STUDIO FIRST 2025: Now accepting applications
Want to pursue a career in architecture? STUDIO FIRST will help you create a competitive portfolio for application to any three-year Master of Architecture program.
Portfolio Example 13 — Cultural heritage and resilience
With sites in Chile, Seoul, and Gatineau, Celeste Correia focused on sustainability and cultural “reverence” in her MArch application portfolio.
Returning to school ‘the greatest gift’
Keegan Metheringham returned to school later in life after working in the bike industry and construction. See his MArch application portfolio.
Geography graduate maps career in architecture
“The three projects I completed during STUDIO FIRST became the highlights of my portfolio,” says Daphne Stams.
Portfolio Example 12 — Visualization to Design-Build
Filipe Costa’s portfolio represents the skills and attributes he believes are vital to a successful career in architecture.
Portfolio Example 11 — Integrating Analog and Digital
Mu Qu Jennifer Liu’s portfolio showcases work in hybrid mode, transitioning between hands-on making and digital processes.
Graduate Profile: ‘Why not allow the journey to be as beautiful as the destination?’
Now working at a small firm in British Columbia, Josh Wallace illustrates the diversity of interests welcomed by the 3-year MArch program. And, he recorded the Athabasca Glacier.
The road to architecture started with interior design
Having previously studied interior design and environmental design, Sarah Fahmy is now completing her MArch with a thesis that seeks to improve life in the Gaza Strip.
Mechanical engineer shifts to architecture for greater creativity
"I envision working somewhere between engineering and architecture.”
Graduate Profile: Working at a top firm in the USA
Architecture skills are portable and offer an opportunity to live and work in other countries.
Graduate Profile: Design allows Alisha Kapoor to follow multiple interests
After completing a Master of Architecture and working in the field, Alisha Kapoor decided to do a post-professional degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She is now pondering a career in research or humanitarian work.
Artist/archivist dissolves boundaries at architecture school
“A wonderful facet of this degree is you can really go anywhere in an architectural, design, art, and culture capacity.”
Why this parent left a 10-year career for architecture school
“Deciding to change careers is a very complex and personal decision,” says Derek Clouâtre. He explains how and why he took the plunge.
Making a Leap From Literature
Chiara Muia, who studied English literature, was nervous to commit to architecture. Here’s how she made the leap.
Bringing a sociological perspective to architecture
Stephanie Casanova, who transitioned from sociology, looks forward to a career “that is multidisciplinary, just as my path into architecture has been.”
Urban Studies Sparked Interest in Architecture
Ben Stern reflects on his journey from McGill’s geography department to architecture and the role of STUDIO FIRST.
End-of-School Speech Recalls ‘Beautiful Moments’
“We are achievers. We are resilient. We are dreamers with unique visions to offer at an especially important time in history.”
Thesis: A renewal plan for reggae’s birthplace
Trench Town’s rich architectural, social, and cultural history inspired Kimberley Wint’s Master of Architecture thesis.
How forestry became an architecture thesis topic
Building Resiliency into a Resource-Based Community
Portfolio Example: 5
Shirley Chung is in the three-year Master of Architecture program after a career in banking and management consulting. Here’s work she submitted in her application portfolio.