CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19 09 - - - to coast. Here’s the buzz. — Andrew Reeves, Anne Cormier, Anne Lissett, Anne Ben Cormier, Anne Reeves, Andrew

The master plan for the Railsidedevelopment, by 5468796 Archi

Elsa Lam tecture in partnership with Scatliff+Miller+Murray, setstemplate a for the transformation of a 12-acre portion of ’s Forks district. RIGHT

Klumper, Bill Semple, Brent Bellamy, Charlene Kovacs, Christine Lolley, Christine Kovacs, Charlene Lolley, Bellamy, Brent Semple, Bill Klumper, Chris Wiebe, Chris Woodford, Cynthia Dovell, Darryl Condon, Derek Gavin Affleck,Kindrachuk, Youck, Dustin James Couzens, Kobayashi, Jack Bryant,Jeremy John Hurme, Anderson, Johanna Siemens, Jim Jim Stephenson, Ksenia Eic, Lawrence Bird, Léo Lejeune, Lindsay Oster, Linus Mark Ostry, Amodio, Marianne Maxime Frappier, Bouliane, Luc Murphy, Monica Adair, Natasha Lebel, Pat Hanson, Peg MacDonald, Randy Cohen, Rayleen Hill, Richard Symonds, Richard Witt, Shafraaz Kaba, Stephen Kopp, Susan Fitzgerald, Watson, Dreessen, Ted Toon and Vivian Manasc TEXT BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH How do these trends affect architecture? What is on the SAFE, STABLE HAS BEEN A HAVEN FOR FOR HAS BEEN HAVEN A CANADA SAFE, STABLE ERA POLITICAL RECENT OF THE IN CAPITAL GLOBAL PROS ECONOMIC ITS UNCERTAINTY. FINANCIAL AND PERITY AND CENTRIST POLITICS HAVE ALSO MADE MADE ALSO HAVE POLITICS CENTRIST AND PERITY FORCONSISTENT RELATIVELY INVESTMENTIN PUB INFRASTRUCTURE.LIC YIELDEDHAVE THE RESULTS ON BUT THEFLIP RECORDCONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, SIDE, IT’S ALSO A CRISIS LEDTO INHOUSING MEANWHILE, CITIES. MANY IN AFFORDABILITY CONTEND TO CONCERNS REGIONAL ARE THERE RANGINGWITH, FROM THE CRASH INOIL AND GAS THE INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION. TO PRICES EMERGENCYEFFECTS OFCLIMATE THE ARE ALSO EACH YEAR, WITH MOREBEING STRONGLY FELT PERMAFROSTIN MELTING THE NORTH, FOREST FIRES AND FLOODINGIN THE WEST, INEASTERN CANADA. minds of architects in different regions of Canada? To find out, Canadian Architect spoke to dozens of architects from coast to coast

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and architects — from Herzog — HCMA factory in nearby Spokane, Wash CLT , Kengo Kuma, Büro Ole Scheeren and Shigeru Ban. “It’s BIG And then there’s the elephant in the room: affordability. a perva It’s On the whole, British Columbian firms are busy and thriving. But In comparison the to private market, public projects have a clear sus

shaking things and up, the on other hand, local architects are being challenged push to says higher,” Condon. sive, dominant that topic affects decisions many at levels, especially around city ’s planning policies. The city’s long approvals process is barrier. one “Permitting is especially challenging afford for are pushing the envelope further. a firm, “As we’ve recognized that environmental and social sustainability are intertwined,” he says. “There’s a triple not bottom line, a spectrum but impact. of do How we adapt the to effects climate of change and the need resilience? for It requires a broader range thinking.” of in the realm high-profile of projects, they are starting come to under pressure from outside competition. there In Vancouver, is an influx Europeanof and Asian firms doing major projects & de Meuron’s proposal& de Meuron’s the for new Art Vancouver Gallery, towers to led by soften with Katerra’s massive tainability mandate, says Darryl Condon of ington, beginning production soon, and Kalesnikoff Lumber planning buildto a plant in the Kootenays. HCMA

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BD+C TOD Gold LEED passé because it does does it because passé LEED ydro already has thousand one electric BC H ) charging stations in its growing network. In Vancouver EV

Beyond thenew-build framework, homeowners receive rebates for The sustainability push in construction is also tied the to province’s Meanwhile, several tall wood projects have already been completed At a broader level, is seeing Vancouver a demand sustainability- for In coordination with the step code, the City has Vancouver of vehicle ( be easily replicated by commercial developers. Still, says Mark Ostry, there remains a premium building to in mass timber. This barriermay an increasingly common typology. installing charging EV stations in their homes. They’re also encouraged maketo energy retrofits because the of province-wide carbon tax, con sidered the standard bearer carbon for taxation in the Western hemi sphere. The tax was implemented in 2008 and is gradually increasing. strong forestry industry. British First Wood Columbia’s program, initiated in 2009, requires provincially funded projectsuse to wood as a primary construction material. ( has a similar strategy, in which wood solutions are preferred even if they have a cost premium five to up of was B.C. percent.) the first province permit to six-storey wood frame residential buildings, and this spring has moved allow to 12-storey mass timber buildings, a year ahead a similar of anticipated change in the National Building Code. after being presented as alternative solutions compliance for with code. The most notable is the 18-storey Brock Commons student residence thefor University British of Columbia, led by Acton Ostry Architects. modestIts appearance is intentional: the building was designed with an economic, encapsulated mass timber hybrid structure that may ver has moved forward explore to more ambitious and impactful not delivernot real-world energy efficiency. The conversation in Vancou sustainability measures, including Passive House, Net Zero Carbon, Life Cycle Assessment and Living Building Challenge. oriented urban infrastructure, including district energy systems. is leading the charge sustainability on in Canada. Starting the province’s Energy in 2017, Step Code has provided an in cremental approach making to buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032. The voluntary policy allows local governments set to incentives and bylaw requirements builders for meet to more or steps. one Forty-two local governments are currently referencing the code. developed its own zero-emissions energy plan, which aims all for new buildings be to zero emissions by 2030. Since last year, all projects applying rezoning for must be designed meet to Passive House requirements non-residential for or, buildings, The regional transit authority is extending an existing line SkyTrain with six new stations. BRITISH COLUMBIA BRITISH and Richmond, among other municipalities, all parking stalls in multi-unit residential buildings Incentives build to must be EV-ready. transiton lines have made transit-oriented developments ( or anor alternate set performance of criteria. While is still it in use, most architects in considerVancouver 10

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are the at centre of — including public and Vancouver’s — including typologies such as laneway — are considering as a way renew to their facili — Affordability-centred residences Fortunately, seems it that the dialogue around density is shifting. Catholic school boards ties, which were built in the post-war period. “More and these more of institutions are facing the their of end-of-life existing facilities, and they have extra land leverage to replace to them, while providing much- needed affordable housing,” says Mark Ostry. infill, co-housing, and multi-generational homes rises, Amodio and Grusko have been active in researching the fine details densification:of the psychology social of density, and how spatial design affects interpersonal relationships. “We look overarching at principles, such as the appropriate cluster size that catalyzes community. Through- units are important, as is widening corridors space for beyond the fire exit requirements, small for coffee tables and locking bikes,” says Amodio. a long time“For there in Vancouver, was opposition of a lot densifi to cation, that but is starting change,” to says that of lot Amodio. was “A about people being not heard. instead Now, saying of want ‘we it’, don’t they’re saying ‘bring us into the conversation.’” in the so-called “missing middle” between single-family homes and high architects Marianne Amodio and Harley Grusko’s portfolio. Working 34,600-square-metres below-market of and market rental housing. a strategyIt’s that other institutions To revitalizeTo Vancouver’s Jewish Community Centre, Acton Ostry Architects -

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ABOVE RIGHT RIGHT ABOVE rchitecture, who notes VIA A ousing has launched an initiative called

BC H ACTON OSTRY ARCHITECTS OSTRY ACTON HCMA’s Clayton Community Centre in Surrey is on-track to be the first facility of its kind to achieve Passive House certification in North With a recent change in there mayor, is anticipation building around Meanwhile, innovative approaches creating to affordable housing is constucting a new centre on an existing parking lot. The current complex will then be demolished to make way for non-market housing. America, and Canada’s largest Passive House facility to date. ABOVE LEFT ABOVE that the level required of detail, energy considerations, and the consul tations process are impacting the length time of takes it get to a project green-lighted. These delays have material consequences: the construc tion market is so active that trades are driving costs and up, by the time projects are approved, they may longer no be financially viable. The process can be so problematic that somedevelopers and architects are seeking work in jurisdictions outside the of city. a new city planning process that is set unfold to in the coming years. clear not it’s But yet what the the tenor of new city council will be. In the meanwhile, says Condon, “architects need be to strong advocates thefor potential the of city.” are already emerging. able housing,” says Charlene Kovacs of HousingHub, geared towards creating rental home and ownership opportunities middle-income for earners. Oneits first of projects is a partnership with the United Church build to rental housing and new church facilities four on theof Church’s existing sites. In a similar vein, Acton Ostry recently completed a rezoning redevelopment for theof city’s Jewish Community Centre as a stacked, nine-storey facility a formeron parking lot; the existing centre will make way for MIR.NO -

RFP ), is ), fee sched CAA CAA not low fees,”not says — “This should result in better -based system that pegs paymentthe to has been the at forefront negotiating of fairer for contracts QBS rchitecture says that there has been steady a supply small of CAA AV ID A The flagship design-first of procurement in is the City The organizational structures created by Alberta architects offer The Another Alberta innovation worth watching is Athabasca University. The mood is somewhat more positive in . Cynthia Dovell and procurement methods. has It been working with government and major institutions adjust to standard contracts, so that architects aren’t being asked assume to undue liability give or copyright, up instance. for Recently, worked it with Alberta Infrastructure release to two pilot qualifications-based selection projects. The City Calgary of has also been using qualifications-based selection. “They’re their on third with this model, andquite we’re optimistic about the opportunity for credentials and experience drive to team selections Léo Lejeune Stantec’s of Calgary office. and better design in our community.” Edmonton.of City Under Architect Carol Belanger, Edmonton has developed a projects, which have allowed her build to from up a solo practice a five- to person firm over the past few years. “Edmonton could support manymore small firms,” she says. Vivian Manasc’s firm, Manasc Isaac,has also grown over the past few years, working mostly in Alberta and in the North. positive lessons the for rest Canada. of only of one It’s two provinces with(along Quebec) which splits the regulation architecture of and advocacy the for business interests architects of into separate mandates. The advocacy the body, Consulting Architects Alberta of ( made 38 member of up firms who represent 80% Alberta of architects. ule, taking fees the of out equation selection. for The city also maintains a standing offer list emerging of firms smaller for city projects, and held an open, anonymous design competition a series for park of pavilions. The institution started as a traditional campus-based university in then but 1970, pivoted offering to distance education courses, and now is the at forefront online of learning. purview Its includes architecture: jects. As a result, a few firmslucky enough land to the mega-projects have prospered, while others have not. of

- the — conference centre BMO and Stantec Architecture, but and this has hit architecture firms in turn. KPMB — ), for instance, for ), and the $500-million

higher than was it during the recession the of 1980s. have Fees —

Several very large-scale projects have been pushing through In the private sector, Calgary currently has a 27% office vacancy in an erratic manner. Some major public projects that started before the downturn have been completed, such as the University Lethbridge’s of $220-million expansion, by been driven down by firms competing the for remaining work. In the public sector, the province has continued with deficit spending, but DIALOG

Alberta’s economy follows a boom-and-bust cycle, tracking energy prices. The crash the of oil market has been devastatingthe for private sector as well as the province’s coffers ALBERTA expansion (by Stantec, Architecture, S2 But, according and Populous). Murphy,to there has been a notable disappearance mid-sized of pro others have been holding the at tender stage until funding becomes available. One major project, the $590-million AlbertaHealth Services super lab in Edmonton, was under construction, the but work was abruptly suspended after the government changeover in April. Other projects seem be to stuck theat study phase. “Calgary has been decimated in the last four years,” says Linus Murphy Architecture. S2 of “I think going it’s get to worse before gets it better.” rate $1.4-billion Calgary Cancer Centre (by Stantec in collaboration with 12

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for a Better for which World, trains ASK DIALOG and Stantec are leading the design ABOVE botics, founded by unemployed engineers, has quickly scaled up The slowdown has also led some architects reinvent to themselves. Dustin Couzens Calgary-based of Modern Office Design for + Adds Ben Klumper Modern of Office, economic slowdown “An a design consultancy called to a 200-personto Modern company. Office completed an interiorretrofit thefor and company, now they’ve been commissioned design to a new standalone building. “Calgary the on whole has a conservative outlook architecture,”on says Couzens. “Thankfully, finding we’re individuals who are interested in looking solutions for that are the of out box.” Shafraaz Kaba, formerly a partner Manasc at Isaac, recently founded the envelope pairing on different typologies. recent Mis Edmonton’s - sing Middle competition solicited design-led proposals developing for affordable housing five on city-owned lots. Architecture compares Calgary Detroit: to the economic downturn, he says, has forced individuals who were laid off reinvent to themselves and their industries. instance, For robotics technology startup ATTA designers, constructors and clients net-zero on energy building tech niques and processes. “Cities like Edmonton are making bold climate plans, takes it but all hands deck on get to people a space to where they can think that net-zero energy zero-carbon or buildings are possible,” he says. “I hope I can help energize our industry about how architects can make a difference in our built environment.” affords an opportunity take to stock and appreciate what good design can do in city-building. I hope we can this come of out with an attitude goingof beyond asking ‘what’s the fastest and cheapest way build?’, to and instead asking ‘what’s the best way do to this?’”

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RAIC pushing — for instance,for combining — offers face-to-face studios Syl for RAIC Modern Office for Design + Architecture’s scheme for the headquarters of Calgary-based robotics company ATTAbotics takes on a wedge On the sustainability front, Alberta never adopted the 2015 National There are other bright spots. There seems be to plenty work of of the Calgary Cancer Centre, which is anticipated to open in 2023. OPPOSITE shape that responds to flight-path height restrictions and maximizes southern light for employees. flight-path employees. to southern for restrictions light responds that height shape maximizes and

in rural Alberta, in the form a patchwork of small of projects. And although Alberta has a younger population compared other to prov inces, the private sector is looking bring to progressive care and sen iors’ facilities market. to The City Calgary of has supported the development creative of mixed-use facilities labus students in major cities across Canada, Athabasca provides virtual design studios as part its Bachelor of Science of in Architecture. Although the idea virtual of studio courses rankles many professionals, Cynthia Dovell, who teaches in the online program, says that is one it way encouraging of people from a greater diversity economic of back grounds enter to the profession. “Students in the Athabasca program often have financial challenges in going a traditional to school, because they need work the at to same time, and can’t move cities,” she says. With the almost complete replacement drafting of boards with laptops officesat and architecture schools, increasingly it’s plausible that online learning will be important in the future design of education. Energy Code Buildings, for recently but leapfrogged adopt to the version,2017 making the it first province do to so. When Alberta had a carbon tax, there were budgets allocated photovoltaics to build on ings as well, notes Vivian Manasc, although she adds, that “now our carbon tax has been repealed, will it be interesting see to whether these strategies will still work.” for thefor past few years, provided it’s the academic courses the for Syllabus program. While the a fire hall station local or library with affordable housing DIALOG / STANTEC / DIALOG - - -

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If we were Architects, provides an important civic space for KPMB Regional building typologies are also the at heart a project of The Dutch complex which on De Hogeweyk Crossmount at is based At a larger scale, the recently opened Remai Modern gallery, The result has garnered many positive reactions. “People innately In the meanwhile, local firms are working in increments demon to Perhaps the most frequented public space in the province is a build

understand architecture,” says Siemens, “In things some way, like lot tery houses give them access that.” to by Kindrachuk Agrey which is bound have to instant, intuitive appeal. They’re designing an aging-in-place wellness community modelled theon De Hogeweyk dementia care village in the Netherlands. The forward-thinking environment located in the Village Crossmount at will support residents in a safe, non-institutional environment that includes outdoor plazas and a grocery store, library, restaurant, theatre and other amenities, including a daycare supporting intergenerational care. Residents will have private bedrooms in small-scale group homes, with like-minded peers. “There will be all the things you need carry to withon regular daily activities, supported by caregivers,” says Derek Kindrachuk. “There’s nothing like this around in North America.” opened in 2009 and has seen residents with advanced dementia who are more active and ease at than typical at nursing homes. The founders Deof Hogeweyk have endorsed the project and are supporting its development team. designed by offered as prizes by the charity, Oxbow worked an on urban infill to site create a modern house that respected traditional massing and alignments. strate architecture’s potential creating for transformative private and public places. The residential component Oxbow’s of practice, for sion, a couple might visit opt to an open house a lottery at home, rather than going the to movies. In contrast the to typical suburban houses instance,stemmed in part from a commission a Kinsmen for lottery house, be to raffled off the for charity. “People in Saskatoon love touring lottery says homes,” Jim Siemens, describing how as a Friday night excur ing that’s architecturally not distinguished: the new stadium in Regina. The immensely popular Roughriders are known their for loud, proud and loyal fan base. Siemens wonders if might it be possible cultivate to a similar sentiment the for province’s arts and architecture. “ that proud our of symphony, our gallery, imagine the increased impact that the arts and design could have in our community.” Saskatoon. There is discussion over new central libraries in Regina and Saskatoon. A convention centre and downtown arena may also be in the works Saskatoon, for when funding becomes available. KINDRACHUK AGREY KINDRACHUK - - - -

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âmawêyat there is still enough work — at theat programmingwell as level

— . Indigenous community members were why would you look push to a design fur A about 110 in allabout 110 3 — — P president. The answer: very carefully. “There are many it wouldit go a long ways in fostering appreciation for — SAA

centre in Regina, by

Architecture Partnership (P3A). One manifestation this of approach might be seen the at m For a smallFor community practice, of Saskatchewan architects are “How do you work in that space reconciliation, of without being your Still, local architects feel that having an architecture school would There has also been an ongoing discussion with the University 3 itân practitioners here carrying and on striving do to just that,” he says. behind some impressively progressive ideas. Indigeneity has been conversation of a topic in the provincial association’s last three annual conferences. a pressing It’s matter in a province where sixteen percent theof population identifies as Aboriginal. The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre the at University Saskatchewan of in Saskatoon, designed by Douglas Cardinal provide to resources Indigenous to stu dents and opened in 2016, occupies a prime spot the on main aca self Indigenous?” asks Jim Siemens Oxbow of Architecture, who is also the current demic quadrangle. Moreover, “firms are looking how truth at and reconciliation can affect just not aesthetics, the but process by which projects are delivered,” says Youck. engaged as part an of in-depth local consultation process. Named with a Cree word meaning “let’s all be the together,” building is a shared use facility, jointly funded by the city, the library, and the local school board. includes It a high school, daycare, community policing centre, and recreational complex, among other functions. instead But of each group having its own entrance and perhaps sharing hallways, the centre is more deeply integrated P Ten years ago,Ten the thriving market in oil, gas and potash led a “Sas to kaboom,” which brought along plenty architects. work for of The econ hasomy declined significantly since then. with But relatively few architects in the province SASKATCHEWAN of Saskatchewanof about starting a school architecture; of Indigenous placemaking could well be focus one such of an institution. the But process has stalled out, and a timeline reviving for clear. isn’t it give a significant boost the to design culture the of province. A can- do attitude, grounded in the pioneer history, region’s can sometimes result in a good-enough mentality among clients, says Youck. “If all you need is a roof over your head, you may feel a pre-engi is dedicated a single to says group,” James Youck. neered building is enough as from a service and delivery perspective. Centre’s “70 the percent of spaces are shared between groups, while only 30 percent the of space what architecture can be.” to goto around. “Firms seem be to adapting the to new normal, where the says Regina-based work is of slow steady,” Jamesbut Youck ther?” Adds Derek Kindrachuk, Saskatoon’s of Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture, school architecture of “A would be huge our for city and province 14

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It remains in use, The annual Warming Huts and Cool StorefrontMB and the Winnipeg Architecture Founda focusing human on scale, eschewing the automobile, — — both which of maintain an impressive output public of events, — Here, as in other cities, firms fromoutside the city are often taking the On the other hand, an approach centred Winnipeg on firms prevails In a way, theIn a way, village-feel Railside of will echo the social tightness Architects are also active in tactical urbanism projects. Last summer, Over the past two decades, Winnipeg has gone through a cultural and commercial renaissance, with residents returning live to and work in the urban core, and a revaluation the of city’s historic Exchange District. As a result, a number high-profile of projects are in design underwayor downtown. lead role, as in the redevelopment the of Market Lands by Daoust Le Michael Maltzan with Cibinel, and North True Square by Perkins+Will with Architecture49. a trend It’s that is a challenge local for firms. “ architect design to a significant project in their own city is diminishing.” theat Railside The at residential Forks development. Previously a sur face parking lot, the twelve-acre property sits between the central train station and the Museum Human for Rights. The developmenthas been masterplanned by 5468796 Architecture in partnership with Scatliff+Miller+Murray, and the individual mixed-use buildings are being developed and designed by a variety local of firms. (The land will remain under the ownership Over The of Forks.) the next 15 20 to years, the area is expected take to shape as a pedestrian-centric zone with mid-rise, medium-density buildings and closely spaced storefronts groundat level. “It will be unlike any development Winnipeg has seen in its history stage, the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Art Centre addition by ents are more often looking firms for have to a significant number very of similar buildings in their portfolio, which often means partnering with a firm that specializes in each building type. This is even beginning creepto into smaller, less specialized projects,” says Bellamy Brent Numberof TEN Architectural Group. “The opportunity a local for tion of Winnipeg’sof design community. Architects and allied design profes sionals have made tremendous efforts nurture to a local design culture, often tiny on budgets. The city boasts two significant architectural organizations clustering around public plazas, and striving create to a richly diverse community in the heart the of says city,” Chris Wiebe AtLRG, of which is designing Railside’s of one mixed-use projects. advocacy efforts and publications. highlights Yearly in the design calen dar include the Architecture and Design Film Festival, Winnipeg Design Festival 1200. for and Table BridgmanCollaborative built a pop-up public toilet pavilion, addressing the need accessible for washrooms downtown. relocating from part one the of downtown another, to carrying with it its message about social inclusion. Gardens competitions have yielded a wealth installations, of several of which have been grounds serious for research into materials, fabrication techniques and form-making.

A contemporary infill residence in Saskatoon was was Saskatoon in contemporary infill A residence BOTTOM P3A’s mâmawêyatitânP3A’s centre in Regina is a mixed-use facility De Hogeweyk at Crossmount is an aging-in-place community

near Saskatoon being designed by Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture. Architecture. Agrey Kindrachuk by designed being Saskatoon near designed by Oxbow Architecture for the 2018 Kinsmen Home Lottery. MIDDLE TOP that shares space, programming, and services programming, and between community space, shares that partners.

CANDACE EPP CANDACE PATRICIA HOLDSWORTH PATRICIA LINDSAY REID LINDSAY - -

and cities bigger and smaller are — “Relevance is an important discussion in local circles. do How we Located the at geographic mid-point Canada, of Winnipeg seems watching see to the answers that emerge. term operational savings, life-cycle analysis, resiliency, community health and prosperity, and circular economies will become the metrics successof and the baseline our for discussions. It be a question won’t about whether we not or are making something rather about ‘green’, making better it and improving the everyday quality life of people.” for tects says she hopes a time for when, in Manitoba, “social and environ mental sustainability, liveability and human health will longer no com pete with short-sighted budgets.” She envisages future a where “long- retain our ability be to agents change of and innovation?” asks Bellamy. “What can we do as architects raise to the value design of with clients and policy makers, increasing the demand quality for architecture beto a vital component realizing of overall project goals?” well-positioned to ask these questions - - -

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incen — . “Quite often LRG for instance,for the — , is “convincing the general that designis worth spending money on, — ARCHITECTURE Firms that work in the institutional and educational which tend snowball to when pushing the boundaries de of rather than an informed group designers, of journalists, — — Another frustration has been the province’s fiscal austerity measures, When the opportunity arises, firms are doing their best act to nimbly In tandem with a raised awareness design, of architects are aiming to “Decision makers tend believe to that the core areas have received The energy from these discussions, however, often remains within Still, private development is a busy sector, and the City Winnipeg of population sign possibilities. time of A lot and money can be spent proposing a design that can be suddenly denied in the late stages the of approval process.” which have, in the three years the of current regime, resulted in a sharp decline in funding new for projects and delays many to projects that were already underway. “ sectors have been impacted,”says Bellamy. Brent On the other hand, some significant projects have been spurred by federal investment, including in frastructural work and post-secondary projects, such as expansions Red at River College’s Notre Dame and Exchange District campuses. and add value projects. to The residential market is shifting from con dos rentals, to meaning a longer-term investment developers for tivizing theminvest to in good design. Educational buildings also pro vide the opportunity raise to the awareness design of in the general community: the Red River Innovation Centre (Diamond Schmitt and Number TEN Architectural instance, for Group), will feature sleek, large-panelled building-integrated photovoltaics its façades. on sustainabilityput the on public agenda. Lindsay Oster Prairie of Archi especially design public of spaces and places.”says He that the divide was laid bare in the plebiscite over revamping the iconic intersection Portageof and Main. As part the of municipal election ballot last October, Winnipeggers weighed ina proposal on reopen to the intersec- whichtion, has been closed pedestrian to trafficThe design since 1979. community actively promoted the reopening as an important part revitalizingof downtown. 65 percent But voters, of a group that includ ed suburban aswell as urban residents, turned down. it enough help, and shouldn’t receive assistance anymore,” says Johanna Hurme 5468796, of who chaired the Winnipeg Chamber Commerce of in 2018. The situation is exacerbated by the city’s relatively low land values, which make suburban development attractive. “What’s frustrat ing is that looking not we’re theat larger city issues these projects involve rezoning, conditional use, and multiple variance applications the urban bubble. One the of biggest current challenges, says architect Lawrence Bird pico of and some business people city is still approving greenfield developments. On the macro scale, we just keep doing the wrong thing.” is preparing new guidelines infill for development. “Architects, owners, and developers all want clearer rules, least at or a clearer process, gain for ing approval these for projects,” says Chris Wiebe At of 16

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or $100K for $100K for or — but it’s especially it’s but — is a procurement process — s through which most proj s are demanding an increas RFP RFP is enormous both for client and president John Stephenson RFP OAA . “It’s far better seek to fees out that are MJMA a model that made its Canadian debut — must be tender to out put across all three provinces.) — The biggest challenge we all face are still being used deliver to major healthcare, justice and fees are so little in comparison the to life-cycle costs a proj of — often vastly proportion of out the to value the of contract. — process as larger projects. The level effort of required issue, to man “Design Conversations around procurement may be starting change to Meanwhile, the requirements the for These procurement processesare especially problematic in small- For OttawaFor architect and Dreessen, former OAA president Toon age and respond a conventional to in ing number specialists, of cutting into the architect’s bottom line. There’s a standing concern about larger firms coming in low fees, on as a business strategy build to new up areas work. of ect,” says Ted Watson of of Watson ect,” says Ted ects are procured are stringent about previous experience, making it nearly impossible small for and even mid-sized firms break to into new markets. The situation is made even more difficult when local firms are competing against the large portfolios national-scale of firms presence). (all which of have a in , partly from public concern over the bare-bones design the of private partnerships RFP ONTARIO Procurement is a big issue architects for across the country, including Ontariofor architects who work in the institutional sector. Public- that is biased in favour the of very large practices and those who are prepared participate to in a fee lottery in order get to work. A procure modelment that has been inspired by a political desire avoid to risk and an attitude that equates best value with lowest price is stifling innova tion. punishing It’s small firms who can’t afford compete to this on level have and the who don’t required deep portfolios project-specific of experience.” Ontario, (Outside of the situation is particularly tough in smallcentres in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, where the Partnership New West Agreement Trade means that most public construction projects above a $200K threshold of Form Studio, Form of “ transit projects across the province. The auditor general Ontario, of among others, has called into question the value this of procurement model, determining that costs it more and takes longer than projects that are directly government-funded. the From perspective archi of tects involved, design quality is notoriously difficult maintain to under the pressure minimize to costs. to mid-sizedto cities. Says former architect pal governments is relatively small in scale, uses but the same top-heavy based an on awareness and capability deliver to longer-term on values.” standing offer lists with crown corporations also seem be to unfair, rewarding firms who submit unreasonably low hourly rates as the basis selection,of and municipal sector procurement remains a challenge. Much the of work that is distributed from federal, provincial and munici provincial projects acute in remote centres such as Thunder Bay - -

BOTTOM BELOW; TOP on Red Architectural Group; Architectural Group; TEN ARCHITECTURE (formerly The downtown Richardson Facing Winnipeg’s Old Market Old Market Winnipeg’s Facing Architec H5 and Penner David

LEFT River College’s Skilled Trades and and Trades Skilled College’s River Centre. Technology TO BOTTOMTO LEFT Ager LittleAger Architects) Innovation Centre is designed designed is Innovation Centre by Number fies a sensitive approach to building existingin communities. Square, AtLRG is designing a mixed- a designing is AtLRG Square, use building with a restaurant below units residential above. and Windsor Library Park exempli ture’s the same firm worked in association firm association in worked same the with pico

ATLRG

NUMBER TEN ARCHITECTURAL GROUP ARCHITECTURAL TEN NUMBER NUMBER TEN ARCHITECTURAL GROUP ARCHITECTURAL TEN NUMBER CA Jul 19.indd 17

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although prices have yet reach to the stratospheric —

The condo towers downtown rising core are throughout Toronto’s At a municipal level, residents, Toronto-area a pressing for issue is the

DIALOG GH3* One strategyheights Vancouver. of that the City is taking address to af fordability is through encouraging gentle density. “We have looser rules on secondary suites, and now we have laneway housing. The trend is densi to fy within the existing housing fabric,” says Christine Lolley, sustainable of housing firm Solares Architecture. Lolley says her firm has seen an uptick inquirieson about laneway housing in particular, although the program parameters are very strict, and have yet be to tested with built projects. also much-needed contributors housing. to they’re Typically, all-glass highrises, and criticism has been aimed their at cheap construction and poor energy performance. This is starting change. to The towers are Green Standard,subject the to Toronto which sets tiered requirements newfor private and city-owned developments. The standard aims bringto new construction near-net-zero to emissions by 2030, and by 2050, compared 1990 to levels. The ratcheting the of up standard is affecting developers, comments architect Hanson Pat gh3*, of who is part a plan of reduce to the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% price housing of - - -

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, RAIC MJMA based the on s,” sayss,” Natasha Lebel RFP RFP the first these of across the finish line will — . “It will strongly influence things if they can ), and), the Memorial West Building in Ottawa (Mori DIALOG ), Les), Terrasses de la Chaudière in (Provencher_ NORR I hope thatthe conversations around procurement will have an effect DIALOG Post-secondary institutions are also taking a leadership in role sus “A zero-carbon“A retrofit easy isn’t achieve to in the federal govern The OAA has been active in advocating quality-based for selection, “ The provincial government that came into power last fall, led by In contrast, the federal government has been quietly unfolding a pro Roy and while George Arbour Brown’s is by Moriyama with & Teshima Acton Ostry. Several mass timber office buildings are also in the works, in and Ottawaboth Toronto of Toronto’s Lebel & Bouliane, Toronto’s of who notes that, in some cases, lowest price is longer no the inevitable determining factor. “The public sector is very concerned about getting terrible buildings.” tainability. The and University George Brown College Toronto of each have design underway a mass for timber academic facility. A Vancou partnership is behind bothver-Toronto buildings: Academic T’s U of is being designed Tower Wood by Patkau Architects with yama with & Teshima Kasian). ment officement environment, with issues around security,” says Jim Anderson of stick with that mandate. If government work space is leading-edge, everyone’s got keep to up.” curement Canada has already started slowly moving in this direction, tough it’s whenbut the test projects are the at $150-million scale.” which argues it is fully compatible with the province’s broader public service procurement directive government-funded for projects. The education sector is leading this on front: the University Toronto of is shortlisting in a way that prioritizes design excellence, and its affili ated Trinity College recently an out put and result in a rethink,” Dreessen. says Toon “Public Services and Pro city’s new LRT stations. The$2.1-billion line, which is set opento more thana year behind schedule this summer, was procured through a P3 process; the same procurement model was used the for $4.66-billion second phase, which was approved thisspring in anexpedited manner that left little time public for consultation. be Quadrangle’s soon-to-open Liberty 80 Atlantic, Village. in Toronto’s is now seeing opportunity“Toronto lead to the way in mass timber and sustainability, and match to contributions from the Coast West lead to the world in this realm,” Watson. says Ted Doug is anticipated Ford, have to impacts in several spheres. There are concerns that post-secondary institutions across the province may start projects put to hold, on in the wake provincial of funding cuts announced in the April budget. One area that’s already being affectedis student centres. These projects areusually decided by referendum and funded through student levees, students but can now choose from opt out to these fees. The government is also pushing through changes the to heritage act, opening the up iconic Ontario Place redevelopment, for and restoring the Ontario Municipal Board, a provincially appointed tribunal resolving for municipal planning disputes. These changes may be encouraging accelerating for development, have but been seemingly made in haste with little stakeholder consultation. gressive series architectural of projects over the past years. The redevel Ottawa’s of opment Parliamentary Precinct has resulted in several major adaptive reuse projects, and the upcoming restoration the of Centre Block will be the country’s largest heritage conservation pro ject. The government has also declared its intention have to a carbon- neutral building portfolio by 2030. Pilot projects in this effort include deep retrofits the of Arthur Meighen Building (led in Toronto by fee guidelines. “In the last year two, or we’ve seen more flexibility in the evaluation process in certain 18

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19 PATKAU ARCHITECTS / MJMA / ARCHITECTS PATKAU - - — 19

Lebel

— building raincoat that development in Toronto development in Toronto — ETFE and controversial — Sidewalk’s offices and Toronto community , gh3* created a prototype interior the for timber tow developed a deployable are currently in the hands Katerra-partnered of Michael — a 715-acre waterfront area that is currently undergoing — the actual towers, which are intended be to built modular of — PARTISANS Easily the most bold In any case, in up it’s the air whether the project will move forward. a $1.25-billion flood protection project. When completed in 2023, the work will unlock the as site Canada’s most valuable development zone it’s a proof-of-concept that a proof-of-concept it’s investing in design pays says off,” Reeves. mass timber Green Architects, Snøhetta, and Thomas Heatherwick. Data privacy concerns are circling around Sidewalk’s smart city propos- al. And seems it the company is vying extend to its development the to Portlands with an accompanying wealth opportunity of architects. for ers, & Bouliane designed engagement space at presentat is a dozen-building Sidewalk Toronto, proposal the for waterfront Quayside lands bySidewalk Labs, a sister company Goo of gle. Local firms have been involved in pieces the of project can latch façades. to on the But higher-profile pieces the of design - -

- - - Toronto develop Toronto is working with Allied from Chicago’s Jeanne

bring a business ap — BIG KING BIG A 14-storey RIGHT . “Firms like DIALOG is leading leading is DIALOG XN LEFT Located Victoria at 2450 Park, a mixed- Ultimately, innovative approaches may be needed address to the hous is seeingSimilar an influx Toronto Vancouver, to international of a net-zero-carbon retrofit of the federal Arthur Toronto. in Building Meighen ABOVE mass timberand concrete hybrid tower, designed by Patkau Architects and MJMA, will be a striking addition to the University of academic The campus. downtown Toronto’s High for Goldring Centre the adjoins building Performance Sport, which was designed by the same duo of architecture firms. use residential complex designed by gh3* by designed complex residential use that fast-paced the development exemplifies Toronto. in continues ment. “With big one punch, the bar is raised, and other for developers, Properties build to the Habitat-67-inspired be possible under the most recent version the of standard. speculatesing need in Toronto, Richard Witt Quadrangle. of In the past five years, 80,805 new dwellings while the were added popu Toronto, to lation residents. grew One in three by116,511 residents spend more than a third their of before-tax income and shelter, on some 97,000 households are a waiting on list social for housing. “The meet only demand] way [to is spread to construction other to out areas,” says Witt, who imagines prefabricated building modules being completed in factories in outlying areas, and being brought into the city be to stacked together. starchitects designing marquis developments Gang Copenhagen’s to 3 notes that the glass towers being completed today would longer no proach that proves the value architecture of is possible,” says Andrew Reeves Linebox, of which has offices Ottawa and in Mont Toronto, real. Led by Bjarke Ingels, the Danish firm

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- 2019-07-06 4:40 PM - - OAQ a phase — and those that do suc — ’s renovation the’s of nearby Biodome, K ANVA ’s Gabrielle-Roy’s Library addition in Quebec City. “an artisanal production,” as Affleck puts it. — GLCRM and Architecture49’s installation an of observation belve and the rules have been opened so up that younger architects TAG — Still, says Gavin Affleck Affleck of de la Riva, the process is ultimately Perhaps equally important, the competition system has helped sus- This has been healthy an for architecture community that is active, In recent years, the system has beensubtly changing. Adversity risk, to dere in the lantern Mount of Royal’s Oratoire Saint-Joseph, and Saucier + Perrotte and ceedtend get to pigeon-holed insectors based their on previous experience. continuing succeed to in delivering quality work. “If you get shortlisted, you’ve really worked hard your on conceptual approach,” he says will have an opportunity get to in the game. tain a small-firm culture in Quebec. While many engineering firms merged in the 1990s, the typical Quebec firm is still a small mid- to sized enterprise egy, which would further solidify architecture’s importance Quebecto culture. Architect Pierre Thibault was the of one champions the of grassroots Lab-École campaign improve to the design, food, and oppor president Nathalie Dion, are advancing a provincial architecture strat tunities physical for activity in Quebec’s public schools. As part the of program, competitions are starting soon renovations for several of schools Atelier in many ways, in creating its own fortune. Lobbying efforts, led by that often gets short shrift with the compressed timelines private of sec- projects.tor Several upcoming projects awarded through competitions have won Canadian Architect Awards design-stage for work: these in clude Kuehn Pelletier Malvazzi, de Fontenay, and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte’s Insectarium in Montreal, and particularly the threat cost of overruns, have led municipalities to tightento competition requirements. Many competitions now come with detailed technical and functional programs the at outset, tight budgets, and requirements the for applicant have to least at a decade experience of in practice as well as a certain number completed of projects the of same type. As a result, fewer firms are able compete to ------

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- architects — including Montreal’s — came prominence to through design , who also works says in Vancouver, — ACDF and Atelier Big City TAG On the public side, Quebec’s competition system has long been the The cities may also be underprepared the for current sudden growth. Good times come with challenges, and the biggest is a shortage This winter, Montreal’s real estate sector overtook as Vancouver the The boom is also affecting heritage buildings, which are being restored that Montreal lacks the tall-building regulations Coast. the of West “We are going face to challenges about the residential densification downtown,” he says. “Vancouver has strong criteria protect to the pub lic realm; in Montreal, they have allowed us go to higher have to a greater density, the but projects still have large floorplates and a high podium.” Nonetheless, some private sector actors have taken the lead in delivering quality architecture. “Developers are understanding that good design can sell well,” he says. envy architects of in the rest Canada: of a way ensure to quality archi tecture, and young for firms land to major projects based solely their on design chops. All provincially subsidized cultural spaces with a con struction budget above $5-million must be procured through competi tions, and municipalities can use to opt the competition system for other buildings, a choice frequently made by the City Montreal. of And indeed, many Quebec’s of best-known firms need pass to a French competency test transfer to their credentials to Quebec,to slowing movement from other provinces. Maxime-Alexis Frappier of real’s original train station, is being converted into a mixed-use de velopment by Provencher_Roy. skilledof intermediate and senior-level staff. a generational It’s chal lenge faced by firms acrossCanada, that on but is perhaps particularly acute in la belle province becausethe of language barrier of Montrealof in the pivotal decade the of 1960s. second largest market in the country In the past after year, Toronto. housing has shown strong price growth, a period when prices in other cities softened. And the city still has catching of lot “a says do,” to up Gavin Affleck: there are many empty downtown lots that remain from the 1980s and 90s, when recessions and the threat separation of from Canadathe put province inan economic rut. and converted new to uses. The biggest these of is the multi-building Royal Victoria Hospital site, which flanks the southern edge Mount of Royal. The sat site in limbo several for years, McGill but University is now planning convert to the former hospital’s main building, a heritage structure dating back into campus 1893, to teaching and research spaces.In Montreal, Old the million-square-foot Gare Mont Viger, “It’s busier than I’ve ever seen says it,” Gavin Affleck Montreal’s of Affleck de la Riva architects, who has practiced 30 for years. “Students and graduates are basically hired instantly,” says Anne Cormier, Atelierof Every Big City. firm in Quebecseems agree: to work is plen tiful. Architects are comparing the current boom the to build-up Quebec competitions theatres, for libraries, and other publicly funded facilities. Atelier 20 canadian architect 07/19 CA Jul 19.indd 20

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19 ADRIEN WILLIAMS ADRIEN

21 ADRIEN WILLIAMS ADRIEN ACDF Architecture’s Hotel Monville in downtown Montreal takes on a clean, modernist aesthetic, inside and out. TOPRIGHT The design of Rigaud City Hall, by Affleck de la Riva architectes, alludes to the archetype of the classical temple, whose form is associated Designed by Birtz Bastien Beaudoin Laforest Architectes (Groupe Provencher_Roy), the École Baril school addition integrates with addition the Birtzschool Baril integrates by École the Designed Provencher_Roy), Architectes (Groupe Bastien Laforest Beaudoin

with the birth of democracy. ABOVE TOP LEFT restored and renovated original 1910 buildling, which had been slated for demolition. STÉPHANE BRÜGGER STÉPHANE - - - -

especially as Atlantic archi — Throughout the Atlantic coast, climate change has been palpable: The potential exists the for buildings sector make to a significant Of the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland’s economy is struggling the “We’ve done several long-term care homes in the past, now, but influence with government officials. The situation may be somewhat different in the Maritime provinces. Says Susan Fitzgerald Hali of we don’t evenwe don’t get looked unless at linked we’re an to outside firm,” says Richard Symonds who is concerned Lat49, of that the province lacks understanding the of full implications using of this type of procurement. With only local 35 members across Newfoundland and Labrador, notes Symonds, the architecture community has little fax-based FBM, “I actually see a growing desire work with to local firms with their deep local knowledge jects is Passive a six-storey, House-standard multi-unit residential build. “This will be a big statement locally show to how high sustainability standards and high design ambitions can he says. work together,” there’s been major flooding in , Arcticsea ice blowing down the coast Newfoundland, of and invasive species like European Green Crab coming regularly up in fishing nets. Perhaps as a result, private house clients, universities and specific municipalities seem he attributes in part the to attractiveness the of Bay Fundy of coastline. Kopp also notes that there has been a drift people of from the suburbs back into the city core. In line with the trend, their of one current pro interested in building with sustainability in mind. government But policy and regulations have catch to up. impact: the relatively moderate climate Newfoundland, of instance, for means that geothermal fields are remarkably effective. can “You run almost 100 percent a building’s of heating and cooling geothermal,” on says Jeremy Bryant who notes a short St. of Lat49, John’s-based payback time five of six to years. most, as continues it recover to from the fallout the of oil and gas price crash several years ago. The capital-poor provincial government has relied P3s on as a way finance to major projects, including the $120-mil lion Corner Brook hospital, a mental health facility in and St. John’s, a number long-term of care facilities.

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with - - — Architecture & FBM Architects. The opening the of library RHAD even though the provincial government is in a non- — a concrete snarlthat caps the north downtown end of —

Affordability is increasingly an issue, and developers are responding The coast is also upgrading its tourism infrastructure, A side-effect tourism of is an uptick in residential projects. “We’ve In neighbouring New Brunswick, there is a similar boom in the vaca One the of most visible development projects is Marque, Queen’s “When the Halifax Central Library opened, changed it many people’s There’s a sense economic of optimism that’s unusual the for fiscally “When I first arrived in Halifax 25 years ago, there were massive park a pedestrian-oriented district centred parks, on plazas and a transit hub. in projects such as Midtown North, which includes a significant com ponent below-market-value of rentals. The five-acre parcel, designed by FBM, weaves together a mix building of types and scales, and includes a plaza weekend for markets. RHAD is designing a 30-unit affordable housing project in Bridgewater, a community just outside the city that recently won a $5-million pot in the federal Smart Cities Challenge. Bridgewater’s proposal intends lift to residents energy of out poverty, in cluding through providing better housing that reduces energy expenses. in both public venues and private enterprises. Among the rising stars are the globally acclaimed Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs golf courses, which have transformed the landscape and economy a former of community. FBM has contributed handsome structures each. to seen clients of a lot from overseas west out or who have become enam oured with the Nova Scotian landscape and have purchased waterfront properties around the province,” says Rayleen Hill. “Some lived went or universityto here, others have vacationed here, and now want build to a summer where home they can eventually retire.” tion home market a set residential of midrises the on downtown waterfront by MacKay- Lyons Sweetapple and FBM that includes public areas. There’s also an ticipation building around the municipality’s plan replace to the Cogswell Interchange Interior Design. new “Now, communities are being created those on sites.” building phase austerity. of “We recently did an audit our of commis- sions, and found 85 percent our of clients are from out-of-province,” says Stephen Kopp Saint of John-based Acre Architects, a draw that The postcard view Canada’s of Atlantic coast is dotted with small, colour ful clapboard houses sitting by the ocean. in But some parts the of Atlantic, that’s starting change, to with a growing appetite contem for porary design, and a contingent architects of ready deliver to it. perceptions about what a modern building could bring the to city,” says Rayleen Hill, of ATLANTIC in 2014 coincidedin 2014 with a real estate boom in the city: construction has been the on rise, with a record number housing of starts in 2018. conservative anchored, city. It’s perhaps, in the thriving Irving ship yard, which secured a $25-billion package building for federal combat vessels and in 2011, earlier this year was part a team of selected design to and construct another $60 billion military of ships. ing lots in theing recalls city,” Susan Fitzgerald, of 22

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19

ACRE ARCHITECTS ACRE FBM ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN INTERIOR & ARCHITECTURE FBM - -

23 Acre

TOP RIGHT TOP ABOVE rchitects to reference the typology of local barns. Located on Cape Breton, Abacus House was designed rchitecture & Interior Design’s plan for Halifax’s Midtown North RHAD A Architects is designing The Wellington, a mixed-income, Passive Passive mixed-income, a Wellington, The Architects designing is House-standard mass muti-unit The John. Saint in building residential viously occupied the site. ing and pops of colour reflect the legacy of the three houses that pre by comprises a mix of six commercial and residential buildings. buildings. residential and commercial six of mix a comprises TOP LEFT FBM A

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— DOUBLESPACE PHOTOGRAPHY DOUBLESPACE and with even fewer women architects — Despite our small number registered of architects in Atlantic Can Regional connections may be strengthened by the advent Building of “ Still, Newfoundland and Labrador’s architects do what they can, par As in Saskatchewan, there’s the sense that a local design school would of growthof and progress with the launch BEAA,” of says Monica Adair Acreof Architects, who spearheaded the initiative. shared dedica “A tion the to larger mission helping of shape our profession be to more diverse is resulting in a more connected ecosystem. This is vital espe cially the for smaller provinces, where the architect is always not top mind,of and where we must together address our value in society.” may beIt just the kind energy of that’s needed build to a stronger cul ture architecture of within the region. haps an outpost Dalhousie of University’s School Architecture. of Archi tect Chris Woodford, Newfoundland-based of Sheppard, Woodford says that design throughout the Atlantic would also be well-served by closer links between the architects in its different provinces. “It’s cheaper me for flyto , to , than St. to John, New Brunswick,” he says. “There’s good design happening in various pockets in the region, it’s but difficult even me to for see architectural work designed by peers my in other Atlantic provinces. It’s also difficult collaborate to and work to in different cities, because the of physical obstacles getting of around.” Equality in Architecture Atlantic (BEAA), an offshoot Toronto- of based organization which supports BEAT, diversity in the profession. With the launch a PEI of chapter in June, BEAA now has a presence in each the of Atlantic provinces. This fall, they’re planning a regional retreat in New Brunswick, and hoping make to an it annual event. ada tects receive more press and win national and international accolades.” ticularly in advocating architecture. for The developments Island Fogo at continue have to a positive impact design for culture, with the inter national draw the Island of Fogo Inn bringing attention the to trans formative potential architecture. of With the help Canada of Council grants, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association Architects of runs an annual architecture week and hosts lectures throughout the year. be help of in bolstering the status architecture of in the province

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— There is opportunity in the North young for architects intrepid All this is happening in the shadow the of significant impacts which is very unusual the for North.” enough move to there. Eic completed her student thesis looking First at Nations housing in her province home New of Brunswick, then decided Architectural jointo Taylor Group as a way pursue to her interests. “Even as an intern architect, you really getthrown into the middle of things,of with a variety experiences,” of she says, recalling how she was exposed the to firm’s highly varied work, from offices and schools, to communityto centres and arenas. “People think that you can only find to work, more likely you’re Toronto or but go Vancouver to find to an interesting experience by going somewhere more remote.” theof climate crisis: the Arctic is warming almost three times as fast as the rest the of world. “Since arrival my the in , average annual temperature in some northern communities with permafrost byincreased as has much as 4.8 degrees,” says Kobayashi. Thawing permafrost threatens northern infrastructure, since the foundations of many buildings are dependent upon maintaining permafrost in its frozen state. (Buildings are typically raised allow to cold air circu to late over the ground.) “Much the of permafrost is just in below Yukon zero degrees Celsius, and therefore very susceptible even to slight in creases in warming temperatures,” says Kobayashi. says warming temperatures,” in creases mation and skill levels, and then including that in the project’s specifi cations,” says Ksenia Architecture Taylor Eic of Group. Forty-five percent the of project was constructed by locals. construction Wood was also chosen, in order use to construction equipment already available bers interested in working the on project, acquiring their contact infor in the community. “Usually people away shy from using local labour, local labour as possible. “We did this by interviewing community mem as they think will it increase the cost, the but amazing thing is that the building tender price ended being up under the budget price ------

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year-end. Many projects start and st

Jack Kobayashi, Whitehorse-based of Kobayashi + Zedda Architects, Funding the for majority Northern of projects ultimately comes What’s indisputable is that a demographic it’s in need better of archi Architect Bill Semple NORDEC of consulting and design echoes A variety community-centred of approaches are seen in the work of On the positive side, there seems be to a willingness develop to tecture, starting from the basic level housing. of One in five Indigenous people lived in a dwelling in need major of repair in 2016, including nearly a third Inuit of living in Inuit Nunangat and almost half Status of people living reserves. on Close fifth one to the of Indigen ous population lived in crowded housing, with a shortfall bedrooms. of notes that the housing sector in Northern Canada has been extremely busy in the past five years. this time, “At we are designing residential projects that comprise the entire continuum housing, of including home less shelters, tiny homes, rental apartments, market condos, seniors’ hous ing and extended care facilities,” says address Kobayashi. the To severe shortage housing of in Whitehorse, the firm has also developed its own construction arm, 360 Design Build, which has completed several projects, including, most recently, a 14-unit building with micro-sized apartments. from federal coffers. “While much the of federalsubsidies have been devolved over the years through local government, First Nation govern ments and First Nation Development Corporations, all paths lead backthe to Federal Government,” says Kobayashi. Unfortunately, Ottawa’s schedules always don’t align with the realities Northern of liv ing. “The North operates annual on government funding milestones that revolve around a March 31 tify themselves as First Nations, Métis, Inuit or the on census. an anticipated growth over to 2.5 million by 2038. Statistics Canada says that two factors have contributed this to explosion: high fertility rates, also but a greater confidence that is causing more people iden to

The Indigenous population is Canada’s fastest growing demographic, with some 1.6 million Indigenous people in the census, 2016 and THE NORTH stop that on milestone date,” he says. “This arbitrary date does not align well with the short construction season.” the need reality for checks. “There’s never and enough never money, enough housing getting built. Every year, the backlog gets bigger,” he says. Often, funding is year-to-year, over or a couple years of velopment Corporations operate arms-length at the to First Nations they represent, and are sufficiently nimble in their risk-taking and decision- making ability become to very good clients architecture of in the North.” Yellowknife-based Architecture Taylor the Hamlet Group. For Office and Community Hall Kugaaruk, at the firm focused using on as much at most.at The lack long-term of funding makes difficult it build to cap Development Corporations have been consistently rewarding. The De acity and plan to longer-term strategies. improved processes. “The conversations between communities and the federal government ismuch more open now than before,” says Semple. Adds Kobayashi, “Projects coming the of out efforts First of Nation 24

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19

CANADIAN ARCHITECT 07/19

CHRISTOPHER OLAND CHRISTOPHER PONA IHOR PONA IHOR

25 ANDREW LATREILLE ANDREW

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For the Lutsel Dene K’e School, Taylor RIGHT Local artist Alina Tungilik’s work was integrated TOP RIGHT TOP Kobayashi + Zedda Architects designed the 17-unit Inuvik Sin there is much learn to from them. is belief my It that reconciliation — Conversations with Indigenous clients have the potential do to more While there is a small contingent registered of architects in the North, into the Kugaaruk Hamlet Office and Community Hall, designed by ArchitectureTaylor Group. gles complex to meet the needs of a growing demographic in the community. TOP LEFT Architecture Group provided maximum transparency to connect transparency maximum class provided to Architecture Group rooms with theoutdoors and with the corridors, building trust with the claustrophobia. of community combatting and feelings will be finally happening actually when we’re having two-way conversa tions, where we are learning from each other.” some firms from southern cities have developed a long history work of Manasc Isaac. “We are working more than ever with First Nations, and are developing deeper and more enduring relationships with the many First Nations and Métis communities that we work with,” says Vivian ing with Indigenous communities, among them, Edmonton-based Manasc, whose current work includes a number First of Nations schools in Alberta and gathering centres Métis at Crossing (Alberta), Salt River (Northwest and Kwanlin Territories), Dün “Our (Yukon). approach is informed as much as possible by Indigenous ways being of and know ing and relationships of with the land.” than meet the challenge providing of adequate housing, as immense as that goal may already be. “First Nations have a close relationship with the land, they understand has how it inherent richness, they have spent countless generations living says address it,” on Semple. “To climate change, the very attitude they have the to land is what we need culti to vate