Discover Canada Constructed

March 24, 2021 by Department of Art History

Canada Constructed: Architecture, Landscape, History is a new initiative of the Department of Art History at the University of Toronto. The aim of this project is to increase interest in the study of the built environment of Canada at the University of Toronto and beyond, through new undergraduate course offerings, internships, events, and content on its new website and social media platforms. 

The project is led by Professor Christy Anderson and Professor Joseph L. Clarke, assisted by Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Jessica Mace. The past few months, work-study MA student Katrin Zavgorodny-Freedman also worked on the project. It is generously supported by the Learning & Education Advancement Fund at the University of Toronto.

New undergraduate courses

So far, Canada Constructed has developed and offered two courses, with an additional new course to be offered in the 2021–2022 academic year:

  • FAH 199: This upcoming first-year foundations course, taught by Postdoctoral Fellow Jessica Mace, will focus on the architecture of Toronto (including the St. George Campus!), and will offer the opportunity for students to get involved in the community and become interested in Canadian architecture at an early date in their studies. 
  • FAH 273: This past fall, Professors Christy Anderson and Joseph Clarke taught FAH 273: Canada: Buildings and Landscapes, in which they embraced the remote learning environment for the students’ collaborative research project. Students selected heritage buildings at risk across Canada and produced informative videos to demonstrate why they should be preserved. 
    You can read more about the project on the Faculty of Arts & Science's News website and check out some of the student videos on the Canada Constructed YouTube page.
  • FAH 473: This term, FAH 473: Studies in Canadian Architecture is being taught by Postdoctoral Fellow Jessica Mace, under the theme of “Hidden Canada.” In this seminar, students are working with the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario NextGen program to produce articles on innovative architectural topics for their new blog.
    Developed in discussion with the Office of Experiential Learning & Outreach Support, students are getting the full publishing experience, from submitting proposals to undergoing peer review. A number of class workshops are helping them along the way, including consultations with practicing editors to info-sessions with our community partner. Canada Constructed looks forward to sharing the articles with you soon!

Internships

Canada Constructed has some exciting internships for students interested in architecture and heritage this summer with 401 Richmond, The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario NextGen, The Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, Spacing Magazine, and TO Built. More information can be found on the Canada Constructed website: https://canadaconstructed.ca/about/internships/

Events

The event series, Canada Constructed Conversations is well underway. The second event, “Architecture and the Public” was held on Tuesday, March 9 at 4 pm. Focusing on architectural journalism and criticism, the panel featured speakers Alex Bozikovic (The Globe and Mail), Elsa Lam (Canadian Architect), and Adele Weder (West Coast Modern League), and was moderated by Christy Anderson and Joseph Clarke. The recording will be available soon!

The first event “Architecture in the Classroom” with speakers Peter Coffman (Carleton University), Michael Windover (Carleton University), and Jane Wolff (Daniels Faculty), discussed creative approaches to engaging students with the built and natural environment in Canada. The recording is available on the Canada Constructed website and on the Canada Constructed YouTube channel.

Online

Be sure to check out the Canada Constructed website for site profiles, interviews, event announcements, and more.  You can also follow them on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) to stay in the loop!