Lola Sheppard, OAA
Biography
Lola is an architect and Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo.
Lola Sheppard’s research exists at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and urbanism. It privileges architecture as a mutable territory that is formed out of and responsive to its history and environment. Much of her recent work and teaching has focused on the role of architecture, infrastructure and the public realm in the unique and challenging context of Arctic Canada. She has partnered with numerous northern communities and organizations to develop culturally responsive solutions to the building challenges of the North.
In parallel to her research, Lola Sheppard founded Lateral Office in 2003 in partnership with Mason White, an internationally recognized, award-winning firm focusing on research driven design practice. Lola is also co-editor of the journal Bracket: Architecture, Environment, Digital Culture, and the co-author of Many Norths: Spatial Practice in a Polar Territory (Actar 2017), one of the few books written about architecture and infrastructure in the Canadian North. She is co-editor of Bracket ［Goes Soft］ (Actar 2013) and Bracket ［at Extremes］ (Actar 2016). She is also co-author of Pamphlet Architecture #30 titled COUPLING: Strategies for Infrastructural Opportunism, published by Princeton Architectural Press (2011).
Lola Sheppard is dedicated to expanding the agency of architecture, bringing to light the forces at work within a site-specific climate and geography, and able to look for synergies between issues and opportunities.
Lola Sheppard’s research exists at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and urbanism. It privileges architecture as a mutable territory that is formed out of and responsive to its history and environment. Much of her recent work and teaching has focused on the role of architecture, infrastructure and the public realm in the unique and challenging context of Arctic Canada. She has partnered with numerous northern communities and organizations to develop culturally responsive solutions to the building challenges of the North.
In parallel to her research, Lola Sheppard founded Lateral Office in 2003 in partnership with Mason White, an internationally recognized, award-winning firm focusing on research driven design practice. Lola is also co-editor of the journal Bracket: Architecture, Environment, Digital Culture, and the co-author of Many Norths: Spatial Practice in a Polar Territory (Actar 2017), one of the few books written about architecture and infrastructure in the Canadian North. She is co-editor of Bracket ［Goes Soft］ (Actar 2013) and Bracket ［at Extremes］ (Actar 2016). She is also co-author of Pamphlet Architecture #30 titled COUPLING: Strategies for Infrastructural Opportunism, published by Princeton Architectural Press (2011).
Lola Sheppard is dedicated to expanding the agency of architecture, bringing to light the forces at work within a site-specific climate and geography, and able to look for synergies between issues and opportunities.
Research Interests
- Northern architecture
- Northern urbanism
- Urban design, environment and climate
- Rural and remote planning and architecture
- Design and participatory research practice
Education
- 2001, Post-Professional Master of Architecture MA, Harvard Graduate School of Design, United States
- 1995, Bachelor of Architecture BA, McGill University, Quebec
- 1994, Bachelor of Science in Architecture BSc, McGill University, Canada
Awards
- 2010 Prix de Rome for Professional Architects, Canada Council for the Arts
- 2011 Award for body of work from Architectural League of New York
- 2012 Emerging Architect Award
- 2012 Prize to develop Arctic Food Network project examining architecture and food security
- 2013 For Arctic Food Network Project
- 2014 Honorable Mention for Arctic Adaptation: Nunavut at 15 Projects
- 2016 Urban Design Award - Temporary Installation
Teaching*
- ARCH 292 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2020, 2023
- ARCH 293 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2022, 2023
- ARCH 392 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2019
- ARCH 393 - Option Design Studio
- Taught in 2019, 2022
- ARCH 493 - Design Studio/Comprehensive Building Design
- Taught in 2024
- ARCH 684 - Special Topics in Architecture
- Taught in 2020
- ARCH 690 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2022
- ARCH 693 - Thesis Research & Design Studio II
- Taught in 2020
* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.
Selected/Recent Publications
- Lola Sheppard, Mason White, Many Norths: Spatial Practice in a Polar Territory, , , 2017
- Przybylski, Maya and Sheppard, Lola, Bracket [At Extremes], , , 2015
- Lola Sheppard, Neeraj Bhatia, Bracket [goes Soft], , , 2013
In The News
Graduate studies
- Currently considering applications from graduate students. A completed online application is required for admission; start the application process now.