Join us on Monday, September 18, 2023 for the closing reception of Masterworks 2023: The Signs That Define: Finding Meaning in Architectures of Exchange.

The closing reception will commence with a discussion panel, presented by ERA Architects, from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Laurence A Cumming Lecture Theatre. Panelists Kurt Kraler, Marie-Paule MacDonald and Linda Zhang will present their recent work, followed by a discussion led by moderator Lola Sheppard. Refreshments will be served in the gallery following the discussion panel.

On display until September 22, 2023, Masterworks 2023 was curated by alum Kurt Kraler around the themes explored in his graduate thesis “The Generic Spectacle” and his recently released book “The Signs That Define Toronto”, published by ERA Architects and Spacing.

The exhibition features the work of four MArch graduates including, David Ogbe’s design for a renewed Temple of Afrobeats in Nigeria, Weeney Lin’s exploration of the evolution of Chinatowns in North America, Emilie O’Neill’s design for Vancouver’s sex worker population, and Kelsey Malott’s revitalization of Los Angeles’ historic Sunset Strip. Each project thoughtfully documents, analyzes, and responds to an existing community.

This event is FREE and open to the public, no registration required.

Bios:

Lola Sheppard is a registered architect (OAA, OAQ) and Associate Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Waterloo. In parallel to her research, Lola Sheppard is the founder of Lateral Office in partnership with Mason White, an internationally recognized, award-winning firm focusing on research driven design practice.

Kurt Kraler is a registered architect (OAA) and project manager who currently works at ERA Architects. He completed his Master of Architecture (MArch) at the University of Waterloo in 2016.

Marie-Paule Macdonald studied architecture in Nova Scotia, obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture from Dalhousie University. She studied urbanism in Paris and obtained a post-professional graduate degree from University of Paris VIII, studying with urban theorist Françoise Choay. She is a registered architect, member of the Order of Architects of Québec (OAQ).

Linda Zhang is a registered architect (OAA, AIA), interior designer (NCIDQ), drone pilot (RPAS advanced operations) and co-founding principal at Studio Pararaum (Toronto—Zürich).

Unable to join us in person? The event is available online via Teams.

Exhibition closing reception is generously sponsored by ERA Architects.

This exhibition has been generously sponsored by Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Location Information
Location Address: ARC - School of Architecture
7 Melville Street South
Cambridge, ON, CA  N1S 2H4
Location coordinates: