John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Logo for the faculty designed by Bruce Mau
Former name	Department of Architecture
Type	Faculty
Established	1890 (1890)
Parent institution	University of Toronto
Dean	Juan Du
Acting dean	Robert Levit
Address	1 Spadina Crescent , Toronto , Ontario , Canada 43°39′35″N 79°24′03″W / 43.6596°N 79.4007°W / 43.6596; -79.4007
Campus	Urban

The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, often called Daniels, is a special part of the University of Toronto in Canada. It teaches students about architecture (designing buildings), urban design (planning cities), and art.

This faculty started in 1890. It was the first school in Canada to offer a program in architecture. Later, in 1965, it was also one of the first to offer a program in landscape architecture. Daniels offers different types of degrees, from bachelor's degrees for new students to advanced degrees like master's and doctoral degrees. As of August 2025, Juan Du is the dean, leading the faculty.

The school was first known as the Department of Architecture. In 2008, it changed its name to honor John and Myrna Daniels. They gave a large donation of $14 million, which included $5 million for student scholarships. They also gave another $6 million in 2018 for more scholarships and financial help.

History of Daniels Faculty

Early Beginnings in 1890

The Department of Architecture began at the University of Toronto in 1890. It was led by an engineer named C.H.C. Wright. This made it the first architecture program in Canada. It was also one of the first in North America. The department first worked with the School of Practical Sciences. It offered a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.

Growing into a School

In 1922, the bachelor's degree changed to the Bachelor of Architecture. A Master of Architecture degree was also started. This helped architecture studies become its own field at the university. By 1931, an official School of Architecture was created. It began to offer courses in Landscape Architecture and Town and Regional Planning. After 44 years, C.H.C. Wright passed his leadership to Colonel H.H. Madill in 1934.

New Programs and Growth

After World War II, more people wanted to study architecture. So, in 1959, the School started limiting how many first-year students it accepted. Dr. Thomas Howarth became the Director in 1958. He added new courses, like a two-year Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning in 1963. In 1965, a new section for Landscape Architecture was created. It offered a new Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree.

Moving to a New Home

In 1961, the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning moved. Its new home was at 230 College Street. This building had many useful spaces. It included a library, a construction lab, workshops, and bright studio areas for students. In 1967, the School became a full faculty. It had departments for Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning.

Changes and Challenges

John Andrews became the head of the Architecture Department in 1967. He invited Peter Prangnell to help change the undergraduate program. In 1968, Andrews left his role. Peter Prangnell then became the acting head and later the full head from 1969 to 1976. During his time, Prangnell reorganized the faculty. He moved the Landscape Department into the Forestry Department. He also made the Architecture Department into a formal School of Architecture.

Becoming a Faculty Again

The School of Architecture became a faculty again in 1980. This happened under the leadership of dean Blanche Lemco van Ginkel. During this time, George Baird became acting head. The faculty faced tough times in the next ten years. It was even at risk of closing. But many people worked together to save it. This included faculty members, professionals, and the local community.

After being saved, Anthony Eardley became the dean. He shared program leadership with Steven Fong. This continued until 1997. Then, Larry Wayne Richards took over as both dean and head of the architecture program.

New Programs and a New Name

Larry Wayne Richards created a new plan for the faculty. It was approved by the university. This plan added five new academic programs. These included an undergraduate Major in Architectural Studies. It also added three Master's programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design. A small Ph.D. program in Architecture was also created.

After this plan was approved in 1998, the faculty changed its name. It became the "Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design." This showed its new variety of programs. Ten years later, John and Myrna Daniels made a huge gift of $14 million. This money helped create funds for student financial aid. It also helped expand and renovate the faculty's building. To recognize this gift, the faculty's name changed again. It became the "John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design." In 2009, Richard M. Sommer became the new dean.

The Daniels Building at One Spadina

In 2013, John and Myrna Daniels gave another donation. The "Daniels Faculty" then announced plans to move. They decided to restore the historic One Spadina building. They also planned to add a large, modern extension. A design competition was held. Nader Tehrani and Katie Faulkner were chosen to lead the design. They worked with Toronto experts for landscape design, preservation, and overall architecture.

The new Daniels Building opened in 2017. It is located at 1 Spadina Crescent. This spot is in the middle of a roundabout on Spadina Avenue. The One Spadina project was led by former dean Richard M. Sommer. The design was done by American architect Nader Tehrani and his firm NADAAA. The project has won over 25 awards for its design and how well it uses resources.

Degree Programs at Daniels

The Daniels Faculty offers many exciting programs. Students can earn different degrees to become experts in their fields.

Graduate Degrees

Students can earn these advanced degrees:

• Master of Architecture (MArch) (Professional)
• Master of Architecture (MArch) (Post-Professional)
• Master of Urban Design (MUD)
• Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)
• Master of Visual Studies (MVS):
  • Studio Art
  • Curatorial Studies

Daniels also offers special programs. For example, Master's students in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design can join a program in Knowledge Media Design. Master of Visual Studies students can also join a program in Sexual Diversity Studies.

Undergraduate Degrees

In July 2016, Daniels announced new programs for undergraduate students. These started in the 2016–2017 school year:

• Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Specialist in Architectural Studies:
  • Comprehensive
  • Design of Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism
  • History and Theory of Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism
  • Technology of Architecture, Landscape, and Urbanism
• Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Specialist in Visual Studies:
  • Studio
  • Critical Practices
• Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Visual Studies

Public Lectures and Events

Each year, Daniels hosts many public lectures and events. These events feature famous designers and leaders. They come from the fields of architecture, landscape, urban design, and visual studies. Important thinkers from around the world also share their ideas. These lectures explore different ways professionals and academics are solving challenges in cities and landscapes.

Notable Speakers

Research and Publications

Daniels Faculty is also a place for important research and publications.

Model Cities Theatre and Lab

This lab is located in the new One Spadina building.

Institute for Architecture and Human Health

This new institute will start a Master's program in Health Design. It will teach professionals how to improve healthcare and wellness through architecture, landscape, and urban design. The Institute for Architecture and Human Health was established when One Spadina opened.

Global Cities Institute

The Global Cities Institute (GCI) helps compare cities around the world. It was first started with money from the World Bank. The GCI has a database with 115 ways to measure cities. This helps cities track how well they are doing in areas like planning, economic growth, transportation, safety, and education. The Global Cities Institute is now part of the One Spadina building.

One Spadina Green Roof Innovation Testing Lab

The Green Roof Innovation Testing Laboratory (GRIT Lab) started in 2010. It tests how well green roofs, green walls, and solar power technologies work in Canada. The lab has 33 green roof test beds and three green walls. It also has many sensors that collect data every five minutes. This data includes information on soil moisture, temperature, rainfall, and wind. The lab is now on top of the new One Spadina building.

The Annual Publication

The Annual is a publication created by graduate students. It shows off their best work. Each year, students can apply to be editors. Then, all graduate students can submit their work. The publication was funded by the Graduate Architecture Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU) until 2016-2017. After that, it also received support from local architects and professional groups.

PLACE-HOLDER Journal

PLACE-HOLDER is a journal run by graduate students. It collects design ideas for today and the future. It was founded in 2012 by Elizabeth Krasner and Roya Mottahedeh. It continued until at least 2016.

Shift Magazine

Shift Magazine is an online blog and yearly publication for undergraduate students at Daniels. It features student work and shows what life is like for architecture and visual studies students. For example, SHIFT10: "Backyard Trips" was published on September 12, 2022.

Student Clubs and Activities

Students at Daniels Faculty can join various clubs and activities.

GALDSU: Graduate Student Union

The Graduate Architecture Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU) represents all graduate students. GALDSU connects students with the faculty, administration, and other student groups. It also works with professional organizations like the OALA and OAA.

GALDSU is run by an elected Executive Council. This council includes a president, vice-president, treasurer, and other roles. Two students from each class also attend monthly GALDSU meetings.

AVSSU: Undergraduate Student Union

The Architecture and Visual Studies Student Union (AVSSU) was created in 2014. It is the official voice for undergraduate students at the Daniels Faculty.

Café 059

Café 059 is a student-run café at 1 Spadina Crescent. It is operated by students from the Daniels Faculty. The café got its name because its original location was in Room 059 of the Infirmary building. It was first started by Enzo Bertucci, Anthony Provenzano, and friends in the 1990s.

Distinguished Alumni and Faculty

Many talented people have studied or taught at the Daniels Faculty.

Alumni

• Raymond Moriyama
• Shirley Blumberg
• Jimenez Lai
• Claude Cormier
• Bruce Kuwabara
• David Pontarini
• Craig Leonard
• George Baird
• Henry Sears
• Ralph Giannone

Current Faculty

• Charles Stankievech
• Ed Pien
• An Te Liu
• Lisa Steele
• Brigitte Shim

Professors Emeriti

• George Baird BArch (Toronto), AM (Hon)(Harvard)
• Carmen Corneil BArch (Toronto)
• Anthony Eardley AA Dipl (Hons), MA (Cantab)
• Ants Elken Dipl Ing Arch (Munich)
• George Hawken BA (Honours) 1969 (Toronto)
• Douglas H. Lee BArch (McGill), MSc (Illinois), MBA (York)
• Blanche Lemco van Ginkel, C.M., BArch (McGill), M.C.P. (Harvard), Hon Doc (Aix -Marseille)
• Peter Prangnell AA Dipl, MArch (Harvard)
• Larry Wayne Richards BArch (Miami, Oxford, OH), MArch (Yale)
• Paul Sandori Dipl Ing Arch (Zagreb)

Associate Professors Emeriti

• Klaus Dunker Dipl Ing Arch (Hannover)
• Gerald Englar
• Edward Fife BLA (RISD), MLA (Harvard)