a series of presentations, in collaboration with the Architectural History Working Group, The Archaeology Centre, and Infrastructure’s Environments, a Jackman Humanities Institute Working Group. Speakers include a group focusing on Indigenous architecture from the University of Sydney and the Queensland University of Technology, and noted researchers from Princeton University, McGill University, University of Chicago, University of Rochester, and University of California at Irvine.

The 2025/2026 ALD PhD Events are organized by Professor Claire Zimmerman, Director of the Faculty's PhD Program in Architecture, Landscape, and Design. 

Fall 2025 

September 18, 2025 
Speaker: Matthew Hunter, McGill University 
Time: 5:00 PM 
Title: A Right, Not a Charity: Insuring the Artistic Life in Imperial Britain 
Location: 1 Spadina Cres., Room DA300

September 19, 2025 
Speaker: Basile Baudez (AHWG), Princeton University 
Time: 4:00 PM 
Title: Textile Architecture: Fabric and the City 
Location: AHWG – Sidney Smith Hall, 6th Floor

October 15, 2025 
Speaker: Andrew Leach, Queensland University of Technology 
Time: 4:00 PM 
Title: Territory, Property, Architecture 
Location: 1 Spadina Cres., Room DA230 (Updated)

October 16, 2025 
Speaker: Michael Mossman, University of Sydney 
Time: 6:30 PM 
Title: Aura Country Terror Refrain 
Location: Main Hall

October 21, 2025 
Speaker: Sarah Newman, University of Chicago (with The Archaeology Centre) 
Time: 5:00 PM 
Title: Animal Style: Archaeology Beyond Humans 
Location: 1 Spadina Cres., Room DA300

November 10, 2025 
Speaker: Peter Christensen, University of Rochester 
Time: 1:00 PM (TBC) 
Title: Prior Art 
Location: 1 Spadina Cres., Room DA300

November 11, 2025 — sponsored by U of T's Department of Art History
Speaker: Ed Dimendberg, University of California (AHWG) 
Time: 5:00 PM 
Title: Bread, Bricks, Cubicles, Chairs: Harun Farocki's Architecture and Design Film Quartet 
Location: University College, Room 161, 15 King's College Circle

December 8, 2025 
Stay tuned for additional details.

About the PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Landscape, and Design (ALD PhD) at the Daniels Faculty is an interdisciplinary program that trains students to pursue advanced research across a spectrum of built environmental practices.

Through the highly adaptable curriculum—one that is unlike other PhD programs in architecture—the program enables students to pursue study independently and to share their research with the Daniels community at every stage. ALD PhD students explore methodologies across our disciplines, ranging from theoretical to applied research in design, history theory, building science, and visual studies.

November 18 - December 23
Daniels Building, 1 Spadina, East Entrance Lobby

All artists, supporters, Visual Studies faculty and members of the Daniels Faculty community are invited to attend. 

Eyeball, the annual exhibition of artwork by undergraduate Visual Studies students in the Daniels Faculty, opens at 1 Spadina Crescent on November 18.

The yearly survey will be on display in the Daniels Building's East lobby entrance until the end of fall term. 

Artists include: 

Ofori-Atta    
Mark Bennett
Julia Collett
Alessandra De Luca
Wendy Dubali
Avalon Hagerman
Helia Honarmandi
Rebecca Huang
Rebekah Jamadar
Mi Jang
Harry Lau
Alaya Le
Jessica Liu
Luca Mancinelli
Sean Murray
Alice Niu
Shaadia Rimzy
Philip Ro
Caz Smith
Tamara Thabet-Elias
Sofia Vega
Elizabeth Wan
Cate Woodhead
Elsie Zhang

The exhibition encompasses a range of media, including painted works on paper and canvas, film and video pieces and mixed-media installations.

The SHIFT* Collective returns with its newest volume of Scaffold* Journal, a research publication exploring the nuances of contemporary design practice within and without the Daniels Faculty.

Following the success of the process-oriented Volume 1, this new issue expands the scope of the journal, broadening its community of contributors across cities, institutions and continents. Writers, designers, and practitioners from across Canada and the globe explore how drafting—both as a practice and as a concept—continues to shape the ways design is imagined, produced and received.

This ambitious volume, titled Drafting Liminalities, interrogates these themes across three subsections: (I) Counterpractice – design methods that resist, refuse, or reorient dominant spatial logics; (II) Worlding – the act of speculating alternative realities and futures of art and architecture; and (III) Technology – the frictions between established techniques and emerging tools.

Behind the pages of Volume 2 is a collaborative editorial process that continues to evolve. This year, the team expanded its system of peer and faculty review, refining each contribution with both scholarly and practitioner perspectives. While logistically challenging, this model strengthens Scaffold’s ecosystem of shared critique and support, ensuring that the work published is in active dialogue with a broader community.

As the publication enters its third iteration, the SHIFT* Collective invites students, faculty and the public to celebrate Volume 2—and even help shape its next publication.

The Daniels Faculty is pleased to announce that University of Tokyo Associate Professor Yusuke Obuchi is the 2025-26 Frank Gehry International Visiting Chair in Architectural Design.

Yusuke Obuchi is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, where he has directed the Obuchi Laboratory since 2010 and co-founded the Advanced Design Studies Program. Previously, he co-directed the Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association in London (2005–2010). He studied architecture at Princeton, SCI-Arc, and the University of Toronto, and has taught at Princeton, Harvard GSD, Hong Kong University, the University of Kentucky, and NJIT.

Obuchi will kick-off our Fall Public Program this Thursday. Join us!

September 18, 6:30 p.m.
Gehry Chair Lecture: Design Sustainability with Empathy: Human-Centric Computational Design and Fabrication

Supplied photo by Denise Pontak

Shirley Blumberg (BArch 1976) and Marianne McKenna, founding partners with KPMB Architects, have been recognized with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal.

The RAIC’s highest honour is given in recognition of significant and lasting contributions to Canadian architecture. Awardees are celebrated for their lasting influence through excellence in design, research or education.

Blumberg, who studied architecture at U of T, is acknowledged for her contributions to design and social justice. She helped found Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT) and has designed projects for community housing and Indigenous communities. Her works include U of T Scarborough’s Faculty of Management and the 2006 renovation of the Gardiner Museum.

“Shirley is also rare among architects for her fearless principled advocacy and use of her talents and knowledge... where the public interest is challenged and her values lead her into the fray,” wrote architect Ken Greenberg for the RAIC in its announcement of the award.

McKenna – who developed and implemented the professional practice course at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design and designed the Rotman School of Management’s award-winning 2012 expansion – was recognized for her commitment to community-building and contributions to creating architecture that enriches public life.

“Her sophisticated approach and steadfast commitment to meaningful, regenerative architectural solutions have inspired and mentored generations of emerging architects,” wrote architect Renee Daoust for the RAIC.

Both architects have previously been honoured with the Order of Canada.

Read the RAIC announcement

Whether you're exploring your next academic step, considering a career change, or simply curious about the programs offered at the Daniels Faculty—we invite you to join us online this Fall for a series of Information Sessions running from October to December 2025. 

These online Information Sessions are your opportunity to learn more about our graduate and undergraduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, visual studies, and forestry. Hear directly from program directors, who will share insights into each program’s structure, curriculum, and admissions process—alongside opportunities to ask questions and get a closer look at what it's like to study at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. 

All Information Sessions are free to attend and open to prospective students. 

Watch the Portfolio Workshop for prospective graduate students

Wednesday, October 8 | Undergraduate 

Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies (BAAS) 

Watch the live recording with Assistant Professor Peter Sealy, Program Director

Tuesday, October 21 | Undergraduate 

Learn more about the Architectural Studies and Visual Studies programs at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Watch the live recording presented by Gwendolyn Gringhuis, Assistant Registrar, International & Recruitment 

Wednesday, October 22 | Graduate 

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EDT)
PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Watch the live recording with Professor Claire Zimmerman, Director of the PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Thursday, October 23 | Undergraduate 

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EDT)
Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies (BAAS) 

Join Assistant Professor Peter Sealy, Program Director, to learn more about the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Watch the live recording with Assistant Professor Peter Sealy, Program Director

Tuesday, October 28 | Graduate 

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (EDT) 
Master of Visual Studies (MVS)

Join Assistant Professor Gareth Long, program director, to learn more about the Master of Visual Studies programs at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design: Curatorial Studies and Studio Art. 

Watch the live recording with Assistant Professor Gareth Long, Program Director

Wednesday, October 29 | Graduate 

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EDT)
Master of Architecture (MARC)

Join Associate Professor Vivian Lee, program director, to learn more about the Master of Architecture (MARC) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Watch the live recording with Associate Professor Vivian Lee, Program Director

Friday, November 7 | Graduate 

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Master of Urban Design (MUD) and Post-Professional (MARC and MLA)

Join Professor Mason White, program director, to learn more about the post-professional design degrees at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design:   

• Master of Urban Design
• Master of Architecture (post-professional)
• Master of Landscape Architecture (post-professional) 

Watch the live recording with Professor Mason White, Program Director
 

Monday, November 10 | Graduate 

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST)
PhD and Master of Science in Forestry (MScF)

Join Associate Professor John Caspersen, program director, to learn more about the Master of Science in Forestry (MScF) and PhD in Forestry at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Watch the live recording with Associate Professor John Caspersen, Program Director 

Tuesday, November 11 | Graduate 

Watch the live session recording with Professor Claire Zimmerman, Director of the PhD in Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Thursday, November 13 | Graduate (In-person or virtual)

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Master of Forest Conservation (MFC)

Join Assistant Professor Sally Krigstin, MFC program coordinator, to learn more about the Master of Forest Conservation program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. In-person info session at Boardroom ES 1016B, Earth Sciences Centre, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto or participate remotely via Zoom.

Tuesday, November 18 | Graduate

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Master of Architecture (MARC)

Join Professor Vivian Lee, program director, to learn more about the Master of Architecture (MARC) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Session recording coming soon

Wednesday, November 19 | Undergraduate

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies (BAAS) 

Join Assistant Professor Peter Sealy, Program Director, to learn more about the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Session recording coming soon

Thursday, November 20 | Graduate

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST)
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) 

Join Professor Elise Shelley, program director, to learn more about the Master in Landscape Architecture at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Session recording coming soon

Thursday, November 25 | Undergraduate

5:00 to 6:00 p.m. (EST) 
Bachelor of Visual Studies (BA)

Join Professor Gareth Long, program director, to learn more about the undergraduate Visual Studies program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Register to join us online via Zoom

Wednesday, December 3 | Undergraduate 

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies (BAAS) 

Join Assistant Professor Peter Sealy, Program Director, to learn more about the Honours Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Register to join us online via Zoom 

Thursday, December 4 | Graduate 

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Master of Forest Conservation (MFC)

Join Assistant Professor Sally Krigston, MFC Program Coordinator, to learn more about the Master of Forest Conservation at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Register to join us online via Zoom

Thursday, January 15 | Graduate (In-person or virtual)

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)
Master of Forest Conservation (MFC)

Join Assistant Professor Sally Krigstin, MFC program coordinator, to learn more about the Master of Forest Conservation program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

In-person info session at Boardroom ES 1016B, Earth Sciences Centre, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto or participate remotely via Zoom.

Friday, March 6 | Graduate 

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (EST)
Master of Forest Conservation (MFC)

Join Assistant Professor Sally Krigstin, MFC program coordinator, for a Q&A session about applying to the Master of Forest Conservation program at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Join online via Zoom

Welcome to the start of the 2025-2026 academic year!

Whether you’re a returning student at Daniels or this term is your first, I hope that your time at the Faculty is a happy and productive one. Our school is a special place at the University of Toronto and within the city and we want you to reap as much from your experience here as possible.

Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll look forward to connecting with as many of you as I can. If you have any questions or concerns now or throughout the coming year, please reach out to either the Office of the Dean (daniels-dean@daniels.utoronto.ca) or the Office of the Registrar and Student Services (registrar@daniels.utoronto.ca) at any time. 

This year as in previous ones, your coursework will be complemented by an exciting roster of extracurricular offerings. Launching this month, our Fall 2025 Public Program series includes lectures and presentations by some of the leading designers, artists, researchers and thinkers in their fields. 

The series will kick off in two weeks, on September 18th, with a lecture by this year’s holder of the Frank O. Gehry International Visiting Chair in Architectural Design, Yusuke Obuchi, a Professor of Architecture at the University of Tokyo, who examines how computational design, robotic fabrication, and AI-driven systems can move beyond productivity and efficiency to help redefine the irreplaceable human role in construction.

In addition, look out for the staging of two new exhibitions at 1 Spadina this term - The Howarth-Wright at 25 (opening September 23rd) and The New Stone Age: Towards an Ethical Architecture (opening November 6th)—as well as a range of year-round activities planned around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Black History Month and other noteworthy dates. 

Your schoolwork, of course, will keep you very busy, but I urge you to attend and to take in as many of these inspiring and illuminating events as you can. The Public Program at Daniels is a valuable resource available to our entire community and we hope that you’ll take advantage of it to the fullest. 

Have a great first semester!

Robert Levit (he/him)
Acting Dean
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Rebecca Martin, a graduate of the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, has received a 2025 Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Student awardees from around the world are recognized for graduate work in one of eight categories, providing a glimpse into the future of the profession. Landscape architects are uniquely positioned to engage complex contemporary issues such as climate change, urbanization, ecological resilience, social equity and cultural reconciliation. 

Martin received the top honour in the general design category for her Master of Landscape Architecture project, “Opaque Ground: Reimagining Human-Soil Relations in the Lower Don.” Her project proposes an urban soil survey followed by the creation of experimental gardens in existing soil along a 10-kilometer trail in Toronto’s lower Don Valley sub-watershed. The project promotes soil literacy by demonstrating its role in regulating water cycles, storing carbon and sustaining life. Her faculty advisor was Daniels Associate Professor Alissa North.

The jury citation said Martin’s project, “Richly illustrated exploration of our essential but underappreciated soil and its role in renewing our urban environment.”

Martin will be recognized at the ASLA award ceremony in New Orleans, LA this October.