High School Students Explore Architectural Education at DAS

Every year DAS welcomes high school students looking to learn what being an architecture student involves, and the possibilities for their post-secondary education as well as a future career.

This year’s co-op students were Oyku Yikici, North Toronto Collegiate Institute, Tohm Sapir and Dominic Lam  from William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute and Yu “Spark” Xu from Riverdale Collegiate Institute and. These four creative and curious students were keen to learn the different aspects of architectural education and practice.  With the help of very dedicated co-op teachers, who went out of their way to find an opportunity where students would learn about architectural learning, but also experience the practical aspects relevant to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) field, DAS was the perfect match. 

From learning design software, fundamentals of design, working with teams to physically bring their designs to life, learning to manage multiple projects, meeting deadlines, problem solving, and learning through collaboration and feedback, these students fully immersed themselves in every aspect of architectural education here at DAS.

Under the supervision of Prof. Vincent Hui, the students followed a similar curriculum to1st year students, starting by learning different architecture design technology, and creating simple designs of spaces and learning how to integrate important details and working with constraints. At the same time, learning to utilize the department’s workshop and the various tools available to students to learn how to make their digital designs into actual models.

Eventually, the students collaborated with current DAS students, on experiential learning, design builds, that DAS students partake in. This year, they have been part of building and installing the library project, to celebrate TMU Library’s 50th anniversary and winter stations (external link) .

We sat down with them to hear about their experience this semester.

Tell us about your interest in architecture: 

Spark:

My main interest in architecture stemmed from my creativity and passion for creation. My father is an architect so I’d always had interest in what he did. It always intrigued me how you can have a drawing of a building then have it transformed into a full-scale building.

Oyku:

Even when I was young, I knew that I liked drawing and artistic projects. Then I started drawing structures—ones I observed on the street or found on the internet. The details of these structures fascinated me. Over time, I realized that architecture combines creativity, problem-solving, and functionality, all of which align with my interests. This blend of art motivates me to pursue architecture as a way to create designs that are both beautiful and impactful.

Tohm:

Since I was young, I have always been creative. Whether it was dance, visual arts, or mixed media, creating brought me joy. For me, the study of architecture shows that we can use this creativity to make a mark on the world we live in, as well as design on the intersection of form and function. When designing in architecture, we are able to bring our visions to life in a way that satisfies the needs of the people around us. This interest in bringing others together through my vision, and adding substance to everyday routine through design, is why I fell in love with architecture in the first place.

Dominic:

I realized as a child that the design of the building or room I was in directly affected my mood, how long I stay in or near it, or how much work I get done. I believe that’s where my interest in architecture came to be. The way something is designed has an effect on how I feel, and how much work I can get done. In a way, I see architecture as a practical and timeless art that people interact with every day. 

What’s been a highlight of your semester here?

Spark: 

Some of my favorite highlights would be when I first started off doing coop and I was still learning how to effectively learn rhino, I hold those learning moments quite dear to me as they are my first steps in learning something new. Another highlight would be getting to meet all the wonderful people here, including Prof. Vincent Hui, the workshop staff, as well as the students that are enrolled in the program, are all very nice and made my time here welcoming.

Oyku:

The highlight of my semester was undoubtedly the collaborative projects we worked on with the students. These projects not only gave me invaluable hands-on experience but also provided the opportunity to connect with others, build friendships, and truly enjoy the process. What made this experience so memorable was the sense of accomplishment and pride I felt in contributing to real-life public projects. Seeing our collective efforts come to life and make an impact was incredibly rewarding. It was a perfect blend of learning, teamwork, and creativity, and it left me feeling genuinely fulfilled and inspired.

Tohm: 

A highlight of my semester was definitely the first week. In the first week, I met all the people at TMU who I now consider my close friends, and I learned the basics of using the Rhino program by helping Oyku and Spark make smaller parts of our first project, such as light switches and ceiling details. These first experiences shaped my experience at DAS, and the information and skills I learned have served me well throughout all of our projects this semester.

Dominic:

A highlight was when we worked as a team on the Library project, in celebration of the TMU Library’s 50th anniversary. We used shop machines, watched the CNC router, painted, and installed lights to the four artifacts on display at the library.

The hope of the department is that this experience will expose high school students to the creative and the hands-on aspect to architectural education, as well as other avenues for study that they can explore here at TMU.

“The skills and knowledge acquired by DAS Architecture students have broad ranging demand in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry and beyond. With an integrated curriculum that merges architecture, building science and project management, we recognize this reality and aim to provide students with a holistic approach to learning and practice in and out of the classroom.” - Professor Vincent Hui, Associate Chair, Experiential Learning and Co-operative Education.