THIRD YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
Catarina Godinho Nascimento—Award Fund in Architectural Science
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Catarina Godinho Nascimento—Award Fund in Architectural Science
About the Award
Award Fund in Architectural Science:
Created by Arcadis to recognize an undergraduate student in the third or fourth year of studies in the architectural science program. The student must demonstrate a genuine interest and aptitude for Transit Architecture and/or Transit Oriented Communities.
Nascimento About me
Through my three years as an undergraduate student in the Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have developed a strong academic foundation, strengthened my leadership and collaborative skills, and began developing my professional identity as an architect.
While balancing part-time work and school projects, I dedicate myself to the architectural program by staying involved in student groups, design-builds and competitions. For instance, I am currently the secretary (executive member) for the Architecture Course Union (ACU), and last year, was a team leader of a design proposal for a community garden in Regent Park, a project done through the Freedom by Design student group. I have also volunteered at multiple DAS Open Houses to welcome future students and answer questions about the program.
My extracurriculars further extend to my involvement in various design-builds. One example was my work towards the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) project, where I helped design and propose a Pavilion concept to be installed in the TBG to redirect visitors. Another example was my work for the TMU library 50th anniversary, for which we proposed four interactive modules that together formed the massing of TMU’s library. Lastly, I participated in Park(ing) Day, where I helped with the proposal for an installation to repurpose and reclaim a parking lot space for students on campus.
I also enjoy collaborative work through competitions such as TimberFever, a design-build competition, where I collaborated with students from architecture and engineering programs across Canada to design and build a wooden structure. Other competitions I have participated in include the Structural Steel Bridge Competition, and the Museum of Emotions design competition.
My dedication to design excellence is reflected through several of my studio projects being selected for the Year-End Show, which has helped me build confidence in my design work and help me grow as a student in the field. Some of my other accomplishments, in addition to the honour of receiving this scholarship, include making it to the Dean’s List for first and second year, as well as being accepted into the DAS Co-op program for 2025–2026.
Lastly, over the summer of 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Professor Terri Peters, where I contributed towards various
of her projects within the architectural field. This was a very valuable and rewarding experience that reaffirmed my goal of pursuing a graduate degree in Architectural design after completing my bachelor’s degree.
About my project
Under Professor Jurij Leshchyshyn, in ASC 301 – Design Studio II - Intention and Expression, I designed the Continuum Public Library. Located at the corner of Church and Court Streets, I was able to create a new public space that connects St. James Cathedral Park and Court Square through continuous visual and spatial links. A central glazed section reveals both the interior activity and the green space beyond, inviting public engagement. Facing Court St., a double-height atrium houses a “floating” special bird collection surrounded by a pixelated backdrop. This feature introduces light, movement, and a sense of discovery while maintaining privacy for nearby residences. Visitors can also access a rooftop garden overlooking this collection from above, extending the experience into an open, reflective landscape. This project allowed me to receive the 2025 Award Fund in Architectural Science.
Award Fund in Architectural Science:
Created by Arcadis to recognize an undergraduate student in the third or fourth year of studies in the architectural science program. The student must demonstrate a genuine interest and aptitude for Transit Architecture and/or Transit Oriented Communities.
Nascimento About me
Through my three years as an undergraduate student in the Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have developed a strong academic foundation, strengthened my leadership and collaborative skills, and began developing my professional identity as an architect.
While balancing part-time work and school projects, I dedicate myself to the architectural program by staying involved in student groups, design-builds and competitions. For instance, I am currently the secretary (executive member) for the Architecture Course Union (ACU), and last year, was a team leader of a design proposal for a community garden in Regent Park, a project done through the Freedom by Design student group. I have also volunteered at multiple DAS Open Houses to welcome future students and answer questions about the program.
My extracurriculars further extend to my involvement in various design-builds. One example was my work towards the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) project, where I helped design and propose a Pavilion concept to be installed in the TBG to redirect visitors. Another example was my work for the TMU library 50th anniversary, for which we proposed four interactive modules that together formed the massing of TMU’s library. Lastly, I participated in Park(ing) Day, where I helped with the proposal for an installation to repurpose and reclaim a parking lot space for students on campus.
I also enjoy collaborative work through competitions such as TimberFever, a design-build competition, where I collaborated with students from architecture and engineering programs across Canada to design and build a wooden structure. Other competitions I have participated in include the Structural Steel Bridge Competition, and the Museum of Emotions design competition.
My dedication to design excellence is reflected through several of my studio projects being selected for the Year-End Show, which has helped me build confidence in my design work and help me grow as a student in the field. Some of my other accomplishments, in addition to the honour of receiving this scholarship, include making it to the Dean’s List for first and second year, as well as being accepted into the DAS Co-op program for 2025–2026.
Lastly, over the summer of 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Professor Terri Peters, where I contributed towards various
of her projects within the architectural field. This was a very valuable and rewarding experience that reaffirmed my goal of pursuing a graduate degree in Architectural design after completing my bachelor’s degree.
About my project
Under Professor Jurij Leshchyshyn, in ASC 301 – Design Studio II - Intention and Expression, I designed the Continuum Public Library. Located at the corner of Church and Court Streets, I was able to create a new public space that connects St. James Cathedral Park and Court Square through continuous visual and spatial links. A central glazed section reveals both the interior activity and the green space beyond, inviting public engagement. Facing Court St., a double-height atrium houses a “floating” special bird collection surrounded by a pixelated backdrop. This feature introduces light, movement, and a sense of discovery while maintaining privacy for nearby residences. Visitors can also access a rooftop garden overlooking this collection from above, extending the experience into an open, reflective landscape. This project allowed me to receive the 2025 Award Fund in Architectural Science.
