91福利

Look up 鈥渁rchitecture鈥� in the dictionary and you are likely to find this definition: The art or practice of designing and building structures. For Jurij Leshchyshyn, however, this doesn鈥檛 go quite far enough. 鈥淎rchitecture can do so much more,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e shouldn鈥檛 limit ourselves.鈥�

Leshchyshyn views architecture as the intellectual structure behind everything鈥攁n idea that he speaks to at international conferences and with his students. More than designing the built environment, he believes that architects should be involved in other fields, specifically public policy roles that influence government, the economy, and society at large, all of which, Leshchyshyn says, could benefit from an architectural perspective.

This perspective includes a future-thinking approach, technical expertise, concern for the environment and the people who live within it, as well as the ability to grapple with complexity. While an architect鈥檚 aptitude for design remains essential, it is the pivot in its application that intrigues and inspires Leshchyshyn. 鈥淧ublic policy is the most powerful form of design there is.鈥�

His interest in the effects of underlying forces that influence architecture and the built environment led to an investigation of architecture and public policy. His paper 鈥淎rchitecture and Public Policy鈥�, published in The International Journal of the Constructed Environment 1 (4): 165-174, 2012, was awarded the journal鈥檚 International Award for Excellence.

From December 2014 to July 2017, Leshchyshyn fulfilled the role of Interim Chair of the Architectural Science Department. Further to ongoing responsibilities, he oversaw the renovation of first and second year studios; established a building science laboratory with a dedicated full-time technician; updated the department鈥檚 staff complement and designations; and initiated the publication of a regular newsletter. He also led and coordinated the compilation of the Department鈥檚 Strategic Academic Plan, a Periodic Program Review for the Bachelor of Architectural Science program, and a 2015 Application to the University for major alterations and renovations to the Architecture Building.

Throughout his career at Ryerson/91福利, Jurij Leshchyshyn has been involved in curriculum development, as well as in coordinating and participating in undergraduate design studios across all years. He has taught courses involving building science, systems, site planning, and graphics, and has supervised undergraduate and graduate student theses. He has served on the University鈥檚 Senate and on the Academic Governance and Priorities Committee contributing to the crafting of the University鈥檚 first Statement on the Freedom of Speech.