The 2026 Michael Evamy Scholarship has been awarded to Claudio Cabana and Harper Sherman, both Master of Architecture Candidates at the University of British Columbia.
The annual scholarship is open to students enrolled in a Canadian architecture school who are entering their last year of study. It provides up to $8,000 to support the research and writing of a final thesis.
Their thesis titled “The West Coast School: Integrating Forestry, Wood Innovation and Design-Build Pedagogy into UBC SALA” envisions a bold reimagining of architectural education at UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The project proposes both a new purpose-built facility and a transformed curriculum that fully integrate British Columbia’s world-class forestry expertise, advanced wood innovation, and hands-on design-build practice.
Their research combines authorship of a comprehensive Atlas of Architectural Pedagogy that includes mapping international models of studio teaching, school architecture, and community design-build, with extensive interviews across the SALA community and BC industry and targeted visits to leading schools abroad. By forging stronger relationships on campus and beyond, their work aims to make SALA a truly timber-centric school where craft, technical mastery, and real-world impact sit at the heart of professional training just as UBC plans a new home for the school.
“The Evaluation Committee found the thesis topic to be particularly unique and compelling,” says DIALOG Partner and Architect Diego Morettin. “We have not, to our knowledge, previously received a proposal that so thoughtfully examines how architects, landscape architects, other disciplines, industry, and local context intersect to shape how we educate and how we build.”
Claudio and Harper will present their thesis findings in 2027.
Congratulations to Claudio and Harper, and thank you to all the applicants for your time and effort in submitting such thoughtful and thought-provoking applications.
About the Michael Evamy Scholarship
DIALOG established the Michael Evamy Scholarship Foundation to honour the memory of Michael Evamy, a partner instrumental in building its integrated practice from 1966 to 1993. Learn more.
