René Josef Biberstein MUD, BURPl.
647.989.7363 rene.biberstein@utoronto.ca
Urban Designer + Planner
References available on request
Education Master of Urban Design (MUD), John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 2012
• Thesis topic: Aboriginal new town planning, with reference to human and natural history • Studio themes: Transportation nodes, brownfields, urban edge conditions, landscape design, housing project rehabilitation, infill housing.
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (BURPl.), Ryerson University, 2010
• Thesis topic: Study of psychological reactions to ratios of street width to streetwall height • Studio themes: Business Improvement Area master planning, subsidized housing site planning, residential infill and greenfield community development.
Work Experience Indigenous Centre architectural model, Lakehead University (June, 2012)
• Constructed physical site model of proposed complex, using plaster, paper and resin
Teaching Assistant to Zeynep Celik Alexander, University of Toronto (January 2012 - April 2012) • Tutored undergraduate architecture students, graded assignments and provided feedback
Research Assistant to Pina Petricone, University of Toronto (September 2011 - March 2012) • Assembled and prepared graphic materials for architectural courses and visual displays
Junior Planner, The Planning Partnership (February 2007 - August 2011)
• Designed, or assisted in designs, of Toronto-area master plans and streetscapes: • Including Bloorcourt BIA, West Queen West BIA, Downtown Yonge BIA, Toronto Entertainment District BIA, Richmond Hill downtown, Aurora downtown, Centre Street Vaughan, Sheppard LRT line. • Diagrammed complex transportation systems: • Including Metrolinx’s The Big Move Greater Toronto master plan • Crafted historic architectural pattern book: • Crystal Beach community, Fort Erie, Ontario • Wrote or designed reports, proposals and promotional materials associated with projects across Canada, the United States and China
Research Assistant to Carol Moukheiber, University of Toronto (September 2010 - March 2011) • Produced mapping for atlas of the Quebec City - Windsor Corridor megaregion
Research Assistant to David Amborski, Ryerson University (September 2009 - March 2010) • Compiled data on municipal development policies
Awards (Design) First Prize, Ed Bacon Student Design Competition, Philadelphia, 2012 Honourable Mention, Ed Bacon Student Design Competition, Philadelphia, 2009
Awards (Academic) Jeffery A. Stinson Graduate Student Endowment, 2012 • For environmentally sustainable design
George Baird Graduate Endowment, 2011
• For excellence in the Master of Urban Design (MUD) program
Ontario Graduate Scholarship, 2010-2011
• Awarded to top students across the province
Ryerson Planning Alumni Association Award, 2010 • For the top graduating student
Michael E. Kusner Award, Ryerson, 2010 and 2009 • For site planning studio work
Advanced Planning Theory Award, Ryerson, 2009 Bruer-Koroknay Award, Ryerson, 2007 • For overall work in first-year planning
Technical Skills Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop, AutoCAD, Sketchup, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Grasshopper, physical model construction and hand drawing
Hobbies + Personal Interests Building bicycles, road cycling, travel, cooking, exercise, creative writing