In The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt outlines three fundamental human activities: labour, work, and action. Labour represents the basic, cyclical activities that are necessary for survival. Work is what we are normally concerned with, as architects: the fabrication of a durable, objective world. But action, according to Arendt, is what distinguishes human life. Freedom of speech, initiative, and dialogue allow each individual to act – to discover how to live as a human among humans....
PULP: Paper Art Party EVER PARTIED IN A ROOM MADE OF PAPER? PULP: paper art party is an Architecture For Humanity Toronto fundraiser designed to examine the current life cycle of paper and investigate alternatives. An art show interactive with music, dancing, play, and conversation inside, under, and on the art, the event will take place April 27, 2013 at Metropolis Factory (50 Edwin Ave., close to Dundas St. West Station). The environment is important, but PULP...
ABSTRACT by David Schellingerhoudt: Architecture is an act of agency, and a technology that can be learned by anyone for their own purpose. It evolved as a system of organization and a protective shell for our fragile bodies, a vast, complex technology that enables human survival. Yet despite its universal nature, we have artificially limited our control over it, and who has access to it; we limit its potentials, its adaptive capacities, its diversity, and...
The field of architecture takes Japanese-work-culture-masochism to the next level. The office opens before 9am and often closes well after 10pm, 6 days a week. Studio in Cambridge may feel all-encompassing, but interning in Japan is physically and mentally demanding in an entirely different way. Combined with little or no pay, serious language barriers, and heavy culture shock, this intense working lifestyle may not appeal to every student looking for a co-op job. However, as...
Recently, the University of Waterloo implemented a complete redesign of the School of Architecture’s website. In order to have a productive discussion regarding the new website, we must first understand why it happened. – The University of Waterloo began rebranding efforts in early 2009 in order to create a stronger, more cohesive identity for our university. (http://www.bulletin.uwaterloo.ca/2009/jul/24fr.html) A new visual identity was first introduced through banners on campus in July 2009. Plans for a redesign...
ABSTRACT by Ningxin (Sophia) Zhu: China has become one of the world’s economic engines. One major driving force is its rapid urbanization. However such rapid development has resulted in issues such as resource and energy depletion, pollution and environmental deterioration. Recently the government has endorsed green buildings and has urged ministries to work out a national action plan. It is predicted that green building will be the next big thing in China. But before importing...
The annual awards banquet is perhaps the largest gathering at UWSA, drawing not only current students but off-term undergrads, recent alumni, staff, and faculty. Amid fare from local favourite The Bombay Grill and desserts lovingly made by student volunteers, professors and staff recognized accomplishments in all areas, including design, cultural history, technology, and overall contributions to the school. Recent graduates were also recognized for their outstanding master’s thesis work. Highlights of the event included stories behind...
On Thursday, April 11, and Friday, April 12, final reviews were held for the 1B Class. The project brief called for students to design a residential loft building for one of three different sites in downtown Toronto. The variety in sizes and locations of the sites called for very different design solutions, as indicated by the results produced by students. Excerpts of some of the student’s design work can be viewed at the Design at...
A large and diverse group gathered on Tuesday for the opening reception of UWSA’s ninth annual exhibition of exemplary student work, this year renamed STUDIO to highlight the working process behind the finished projects on display. Faculty curator Andrew Levitt says the driving force behind the exhibition is not only recognizing student achievement, but also getting the creative energy of the studio “from the third floor to the ground floor.” He cites a desire to...
This Friday at 6:00 in the Main Lecture Hall we are going to have an open discussion about the state of the program, the school and student life in Cambridge. We will discuss things that you believe are important, things that work well at the school and some things that need to change. If you have something you would like to say, a critique of your experience at the school this term, please come out,...
