FOURTH YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
Stefan Giro—Irena K. Masha Etkind Memorial Award
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Stefan Giro—Irena K. Masha Etkind Memorial Award
About the Award
Masha Etkind Memorial Award:
This award was established in honour of the memory of Masha Etkind by the Masha Etkind Memorial Award Committee; Bridgette Dalima, Joey Giaimo, Mark Gorgolewski, Miljana Horvat, George Kapelos, Lisa Landrum, Jurij Leshchyshyn, Ivan Martinovic, Carlo Parente, Leo Roytman and Vera Straka. The award will provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students in the Architectural Science program who are in good academic standing, demonstrate financial need and plan to travel as part of an educational program or exchange.
As a dedicated student completing my final year of the Bachelor of Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I am passionate about expanding my learning through travel. Immersing myself in new academic environments allows me to broaden my cultural horizons and gain firsthand experience in how different societies approach both practical applications and theoretical principles of design.
My upcoming semester abroad at TU Delft in the Netherlands is an important step in my academic, professional, and personal journey. I am particularly drawn to the exchange program because of the unique experience it offers. Studying abroad challenges me academically and culturally, pushing me outside of my comfort zone. The opportunity to step away from the familiar and immerse myself in diverse ideas, methods, and perspectives on design is something I consider essential for my future career in architecture.
TU Delft stands out as a prestigious institution for architectural education, offering specialized studios that align with my interests. I am particularly drawn to the Heritage and Conservation Studio, which reflects my academic focus and career goals in historic preservation. The studio’s emphasis on model-making, research, and innovative teaching will build upon the skills I’ve developed thus far. Additionally, the architectural styles and urban planning practices in the Netherlands and across Europe offer lessons I cannot fully experience in Canada. TU Delft’s rich design history and location in a region with diverse architectural influences make it an ideal setting to expand my academic and professional knowledge.
Through my coursework at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have developed key skills in model-making, design presentation, and graphic consistency, all of which will be invaluable as I engage in TU Delft’s specialized studios and courses.
During my undergraduate studies, I have also been involved in various clubs, networking events, and design-build projects that have shaped my experience in architecture and strengthened my sense of community. As a former member of the Arc Soc team and finance committees, I contributed to the DAS community in many ways, including assisting students with project funding.
Hands-on design-build projects like Protest in the Park and Winter Stations gave me the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams to bring ideas to life. These experiences tested my skills in both creativity and collaboration, demonstrating how architecture can respond to social and environmental needs.
One of my most fulfilling roles has been with TimberFever, a design-build competition organized by students to foster collaboration between architecture and engineering students. As Vice President of Administration, I coordinated participant schedules, managed volunteers, and oversaw daily organization. I believe the inclusive and supportive environment I helped create reflects the spirit of TimberFever.
Additionally, my volunteer roles with the DAS orientation committee, guest lecture series, and the ACU mentorship program have connected me with students at various stages in their journey. As an ACU mentor, I provide support to first and second year students, sharing insights from my own experiences and supporting them through the challenges of architecture school.
During my recent co-op at McCallumSather architects, I was able to apply the knowledge from my academic and extracurricular learning experiences into the workplace. This knowledge prepared me for industry experience, working on a number of projects of various typologies and scale.
Each of these experiences has strengthened my passion for creating spaces and communities that are both welcoming and impactful. This award is especially meaningful to me because it honors Masha’s commitment to heritage, experiential learning, and dedication to the DAS community.
Masha Etkind Memorial Award:
This award was established in honour of the memory of Masha Etkind by the Masha Etkind Memorial Award Committee; Bridgette Dalima, Joey Giaimo, Mark Gorgolewski, Miljana Horvat, George Kapelos, Lisa Landrum, Jurij Leshchyshyn, Ivan Martinovic, Carlo Parente, Leo Roytman and Vera Straka. The award will provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students in the Architectural Science program who are in good academic standing, demonstrate financial need and plan to travel as part of an educational program or exchange.
As a dedicated student completing my final year of the Bachelor of Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, I am passionate about expanding my learning through travel. Immersing myself in new academic environments allows me to broaden my cultural horizons and gain firsthand experience in how different societies approach both practical applications and theoretical principles of design.
My upcoming semester abroad at TU Delft in the Netherlands is an important step in my academic, professional, and personal journey. I am particularly drawn to the exchange program because of the unique experience it offers. Studying abroad challenges me academically and culturally, pushing me outside of my comfort zone. The opportunity to step away from the familiar and immerse myself in diverse ideas, methods, and perspectives on design is something I consider essential for my future career in architecture.
TU Delft stands out as a prestigious institution for architectural education, offering specialized studios that align with my interests. I am particularly drawn to the Heritage and Conservation Studio, which reflects my academic focus and career goals in historic preservation. The studio’s emphasis on model-making, research, and innovative teaching will build upon the skills I’ve developed thus far. Additionally, the architectural styles and urban planning practices in the Netherlands and across Europe offer lessons I cannot fully experience in Canada. TU Delft’s rich design history and location in a region with diverse architectural influences make it an ideal setting to expand my academic and professional knowledge.
Through my coursework at Toronto Metropolitan University, I have developed key skills in model-making, design presentation, and graphic consistency, all of which will be invaluable as I engage in TU Delft’s specialized studios and courses.
During my undergraduate studies, I have also been involved in various clubs, networking events, and design-build projects that have shaped my experience in architecture and strengthened my sense of community. As a former member of the Arc Soc team and finance committees, I contributed to the DAS community in many ways, including assisting students with project funding.
Hands-on design-build projects like Protest in the Park and Winter Stations gave me the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams to bring ideas to life. These experiences tested my skills in both creativity and collaboration, demonstrating how architecture can respond to social and environmental needs.
One of my most fulfilling roles has been with TimberFever, a design-build competition organized by students to foster collaboration between architecture and engineering students. As Vice President of Administration, I coordinated participant schedules, managed volunteers, and oversaw daily organization. I believe the inclusive and supportive environment I helped create reflects the spirit of TimberFever.
Additionally, my volunteer roles with the DAS orientation committee, guest lecture series, and the ACU mentorship program have connected me with students at various stages in their journey. As an ACU mentor, I provide support to first and second year students, sharing insights from my own experiences and supporting them through the challenges of architecture school.
During my recent co-op at McCallumSather architects, I was able to apply the knowledge from my academic and extracurricular learning experiences into the workplace. This knowledge prepared me for industry experience, working on a number of projects of various typologies and scale.
Each of these experiences has strengthened my passion for creating spaces and communities that are both welcoming and impactful. This award is especially meaningful to me because it honors Masha’s commitment to heritage, experiential learning, and dedication to the DAS community.