A layman’s view (not an architect) We spend a lot of time in the office. Sometimes we spend more time at the office than we do at home. While this is not a healthy way to live, sometimes it’s necessary. Some of the places I have worked have managed to make my home away from …
On Tuesday, September 18, 2018, the world of architecture mourned the passing of the, “father of postmodernism”, Robert Venturi at the age of 93. Robert Venturi graduated from Princeton University in 1947 and again in 1950 with a Masters of Fine Art degree. Along with being an architect, he was a noted writer, teacher, artist …
On Friday, September 21, 2018, the nation’s capital was hit with six tornadoes. The hardest hit areas were Gatineau and the west end of Ottawa including Dunrobin. After this natural disaster, I believe that people will take tornado warnings far more seriously than in the past. I hope too that people will prepare emergency kits …
Let me start off by saying that this is my first blog and I am nervous to share this. I thought about talking about my position at DCA and what life is like returning from my maternity leave, but I want to talk about something a little more personal. Let’s get real. Being a mother …
In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) The Dominion Sculptor is not an elected position, it’s an appointment, but it may be the coolest job on Parliament Hill. I came across R. Eleanor Milne, Dominion Sculptor from 1962 to 1993 while doing some surfing on the Parliament of Canada website. What I found amazed …
I remember being in high school and meeting friends at the Rideau Centre after school. When I lived in British Columbia it was the same. We’d usually hang out after school taking our time to get home. The mall was the hang out place of choice at the time. My son is sixteen years old …
In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) Once I went on a vacation with a friend who did not travel much and as we approached the entrance to the subway she voiced her fears: she had heard subways were dangerous, filthy and violent. I realized in that moment that my 10 year-old was more …
Concrete has issues. What can we do about it? Making cement puts out a lot of CO2. Making concrete needs a lot of sand. Both are big problems. Yes, concrete is wonderful stuff. It can last millennia if you build it like the Romans did. Much of our modern world is made of concrete.
IN LAYMAN’S TERMS (A NON-ARCHITECT’S POINT OF VIEW) Something I read recently made me have an epiphany that, when I said it out loud to the architect in my life, he gave me that look. You know the one where you realize your personal thought is not only not original, but is so old that …
All Things Home Architect Toon Dreessen: Pushing the Envelope The Globe and Mail Are we doomed to a future of mediocre public buildings? Canadian architecture needs the support of a national policy Huffington Post How Architecture Can Bring Communities Together Smarter Buildings Can Help Canada Hit Its Climate Goals I Love My Architect Where’s …