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

The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design (often called the Daniels Faculty) is a special part of the University of Toronto. It focuses on how we design buildings (architecture), outdoor spaces (landscape), and even whole cities (urban design). They also teach about art!

Aerial view of the faculty's building at One Spadina Crescent

This Faculty was the first in Canada to offer a program in architecture, starting way back in 1890. It was also one of the first to offer a landscape architecture program in 1965. Today, the dean (or head) of the Faculty is Juan Du.

In 2008, the Faculty got its current name, "John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design." This was to thank John and Myrna Daniels for a very generous donation of $14 million, which included money for student scholarships. They gave another $6 million for scholarships in 2018! After these gifts, the Daniels Faculty grew a lot. It became four times bigger and improved its programs, research, and public events. This included creating new courses for younger students and special PhD programs. The Faculty also started teaching about art, visual studies, and even forestry. Many new teachers have joined, helping to start exciting new projects.

One of the biggest changes for the Daniels Faculty is its amazing new home: the Daniels Building at One Spadina Crescent. This building opened in 2017. It made an old city landmark new again and gave the school much more space. This helped the Daniels Faculty become even more well-known around the world. The project was led by former Dean Richard M. Sommer and designed by Nader Tehrani and his firm NADAAA. It has won 27 design awards!

History of the Daniels Faculty

The Department of Architecture at the University of Toronto started in 1890. It was led by an engineer named C.H.C. Wright. This was the first architecture program in Canada! At first, students earned a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree.

In 1922, the school changed its degrees to a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Architecture. This helped architecture studies at the university become its own unique field. By 1931, an official School of Architecture was created. It began offering courses in Landscape Architecture and Town and Regional Planning. After 44 years, C.H.C. Wright passed the leadership to Colonel H.H. Madill in 1934.

After World War II, more people wanted to study at the school. So, in 1959, they limited how many first-year students could join. Dr. Thomas Howarth became Director in 1958 and made many changes. The school started offering more related subjects. A two-year Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning began in 1963. A new Division of Landscape Architecture started in 1965, offering a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree.

In 1961, the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning moved to 230 College Street. This new building had a library, workshops, darkrooms for photography, and bright studio areas. In 1967, the school became a full Faculty, with departments for Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning.

The Faculty went through some changes in the 1970s. The Architecture Department became a School of Architecture. The Landscape Department joined the Forestry Department for a while.

In 1980, the Faculty became the Faculty of Architecture again, led by Dean Blanche Lemco van Ginkel. The Faculty faced challenges in the 1980s and was almost closed! But teachers, professionals, and the community worked together to save architecture studies at the University of Toronto.

Later, Anthony Eardley became Dean. In 1997, Larry Wayne Richards took over as Dean. Richards created a new plan for the Faculty. This plan added five new programs, including an undergraduate Major in Architectural Studies. It also added Master's programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design, plus a small PhD program. After this plan was approved, the Faculty officially changed its name to the "Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design" in 1998.

Ten years later, John and Myrna Daniels made their huge $14 million gift. This money helped students and started the plans to expand and renovate the Faculty's building. To thank them, the Faculty's name changed to the "John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design." Richard M. Sommer became Dean in 2009.

In 2013, the Daniels family made another donation. This led to the exciting plan to move the Faculty from 230 College to the One Spadina building. This project included restoring the old building and adding a large, modern extension. Nader Tehrani was chosen to design the new building.

What You Can Study

The Daniels Faculty offers many exciting programs for students.

Graduate Programs

These are programs you can study after getting your first university degree:

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

Students in some of these Master's programs can also join a special program called Knowledge Media Design. This helps them learn how to use technology in their designs. Master of Visual Studies students can also study Sexual Diversity.

Undergraduate Programs

In 2016, the Daniels Faculty announced new courses for undergraduate students. These programs 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, the Daniels Faculty hosts public lectures and events. These events feature famous leaders and thinkers in architecture, landscape design, urban design, and visual studies. They talk about important questions and challenges facing cities and landscapes today. It's a great way to learn from experts!

Some Famous Speakers

• Sou Fujimoto
• Alvaro Siza
• Cornelia Hahn Oberlander
• Phyllis Lambert
• Charles Blow
• Kathryn Gustafson
• Nader Tehrani
• Kenneth Frampton
• Mitchell Joachim
• Frank Gehry

Research and Publications

The Daniels Faculty is also a place for exciting research!

Green Roof Innovation Testing Lab

The Green Roof Innovation Testing Laboratory (GRIT Lab) started in 2010. It's a special place to test how well green roofs, green walls, and solar panels work in Canada. The lab has 33 green roof test beds and lots of sensors. These sensors collect data every five minutes on things like soil moisture, temperature, and sunlight. This helps researchers learn how to make buildings more eco-friendly! The lab will move to the new One Spadina building.

The Annual Publication

The Annual is a publication created by graduate students. It showcases amazing student work from the Daniels Faculty. Students can apply to be editors, and then other students submit their designs and projects to be featured.

Shift Magazine

Shift Magazine is an online blog and yearly publication for undergraduate students. It shows off student work and what life is like for architecture and visual studies students.

Student Clubs and Activities

Students at the Daniels Faculty have many ways to get involved!

GALDSU

The Graduate Architecture Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU) represents all graduate students. They work with the faculty, administration, and other student groups. GALDSU is run by elected students who organize events and help students.

AVSSU

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

Café 059

Café 059 is a student-run café located at One Spadina Crescent. It's a great spot for students to grab a snack or drink!

Notable People

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

Alumni

• Raymond Moriyama
• Shirley Blumberg
• Jimenez Lai
• Claude Cormier
• Bruce Kuwabara
• David Pontarini
• George Baird

Current Faculty

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

Professors Emeriti

These are professors who have retired but are still honored by the university.

• George Baird
• Blanche Lemco van Ginkel
• Peter Prangnell
• Larry Wayne Richards