Fortin named director of Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture

SUDBURY, ONT. — Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont. has announced the appointment of David Fortin as the next director of the McEwen School of Architecture.

Fortin, a faculty member at the school, assumed his new duties at the beginning of January, taking over from the school’s founding director, Terrance Galvin, who has led the development of the McEwen school since its inauguration in 2012, a Jan. 10 statement said.

Pierre Zundel, interim president of Laurentian University, thanked Galvin for his work and leadership “in building the McEwen School into the award-winning institution it is today.

“I also want to congratulate David and wish him tremendous success as he takes on the challenge of guiding the McEwen School of Architecture to international acclaim,” he said.

A member of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Fortin is the first Indigenous director of a Canadian architecture school. He is also a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and has worked with various professional firms in Calgary.

He has taught design, history and theory in the U.K., U.S. and Canada and currently teaches a class exploring the impact of climate change on design.

Fortin’s work focuses on Indigenous design in contemporary architecture and he is co-curator for a team of Indigenous architects representing Canada at the 2018 Venice Biennale competition in Italy.

“It is truly an honour to have been chosen to lead our country’s newest architecture school,” said Fortin in the statement.

“The unique vision for this school, one deeply grounded in celebrating place, culture and community through design, has always inspired me.”

“The McEwen School is rooted in northern landscapes and northern communities and our teachings have always been an important part of its curriculum,” added Douglas Cardinal, an Indigenous architect known for designing structures inspired by his roots and another consultant on the Venice Biennale team.

“Having a person such as David who has experience with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives can only result in a positive force towards reconciliation for future generations of architects.”