No. 9 The Culture of Sustainability, which empowers youth to build sustainable communities, is offering architects in Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, and Ottawa a chance to inspire the next generation through its Imagining My Sustainable Community (IMSC) program. This award-winning immersive initiative informs students in grades 7-9 on the importance of transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy and the impacts of climate change.
The IMSC program focuses on the organization’s 9 Pillars of Sustainability, encouraging students to explore exemplary global projects and collaborate on designing their sustainable community projects. Since its inception in 2011, the program has reached more than 5,000 students across Canada, helping shape young civic-minded leaders ready to make meaningful environmental impacts.
Architect volunteers contribute by lending their expertise in problem-solving, critical thinking, and model building during classroom sessions. By volunteering, architects can earn 25 Structured Learning hours and 2.0 Climate Action hours, which can be applied to their OAA Continuing Education requirements.
Architects interested in getting involved can sign up by contacting Elizabeth Davies, education director of No.9, at edavies@no9.ca. For more details visit No.9's website or check out this volunteer flyer.
To gain a better understanding of what the experience is like, you can read this testimonial from OAA member Golshid Saham who recently participated in a workshop in Toronto:
"Working with No.9 for the Imagining My Sustainable Community program was an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the course of the two-day workshop, I had the opportunity to work closely with a group of engaged and curious Grade 9 students, helping them imagine and articulate sustainable solutions for their communities.
What stood out to me most was the energy and creativity that emerged when young people were given the tools to think like designers. As an Architect, it was inspiring to see how quickly they grasped complex ideas around sustainability, urban form, and placemaking, and how confidently they proposed bold, thoughtful visions for the future.
The program fostered meaningful conversations about climate resilience and the role of design in shaping better communities. These are the kinds of conversations I believe are essential to our profession. Participating in this initiative reminded me of the power architecture holds to influence not just the built environment, but also the next generation of changemakers.
As I launch my own firm, MEGS Architects, this experience has reinforced my belief in designing not just for communities, but with them.
I would highly encourage other architects to get involved with No.9. It's a chance to give back, to share your knowledge, and to be reminded of the hopeful, transformative side of what we do."