Canada Journal

from Canadian Architect April 2023

Great exteriors start here

AIA Canada Awards Winners President’s Letter

Lara Presber Architect, AAA, AIA, CPHD, WELL AP™

Before there were formal architecture schools, one learned the profession via apprenticeship. I consider myself fortunate to have unknowingly chosen a program that was built on this foundation. At my alma mater, The Boston Architectural College, students were expected to work fulltime for a firm while completing studies and coursework in the evenings and on weekends. It was an intense path toward education—and eventually licensure—with the greatest reward being access to daily mentorship.

With today’s pathway to licensure, we have compulsory mentorship built into the internship process, but little in place that helps to meaningfully connect students with working professionals. Guest critiques at universities are invaluable, but fleeting. In contrast, some of my greatest learning experiences were the informal interactions that happened from day-to-day. Watching my mentor present and direct a client meeting to his desired outcome was vital learning that I could put into practice at my next studio review. I took for granted the access I had to an immediate army of support when I was faced with a seemingly impossible design problem. The desire for mentorship gave me the confidence to start conversations with individuals who had senior roles in the firm, often leading to additional learning and growth.

Each year, the AIA Canada Society looks at ways to facilitate connecting emerging professionals (students, recent graduates, and those pursuing licensure) to seasoned architects, and to each other. This year, for the first time, we are publishing the winners of the student awards category of our annual awards program. The intention is to celebrate the achievement of these individuals, and also to inspire other students and professionals with the level of thinking that’s occurring in our schools. April is also the annual kick-off of the 10-month-long AIA International Mentorship Program, connecting emerging professionals with experienced ones across the globe. I invite you to join this mentoring initiative; details to register can be found under the News tab of our website. Let it be the opportunity to start a conversation with someone that you may not have had occasion to speak with before.

The AIA Canada Awards program runs annually each fall to recognize best practices, innovative thinking, and design excellence in the work of AIA Canada members and future design professionals.

The awards program includes the AIA Canada Student Architecture Awards, whose top prize is a scholarship of $2,000 USD. These awards celebrate exceptional work by students and recent graduates in the fields of Architecture, Interiors, Planning, Landscape and Urban Design.

Two winners from the professional awards are selected to participate in the 2023 AIA International (AIAI) Awards Program.

The 2022 awards invited entries in the categories of Architecture, Interior Architecture, Special Projects, Urban Design, Community Engaged Design, Open International, Unbuilt Works, and Student Projects.

The AIA Canada Society announced the winners at its 4th Annual General Meeting on November 23, 2022.

Turn the page to meet this this cycle’s two jurors and to see the winning projects.

Open Call for Mentors and Mentees to participate in the AIA International Mentorship Program

• 10-month-long program

• Quarterly and monthly large and small group settings

• Open to students, recent graduates, those pursuing licensure and architects

• Cross-continental networking opportunities

• Gain professional development, learn leadership strategies, and learn how to enhance workplace culture in this global profession

Call for Volunteer Treasurer

AIA Canada is seeking a treasurer to be part of the Board of Directors. The term of the position runs until December 2024.

Please contact info@aiacanadasociety.org with expressions of interest.

Canadian-born and -trained architect Jennifer Luce, FAIA, has developed her multi-disciplinary architectural practice, LUCE et studio in Southern California over three decades. The firm’s recent work includes civic and arts institutions, creative workspaces, and residential design in urban and rural contexts. Jennifer began her career winning an international design competition for the Center for Innovative Technology, Washington DC. It became the first smart building in the US, executed as a partnership between Virginia Academic Institutions and the Virginia State Government.

AIA Canada Awards Winners

Pierre Baillargeon is an internationally renowned architect with over thirty years of experience in the design and delivery of major developments worldwide. As an industry leader in architecture, city regeneration and real estate, he has a reputation for innovation and delivering excellence in terms of design and value for commercial, institutional and government clients. In 2007, Pierre established Mixity in London, UK, on the belief that true innovation grows from a focus on the global experience, sustainability and working in collaboration.