Shyronn Smardon is graduating with a masters degree in Architecture, specializing in modern design. Of his personal architectural philosophy, Mr. Smardon opines, 鈥淚 like simple design. Nothing unnecessary.鈥�
Mr. Smardon took both his Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and master鈥檚 degree at AV俱乐部鈥檚 School of Architecture. Before that, the Halifax native enrolled in Dal鈥檚 College of Continuing Education鈥檚 unique Transition Year Program (TYP) to help him make the leap from high school to university. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a program for black Nova Scotians and First Nations,鈥� Mr. Smardon explains of TYP 鈥� the program fills academic gaps and offers a preview of university-level academics.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also to educate TYP students about black history and First Nations history鈥� Before TYP, I really had no idea what university was. It was still very much an unknown in my family,鈥� says Mr. Smardon, who calls the program 鈥渁 stepping stone.鈥� Of his choice to go into architecture after TYP, Mr. Smardon muses, 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 something that was always in me鈥� I don鈥檛 know where it came from鈥� I didn鈥檛 know the profession of architecture at all, but I knew I liked thoughtful design.鈥�
In his studies, Mr. Smardon realized that there was more going on behind the scenes than he guessed and discovered unexpected facets of his own mind. 鈥淪ometimes in university, you鈥檙e prepped to learn about one particular task鈥� but for me, I learned much about myself and about my character.鈥� Such discoveries include Mr. Smardon鈥檚 nascent interests in photography and product design, which he picked up while taking elective classes at NSCAD.
In his spare time, Mr. Smardon鈥檚 passion is travel. His upcoming itinerary includes New York, New Orleans, the Caribbean and, following graduation, a spell in Hawaii to celebrate with old friends. 鈥淚 would travel every day if I could.鈥� Now that he鈥檚 graduating, Mr. Smardon says, 鈥淚 could be anywhere from designing a label to furniture to the next Empire State Building. I think it鈥檚 going to be one of those jobs I didn鈥檛 know existed.鈥�
But, he adds playfully, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 see myself behind a desk.鈥�
Thoughtful designs
Convocation grad profile: Shryonn Smardon, TYP alum
Rebecca Schneidereit - May 29, 2012
Shyronn Smardon, masters in architecture grad. (Nick Pearce photo)