Bold visions: Students reimagine Toronto Metropolitan University’s Architecture Building.
The Department of Architectural Science (DAS) posed a challenge to third-year students: help transform the department’s Architecture Building into one of the most innovative and sustainable learning spaces on the university’s campus. The results? New gallery spaces, innovative facades, workspaces for next-generation technologies, and much more.
The projects were part of an integrated studio, coordinated by professors Carlo Parente and Will Galloway, along with a team of instructors. The studio asked students to consider adaptive re-use in the creation of a new future for the school, while integrating all aspects of building design from site context to structural systems and building envelope details.
Student work was judged by architects Andrew Frontini, Principal and Design Director at Perkins&Will, and designer of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Daphne Cockwell Complex Building (external link) , and Siamak Hariri, founding Partner of Hariri Pontarini Architects, and designer of TMU’s new Student Wellbeing Centre, as well as Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) leaders. Proposals were assessed on design quality, environmental stewardship, aspirations for the future of architectural pedagogy, community engagement, and priorities outlined in TMU's 2025-2030 Transforming Futures Academic Plan.
“FEAS champions bold, hands-on experimentation in urban systems and infrastructure through forward-thinking design initiatives like DAS Transformed.”
The winning projects
Project: DAS Transformed
Team members: Isobel Morris and Rachel Kim
DAS Transformed by Isobel Morris and Rachel Kim. The team’s concept proposed six radical galleries and a web of scaffolding-like hollow structural sections (HSS) members to enhance transparency and represent the constant growth of DAS programs and the campus.
Rachel Kim (left) and Isobel Morris (right) receiving their prizes from Lisa Landrum and Andrew Frontini.
“A bold transformation presented to the campus and the city. This project is building on history, navigating transformation, and celebrating a new paradigm.”
Project: DAS [Re]Frame
Team members: Kyle Wong and Matteo Vinelli
![A digital rendering of an architectural concept called DAS [Re]Frame by architectural science students Kyle Wong and Matteo Vinelli. The team’s concept proposes a dynamic and adaptable architectural framework, integrated into the Architecture Building at Toronto Metropolitan University.](/content/dam/engineering-architectural-science/stories-events/2025/2025-05/das-transforming-futures/das-transform-images/DAS_Reframed_Team_12.jpg)
DAS [Re]Frame by Kyle Wong and Matteo Vinelli. This proposal envisions modular workshops to expand capacity for hands-on making, community engagement, and digital fabrication – all accommodated by a dynamic and adaptable architectural framework.
![Judges Lisa Landrum and Andrew Frontini standing next to a physical wood model of the DAS [Re]Frame concept developed by students Kyle Wong and Matteo Vinelli.](/content/dam/engineering-architectural-science/stories-events/2025/2025-05/das-transforming-futures/das-transform-images/Team_12_Model.jpg)
Lisa Landrum and Andrew Frontini taking in the DAS [Re]Frame project and model.
"Extremely clear, expressive, and powerful. I love the promise of long-span central spaces and the use of timber."
Honourable mentions
Project: Convergence
Team members: Evelyn Foster and Marko Jovanovic
Convergence by Evelyn Foster and Marko Jovanovic. The team envisioned interconnective spaces, creating a renewed interior-exterior public realm that weaves the city and campus into the Architecture Building, where urban potential is reimaged.
Evelyn Foster receiving the prizes on behalf of the Convergence team.
“A beautiful, expressive scheme. The architecture school deserves something expressive and fun.”
Project: 325 Church St.
Team members: Ka Lee Jian and William Choi
325 Church St. by William Choi and Ka Lee Jian. This project uses mass timber and a translucent double skin facade to reconnect the Architecture Building to its context and symbolize ever-shifting transformations of design processes.
Ka Lee Jian and William Choi receiving their prizes from judge Andrew Frontini.
“Clear planning and well-crafted spaces for teaching, creating, and engagement. This team’s re-imagining of the DAS building is evocative, elegant, and entirely believable.”
On the opening night of the DAS Year End Show, winning student teams had the opportunity to meet Frontini, who donated copies of his recent book, Episodes in Public Architecture (external link) , as prizes. Students also received a copy of Canadian Modern Architecture (external link) , which includes an essay on campus architecture by DAS Chair Lisa Landrum.
According to Landrum, “This project was a remarkable opportunity for future architects to not only gain experience designing a better building but also to play the provocateur in proposing radical forms of pedagogy, and to take on the role of the client – since students themselves are experts in knowing their desires for these learning spaces.”
Dean Sri Krishnan, who also judged the competition, shared, “It was truly inspiring to see our students reimagine architectural education and explore evolving technologies through their projects. Our students' collective vision will enable our faculty to continuously evolve the Architecture Building and shape our campus into a future-ready space that fosters innovation and collaboration.”
DAS Transformed projects are on display in the Architecture Building until June 23, 2025, as part of the Department’s Year End Show. View event information.
View work by all the finalists
Want to see more? View all the photos from the DAS Transformed awards ceremony and the DAS Year End Show. (external link) (All photography credited to Fisayo Adelusi).
Learn more about Toronto Metropolitan University’s architectural science undergraduate program.