Director of the School of Architecture since June 1, 2021, Izabel Amaral was a professor at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture in Sudbury from 2016 to 2021. Trained as an architect in Brazil, she practiced architecture there for several years before embarking on doctoral studies at the Faculty of Environmental Design and settling in Canada in 2005.
During her professional practice in Brazil, Izabel Amaral developed a remarkable aptitude for architectural design, with a great facility for applying and teaching organizational, spatial, structural and aesthetic principles. In addition to a large number of residential and institutional projects, her practice has led her to develop expertise in architectural acoustics, particularly for auditoriums and amphitheaters.
Izabel Amaral’s doctoral research is a contribution to contemporary theories of the architectural project, demonstrating the topicality of the notion of tectonics and constructive thought as an essential part of the architectural design process. Working in the interdisciplinary field of material culture, his work links architectural history and theory, technical knowledge and cultural transfer. Her research interests focus on the cultural meanings of architectural construction, exploring the expressive potential of materials and their various assemblages. She is interested in the notions of narrative, detail and structure, as well as the binomial of tradition and innovation, because of their implications for project design and teaching.
Izabel Amaral takes a keen interest in architectural prizes and competitions, not least because of their potential for experimentation and imagination, and as a process leading to innovations in architecture. Her recent research has focused on a critical reflection of Canadian architectural projects recognized by innovations linked to the use of new wood technologies (SSHRC-funded project entitled An Ecology of Wood Cultures in Canada (2003-2020): comparing constructive cultures through awarded architectural designs). At the same time, Izabel Amaral is interested in the relationship between language, culture and society as part of a research project on architectural pedagogy. Drawing on her professional practice and expertise in architectural acoustics, in 2019 she took a first step into research-creation, exploring the link between music, politics, drawing and body movements.
On the pedagogical front, she is responsible for the Master of Architecture program and coordinates optional workshops in the third year of the Bachelor of Architecture program.