This pan-Canadian series of events aims to assess, bridge, converse and deliver on equity in architecture. Open to all students, faculty and communities associated with Canada’s University schools of architecture.
Steering group: Izabel Amaral, Vedanta Balbahadur, Piper Bernbaum, Anne Bordeleau, Natalia Escobar Castrillón, Jake Chakasim, Catherine Hamel, Lisa Landrum and Ozayr Saloojee, with UManitoba student researchers Temitope Akinsiku, Cole Marotta and Sabba Rezai, and a support team at the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism, Carleton University.
How is Canadian architectural education centring social justice? – in pedagogy and pedagogical processes? What strategies for critical reflection and transformative change are in progress? How are student-led initiatives, creative teaching, intersectional research and engagement fostering equity? How are academic and professional sectors collaborating to share resources and best practices toward creating more inclusive built environments, and more diverse citizen-architects? How are equity initiatives impacting accreditation standards, and policies for quality architecture in Canada?
Architecture as a tool for social justice
A key take-away from the 2019-2020 CAFÉ series was the desire to further engage architecture as a tool for social justice. (See the Summary Report). Since summer 2020, schools of architecture have been confronting ongoing challenges exposed not only by the pandemic, but by the murder of George Floyd, the continued disclosures of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, and long overdue admissions of systemic racism and elitism in architectural education and practice.
In response to these challenges – and building on the success of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education – a CAFÉ Capital series was launched in 2022. This pan-Canadian set of events aims to assess, bridge, converse and deliver on equity in architectural education via three interrelated arenas of action: teaching & learning; research & practice; service & engagement.
Three workshops on these topics in May 2022 helped to frame the in-person CAFÉ Capital forum in Ottawa September 29 to Oct. 2, 2022. Conversations and outcomes will support, orient and mobilize EDI initiatives at Canada’s accredited schools of architecture, advance CCUSA’s strategic planning, and inform discussions at the CACB Conference (Oct. 27-30, 2022).
Intersectional, trans-sectorial, trans-generational
The CAFÉ series continues to empower student groups, leveraging coast-to-coast connectivity with new forms of discursive assembly aimed at diversifying and indigenizing architectural pedagogies and removing institutional barriers. In Canada, student and faculty-led equity groups are active in every region. For listings and resources, see the (in progress) CAFÉ Capital RESOURCES Google Doc.
Social justice is intertwined with climate justice and with many 21st-century challenges facing design and planning professions and society at large. CAFÉ Capital is mobilizing knowledge to help build equity in architecture.
CAFÉ CAPITAL
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2022
OPEN FORUM – IN PERSON & ONLINE
Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism (ASAU)
Carleton University, Ottawa
RESOURCES toward equity in architecture (google doc)
REGISTRATION for online events
Download a program
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (all times in ET)
THURSDAY, Sept. 29 (online)
18:00-19:30
Welcome: Piper Bernbaum, Ozayr Saloojee and Natalia Escobar Castrillón
Opening Talk: Professor Zoe Todd, introduced by PhD student Monique Manatch
FRIDAY, Sept. 30 – National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – (no CAFÉ events). Everyone encouraged to
honour the day and participate in regional events. For events on Parliament Hill, see Remember Me.
SATURDAY, Oct. 1 (In-person & online) Working sessions to Assess, Bridge, Converse, and Deliver on Equity in
Architecture – all sessions include panel discussions and conversations.
9:00 – Opening and Framing
Federica Goffi / Anne Bordeleau / Izabel Amaral / Lisa Landrum
10:00 – Equity in Teaching & Learning
Piper Bernbaum / Jake Chakasim / Julia Jamrozik / Sara Jacobs
11:00 – Equity in Research & Practice
Natalia Escobar Castrillón / Omeasoo Wahpasiw / Lisa Landrum / Emmanuelle van Rutten
12:00 – Towards Equity in Service & Engagement
Vedanta Balbahadur / Jewel Amoah / Angela Gou / Josh Eckert / Tej Raja / Fiona Lim Tung
13:00 – LUNCH BREAK
14:00 – Empowered & Empowering Representation – Where are my people?
Kendall A. Nicholson / Catherine Hamel /Vivian Ton
14:30 – Challenges in and out of school – Dark Matter University
Jelisa Blumberg / Ozayr Saloojee / Temitope Akinsiku
15:00 – Inclusive spaces for Indigenous knowing – The Design Lodge
David Fortin / Jake Chakasim / Amina Lalor / Shawn Bailey / Robyn Adams
15:45 – Conversation Circles (and online ‘break-out rooms’)
16:30 – Sharing + Closing Reflections
SUNDAY, Oct. 2 – CAFÉ Capital – morning
debriefing – IN-PERSON
9:30 – Moving beyond Rhetoric Workshop with Indigenous Relations Consultant Michael Etherington
12:00 – Closing: Monique Manatch
12:30 – Round Up & Next Steps – Open Discussion
SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT
May 27, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
OPEN WORKSHOP – ZOOM
Full Recording
Convenors:
Vedanta Balbahadur, McGill University
Vincent Hui, Toronto Metropolitan University
Ozayr Saloojee, Carleton University
Kai Wood Mah, Laurentian University
Nene Brode, University of Toronto, Daniels
Diogo Burnay, Dalhousie University
Presenters:
Ra’anaa Brown, “Decolonizing, Dismantling and Demystifying Design: The Introduction of a Black Feminist Lens”
Chris Baziw, “Volunteerism, Homelessness, Architecture Practice/Education”
Clara James, “Black Students in Design and Building Black Success through Design: Making Change from the Bottom Up”
RESEARCH & PRACTICE
May 20, 2022 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
OPEN WORKSHOP – ZOOM
Full Recording
Convenors:
Natalia Escobar Castrillón, Carleton University
Tammy Gaber, Laurentian University
Mercedes Garcia Holguera, University of Manitoba
Andrew King, Lemay, FLDWRK & McGill University
Erica-Allen Kim, University of Toronto
Presenters:
Menna Agha, Carleton University, The Complicit Studio
Honoure Black, Shawn Bailey, Lancelot Coar, University of Manitoba, Decolonizing Design with Indigenous and Land-Based Paradigms
Julia Pascutto, Lemay & FLDWRK, Gender Inclusive Design
Break-out Topics:
1. Reassessing research merit assessments. Facilitator: Andrew King, with Bechara Helal.
2. Community-engaged research. Facilitator: Mercedes Garcia Holguera, with Joshua Taron.
3. How is EDI impacting research practice? Facilitator: Tammy Gaber.
TEACHING & LEARNING
May 10, 2022 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
OPEN WORKSHOP – ZOOM
Full Recording
Convenors:
Piper Bernbaum, Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism, Carleton University
Sara Stevens, School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture, UBC
Presenters:
Erica Allen-Kim, Constructing / Dismantling the Syllabus
Paniz Moayeri, Decolonizing the Syllabus
Brenda Mabel Reid, Care not Contract
Curry J. Hackett, Critical Pedagogies
Break-out Topics:
1. How do we dismantle / construct a syllabus? Google Dismantle Doc.
2. How do we decolonize a syllabus? Google Decolonize Doc.
3. How do we offer care through a syllabus? Google Care Doc.
4. How can a syllabus be and create radical work? Google Radical Doc.
Past Events:
Five CAFÉ forums took place during the 2019-2020 academic year. Thank you to the nearly 1000 students, faculty and professionals who participated in these events!
Each event included presentations, round table discussions on the CAFÉ QUESTIONS & THEMES, and an open forum to share ideas on the role of architectural education in shaping Canada’s future.
Images and overviews of each CAFÉ may be found on the GALLERY. See the MANIFESTOS page for an online exhibition of all entries and winners.
Download the CAFÉ Summary Report (Sept. 2020).
Scroll down to view the past CAFÉ schedules.
Download all the programs here.
Past Events:
DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM:
REGISTER FOR THE EVENING LECTURE:
WHEN
March 12, 2020
TIME
12:30pm – 5:00pm
PROGRAM
For FREE CAFÉ Registration, click here
12:30 – Arrival – meet & mingle with refreshments
1:00 – CAFÉ Welcome & Introductions
1:15 – Presentations
2:30 – Round-table Consultations
3:30 – Exchange
4:00 – Open Discussion & Questions
4:45 – Conclusion & other ways to participate
5:00 – Design Matters Reception and 6pm Lecture with Chris Cornelius
PRESENTERS
Zach Ward, M.Arch Student, University of Calgary
Kate Allen, FRANK Architecture & Interiors
David Down, City of Calgary, Architect & Chief Urban Designer,
Jean-Pierre Chupin, Université de Montréal, Professor, School of Architecture
Kim Langat and Vedad Haghighi, Carleton University – B.Arch Design and M.Arch Students
Alkarim Devani, RNDSQR – Round Square, President
Logan Armstrong, Works of Architecture, Intern Architect
Shawna Cochrane, City of Calgary, Senior Architect, Corporate Analytics & Innovation, Corporate Engineering & Energy
Madyson McKay, City of Calgary, Architect & Project Manager, Capital Development, Affordable Housing
Michael Plummer and Stephanie Steriotis, Ryerson University, M.Arch Students
DELEGATES
Vedad Haghighi, Carleton University – M.Arch Student, Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism
Kim Langat, Carleton University – B.Arch Design Student and President of the Azrieli Architecture Student Association
Jurij Leshchyshyn – Ryerson University, Professor, Department of Architectural Science
Michael Plummer – Ryerson University, M.Arch Student
Stephanie Steriotis – Ryerson University, M.Arch Student
Jean-Pierre Chupin, Université de Montréal – Professor, School of Architecture
Maude Tousignant-Bilodeau, Université de Montréal – M.Arch student and President of RÉA
James Luca Pinel, Université de Montréal – M.Arch student and RÉA External Affairs Delegate
RELATED EVENTS
Design Matters Lecture Series:
Felecia Davis: March 11, 2020 – 5pm reception, 6pm lecture
Chris Cornelius: March 12, 2020 – 5pm reception, 6pm lecture
DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM:
DOWNLOAD A POSTER:
FREE Registration for Nation-to-Nation (9am – 12:00)
FREE Registration for Café Prairie (1:00-5pm)
WHERE
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture
John A. Russell Building, Centre Space
Winnipeg, Manitoba
WHEN
February 28, 2020
TIME
9:00am – 5:00pm
PROGRAM
9:00am – Nation to Nation: A Conversation on Indigenous Principles, Perspectives and Practices in Shaping Canada’s Architecture.Led by the Indigenous Design and Planning Student Association (IDPSA), with generous support from the Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA)
12:00pm – Lunch Break
1:00pm – CAFÉ Welcome & Introductions
1:15pm – Presentations
2:30pm – Round-table Consultations
3:30pm – Exchange
4:00pm – Open Discussion & Questions
4:30pm – Conclusion & other ways to participate
5:00pm – C.A.S.T. Mixer
PRESENTERS
Nation-to-Nation
Danielle Desjarlais, Cree, AMP Student, University of Manitoba, IDPSA Representative
Reanna Merasty, Cree, M.Arch Student, University of Manitoba, Chair & Co-founder of IDPSA
David Fortin, Metis, Associate Professor & Director at McEwen School of Architecture at Laurentian University
Ryan Gorrie, Ojibway, Senior Associate & Architect at Brook McIlroy
Roxanne Greene, Ojibway, Shoal Lake 40 Councillor
Brett Huson, Gitxsan Nation, Artist/Author & Technician at the Prairie Climate Centre
Amina Lalor, Métis, M.Arch Student & Co-Founder of Treaty Lands Global Stories, University of Waterloo
Nicole Luke, Inuk, M.Arch Student, University of Manitoba
Cheyenne Thomas, Anishinaabe, Peguis First Nation, architectural designer, member of the RAIC Indigenous Task Force and The Forks North Portage Partnership Board.
CAFÉ
Lisa Landrum, CAFÉ Project Lead, Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba
Jessica Piper & Tia Watson, M.Arch students and UMAAS Representatives, University of Manitoba
Johanna Hurme, Co-founder, 5468796 Architecture & RAIC Regional Director (MB & SK)
Julia Nakanishi, M.Arch Student and BRIDGE member, University of Waterloo
Dr. Sarah Cooper, Assistant Professor, Department of City Planning, University of Manitoba
Nik Luka, Associate Professor in Architecture and Urban Planning, McGill University
Emilia Brasdefer, Thomas Foster and Halley Sveinson, M.Arch students, SALA, UBC
Monica Giesbrecht, Landscape Architect and Principal at HTFC Planning & Design
John Bass, Associate Professor, SALA, University of British Columbia
Wins Bridgman, Architect, Activist, Co-director of BridgmanCollaborative Architecture
Odile Lamy, Michael Kurt Mayer and Olivier Therrien, Architecture Students’ Association (ASA/GASA), McGill University
DELEGATES
John Bass, University of British Columbia – Associate Professor, School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Emilia Brasdefer, UBC – M.Arch student, 2nd Year Student Executive Committee Representative (SALA)
Thomas Foster, UBC – M.Arch student, SALA
Halley Sveinson, UBC – M.Arch student, Chair of FaFa (For a Feminist architecture), SALA
Dr. Nik Luka, McGill University – Associate Professor in Architecture and Urban Planning, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture
Michael Kurt Mayer, McGill University – VP Academic, Undergraduate Architecture Students Association (ASA), Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture
Odile Lamy, McGill University – VP External, Graduate Architecture Students’ Association (GASA), Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture
Olivier Therrien, McGill University – Undergraduate Student, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture
Anne Bordeleau – University of Waterloo – O’Donovan Director, School of Architecture
John McMinn – University of Waterloo, Professor, School of Architecture
Amina Lalor – University of Waterloo – M.Arch Student, Co-Founder of Treaty Lands Global Stories
Julia Nakanishi – University of Waterloo – M.Arch Student, BRIDGE Centre for Architecture + Design
David Fortin, Laurentian University – Director, McEwen School of Architecture
Jay Buswa, 2nd Year Architecture Student, Indigenous / Cultural Representative,McEwen School of Architecture
Max Vos Coupal, M.Arch Student, McEwen School of Architecture, Laurentian University
RELATED EVENTS
CAFÉ CAFÉ: Exhibition – Opening February 24th at 12:00pm (Closing March 6th, 2020)
C.A.S.T. Mixer
WHERE
Hosted at Sidewalk Labs
307 Lake Shore Blvd E
Toronto, Ontario
Part of the annual Ryerson University M.Arch Symposium
WHEN
February 6, 2020
TIME
4:00pm – 10:00pm
PROGRAM
4:00pm – Doors open: Arrival, meet & mingle
4:30pm – Introductions
4:45pm – Presentations
5:30pm – Round-table Consultations
6:15pm – Exchange, Discussion & Questions
6:45pm – Break
7:30pm – Symposium Panel Presentation and Open Discussion, Moderated by Ian Chodikoff
Panelists:
Anne Cormier, Professor and LEAP Researcher, Université de Montréal andfounding-partner of Atelier Big City
Toon Dreessen, President of Architects DCA, Past-President of the OAA, and Rise for Architecture team member
Alex Josephson, co-founder of PARTISANS and Lecturer at Daniels
Peter Milczyn, former Ontario Minister of Housing and policy strategist with PM Strategies
9:00pm – Social
Download a program.
PRESENTERS
Stephanie Steriotis, M.Arch student, Ryerson University, CAFÉ Ontario Leadership
Lisa Landrum, University of Manitoba, CAFÉ Project Lead
Craig Race, Architect and Co-Founder of Lanescape
Richard Witt, Principal, Quadrangle
Adam Krajewski, Valerie Marshall and Jana Nitschke, M.Arch Students, University of Toronto, GALDSU
Devin Arndt and Nicole Rak, M.Arch students and Sustainability Collective Directors, University of Waterloo
Jesse Martyn and Vincent Perron, M.Arch Students and ARCHUS Members, UBC, SALA
Karen Mills and Sarah Yoes, M.Arch Students, Dalhousie University, members of Equality in Architecture (EiA)
DELEGATES
Diogo Burnay, Dalhousie University – Associate Professor and Director of the School of Architecture
Karen Mills, Dalhousie University – M.Arch Student, Equality in Architecture (EiA) Member, M6 Class Rep.
Luke Stock, Dalhousie University – M.Arch Student
Sarah Yoes, Dalhousie University – M.Arch Student, Equality in Architecture (EiA) Member
Blair Satterfield, University of British Columbia – Associate Professor, HiLo Lab Director, Chair of the Architecture Program, School of Architecture + Landscape Architecture (SALA)
Jesse Martyn, University of British Columbia – M.Arch Student, ARCHUS President, SALA
Vincent Perron, University of British Columbia – M.Arch Student, SALA
Terri Meyer Boake, University of Waterloo – Professor, School of Architecture
Devin Arndt, University of Waterloo – M.Arch student, Sustainability Collective Director
Nicole Rak, University of Waterloo – M.Arch student and Sustainability Collective Director
GALDSU – University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, Graduate Architecture Landscape and Design Student Union:
Valerie Marshall – GALDSU, Vice President
Adam Krajewski – GALDSU, President
Jana Nitschke – GALDSU, Social Chair
UMAAS – University of Manitoba Association of Architecture Students
Jessica Piper – M.Arch student and UMAAS President
Tia Watson – M.Arch student and UMAAS Representative on CASA
RELATED EVENTS
Ryerson University, Department of Architectural Science, Annual M.Arch Symposium
OÙ
Université de Montréal, École d’architecture
Pavillon de la Faculté de l’aménagement (#36), Salle 1150
2940 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Montréal, Québec
QUAND
Lundi, 11 Novembre 2019
TEMPS
8:45am – 12:30pm
PROGRAMME
8:45 – Arrivée, recontre et réseautage
9:15 – Présentations
10:45 – Consultations & échange
12:00 – Discussion ouverte & questions
12:30 – Conclusion & autres manières de participer
Téléchargez le programme.
CONFÉRENCIERS
Jacques Lachapelle, Université de Montréal – Professeur et Directeur, École d’architecture
Lisa Landrum, Université du Manitoba – Responsable du projet des forums CAFÉ
Anne Cormier, Professeure agrégée, École d’architecture, Université de Montréal
Anne Carrier, Présidente, Association des Architectes en pratique privée du Québec (AAPPQ)
Nathalie Dion, Présidente sortante de l’Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ).
Bruno Demers, Directeur général, Architecture sans frontières Québec (ASFQ)
Maggie Cabana, Architecte, Microclimat
Hubert Pelletier, Architecte associé fondateur, Pelletier de Fontenay Architectes
Maude Tousignant-Bilodeau, Université de Montréal – Présidente, Regroupement des étudiant(e)s en architecture (RÉA)
Jonathan Kabumbe et Noémie Lavigne, Université Laurentienne – Étudiants, École d’architecture McEwen
MODÉRATEUR: Jean-Pierre Chupin, Université de Montréal – Professeur titulaire, École d’architecture
DÉLÉGUÉS
Paola Araya-Valdes, Université Laval
Olivier Mayette, Université Laval
Félix Préfontaine, Université Laval – Candidat au baccalauréat en architecture; Secrétaire aux affaires externes de l’ASSÉTAR
Charlie Wenger, Université Laval – Candidat au baccalauréat en architecture; membre du comité organisateur du OUSS QU’ON S’EN VA 2020
Martin Bressani, McGill University – Director, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture
McGill University – student delegates, with representation from the McGill Graduate Architecture Students’ Association (GASA) and the Architecture Students’ Association (ASA). Graduate Students (GASA): Lara Isaac (VP Academic), Mathilde Chauvin-Amyot (VP Health and Wellbeing), and Odile Lamy. Undergraduate Students (ASA): Michael Kurt Mayer (VP Academic), Alice Lemay (VP Internal), Naomi Collins-Julien, Olivier Therrien, and Sharon Kim (Mental Health and Equity Coordinator).
Janine Debanné, Carleton University – Associate Professor, Associate Director, Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism
David Bastien-Allard, Carleton University – 4th year student, Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS)
Émélie Desrochers-Turgeon, Carleton University – Ph.D. student, Vanier scholar, and coordinator CRIPTIC collaborative, Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism
Patrick Harrop, Université Laurentienne – Professeur agrégé, École d’architecture McEwen
Jonathan Kabumbe, Université Laurentienne – étudiant au baccalauréat, École d’architecture McEwen
Noémie Lavigne, Université Laurentienne – étudiante diplômée,École d’architecture McEwen
ÉVÉNEMENTS RATTACHÉS
Mini-CAFÉ – Thursday, November 7, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture, McGill University, Macdonald-Harrington Exhibition Room 114.
RÉPERCUSSIONS
Summary Report – click here
Bilan du CAFÉ Québec – en français
Gallery of Event Images – click here
WHERE
Dalhousie University, School of Architecture and Planning
Medjuck Building, 5410 Spring Garden Road
Exhibition Room (HB-21), main floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Link to Sexton Campus map
WHEN
October 7, 2019
TIME
12:30pm – 5pm
PROGRAM
12:30 – Meet & Mingle
1:00 – Introductions & Presentations
2:30 – Consultations & Exchange
3:45 – Panel Discussion & Open Questions
4:30 – Conclusion & other ways to participate
Download a program.
PRESENTERS
Yasmin Al-Samarrai, Student President of GALDSU, University of Toronto
Peter Braithwaite, Peter Braithwaite Studio Ltd., Halifax
Diogo Burnay, Director, School of Architecture, Dalhousie University
Ted Cavanagh, Professor, School of Architecture, Dalhousie University
Matthew Gillingham, M.Arch Thesis Student, Dalhousie University
Catherine Hamel, Associate Professor, University of Calgary
Lisa Landrum, CAFÉ project lead, University of Manitoba
Brian MacKay-Lyons, founding partner, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
Gregory MacNeil, RAIC Atlantic Regional Director, NSAA
Jessica Piper, Student President of UMAAS, University of Manitoba
Maxime Nadon-Roger & Prof. François Dufaux, Université Laval
DELEGATES
François Dufaux, Université Laval – Professeur agrégé, Directeur de la Maîtrise en architecture et Directeur de la Maîtrise en science de l’architecture, École d’architecture.
Maxime Nadon-Roger, Université Laval – Candidat à la maîtrise simultanée en science de l’architecture – Design urbain (M.Arch + M.Sc.DU). École d’architecture, et organizer 2020 colloquium “ouss qu’on s’en va” (where are we going).
Jeannie Kim, University of Toronto – Assistant Professor and Director of the Honours, Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies Program, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design.
Yasmin Al-Samarrai, University of Toronto – President of the Graduate Architecture, Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU), John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design.
Lisa Landrum, University of Manitoba – CAFÉ project lead, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Associate Dean, Faculty of Architecture.
Jessica Piper, University of Manitoba – President of the University of Manitoba Association of Architecture Students (UMAAS), Department of Architecture.
Nichola Basford, University of Manitoba – CAFÉ Research Assistant (website and design), Environmental Design Student, Faculty of Architecture.
Catherine Hamel, University of Calgary – Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.
John Baziuk, University of Calgary – Master of Architecture student and M.Arch representative.
Mojdeh Kamali, University of Calgary – Master of Architecture student and M.Arch representative.
RELATED EVENTS
Atlantic region professional discussions toward an Architectural Policy for Canada (October 7, 8 and 10) – for members of the Architects’ Association of New Brunswick (AANB), the Architects Association of Prince Edward Island (AAPEI), and the Newfoundland & Labrador Association of Architects (NLAA). Details here.