Functional and Timeless Beauty

The cutting-edge ultracompact stone provides comprehensive, customized, and sustainable façade solutions. Dekton® meets the most complex technical requirements and o ers unmatched beauty, durability, and resistance.

14

Highland Village Interpretive Centre

Abbott Brown’s interpretive centre for a Cape Breton museum is grounded in its cultural landscape. TEXT Christine Macy

20 CAPILANO & CALDER LIBRAIRIES

Two recent Edmonton libraries offer different visions of the community institution. TEXT Greg Whistance-Smith

30 Albert Campbell Library

LGA Architectural Partners transforms a 1971 neighbourhood landmark by Fairfield and DuBois. TEXT Emily Macrae

38 Harrison Mccain Pavilion

KPMB’s addition to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is a contemporary take on Fredericton’s neoclassical architecture. TEXT Peter Sealy

4 VIEWPOINT

Remembering Laura Moffatt, 1974-2023.

6 NEWS

OAQ award winners, RAIC Chancellor elected.

9 AIA CANADA JOURNAL

An interview with accessibility consultant and advocate Darby Lee Young.

44 INSITES

Jake Nicholson experiments with using ChatGPT to write proposals.

47 BOOKS

Alissa North’s new book on Canada’s contemporary landscapes, and Hans Ibelings’ vision for a climate change-centered history of architecture.

50 BACKPAGE

Moriyama Teshima Architects on the importance of preserving the Ontario Science Centre.

Highland Village

Remembering Laura Moffatt

As our team puts together this month’s issue of Canadian Architect, our hearts are heavy with the loss of a beloved colleague. Publishing operations manager Laura Lyn Moffatt (1974-2023) passed away in late April, after a brief and valiant fight with an aggressive form of cancer.

Laura was born and raised east of Toronto. Her first job out of high school was on the factory floor of General Motors. It was a predominantly male environment, and Laura was taken under the wing of several of the men around—fathers themselves, who perhaps saw their own daughters in Laura and felt similarly protective of her. The experience gave Laura a strong work ethic and commitment to collegiality that continued throughout her career.

After completing a degree at Durham College, Laura took on a contract position with Southam’s magazine group. Her role was to train publishers on a new customer relationship management software. Many of her trainees were reluctant technological adopters, and leading them through the software required patient explanation, often over multiple sessions.

Laura’s diligence and abilities to take on an increasing number of roles and responsibilities soon landed her a full-time job at Southam, and she continued in the business-to-business magazine division after it became a separate company, Business Information Group. When that company in turn was dismantled, she was hired by Alex Papanou, who continued on as the owner of Canadian Architect, Canadian Interiors, and Building magazines.

Over the past near-decade that I’ve had the pleasure of working with Laura, she has deftly managed all facets of the busy production of three magazines. From coordination with the printer and overseeing the websites, to deploying newsletters and e-blast campaigns, to processing credit card payments and downloading award entries, Laura was involved in everything. She was the person who the others in the company e-mailed multiple times a day with questions and requests of all kinds. When a deadline was slipping, she’d be the one to remind us—or, at other times, to perform the behind-the-scenes coordination needed with the printer, advertisers, and web to nudge production back by a day or two.

All of this would be done with the utmost professionalism and an unfailing attention to detail. Although I never saw Laura get angry, she would certainly get frustrated if others didn’t do their part—her personal standards were high for working hard and getting things done, and she had little tolerance for others slacking off. But even then, the team’s success was foremost in her concerns, and she wouldn’t hesitate to drop everything to help a colleague who was in genuine need.

While I wasn’t well acquainted with Laura outside of work, I do know that she was an expert quilter. She organized a surprise office baby shower for me when I was pregnant with my son, and I was presented with a beautifully handmade baby blanket. I remember her telling me afterwards how difficult it was to find gender-neutral baby fabrics—my partner and I had decided not to tell if we were having a boy or a girl. But she persisted, and found a fabric with animals on a lime-green background, which became the centrepiece for a composition in purple, green, and yellow, with orange fleece backing.

Laura’s fatal illness came about swiftly. She wasn’t feeling well in December—maybe COVID, she thought—and missed the company’s holiday luncheon. In January, she was diagnosed with stage two cancer. Following a seemingly successful surgery and rehabilitation, the cancer returned and spread; several rounds of chemotherapy failed to eradicate it before Laura succumbed.

Laura passed far too young, and will be sorely missed by her colleagues and family—for all that she did, but most of all, for the kind, generous, and determined person that she was.

DOUGLAS MACLEOD, NCARB FRAIC

REGIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

WINNIPEG LISA LANDRUM, MAA, AIA, FRAIC

VANCOUVER ADELE WEDER, HON. MRAIC

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISOR

ANNE LISSETT, ARCHITECT AIBC, LEED BD+C

VICE PRESIDENT & SENIOR PUBLISHER

STEVE WILSON 416-441-2085 x3

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

FARIA AHMED 416-441-2085 x5

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION@CANADIANARCHITECT.COM

PRESIDENT OF IQ BUSINESS MEDIA INC.

ALEX PAPANOU

HEAD OFFICE

126 OLD SHEPPARD AVE, TORONTO, ON M2J 3L9

TELEPHONE 416-441-2085

E-MAIL info@canadianarchitect.com

WEBSITE www.canadianarchitect.com

Canadian Architect is published 9 times per year by iQ Business Media Inc.

The editors have made every reasonable effort to provide accurate and authoritative information, but they assume no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the text, or its fitness for any particular purpose.

Subscription Rates Canada: $54.95 plus applicable taxes for one year; $87.95 plus applicable taxes for two years (HST – #80456 2965 RT0001).

Price per single copy: $15.00. USA: $135.95 USD for one year.

International: $205.95 USD per year. Single copy for USA: $20.00 USD; International: $30.00 USD.

Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the copyright owner.

From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you.

If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods:

Telephone 416-441-2085 x2

E-mail circulation@canadianarchitect.com

Mail Circulation, 126 Old Sheppard Ave, Toronto ON M2J 3L9

MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN BUSINESS PRESS

MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #43096012

ISSN 1923-3353 (ONLINE) ISSN 0008-2872 (PRINT)

Canada’s architectural profession issues report calling for change

For our communities to thrive, meaningful and necessary changes are needed to the way we create architecture in Canada, confirmed a report resulting from a three-year national consultation process.

The report, issued this spring by Rise for Architecture and the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada, shares a comprehensive review of the current practice of architecture in Canada, with recommended actions for adoption across the profession. The research includes a national poll by the Angus Reid Institute, a public survey, roundtables with the architectural profession, an architectural student forum, and independent research on the effectiveness of architecture policies in Europe.

The report highlights several key findings, including the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in the architecture profession, the importance of sustainable design practices, and the role of architecture in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also offers several recommendations for the future, including the need to strengthen the relationship between architects and the public, the importance of mentorship and professional development for young architects, and the need for greater collaboration between architects and other stakeholders in the built environment. A key finding was the need for and value of an architecture policy for Canada, which would be developed by various government sectors with the support of the design, planning, and construction industries.

“Architecture has a vital role to play in shaping the future of our cities and communities,” says architect Darryl Condon, Chair of the Rise for Architecture Committee. “This report on the future of archi- tecture in Canada provides a roadmap for how people in the profession can work together to create more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive environments for all Canadians.” www.roac.ca

“Students, architects, and Canadians shared valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s architectural profession. They called for deep change, which we’ve summarized into a set of immediate actions we hope to see adopted,” says Professor Lisa Landrum, a member of the Rise for Architecture committee.

Canadians are facing unprecedented challenges; the report’s findings and recommendations provide a roadmap for more responsive and resilient community design. It defines immediate actions for architects, educators, policymakers, and design professionals to work together in support of our communities and future generations.

Awards

OAQ Award winners

The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) has announced the winners of its 2023 Awards of Excellence.

The jury awarded two Grand Prix d’Excellence this year, recognizing Insectarium Metamorphosis in Montreal by Kuehn Malvezzi / Pelletier De Fontenay / Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes in consortium and Centre Cultural Desjardins Renovation in Joliette by Atelier TAG. The Public Choice Award went to the new sports and culture centre at Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal, designed by ACDF Architecture.

The following projects were also recognized with Awards of Excellence: Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert (Montérégie) by Atelier Pierre Thibault; Complexe des sciences - Campus Mil (Montreal) by Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux | Lemay | NFOE Architectes; Esplanade Tranquille - Quartier des spectacles (Montreal) by Les architectes FABG; Institut Quantique (Sherbrooke) by Saucier + Perrotte architectes; Carlier House (Montreal) by yh2 – Yiacouvakis Hamelin Architectes; Jeanne-Mance House (Montreal) by La Shed Architecture; and MB (Montreal) by Studio Jean Verville architectes.

The Médaille du Mérite was posthumously awarded to architect Claude Provencher for his contributions to inclusive and meaningful architecture. The organization’s Social Engagement Prize was presented to Lafond Côté Architectes. NÓS was awarded the Emerging Architects’ award, and the Ambassador for Quality in Architecture Prize went to Marie-Josée Lacroix, Montreal’s first design commissioner.

www.oaq.com

OAA SHIFT Challenge

The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has announced the five selections in its SHIFT 2023 Challenge, which focused on the theme of Health and Architecture. The biennial OAA aspirational ideas competition recognizes the value of architecture in addressing societal issues.

This year’s honorees include: Amygdala , a proposed treed walkway with lightweight steel and timber to establish an elevated network of pathways and gathering spaces through the existing canopies of Toronto’s Woodbine Beach by student associate Emily Lensin; Finding Balance in the Landscape of Muskoka , a plan to create a 200-acre wilderness preserve and establish a public place of contemplation, repose, and reflection on nature and our place within it by a team led by architect Howard Rideout; Healthy Cities: Sustainably Adapting the Dominion Foundry Complex , a proposed mixed-use development that aims to adapt Toronto’s remaining heritage Dominion Foundry buildings and integrate new construction to create a self-sustaining and active community by student associate Erica Gomirato; Hospital Precinct Commons, a proposed transformation of a major downtown-Toronto block’s exterior spaces into a multi-functional parkland that blurs boundaries between institutional care and community-based support and offers a more holistic approach to wellness by architect Gordon Stratford and landscape architect Alison Lumby; and Scaling Down: Shifting to Transit-Oriented Communities at Human Scale and Human Speed , which says goodbye to car-dominated neighbourhoods and puts people first with scaled-down streets, open spaces, and charming, walkable destinations, by a team led by architect Naama Blonder.

www.shiftchallenge.ca

Memoranda

RAIC College elects new Chancellor

Gerrie Doyle, an Ottawa-based architect and Fellow of the RAIC , has been elected Chancellor of the RAIC College for a three-year term beginning in June.

www.raic.org

Terri Meyer Boake recognized for lifetime achievement www.aisc.org

University of Waterloo School of Architecture professor Terri Meyer Boake has been honoured by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) with AISC ’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour recognizes living individuals who have made a difference in the success of AISC and the structural steel industry.

The Lives of Documents—Photography as Project www.cca.qc.ca

Curated by Bas Princen and Stefano Graziani, CCA Montreal’s new exhibition is the first in a trilogy focused on the medium of photography as art, research tool, and document investigating the built environment. The exhibition continues until March 3, 2024.

For the latest news, visit www.canadianarchitect.com/news and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at www.canadianarchitect.com/subscribe

President’s Letter

Conference season is upon us! We have recently enjoyed the return of the in-person conference of the RAIC, an organization to which many of our members also belong, and find ourselves now anticipating coming together at the AIA conference in San Francisco for more learning.

This month, we bring you a Q&A session with Darby Lee Young, founder of Level Playing Field. In conversation with our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Pauline Thimm, Darby discusses ways that we are moving toward greater equity in the built environment—and where we still need improvement. She touches upon the importance of viewing architecture as both an art and a science, so that code application, instead of being merely prescriptive, actually facilitates more equitable access for all. As a resource to support this work, we also highlight the AIA’s Community on the Environment (COTE®)—a group that has expanded from an exclusively climate-focused Knowledge Community to now include a framework for building performance criteria, which offers metrics for measuring access for all.

In May, we hosted our first in-person event in my hometown of Calgary, and it was wonderful to connect face-to-face with members. We are looking forward to hosting more events across Canada in the coming months: watch your inbox for invitations!