CAFÉ 2026 Exhibition: Learning from the Land: Indigenous-Led Design at DAS

Learning from the Land features student work from Indigenous-led courses at DAS. Presented by the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA-ACÉA), the exhibition showcases selected student work from ARC920 Advanced Architecture Design Studio (Fall 2024, Fall 2025), led by Erik Skouris (Two Row Architect), and AR8106 Current Topics in Architectural Praxis: Indigenous Form Making (Fall 2025), led by James Bird (Massey College / Moriyama Teshima Architects), along with other Indigenous curriculum development initiatives in DAS.

Installed in the DAS Upper Atrium, the exhibition highlights architectural inquiry grounded in land-based perspectives and community knowledge, reflecting diverse approaches to investigation and research within the Department of Architectural Science. The exhibition forms part of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ 2026) programming taking place across Canada, including a keynote panel on March 20 at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto – details coming soon.

A casual launch of CAFÉ Toronto 2026, with brief remarks, will take place to open the exhibition on Monday, March 9, at 12:00 PM, DAS, Upper Atrium.

About the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ)

In March 2026, the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA-ACÉA) is honoured to present CAFÉ Indigenous Knowledge and Design at the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and Toronto Metropolitan University. The series of events will bring vital Canadian conversations to the forefront. They promise to be an important moment in highlighting important local Indigenous voices and bringing meaningful perspectives to students across the nation.

CASA-ACÉA is an independent, non-profit, bilingual, and student-led organization. Their mission is to connect and advocate for the community of architecture students across Canada by supporting, promoting, and profiling student success. In shaping this next set of forums, CASA-ACÉA has selected the theme and is curating the conversations for the coming forums, in consultation with influential Indigenous voices in architecture across Canada.