All photos courtesy: McEwen School of Architecture Archi·North; Students engaged in a collaborative learning session on architectural concepts, discussing design principles while seated in a circle.
Sudbury-based Archi·North marked its second successful year with significant growth in participation and program offerings, hosted at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture’s award-winning campus. Welcoming students entering Grades 11 and 12 in September 2024, the camp featured five-day sessions in both English and French, designed to introduce students to architectural processes and design thinking.
This year, Archi·North expanded its program with two distinct sessions. Session 01 catered to first-time participants, while Session 02 was developed for returning students and those seeking a two-week immersive experience. The introduction of Collab·North Sponsorships played a crucial role in supporting Northern Ontario students by covering registration fees. Additionally, SPE certificates were awarded to SHSM students in eligible sectors, while BAS Entrance Scholarships were also on offer.
Students hone their artistic skills, capturing the intricate details of their hands in a creative exercise that emphasized the importance of architectural sketching.
The 2024 camp attracted a total of 62 participants: 52 students took part in Session 01, with 22 coming from Northern Ontario (42%), 19 from French-language high schools (37%), and four from out-of-province (Alberta and Québec). Session 02, meanwhile, reflected the program’s growing appeal with 10 returning participants, of which six members joined the English session and four the French session. The final exhibitions attracted more than 150 attendees, including family, friends, and community members.
The second annual architectural camp, bolstered by $350 bursaries from three OAA Local Architectural Societies—North Bay Society of Architects, the Northern Ontario Society of Architects, and the Algoma Society of Architects—enabled 11 high school students from Northern Ontario to participate in this initiative.
Student participants engage in hands-on learning, evaluating the strength of their architectural models on how to apply essential design principles effectively.
Participant feedback underscored the camp’s impact, with 100% expressing a newfound appreciation and interest in the built environment. Many highlighted the friendships formed and the intensive learning experience as pivotal moments for this transformation. In addition, the camp not only fueled aspirations to pursue architecture, but also broadened attendees’ understanding of the field.
Looking ahead, Archi·North will aim to continue its expansion, with plans to include more sessions and potentially cater to older age groups. The camp’s influence is already evident, with eight participants from the previous year now part of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program at Laurentian University.
This map charts Archi-North participants from 2023 onwards. Expanding on the McEwen School of Architecture's bilingual and tricultural mandate, Archi-North introduces high school students to architecture and design in English and French.