MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
Olivia Nunn—GKC Architecture
Leadership Award
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Olivia Nunn—GKC Architecture
Leadership Award
About the Award
Ontario Association of Architects Exceptional Leadership Through Design Excellence:
For best demonstrated design excellence and exemplary response to the climate crisis.
While completing my graduate and undergraduate studies in Architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have actively committed my skills in leadership to benefit both fellow students and those in the greater architecture community. I believe in the voices of students on campus and have pursued several roles that allow me to represent the student population.
TU Delft Exchange
Prior to my Masters education, I participated in the exchange program. Here I represented TMU students by leading sustainable design conservations in the heritage conservation studio, prioritizing the adaptive reuse of post war churches in Rotterdam. In addition, my leadership skills translated as I coordinated a gallery exhibition of our classes work helping with my experience with TMU graduate collaborations the following year.
Canadian Architecture Student Association (CASA)
As the TMU Canadian Architecture Student Association representative, I ensure that our school is understood at a national level. This role has allowed me to connect with students across Canada where I have taken on the responsibility of coordinating the upcoming Canadian Architecture Forum on Education (CAFE). This exciting event will allow me to represent TMU at a national scale on our very own campus.
Council Representative
In addition, I represented the Masters of Architecture Class as a voting member on the department council and graduate program council for architecture. This leadership opportunity ensured transparency between students and faculty members. I always made an effort to bring forth student concerns and communicate directly with the class ensuring an open, honest, and safe dialogue.
Gallery Collaboration
Additionally, In January of 2024, I acted as the liaison between Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA), gallery assistants, professors, and the group of graduate students that helped to build models, curate content and install an exhibition at the Department of Architectural Science’s Paul H. Cocker Gallery. I ensured that tasks were completed on schedule while advocating for student concerns in meetings. This volunteer experience allowed me to focus on collaborating with an architecture firm whose values align to my architectural aspirations like tackling the Canadian Housing Crisis with inclusive design strategies.
MArch Symposium
Similarly, my role as co-logistics coordinator for the 2024 AI-Architecture Symposium allowed me to use my leadership skills to execute tangible results where professionals, students, and the public could share ideas in an important urgent discussion about artificial intelligence in architecture. During the four months of planning, I was responsible for managing a team of 20 graduate students, overseeing their progress and ensuring all scheduled milestones were met. This experience allowed me to gain several project management skills. It was critical to think on my feet and understand the importance of being adaptable, all while maintaining a professional attitude. I was driven by the desire of executing a professional event that would showcase the capabilities of the graduate classes while bringing the architecture community together for a fun and exciting topic.
Each leadership role that I have participated in over the last 2 years has contributed to my growth and interest in volunteerism to shape architectural conversations within Toronto Metropolitan University and beyond to the greater community.
Thank you to GKC for sponsoring this award. It is an honour to be recognized for my contributions to the TMU and greater Toronto architecture community.
Ontario Association of Architects Exceptional Leadership Through Design Excellence:
For best demonstrated design excellence and exemplary response to the climate crisis.
While completing my graduate and undergraduate studies in Architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have actively committed my skills in leadership to benefit both fellow students and those in the greater architecture community. I believe in the voices of students on campus and have pursued several roles that allow me to represent the student population.
TU Delft Exchange
Prior to my Masters education, I participated in the exchange program. Here I represented TMU students by leading sustainable design conservations in the heritage conservation studio, prioritizing the adaptive reuse of post war churches in Rotterdam. In addition, my leadership skills translated as I coordinated a gallery exhibition of our classes work helping with my experience with TMU graduate collaborations the following year.
Canadian Architecture Student Association (CASA)
As the TMU Canadian Architecture Student Association representative, I ensure that our school is understood at a national level. This role has allowed me to connect with students across Canada where I have taken on the responsibility of coordinating the upcoming Canadian Architecture Forum on Education (CAFE). This exciting event will allow me to represent TMU at a national scale on our very own campus.
Council Representative
In addition, I represented the Masters of Architecture Class as a voting member on the department council and graduate program council for architecture. This leadership opportunity ensured transparency between students and faculty members. I always made an effort to bring forth student concerns and communicate directly with the class ensuring an open, honest, and safe dialogue.
Gallery Collaboration
Additionally, In January of 2024, I acted as the liaison between Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA), gallery assistants, professors, and the group of graduate students that helped to build models, curate content and install an exhibition at the Department of Architectural Science’s Paul H. Cocker Gallery. I ensured that tasks were completed on schedule while advocating for student concerns in meetings. This volunteer experience allowed me to focus on collaborating with an architecture firm whose values align to my architectural aspirations like tackling the Canadian Housing Crisis with inclusive design strategies.
MArch Symposium
Similarly, my role as co-logistics coordinator for the 2024 AI-Architecture Symposium allowed me to use my leadership skills to execute tangible results where professionals, students, and the public could share ideas in an important urgent discussion about artificial intelligence in architecture. During the four months of planning, I was responsible for managing a team of 20 graduate students, overseeing their progress and ensuring all scheduled milestones were met. This experience allowed me to gain several project management skills. It was critical to think on my feet and understand the importance of being adaptable, all while maintaining a professional attitude. I was driven by the desire of executing a professional event that would showcase the capabilities of the graduate classes while bringing the architecture community together for a fun and exciting topic.
Each leadership role that I have participated in over the last 2 years has contributed to my growth and interest in volunteerism to shape architectural conversations within Toronto Metropolitan University and beyond to the greater community.
Thank you to GKC for sponsoring this award. It is an honour to be recognized for my contributions to the TMU and greater Toronto architecture community.
