Can activating place-based knowledges within the built environment address the climate crisis? Can architects foster an interdependent relationship between the built environment and ecosystems of place? Will honouring place-based knowledges empower us to thrive in the climate crisis? Architecture can use this time of uncertainty to reimagine how and why we design and build our worlds.

Join architect Shawn Bailey and researcher Lauren Wolfe as they share the projects they are pursuing as part of the CCA’s Indigenous-led Design Fellowship Program. Through speculative, visual methods, community-engagement, on-the-land learning, personal reflection, and their own lived experiences Bailey and Wolfe will share how they are creating a future-oriented practice of architecture in, with, and for communities.

Shawn, raised in Treaty #3 as a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, is a husband, father, and educator. His work is deeply influenced by traditional Indigenous knowledge, aiming to integrate these teachings into modern practices and pedagogy. A deep respect for Indigenous knowledge and relationality drives his commitment to this motivation. He has been recognized for his innovative teaching methods and dedication with the ASCA New Faculty Teaching Award. His collaborative efforts with community partners have earned honour from the university’s Indigenous Community for integrating Indigenous perspectives into educational curricula. Shawn’s research focuses on how Indigenous teachings can lead to place-based practices, underscoring the significance of our relationship with the land and each other. He also runs a small design practice to foster a deeper connection with the land, challenging conventional ideas and promoting thoughtful design processes. Shawn is committed to developing initiatives that celebrate and advance Indigenous knowledge through his research, teaching, and practice, contributing to culturally inclusive futures.

Lauren catalyzes place-based architectural research to explore the human experience of living on contested territory while facing the climate crisis. As a member of the Tahltan nation, Lauren grounds her work in Indigenous narratives of continuance and thriving. Focused on the inter-tidal zone, Lauren’s work explores themes of grief, nostalgia, and longing. The logic of the work is revealed through the process of making, much like the experience of climate change.

This program is generously supported by the National Bank.