History and Theory of Architecture student takes home prestigious awards

 

It has been a productive past few months for Hilary Grant.  Not only has the graduating History and Theory of Architecture (HTA) student won the Martin Eli Weil Prize for best architectural history essay in Canada – a notable Carleton first, she has also been awarded a University Medal at the undergraduate level as the graduating student with the highest standing throughout several programs and departments.

These accolades are a momentous feat for a number of reasons.

For starters, the Martin Eli Weil Prize has a history of exclusively being awarded to graduate students.  To even be considered for it as an undergraduate is practically unheard of.  This Prize, which rewards excellence in a single research project and discipline, is measured against the research of students and peers at all levels from all across Canada.

The outstanding essay that Grant penned to earn the Martin Eli Weil Prize delved into the history of a local site – The former Crawley building located at 119 Scott Road in Gatineau Park.

 

While working for the National Capital Commission, Grant came to the realization that very little was known about the Crawly Building site. Intrigued by its ambiguity, she began researching her way to unlocking the secrets of the mysterious buildings past.

“Since the History and Theory Program has so many opportunities for independent research, I was lucky enough to be able to indulge my curiosity and explore the site as part of a Directed Studies course,” explains Grant.  “The resulting paper pivoted on the idea that the work of Budge Crawley, the founder of Crawley Films and the studio’s original owner, and the will to create and later expand Gatineau Park, both express a view of nature, and in particular ‘wilderness,’ as essential to Canadian identity.”

In a complimentary contrast to the Martin Eli Weil Prize, Grant’s University Medal is an acknowledgement of distinction across multiple disciplines and projects, confined to the parameters of Carleton University.  In earning both of these awards, Grant has essentially managed to cover all the bases of academic recognition.

Albeit, from start to finish her time at Carleton has been an overwhelmingly successful endeavor, a modest Grant was still surprised to find out she had been awarded the University Medal.

“I was honestly shocked when I found out I won the University Medal.  I was at the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Conference the weekend that the Senate approved the degrees to be awarded this spring, so I didn’t get the email confirming I would be convocating until Sunday. There was a link to an information page and I saw that the medals had been posted. I thought I would check to see if anyone I knew had won, and there I was!  I was so surprised I actually called the Registrar’s Office the next morning to make sure there wasn’t another Hilary Grant.”

Looking back, Grant credits much of her academic success to a decision she made four years ago. After two years of taking Music BA at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grant decided that the program was not for her.  In search of something more bracing and self fulfilling, she made the decision to study a subject she had been interested in all of her life – heritage and architectural history.  She discovered Carleton’s History and Theory of Architecture program: A program that explores the history, forms and meanings of the built environment from prehistory to the present day. At the centre of the curriculum is a group of Art History courses that focus on a wide range of architectural topics.  Layered onto those are complementary courses in History, Architecture, Canadian Studies, Geography, and other complementary disciplines.

This richly textured and multi-disciplinary program offered an aspect of personal accommodation that was very appealing to Grant.

“I was really intrigued by the flexibility, the ability to do independent research and the multi-disciplinary approach, having to take courses from both the School for Studies in Arts and Culture and the School of Architecture. I came to Carleton and I never looked back.”

“In every class there was something new, and the more I studied and the more challenging the courses, the easier it seemed to become. Between work placements through the practicum program, doing my independent honors essay and the opportunity to take graduate level courses, I felt like I was dictating my path and in control of my education. Professors became partners and I no longer saw Carleton as an institution but a facilitator of my individual development. In the History and Theory of Architecture program I found a place where learning and pursuing your own interests was valued above traditional success.”

By taking her time, and finding a program that correlated with both her interests and learning style, Grant insured that she was on the proper path to achieve great things.  Grant, who cites the HTA faculty as being absolutely instrumental in her success, puts a special emphasis on the role played by her supervisor and professor of Art History, Peter Coffman.  Described as a challenging and selfless educator, Coffman functioned as a mentor to Grant by helping her set and reach the goals she most wanted for herself.

Though some of her awards and accolades may have come as a surprise to Grant, Coffman was less shocked.  Throughout her tenure in HTA, Coffman always recognized Grant as an extraordinary scholar; a student whose achievements could give a bit more ballast to HTA as a demonstration of how the program can help facilitate grand student triumphs.

“This really feels like a singular watershed for us.  A number of us have been working immensely hard to grow the HTA program over the last couple of years; we’ve overhauled the curriculum and are about to expand it again, we have a new hire beginning this summer, we are planning a wide and exciting range of new programming next year along with a fistful of new courses,” says Coffman.  “And at just the right moment, along comes Hilary to remind us of why we do this, and of just what is possible when you provide great students with the right environment. It’s a tremendous thing for Hilary, but the boost it gives to everyone who has been working so hard on the program (which includes a lot of people from Art History) is truly wonderful.”

Having now completed her undergraduate degree in HTA and leaving an enduring mark on the program, Grant plans to take some well deserved time off to travel and witness first hand many of the sites that she has spent the last four years studying.  She will begin her Masters in Heritage and Museums at Cambridge University in the fall, and has every intention of pursuing a PhD.

Coffman is thankful for her contribution, and of course, wishes her all the best in her future ventures.

“For all of us and all those to come in the HTA program, Hilary has raised our notion of what is possible. That is an incredible gift to give us as she graduates. Can you tell I’m kind of proud of her?”

For more information on the History and Theory of Architecture Program: http://admissions.carleton.ca/programs/history-and-theory-of-architecture