Continuing with our look at the diversity of architectural practices, we are joined by Court Sin, Studio Director- Architecture, at FORREC, a multidisciplinary company with an exciting and eclectic portfolio of entertainment architecture ranging from retail and museums to theme parks. An established architect with teaching experience, Court brings his insights on the intertwined future of architecture, narrative, and media.
FORREC Website: www.forrec.com/
FORREC Instagram: @forrecdesigns
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forrec/mycompany/
Twitter = @forrecdesigns
Just as the academic term draws to an end and students begin recovering from deadlines and exams, another issue continues to simmer in the background – graduate school applications. In this episode we are joined by several students set to embark upon their Master of Architecture degrees at institutions near and far. Discussing everything from the challenges of proper preparation (hint: it’s not just a portfolio) for application through to factors that weigh in on making a decision, this episode covers a range of facets many students face in considering continuing their architectural education. With insights from Sophie, Monika, Shengnan, Lena, Tanya, and Liane, this is an episode loaded with tips that helped them get into their programs. It is never too early to start!
Deadline season is around the corner and rather than brace for the inevitable stress and crunch, why not consider taking a moment to sort out project priorities and more importantly, undertake in some proper time management? While architecture students are smart, for some reason they do not necessarily learn from past mistakes. In this episode we present ways to address time management in architectural education. We are joined by Ann Wilkin, Learning Strategist, from the Student Skills and transition Support, Student Life and Learning Support group at Ryerson University who offers tips for students in anticipation of not only the immediate deadline season but also future academic and professional development. We also expose Ann to the "unique" conditions in architecture with perspectives from Daniel and Cason. Lots of eye-opening information going both ways in this episode!
Ryerson Student Life and Learning Site
https://www.ryerson.ca/student-life-and-learning/
Holistic Time Management Presentation
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JRY1GTlDyZsDfnwW5-BiLt6CnDTui2Zu-VZXBGDToFE/edit#slide=id.gb7c24f3d3e_0_75
Urgency Priority Grid
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2KVCB0Z75uIRlzP9gUZ5LD1WXWBjjxbJcTaLFY8sqQ/edit
If you need to reach out for direct support, please feel free to contact slls@ryerson.ca
In response to the flurry of inquiries from applicants and high school students about the Department of Architectural Science, we determined that it was about time to bring the voices to the same table. In this episode we are joined by high school students, Connor and Fatima, who pose questions to a panel of current and past DAS students including Tamoy, Tabitha, and Mariah. Applicants are receiving offers and we are delivering answers - hear the various perspectives on getting in and through the program!
Ryerson Admissions Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/WhyRyerson
Ryerson Admissions Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/WhyRyerson/
Ryerson Admissions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhyRyerson
Architect, Ryerson DAS alumnus, employer, and all-round good person, Jason Fung joins us in a great conversation about actually making it on his own with his own architecture firm. While many graduates and students work in larger organizations, others enjoy a greater sense of agency and freedom in operating their own design practices. Beyond ambition, there are many facets of the business of architecture that emerging practitioners need to be mindful of ranging from IT and accounting systems through to talent and client acquisition. Even though these types of challenges might not be top of mind for enthusiastic architecture students, Jason provides us with stories that offer a great glimpse into some of the business aspects of architecture often skimmed through in architecture curricula.
Website: www.jasonfungarchitect.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonfungarchitect/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JasonFungArchitect
Email: info@jasonfung.ca
If we think back to our education, we can all remember the best and worst instructors and how they impacted our perspectives on topics. We also know that they are (for better or worse) unforgettable. The Department of Architectural Science is currently conducting an extremely ambitious hiring search for three new faculty members, each reflecting one of the facets of the program (Architecture, Building Science, and Project Management). In this episode we are joined by Clare, Christopher, and Heba who share their perspectives on what they would want to see in a new faculty members as well as get an insight on the three major duties faculty have to undertake.
Ever thought about taking your architectural education into other industries like visualization, game design, or theme park design? Ever wondered what happens if you take a bit longer to complete your studies? Well, you're in luck with this podcast episode where we have an extensive chat with Peter Marshall, Creative Director at Forrec Ltd. From translating his acumen with visualization in architecture school into a lighting designer role at Rockstar Games Inc. to creating theme parks around the world and bringing properties to life, Peter's career reinforces a core facet for success in many industries, most notably architecture - the role of narrative. Join us in this episode as we chat about everything from shutting down campus' computer mainframes for renderings to translating John Wick into a ride.
Peter Marshall's Instagram: @peterabmarshall
Peter's perspectives on design innovations:
https://www.forrec.com/blog/the-theme-park-of-the-future-how-current-design-innovations-inform-provocative-predictions/
Forrec's Twitter: @forrecdesigns
The upcoming John Wick Ride:
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/john-wick-now-you-see-me-lionsgate-roller-coasters-1234809174/
It's that time of year again where applicants are starting to receive offers of admission into postsecondary programs. Though we don't go explicitly talk about other programs, we take a moment to round out our ongoing series for first year applicants specifically looking at what the Department of Architectural Science curriculum offers its students. All accredited programs are good and provide their students with a solid education in architecture; however they are not all the same. In this episode we are joined by Jayna, from first year, and Eileen, currently finishing her fourth year, as they discuss their perspectives on the curricular differentiators of the program including concentrations, technical knowledge, and professional preparation... as well as random, virtual snowball fights and bad decisions made at 3 AM...
In this episode we are joined by Daniel Hall from The Architect Builders Collective Inc., a progressive architecture firm in Toronto specializing in affordable, healthy green design. With a career marked with hands-on experience, from carpentry through to leading-edge digital fabrication, Daniel has infused TABC with a sensitivity to the diversity of facets that are involved in creating the built environment. Join us in hearing Daniel's perspectives on a range of topics from design education through to emergent design challenges such as sustainability and laneway housing.
The Architect Builders Collective Inc. Website:
https://www.tabc.ca/
TABC Centre for Social Innovation Entry:
https://www.tabc.ca/pages/healthy-green-workspaces/accessibility-ramp-and-stairs-centre-for-social-innovation
Toronto Laneway Suites Website:
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/planning-studies-initiatives/changing-lanes-the-city-of-torontos-review-of-laneway-suites/
Almost a year into the pandemic there have been various shifts and changes to teaching architecture in an online environment. From students readily jumping into online collaboration tools to faculty learning how to run video lectures, everyone has had ample time to adjust to the new normal in architectural education. Over the past month we have been inundated with requests on information from prospective students about the nature of online studio and courses so what better way to get an insight than getting the opinions of students. In this episode we are joined by Milo, Khushi, Horia, and Oscar as they share their experiences from their online Fall term.
Architecture is not always just about buildings - it is a design discipline that has a legacy of inter- and multidisciplinary activity. Design researchers are constantly examining new materials and methods in creating the built environment. Join us as we interview distinguished artist, researcher, and architect Andrea Ling on her award-winning work and collaborations that bridge a range of other disciplines including fashion, biology, and obscure fairy tales. With an education drawn from science through to MIT's Media Lab and currently working at ETH Zurich, Andrea's knowledge and experience reaffirms the convergent mandate of architecture.
Andrea's Website:
http://andreasling.com/
The Girl in the Wood Frock
http://andreasling.com/the-girl-in-the-wood-frock/
Aguahoja
https://mediatedmattergroup.com/aguahoja
It's that time of year again when applicants to architecture programs start asking questions... lots of questions. Though official university websites offer glossy imagery and official procedures on how to apply, it is always reassuring to know that everyone gets a bit anxious when going through the various hurdles to get into an architecture program. From grades and portfolios to drawing and writing tests, sometimes getting into an architecture program is best compared to a reality television show. In this episode we are joined by Aanshi and Si Jia as they recount their application experience and offer comfort to all those who are applying to architecture programs.
An accomplished young architect and educator, Pierre-Alexandre Le Lay has an assortment of academic and professional distinctions that epitomize what many students aspire for. While he has established himself as an architect with RAW Design, some might be surprised to discover that he didn't embark on an architectural education when entering university. Join us as we interview Pierre-Alexandre and follow his emergent career including a science degree, questionable research accommodations, and his secret language skills...
RAW Design Profile
https://rawdesign.ca/team/pierre-alexandre-le-lay/
It's that time of year again - no, not the holiday season (that's still about a month away), we're talking about the end of year studio deadlines! While many students typically find themselves getting less sleep, less food, and generally less hygienic, they also are getting more anxious, stressed, and fatigued. With the pandemic and isolation only compounding these challenges, it is unsurprising that students this year are more stressed than usual. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Diana Brecher, Clinical Psychologist, faculty member, and Scholar-in-Residence, Positive Psychology for the Thrive RU program in Student Affairs. She shares with us recent findings about the state of mental health in the university, mitigation strategies, and other resources that can prove to be useful to students in the program. From taking her SSH102 Learning and Development Strategies (imagine getting credit for a course on learning minimizing stress while learning!) to her 20-second hack on getting stuff done, Dr. Brecher gives a range of tips for students to survive this term and to succeed in the next.
Diana Brecher Bio:
NCHA data on Ryerson Students can be found at:
https://www.ryerson.ca/student-wellbeing/healthpromotion/data/
The Ryerson report on Student Wellbeing:
https://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/student-wellbeing/health-promotion/documents/NCHA-II-SPRING-2019-RYERSON-UNIVERSITY-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY.pdf
Thriving in Action can be found here tia.ryerson.ca
The ThriveRU website, which includes resources such as the Cultivate Your Happiness workbook - https://www.ryerson.ca/thriveru/
The TED talk Dr. Brecher mention on sleep:
https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_walker_sleep_is_your_superpower/up-next?language=en
Dr. Brecher's course, SSH102 Learning and Development Strategies (the for-credit version of Thriving in action) is an open elective and can be found here:
https://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2020-2021/courses/social-science-and-humanities/SSH/102/
As a recipient of numerous architecture distinctions for nearly twenty years and a key player in literally building Ryerson University's Department of Architectural Science, Gow Hastings Architects is a well-known architecture firm among the student population. How did the firm come about? How did it become so successful? We were fortunate to have Gow Hastings co-founder, Philip Hastings, join us as we delve into his past and gain insights on how he succeeded in the industry. We also learn his perspective on "good times", working abroad, dating classmates, and other tips for architecture students.
Gow Hastings Architects
http://gowhastings.com/
Paul H. Cocker Architecture Gallery (ArchDaily)
https://www.archdaily.com/487338/paul-h-cocker-architecture-gallery-gow-hastings-architects
Ryerson University Student ServiceHub (Archello)
https://archello.com/project/ryerson-university-student-servicehub
Odeyto Indigenous Centre: Honorable Mention (The Architecture Master Prize)
https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=852&mode=hm&compID=12789
Niagara College (Interior Design)
https://www.interiordesign.net/projects/18558-gow-hastings-architects-creates-contemporary-student-hub-for-niagara-college-in-canada/
Camille Mitchell has been a prominent voice in the Canadian design industry advocating for greater equity and diversity in architecture through her roles on BAIDA and BEAT. She is also a student from the past who is always willing to share a moment to provide insights to future design professionals. In this episode Camille shares her experiences and memories from the profession and in architectural education. List as she also suggests (occasionally contentious) tips for young architects...
A FEW ARTICLES ON CAMILLE
CBC HERstory
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/herstory-camille-mitchell-1.3987279
Working From Home with Camille Mitchell
https://designto.org/blog/work-from-home-with-camille-mitchell/
Follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ms_camillemitchell/
BEAT
http://www.beatoronto.com/
BAIDA
https://www.baida.ca/
Black Lives Matter Episode
https://anchor.fm/vincent--hui/episodes/Black-Perspectives-on-Architectural-Education-ef9v5a
In the spirit of Halloween, this episode is a quick recounting of a few spooky stories in architecture both near and far.
Ryerson Theatre School
https://theeyeopener.com/2018/10/the-haunting-of-ryersons-old-theatre-school/
Winchester Mansion
https://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/sarahs-story/
Taliesin
https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/
While social media is a ubiquitous component in daily life, it has a special value for architecture students as it is a font of inspirational imagery, headlines on new architectural works, and insights into what is currently on architects' minds. At a more pragmatic level, social media is about connecting people, whether in a localized community like school or on a larger scale for public outreach. In this episode we hear from Noah, Saroash, and Evan about their experience with social media as DAS students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Within Ryerson Architectural Science, the core fourth year concentration in Architecture is the most popular. With a great degree of flexibility, conceptual thinking, diversity of emergent architectural issues, and ability to serve as a transition into both industry and graduate studies. Joined by Joana and Kevin, DAS graduates both recent and long ago, we discuss their experiences with the Architecture option and how it laid the groundwork for their nascent careers.
Apologies for the terrible audio - the microphone situation didn't pan out!
Architectural Science Options:
https://www.ryerson.ca/architectural-science/undergraduate/courses/
Project Management Option Podcast Episode:
https://anchor.fm/vincent--hui/episodes/Concentration-Conversation-Project-Management-ecu3bb
Building Science Option Podcast Episode
https://anchor.fm/vincent--hui/episodes/Concentration-Conversation-Building-Science-ef0tn9
We have been preparing for it for the past few months and undertaking small trials over the summer on what the best practices for course delivery and oversight on studios could be. A month into the new term and it's worth taking a moment to see how we are doing. Join us as we speak with four undergraduate students, Kateryna, Venessa, Matt, and Shengnan as we get an impression on how the new school year is proceeding. While the three upper year students offer sage advice and insights on how to survive online studios and courses, our first year student doesn't hold back at the end as she puts each upper year on the hot seat.