The journey of an architect: from working in practice to launching her own firm
Describing her father as a “want-to-be architect,” architectural science professor Cheryl Atkinson explains how she comes from a family of makers. Naturally, this inspired Atkinson’s interest in architecture, art and design.
“My father enjoyed building things, and we had a workshop in the house,” said Atkinson. “As a hobby, he built furniture, and I was always fascinated by that.”
“He also had a drafting board in the basement. We would do projects together and draw things before making them.”
This led to Atkinson pursuing her bachelor’s degrees in architecture and environmental studies at the University of Waterloo. Working as a teaching assistant during her education and while studying abroad in Rome, Atkinson describes how this is where her teaching career began.
“I have been critiquing and coaching architecture students since I was in architecture school. There’s a great tradition of bringing people from practice back into academia to participate in studio reviews and to teach on a regular sessional basis, which I enjoyed doing as well,” said Atkinson.
After working with recognition in the profession for two decades, the associate professor was invited to teach in the new graduate program at the Department of Architectural Science (DAS) in 2009 while simultaneously getting her own firm, Atkinson Architect (external link) , off the ground.
Merging her passion for sustainability and design, Atkinson describes that one of her proudest accomplishments throughout her time at DAS was the ZeroHouse design/build project with her students. Conceived out of a need for sustainable, affordable, and urbanhousing, Atkinson led the prototype’s architectural design during her sabbatical in 2017.
The ZeroHous[ing] project addresses the significant carbon emissions that single family suburban sprawl and concrete high-rises create by offering a net-zero energy midrise housing. The structure creates its own energy, is toxin-free, carbon-neutral, prefabricated and designed for quick erection and minimal construction waste. This stacked townhouse infill concept intensifies existing urban neighbourhoods providing walk up two-storey family units that are both affordable and sustainable.
We are looking forward to hearing Atkinson describe more about the ZeroHousing project on season two of the award-winning podcast ‘The Forefront.’ The podcast showcases TMU community members taking on Canadian issues through their research, innovation, and collaboration. Atkinson will be featured on the episode ‘City Building concepts,’ which is set to release on October 26, 2021. Listen to the episode at https://www.torontomu.ca/alumni/podcasts/the-forefront/.