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McEwen School of Architecture collects national awards

McEwen School of Architecture collects national awards

May 29, 2019 - Students and faculty members with the McEwen School of Architecture are earning awards and recognition both in Canada and around the world. Although the school’s inaugural Masters of Architecture class graduates this spring, McEwen has already garnered the kinds of prestigious awards and recognition one would expect from more long-standing institutions. 

 

Students recognized for projects that connect people to the landscape

Master’s of Architecture student Sophie Mackey was among seven winners of the Ontario Association of Architects’ first ever SHIFT 2019 ideas competition. 

Mackey received the honour for her thesis project, Immigrant Landscapes: Architecture in the Age of Migration. Her thesis explores how the City of Greater Sudbury can better accommodate new immigrants by centralizing many of the services critical to this population demographic. Mackey imagined and designed the integration of a small library, a daycare and a learning centre to help welcome newcomers to the community.

To add to the accolades, Architecture students Brendan McDonald, Muskan Goel, and Harrison Lane received honourable mention at the National Capital Commission design competition.

Their design goal was “to re-connect people with the river in addition to its amenities by using water to re-calibrate existing infrastructure. This would provide a social gathering hub where activities of different scales can happen from markets and festivals to picnics and playing.”

 

Professor Tammy Gaber receives Women Who Inspire Award 

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women recognized McEwen School of Architecture assistant professor Tammy Gaber with its annual Women Who Inspire award on Sunday, April 28, 2019.

“Challenging the conventional stereotypes, these women proudly serve their communities and are a source of inspiration for all Canadians,” said the Canadian Council of Muslim Women. 

Gaber is among seven recipients from across Canada for 2019. Much of her research has focused on the architecture of Islam and in particular, on contemporary mosque design. She is also the first recipient in the field of architecture.

 

Rob and Cheryl McEwen to receive Words & Deeds Leadership Award

The world renowned Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is honouring Rob and Cheryl McEwen with its Words & Deeds Leadership Award for their volunteer work and philanthropy. 

Cheryl McEwen is a volunteer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Rob McEwen is founder and former CEO of Goldcorp and now Chair and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc. 

In 2016 the couple donated $10-million to Laurentian University, and helped make the McEwen School of Architecture a reality. 

In addition to the McEwen School of Architecture, they have also donated to The Rob & Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building at the Schulich School of Business, York University; the McEwen Leadership Program at St Andrew’s & Lakefield College Schools; The Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation; Mount Sinai Hospital; The Weizmann Institute; The Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival; the Art Gallery of Ontario; and Toronto’s Luminato Festival. Internationally, Cheryl and Rob are also both engaged with Virgin Galactic, X-Prize Foundation, International Society of Stem Cell Research Conference (ISSCR), the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and the Prince’s Charities.

 

Five Laurentian Graduates to be honoured by the university's alumni association at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards

Five Laurentian Graduates to be honoured by the university's alumni association at this year's Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Laurentian University Alumni Association (LUAA) will honour five outstanding graduates at this year’s  Distinguished Alumni Awards to be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the McEwen School of Architecture.

The recipients of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards are:

  • Rising Star Achievement Award – Ashley Kirwan (B.Sc. ’08, M.Sc. ’17), Co-founder, President, CEO and Principal Geologist at Orix Geoscience Inc.
  • Trailblazer Award – Kirk Petroski (BA ’94, MBA ’01), Founder and CEO, Symboticware
  • Catalyst Award – Leo Gerard (Honorary Doctorate of Letters ’94), International President of the United Steelworkers
  • Alumni Honour Award – François Chartrand (BA ’14), Senior Product Designer at Headspace
  • Distinguished Leadership Award – Susan Irving (H.B. Com. ’98), Senior Director of Marketing at PepsiCo Global Snacks Group
     

“Laurentian University alumni are changing the world through their professional contributions and dedication to their communities,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University Dr. Pierre Zundel. “I look forward to celebrating these exceptional individuals with the Laurentian community.”

Newly launched this year as part of the LUAA’s Strategic Plan and as a replacement for the former Alumni Recognition Awards, the awards recognize the inspiring talent, effort and influence of the University’s graduates—locally and worldwide. 

“It’s a great day when you have an abundance of nominations of incredible alumni to choose from. While there were tough discussions and decisions, we are thrilled with the nominees we will be honouring,” added Adam Cecchetto, President, LUAA.

Tickets for the event can be purchased via the LUAA’s events page.

 

Consult the full biographies of the recipients below

 
ASHLEY KIRWAN, B.SC. ’08, M.SC. ’17

The Rising Star Achievement Award recognizes alumni who achieved an exception level of distinction, creative leadership and contribution to their profession or to their community since graduating (within the past 10 years).

Ashley Kirwan, is the Co-founder, President, CEO and Principal Geologist at Orix Geoscience Inc., a mining industry leader with three offices located in Toronto, Sudbury, and Winnipeg. 

With 10 years of experience in the exploration and mining industry, Ashley has worked throughout North and South America, including projects in Nunavut, Nevada, and Ecuador. She worked as an exploration geologist with Bridgeport Ventures Inc. in Nevada, and with both exploration and underground projects with QuadraFNX Mining Ltd. (now KGHM) in Sudbury, Ontario. 
In 2016 Ashley, along with her business partner, Shastri Ramnath, was named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining. Both were nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards in 2017. 

Ashley makes it a priority to hire Laurentian graduates and students because of the high quality of education and real-world experience they bring to the job. She also encourages the sponsoring of Laurentian’s Goodman School of Mines as well as Sudbury industry initiatives, such as the Goodman Gold Challenge, CIMU, Mining Matters, and WIM. 

Ashley was featured in the LU Alumni magazine 'Geology Grad turns Entrepreneur' in March 2016 and has presented to Women in Mining Branches and in the Sudbury Start Up lecture series. Orix has appeared in articles in the Globe and Mail, as well as ‘Sudbury Solutions’.

 

 

KIRK PETROSKI, BA ’94, MBA ’01 

Aiming to celebrate the innovative spirit that actively seeks change rather than waiting to adapt to change, the Trailblazer Award honours alumni who have created a new process, product, service, or organization that has generated significant impact within their profession, community or society-at-large.

Kirk Petroski is the Founder and CEO of Symboticware, a Timmins-based company that brings mining exploration surveying technology to Northern Ontario. 
In 2008, he cultivated an idea to develop a wireless hardware/software platform to help mining companies improve mobile equipment safety and efficiency, which has resulted in accelerated growth of Symboticware Incorporated. 

Kirk’s commitment to the economic sustainability of the community extends to various committees and boards. He currently sits on the University of Sudbury Board of Regents, was past Chair of the Board of Directors for Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA), and was also a founding member of Sudbury Code_Op initiative. 

Together with his Laurentian University sweetheart, Maria Petroski, Kirk is the proud parent of two wonderful children, Jonas and Aria, who are active in community sports and music.
 

 

LEO GERARD, HONORARY DOCTORATE OF LETTERS ’94 

The Catalyst Award recognizes community members, including non-alumni, that volunteer directly or on behalf of Laurentian University. The recipients devote their time and energy to supporting the university and building strong communities, being catalysts for change and progress.

Leo W. Gerard is International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), the largest and most diverse industrial union in North America and the dominant union in paper, forestry products, steel, aluminum, tire and rubber, glass, chemicals and petroleum. 

Under Leo’s direction, the 850,000-member USW has heightened its focus on reversing the decline of U.S. manufacturing. During his tenure, the USW has grown through organizing and through mergers with the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) and the 13,000-member Telecommunications Workers Union in Canada, among others. 

Leo has long championed strategic alliances with unions around the world; in 2008, the USW joined with Unite, the biggest union in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, to create the global union Workers Uniting. He is also co-founder of the BlueGreen Alliance, a national partnership of labour unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding jobs in the green economy.
 

 

FRANÇOIS CHARTRAND, BA ’14 

Aiming to celebrate alumni who have achieved recognized success in their professional activities, their community endeavours or in making significant contributions to Laurentian University and the Laurentian University Alumni Association, the Alumni Honour Award is intended to foster alumni relations and to create an Alumni Honour community.

François (Frank) is a Senior Product Designer at Headspace, the world’s most popular meditation app, with over 1 million paying members, 30 million free users, and features in both the App Store (Editors’ Choice) and Google Play Store. Prior to this position, Frank was a designer at global digital agency Edenspiekermann where he worked on projects for Red Bull and Time Inc. 

Born and raised in Sudbury, Frank attended both Laurentian University (Communication Studies) and Cambrian College (Graphic Design) before completing a Master of Arts degree at top U.S. design school, the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. 

Forever a student and a teacher, he regularly speaks at conferences worldwide from San Francisco to Paris. He’s an optimist at heart, and believes in the power of technology to bring people joy and purpose.
 

 

SUSAN IRVING, H.B. COM. ’98 

LUAA’s highest honour, the Distinguished Leadership Award aims to celebrate alumni who have attained and maintained national and international recognition of excellence in their service to a profession, a sector of activity and/or a community during their entire career, and most importantly beyond the recognition of a single remarkable achievement.

Industry leader with a passion for brands and a reputation for delivering business results through strategic integrated marketing campaigns, Susan Irving is currently the Senior Director of Marketing at PepsiCo Global Snacks Group. In this role, she is responsible for developing and driving a cohesive, fully integrated global marketing agenda for Doritos, Cheetos and Sunbites, three of the company’s billion-dollar brands. 

Prior to joining PepsiCo’s Global Snacks Group, Susan spent more than a decade at PepsiCo Canada leading successful campaigns that drove profitable growth for brands including Cheetos, Doritos, Lay’s, Ruffles and Tostitos. With nearly two decades of business experience spanning all aspects of consumer marketing, Susan is known for her leadership and collaborative approach of working with teams to deliver breakthrough, insight-driven consumer campaigns and programs that deliver growth. 

She has been recognized with several industry accolades including CMAs, Cassies, Cannes Lions, The Bessies, Media Innovation Awards and Canadian New Media Awards. She was also among Marketing Magazine’s prestigious Top 30 under 30. 

Committed to community engagement, Susan currently holds a board position as the VP GTHL with the Leaside Hockey Association, is a judge for the Globe and Mail’s Young Marketers Competition and the CMAs, is a keynote speaker for several North American Conferences, and is also an active supporter of TenThousandCoffees.com, a program dedicated to connecting today’s experts with tomorrow’s trailblazers.

Susan lives in Toronto, Canada, with her husband Todd and their two sons.
 

Laurentian's McEwen School of Architecture wins major prize for integrating woodwork into modern Canadian design

Laurentian's McEwen School of Architecture wins major prize for integrating woodwork into modern Canadian design

McEwen’s Architectural team wins the Ontario Wood WORKS! 2017 award for innovative building in Sudbury

The designers of one of Canada’s most innovative educational buildings have received a prestigious award for their focus on woodwork in modern architectural teaching and design. LGA Architectural Partners, responsible for designing the McEwen School of Architecture building in downtown Sudbury, has been granted the Ontario Wood WORKS! 2017 prize in the “$10-million Institutional” category.  The prize was handed out by the Canadian Wood Council on November 1, 2017 at a special ceremony in Toronto.

“This award is well-deserved for the innovative Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) wing of the McEwen School of Architecture” said Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director of the MSoA. “The LGA team did their research in wood early on in the design process of the School, successfully applying for a $350,000 Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bio-economy (CRIBE) grant early on in the design process. The design team’s work has paid off with this award.”

Woodwork and design have been at the heart of the McEwen project from the very beginning. Since classes began in 2013, students have focused on creative uses of traditional, sustainable resources as well as state-of-the-art designs in their work and have already won a number of prestigious awards, including the 2016 Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway.

That same philosophy guided the LGA Architectural Partners design for Phase 2 of the McEwen School’s building which opened at the beginning of 2017. From exposed beams and innovative integration of wood features with high-tech equipment, to the preserved wood features of the historic CP Telegraph train shed building which houses the Fabrication Labs, the blending of natural wood design and modern concepts is key to the facility’s beauty and functionality.

“The McEwen School of Architecture is a prime example of the ingenuity and bold thinking that make our university a Canadian leader in education and research,” said Pierre Zundel, Laurentian University’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “I congratulate the LGA team for this award and their outstanding ability to place our region’s forestry resources and landscape at the heart of the project.  Those elements, along with our country’s Indigenous peoples and French and English cultures, combine to make the McEwen School of Architecture a unique place to study innovation in order to design buildings using renewable resources for the future.”

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years. 

Dr. David Fortin to become the next director of the McEwen School of Architecture in 2018

Dr. David Fortin to become the next director of the McEwen School of Architecture in 2018

Laurentian University announced today the appointment of Dr. David Fortin as the next Director of the McEwen School of Architecture, effective January 1, 2018. He will be the successor to the founding director, Dr. Terrance Galvin, whose second three-year term ends on December 31, 2017. 

Pursuant to the terms of the faculty collective agreement, school directors and department chairs may only serve two three-year terms. Dr. Galvin, a tenured Full Professor, will continue to contribute his many talents at the School as a faculty member. Dr. Fortin's appointment was endorsed today by the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, upon recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture and of the Selection Committee composed of faculty members from the McEwen School of Architecture.Dr. David Fortin

Dr. David Fortin is an Assistant Professor at the McEwen School of Architecture since 2013.  He holds a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Calgary.  He previously spent 5 years as a faculty member at the Montana State University School of Architecture and practiced with several firms as a professional architect. Dr. Fortin is of Métis ancestry with an active research program in Indigenous design processes.  He holds a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant and has published numerous scholarly works in this field. 

Earlier this year Dr. Fortin was named Associate Director of the Maamwizing Research Institute, Laurentian’s Indigenous research centre.  He is member of the Alberta Association of Architects, and of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Throughout his career, he has merited scholarships and awards, including the Science North Partnership Award in 2015.  With this appointment, Dr. Fortin is the first indigenous architect to become a Director of a Canadian school of architecture.

"Terrance leaves big shoes to fill as the founding director of the McEwen School of Architecture. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and our numerous community partners in pursuing the vision of the steering committee that resulted in the creation of the School, led and enhanced by Terrance over the past six years," commented Dr. Fortin.

"I will leave my role as director in December 2017 with a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. We just graduated our charter class last week, the building is complete, and we will welcome our first intake at the graduate level this fall," explained Galvin. "The McEwen School of Architecture will be in excellent hands with David Fortin at the helm. He can count on my full support and I look forward to continuing to advance the interests of the School in the years to come."Terrance Galvin

Dr. Pierre Zundel, Vice-President, Academic and Provost, expressed his appreciation for Dr. Galvin's exemplary leadership as founding director. "Terrance brought the School much further ahead than anyone would have thought possible six years ago. Sudbury and indeed Northern Ontario owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his vision, determination, community spirit, commitment and creativity," added Zundel.

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $200 million in research income in the past five years. 

First graduating class from Canada’s newest architecture school awarded degrees during 2017 Spring Convocation

First graduating class from Canada’s newest architecture school awarded degrees during 2017 Spring Convocation

Renowned Canadian architect Marianne McKenna also receives honorary doctorate during the McEwen School ceremony

Students in the charter class of Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture were awarded their diplomas today during an afternoon convocation ceremony. The McEwen School began welcoming students in September 2013, making it the first new school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years.

“I am very proud of all the students graduating this year. They are now truly part of Laurentian University history,” said Terrance Galvin, Director of the McEwen School of Architecture. “This school was the product of many years of hard work involving the entire Greater Sudbury community. I know that this charter class will make us all proud by using their design talents to enrich their communities for years to come.”

Planning for Laurentian University’s school of architecture began in 2007 and was helped along through much cooperation and financial contributions from all orders of government and the community. It was later renamed the McEwen School of Architecture in honour of generous philanthropists Rob and Cheryl McEwen.

Classes began in September 2013 with McEwen students involved in many high-profile projects. In only three years, they received many prestigious national and international awards for their design work, including taking first place at the 2016 Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway. The school’s new state of the art facility, located in the historic CP Telegraph building in downtown Sudbury, opened its doors in January 2017. The building reflects the McEwen school’s vision for architectural design by incorporating original elements with modern and high-tech features, while also casting a spotlight on Indigenous design and heritage.

Making the Spring 2017 convocation even more special for the charter class was the presence of renowned Canadian architect Marianne McKenna of KPMB Architects. The award-winning designer was invited by Laurentian to receive an honorary doctorate for her contributions to the worlds of architecture, education, and advocacy.

“When I spoke to this year’s graduating class, I told them to be proud of their past accomplishments while always looking forward to their next achievements,” said Dominic Giroux, President of Laurentian University. “The same is true for the McEwen School of Architecture. We are very proud of all we have accomplished over the last decade. But now we are looking ahead to the next steps including new research, and most notably the new Masters in Architecture program that begins in the Fall.”


View Graduation Ceremony

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $200 million in research income in the past five years. 

Laurentian celebrates official opening of final capital phase of the McEwen School of Architecture

Laurentian celebrates official opening of final capital phase of the McEwen School of Architecture

$45 million 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Sudbury’s downtown core

Laurentian University today proudly celebrated the official opening of the final capital phase of the McEwen School of Architecture, completing a $45 million 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Sudbury’s downtown core.

“This is a proud day for many people at Laurentian and within the broader community,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice Chancellor of Laurentian University. “The McEwen School of Architecture has been ten years in the making and has been made possible through many partnerships and collaborations. It’s an uplifting example of transformative change, achieved through community alignment and a shared vision.”

Planning for the School of Architecture began in 2007 when members of the Greater Sudbury community and Laurentian University representatives, recognized the economic benefits and the opportunity to leverage regional expertise in creating a unique educational opportunity.

Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director, joined the team in January 2012 and has been a visionary for this unique program that embraces the resiliency of northern people and the unique beauty of the northern Ontario landscape.

“The past five years were about taking the vision and making it operational. This includes the design and construction of the new buildings, the implementation of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program, and the approval of the Master of Architecture program,” said Dr. Galvin. “The next ten years will see a greater focus on expanding research opportunities.”

The McEwen School of Architecture welcomed its charter class in September 2013. In only three years, students have already distinguished themselves and the School through numerous national and international awards, including a first place win at the Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway in May 2016.  This cohort will graduate in June.  The School will launch its Master of Architecture graduate program in September.

“This is an incredible milestone not only for Laurentian but for the City of Greater Sudbury, the Province and indeed for Canada,” said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors. “Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture is the first new school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years. It is the first school of its kind in Northern Ontario and the first in Canada outside Québec to offer courses in French.”

The School was made possible through forward-thinking investments by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, the City of Greater Sudbury, Rob and Cheryl McEwen, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, FedNor, the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy, Blaine and Lise Nicholls, F. Jean MacLeod Trust, Susan and Perry Dellelce and many other private donors.

 

About the McEwen School of Architecture

The McEwen School provides an immersive educational experience that conveys the inherent necessity of pairing technical expertise with a full understanding of the spirit of landscapes, and the people who inhabit them, in order to design smart, sustainable and functional buildings. As the 12th School of Architecture in Canada, the McEwen School was conceived as a venue for students from the North to be able to study architecture in their region. It will also encourage recent graduates to stay and become a part of the growing design community in the North. The McEwen School will be recognized for its research and design with wood, its research into indigenous architecture, as well as its expertise in studying the Sudbury Basin as a source for design.

The McEwen School is housed in a magnificent new $45 million complex in downtown Sudbury designed by LGA Architectural Partners totalling 72,000 sq. ft. including two century-old repurposed buildings formerly owned by CP Rail and CP Telegraph, and a final phase of 52,000 sq. ft. A highly competitive program, enrolment will rise to 400 students by 2018, when it will have 25 faculty and staff.

The philosophy of the McEwen School is founded upon pride of place. It is an unfolding experiment in emerging pedagogies and diverse cultures. Gathering a faculty and student body that are French, English, Métis and Anishinabek reflects Laurentian’s unique purpose to offer an outstanding university experience, in English and in French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.

 

McEwen School of Architecture Awards and Recognition

In addition to three separate “Insight Grants” awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to Dr. David Fortin, Dr. Tammy Gabor, and Dr. Kai Mah, the following awards or recognition have been received by students, in collaboration with McEwen School of Architecture faculty members:

  • 2016    CCA Annual Interuniversity Charette: Reassembling the North
    “Public Opinion Prize” awarded for Nutri-Nunavik: The Potential of Northern Farming (team of undergraduate students)
  • 2016    IIDEX Canada
    Student Edward Chung selected to exhibit EAB Floor Lamp, in Toronto
  • 2016    Bergen International Wood Festival
    McEwen Architecture students win “First Prize” for design-build wood installation (Profs. Tammy Gaber, Randall Kober + students)
  • 2015    Pride House that Kids Built, Sudbury for Para Pan-Am Games
    Human Resources “Award of Excellence,” Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines for installation quilt of children’s “Inclusion in Sports” paintings. (Professor Thomas Strickland + students)
  • 2015    Science North
    “Partnership Award” given to McEwen School of Architecture, for design of Dynamic Earth Pavilion (Profs. David Fortin, Roch Belair, with Francis Thorpe + students)
  • 2015    CANStruction
    “People’s Choice Award” for PARALLAX: “a” is for architecture
    (Prof. Terrance Galvin + students)
  • 2014    International VELUX Award for students of architecture (Vienna)
    “Honourable Mention” for “Northern Lights” Ice Fishing Hut design
    (Prof. Tammy Gaber + students)

 

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.  Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates.  With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.

McEwen School of Architecture congratulates upper-year students for winning Public Opinion Prize

McEwen School of Architecture congratulates upper-year students for winning Public Opinion Prize

Ra’anaa Brown, Krystel Clark, Denis Lemieux and Taylor McGee win for team entry “Nutri-Nunavik : The Potential of Northern Farming”

The McEwen School of Architecture congratulates upper-year students Ra’anaa Brown, Krystel Clark, Denis Lemieux and Taylor McGee for winning the Public Opinion Prize for their team entry “Nutri-Nunavik : The Potential of Northern Farming” at the CCA 21st Annual Interuniversity Charrette design competition.

Presented by the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), Charrette “(i)nvites young creative designers to reconsider arctic villages, hack northern settlements and surroundings, and help create livable communities simply and frugally.”

Students were challenged to design a house, cabin, or self-contained outdoor structure using only materials that would likely be on hand in the northern Quebec Inuit community of Nunavik. The Laurentian students’ “Nutri-Nunavik” winning-design is for a modular sustainable farming structure that takes advantage of aquaponics and vertical farming. By encouraging local farming, Nunavik can become more self-sustainable by growing their own fresh produce rather than depending on costly fruits and vegetables transported from other areas. (More about Nutri-Nunavik)

“Given the political nature of the CCA charrette brief, recognition by the public opinion vote is very “rewarding” for the School of Architecture. All of the faculty who participated in the three day charrette would like to express that we are very proud of our students’ critical and creative imagination, expressed in their design,” said Terrance Galvin, McEwen School of Architecture Founding Director.

Rob and Cheryl McEwen invest $10 Million in Laurentian University’s School of Architecture

Rob and Cheryl McEwen invest $10 Million in Laurentian University’s School of Architecture

The Laurentian University School of Architecture will now be known as the McEwen School of Architecture

The Laurentian University School of Architecture will now be known as the McEwen School of Architecture, in recognition of a significant investment by Rob and Cheryl McEwen. A blue and gold banner bearing the McEwen name was unfurled outside the School in downtown Sudbury today, as the McEwens announced a $10 million gift. Four million dollars will be used to complete the School’s $45 million state-of-the-art facility. The remaining $6 million will enhance the student experience and maximize their capacity to become agents of change for architecture globally.   

“Investing in Laurentian’s School of Architecture is a thrilling and proud moment for us.  This School’s focus on green and sustainable design, rooted in northern landscapes and community, is creating unique opportunities for the next generation of architects,” said Rob McEwen.  “We are already seeing the impact the School has had on northern communities in its first three years, and we look forward to the innovation and excellence in design these young leaders will achieve in years to come.”

 

“We are immensely grateful to the McEwen family for this transformative gift,” said Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director of the School of Architecture. “This investment will help us fulfill our mission to establish a unique and cutting-edge architecture program whose graduates will contribute to socio-economic and cultural development in the Northern latitudes across Canada and around the world.  With his vision and enthusiasm, Rob will be a superb mentor to our students.”

 

Mr. McEwen is renowned as a visionary in the mining industry and in philanthropy. After a successful career in financial services and investment management, Mr. McEwen became one of Canada’s leading executives in the mining industry.  He is the founder of Goldcorp Inc., which he grew from a small company with a market capitalization of $50 million to a global player worth more than $10 billion. He is currently the Chairman and Chief Owner of McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX on NYSE & TSX) and of Lexam VG Gold Inc. (LEX on TSX), which explore for and mine gold, silver, and copper, in Canada, USA, Mexico and Argentina. Some of Rob McEwen’s awards include the 2003 Northern Miners “Mining Man of the Year”, and the 2006 Canadian Business magazine’s “Most Innovative CEO.” He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2007.   Rob and his wife Cheryl are passionate about encouraging and promoting excellence and innovation in education and health care. Their donations to furthering these objectives are in excess of $50 million.

Cheryl McEwen is Vice-Chair of UHN Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, which raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Canada’s largest medical research hospital complex. She is the founder and President of “Make my Day Foods” the creator and manufacturer of the Veggie Puck, an organic, raw, frozen and nutrient-dense mixed vegetable serving ready to be blended into a daily smoothie. Cheryl is the Co-Chair of the Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival, which is recognized as one of Canada's top fundraising events. This event annually assembles the finest wine and gourmet cuisine and the brightest minds in medical research. Grand Cru has raised net proceeds of more than $21.2 million for medical research since its inception in 2005. Cheryl is also very active in the strategic growth of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

“We are honoured to accept this generous investment by the McEwens in our School of Architecture, and proud that the School will be associated with Rob and his family,” said Steve Paikin, Chancellor of Laurentian University.  “It is a great gesture of support for our School and our students, and we believe it is also a testament to the momentum and growing national recognition of our university,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.  

The McEwen School of Architecture welcomed its charter class in September 2013.  It will launch its Master of Architecture graduate program in 2017.

 

About the McEwen School of Architecture

Laurentian’s School of Architecture is the first new school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years. It is also the first school of its kind in Northern Ontario and the first in Canada outside Québec to offer courses in French. The McEwen School provides an immersive educational experience that conveys the inherent necessity of pairing technical expertise with a full understanding of the spirit of landscapes, and the people who inhabit them, in order to design smart, sustainable and functional buildings. In only three years, students have already won numerous national and international awards, including a first place win at the Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway in May 2016.

As the 12th School of Architecture in Canada, the School was conceived as a venue for students from the North to be able to study architecture in their region; it will also encourage recent graduates to stay and become a part of the growing design community in the North. The McEwen School will be recognized for its research and design with wood, its research into indigenous architecture, as well as its expertise in studying the Sudbury Basin as a source for design.

The McEwen School is housed in a magnificent new $45 million complex in downtown Sudbury designed by LGA Architectural Partners totalling 77,000 sq ft including two century-old repurposed buildings formerly owned by CP Rail and CP Telegraph, and a final phase of 52,000 sq ft which will officially open this Fall serving more than 260 students. A highly competitive program, enrolment will rise to 400 students by 2018, when it will have 25 faculty and staff.

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