THIRD YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
Rachel Kim—Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award


About the Award

Fiberglas Canada Inc. Award:
The Award recognizes the combination of extra-curricular contributions in the field of study related to Architecture/Building/Construction and the academic achievements of a student enrolled full-time in the Department of Architectural Science who has made a notable contribution to professionally-related student activities within the Department of Architectural Science.



Throughout my time at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have actively participated in various leadership roles, allowing me to make a meaningful contribution to the campus community while strengthening my architectural and design skills.

Under my role of Architectural Science Outreach Ambassador, my responsibilities included collaborating with teams to write several research papers. I had the opportunity to present our findings at the 2023 International Conference of Education, Research, and Innovation, where I was able to demonstrate our work to an international audience and participate in conversations regarding architectural education. Presenting allowed me to take ownership of the research and effectively articulate the ideas, helping me build leadership skills in academic and professional environments.

In addition to my research work, I contributed to several design projects, including the fabrication of the Camp Winston playground, the DAS Media Architecture Biennale Design Build, and the Eaton Centre Storefront Window Installation. Building on this experience, I led the Toronto Botanical Garden x DAS Design Build, where I oversaw the design of an entry and wayfinding structure. One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was organizing and guiding multiple teams, comprising 60+ students, to create something meaningful for the Toronto Botanical Garden. My responsibilities included coordinating student teams, shaping conceptual development, hosting meetings with the garden staff and DAS students, and leading the finalized design and fabrication process. Under my leadership, we created a design that was deeply responsive to the garden’s needs.

Furthermore, as lead counsellor for the Architecture and Digital Creativity Camp, I took on the responsibility of developing and implementing a curriculum that introduced young students to the fundamentals of architecture and digital design. I led hands-on projects such as building laser-cut houses and CNC-routed chairs, ensuring the program was engaging and educational. This leadership role involved managing a diverse group of children, fostering their creativity, and guiding them through challenges. I also ensured that each camper had the opportunity to develop essential skills like sketching, model-making, and team building. By creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, I motivated the campers to inspire one another and take pride in their final creations, which was one of the most rewarding aspects of the camp.

 


Toronto Metropolitan Department of  Architectural Science Toronto, CA.