The challenge to strengthen the next generation of professionals has been in the limited opportunity for student and intern voices to be present in academic and non-academic settings. It resorts to stagnant engagement and provides a greater level of difficulty to be involved in major decision making processes created by higher education institutions, and policy decision makers. Previous CAFÉ forums have enabled student discussions on major national issues across Canada through the twelve accredited schools of architecture. However, discussions to this point have created reactionary responses in previous grant applications.
Building on the successful outcomes of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ), the present project, ‘CAFÉ Housing’, will facilitate a major knowledge mobilization event that extends the CAFÉ series beyond the current infrastructure. CASA-ACÉA introduced a CAFÉ Task Force to continue the discussions beyond the accredited schools of architecture, encourage future participation on national issues, and elevate student and intern voices to advocate for a sustainable framework in the CAFÉ series. In partnership with Becoming Architects Canada (BAC-DAC), an organization dedicated to providing resources for those on the path to licensure, CASA-ACÉA transitions the CAFÉ series from the initial research mobilization efforts to empower and strengthen the voice of students and interns. This transition will enhance the structure of CAFÉ to empower and strengthen the voices of students and interns. ‘CAFÉ Housing’ will feature and share the experiences of delegates to shape national policy and programs in the country.
Canada faces an unprecedented crisis to house the future population of Canada. Approximately 5.8 million housing units will be needed to restore overall housing affordability by 2030 (IRPP, 2023). However, declines in housing construction, and market tenure create demanding capital costs (CBC News, 2023). Events such as the International Architectural Roundtable on the Housing Crisis (The Buildings Show, 2023), 2024 OAA Conference (Ontario Association of Architects, 2024), Architects Against Housing Alienation (AAHA) events (AAHA, 2023), and Student Housing & University Real Estate Initiative Greater Toronto Area & Eastern Canada (SHURE, 2023) present current methods and alternatives to housing the country. These events utilize nationwide networks and prompt efforts to diversify architectural teaching methods while addressing obstacles to achieving equal and accessible housing rights. However, these initiatives limit the engagement students and interns have within their respective communities. CAFÉ Housing will raise these initiatives to actionable positions and proposals that include student and intern experiences.
CAFÉ Housing presents an opportunity to mobilize knowledge for student leaders, interns, academics, architects and professionals in the AEC industry. This next forum, CAFÉ Housing, will dissect housing policy, prompt efforts to diversify architectural teaching methods, and address obstacles to achieve equal and accessible housing rights in Canada.
Housing Survey
CASA-ACEA and BAC-DAC are excited to release the 2024 CAFÉ Housing Survey. Your responses will be the foundation for our roundtable discussion on February 1st, 2025, a key part of our event programming. The survey asks members of the AEC industry to prioritize their foremost concerns in housing, encompassing aspects such as affordability, accessibility, housing policies, human rights, and more. Your participation is vital, and the survey results will be shared with the greater public before the event to prepare delegates for active participation throughout the event.
2024 CAFÉ The Right to Equal and Accessible Housing Survey
The survey results, along with the communicated responses during the event, will be compiled into a formal document. This document will be released at the 2025 RAIC Conference in Montreal, serving as a platform to present and discuss the findings. We encourage responders to submit their responses by January 10th, 2025, as these will be the focal points of the roundtable discussion during the event.
Your participation in this survey is not just a professional or academic duty, but a significant step towards shaping the future of architecture. Please reach out to cafe@casa-acea.org if you have any questions about the survey.
Call for Manifestos
CASA-ACEA and BAC-DAC are excited to release the 2024 Call for Manifestos. Both organizations invite you to submit posters relating to housing and the future of architecture. Submissions will be judged by members of both organizations with a selected number of posters presented at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Head over to the BAC-DAC website at www.bac-dac.ca/cafe-manifestos to learn more on how to submit.