Steven Beites
Assistant Professor
McEwen School of Architecture
Science, Engineering and Architecture
Biography
Steven Beites is an Assistant Professor at the Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture and Principal of Studio Kimiis, an award-winning design/fabrication studio working at the intersection of art and architecture. Over the last 6 years, Steven has held Adjunct Professor positions at the Department of Architectural Science and School of Interior Design at Ryerson University in Toronto as well as the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo. His work has led to recurring workshops and guest critic invitations at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design as well as an appointment as Associate Director in the inaugural year of Ryerson’s Design Fabrication Zone; an initiative that aims to advance the students’ experience in digital tools and technologies.
Steven’s work explores the integration of emergent design and robotic technologies as a means to inspire conversations on the broader issues of architecture, technology and culture. The work explores the potential of technological advancements to the socio-economic and cultural development of Northern Ontario, merging local materials and traditional methods of making with advanced digital environments. Situated at the intersection of architecture, robotics and neuroscience, the research questions our understanding of aesthetics and fabrication within a post digital and post-industrial era, offering insight into our interconnected relationships with technology, nature, objects and environments.
As a practitioner, Steven employs the latest CNC and robotic technologies to deliver contemporary work that is supported by a strong historical and cultural framework. His practice has been the successful recipient of 11 national and international competitions culminating in a series of high-profile commissions across Canada. With emphasis placed on innovation and preservation, each project pays homage to history and culture via the integration of new processes, functions and aesthetics.
Education
Academic Appointments
On The Web
Research
Digital Fabrication and Computation
Robotic and Emergent Construction Technologies
Material Systems
Design Computation
LowCarbon Building Solutions
Advanced Manufacturing
Design Optimization
Simulation
Awards
2017: Canadian Society of Landscape Architects // National Award of Excellence // Collaboration on the
EXTRACTION Exhibition // Venice Architecture Biennale 2016
2017: Azure Magazine // Winner of 2017 Social Good Category // Collaboration on the
EXTRACTION Exhibition // Venice Architecture Biennale 2016
2017: Concord Park Place // Toronto, ON // International Competition: Awarded Project// *In Progress
2016: Markham’s Veteran Square // Markham, ON // International Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2016: Rogers Place Arena // Edmonton, Alberta // International Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2015: Hotel X // Toronto, ON // International Competition: Awarded Project // *In Progress
2015: TTC Woodbine Station // Toronto, ON //
2015: Confederation Line Art Program // Ottawa, ON // National Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2015: Stanley Greene Neighbourhood // Downsview Park Inc // International Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2014: Riel Park // City of St. Albert, AB // National Competition // Shortlisted Finalist
2014: Main Street // City of Ottawa, ON // National Competition // Shortlisted Finalist
2014: Quintet Development // City of Richmond, BC // National Competition // Shortlisted Finalist
2014// Forensic Sciences and Coroners Court Public Art Project // TORONTO, ON // National Competition: Awarded Project // *In Progress
2013// Cranbrooke Village // TORONTO, ON // National Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2013 // Kipling Acres Long-Term Care Facility Public Art Competition // TORONTO, ON // National Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2012 // National Capital Commission // Ottawa, ON // National Competition - Awarded Project
2012 // The Canadian Winter Sport Institute (Winsport) // Calgary, Alberta // National Competition - Awarded Project
2011-15 // Captured Crescendo, Mount Royal University Conservatory // Calgary, AB // National Competition - Awarded Project
2011 // Embedded History // City of Thunder Bay // Thunder Bay, ON // National Competition - Awarded Project
2011 // Space Moire // City of Kitchener // National Competition - Awarded Project
2011 // Kingsway Folley - Kingsway LRT Station // Edmonton AB // National Competition: Shortlisted Finalist
2011 // Borden Park (in collaboration with Denegri Bessai Studio) // Edmonton, AB // Citation Award
Teaching
Design Studio 6: Northern Building Studio II (ARCH 3515) Jan 2017
School of Architecture, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
Design Studio 5: Northern Building Studio (ARCH 3505) Sept 2016
School of Architecture, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
Architectural Communications (ARCH 4526) Sept 2016
School of Architecture, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
AR8103 Studio in Collaborative Practice (MArch 1 Studio) Jan 2015
Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
ASC 734 / AR8209: Advanced Digital Design Jan 2015 - 2016
Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
IDE 310 – Advanced Portfolio Presentation Sept 2014
School of Interior Design, Ryerson University
IDE 510 – Advanced 3D Visualization Sept 2015-16
School of Interior Design, Ryerson University
IDE 500/501 Digital Fabrication Jan 2014 - 2016
School of Interior Design, Ryerson University
ARC 285 Digital Manufacturing 2014 - 2016
School of Architecture, University of Waterloo
AR8229: Emerging Technologies Seminar Sept 2013 - 2016
Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
Publications
PEER REVIEWED CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
Urban Syncopation, ACSA 105th Annual Meeting: Brooklyn says, “Move to Detroit”, 2017.
Waterloo University, ACADIA 2013: Adaptive Architecture. Paper: Morphological Behavior of Shape Memory Polymers Towards a Deployable, Adaptive Architecture.
Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, ICAMA2013, Paper: Morphological Behavior of Shape Memory Polymers Towards a Deployable, Adaptive Architecture
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
Beites, Steven. Morphological Behavior of Shape Memory Polymers Towards a Deployable, Adaptive Architecture. ACADIA 2013: Adaptive Architecture.
Beites, Steven. Material-Driven Design Approach, Landscape Record 2016 No.2: Digital Fabrication, 115-117.
Beites, Steven. Jetee, Landscape Record 2016 No.2: Digital Fabrication, 57-59.
PUBLICATIONS, SELECTED ARTICLES, ESSAYS AND REVIEWS
Ralston Saul, John. The city and the spirit garden: Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay. The City of Thunder Bay; 1st edition , 2014.
Winter 2013, Public Art Review Magazine, January 7th, 2014
Dec/Jan 2010, MARK Magazine #29, Temporary Structure, Beites + Joakim, “Pausis”, Sukkah City.
Come Up To My Room turns 10, NOW Magazine | January 24-31, 2013 | VOL 32 NO 21