The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Foundation has announced the winner of the 2013 Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) scholarship.

Sheida Shahi of the University of Waterloo won the award for her master’s thesis proposal titled Adaptable Tower Neighbourhoods.

The jury said the thesis proposal “embraces the technical aspects of building retrofits and embraces the social dimensions.” They added that Shahi addresses both the social and environmental aspects of sustainability.

The annual scholarship, worth $5,000, is provided by the CaGBC, with the goal of helping the next generation of “green” designers by promoting sustainable research and design within Canadian architectural schools.

The CaGBC is a national industry organization that works to advance green building and sustainable community development. The RAIC Foundation aims to develop programs to ensure a place for architecture within Canadian society.