It’s time to change procurement practices for public sector architecture projects in Canada. The current procurement process favours larger firms that can devote more resources toward what is often a costly, months-long process. Unfair procurement practices, which focus on fees rather than quality, stifle innovation and harm small businesses. Small Ontario firms rarely participate in …

When we build physical infrastructure, we expect that it is going to last for decades, even generations. With the federal government poised to invest billions of dollars in transit, bridges, roads and cycling networks, it is more important than ever that we get it right. That means more than just making it functional. The three …

The recent news that Ottawa is looking to spend a billion dollars on a fleet of electric buses is welcome news. The urban built environment is responsible for about 75% of annual GHG emissions, with buildings accounting for 39% of the total emissions. Converting our public transit system to a zero GHG emissions target is …

“The city should encourage investment in our communities,” writes Architects DCA president Toon Dreessen.  It is easy to lambaste the city council for approving a $2.9 million tax break to a luxury car dealership in one of Ottawa’s poorest communities.   Awarded through a program aimed at incentivizing development in target areas including Vanier, the move …

We need to eliminate procurement contract conditions that are unfair and get back to public contracts that are fair and balanced. The basis of a contract is that there is a fair exchange. Usually, this is money for a service or product. When you order a coffee at your local coffee shop, there is an …

Ottawa has long held a reputation as a place that fun forgot. People who live here know that there is a lot to love about the city: its history, the Rideau Canal, proximity to parks and rivers, excellent museums and galleries, all of which make Ottawa a great place. More spontaneous fun things are harder …

Investing in ethics: Why unpaid interns need to be subjected to professional standards. Many jobs require, or expect, some form of apprenticeship as a sort of interim between academic training and being fully qualified for the profession. Whether we call them apprentices, internships, or articling students, in each of these cases, the individual expects to …

With a little creativity, government-owned land can help increase affordable housing and enhance our community. In January 2020, the City of Ottawa declared a housing emergency. Tackling this complex problem requires a range of initiatives. But one of the most accessible strategies involves rethinking how publicly owned land can be used to maximize its value to …

A level playing field makes for a solid foundation for infrastructure. Procurement, through a Request for Proposal (RFP), is how architects and engineers are hired to design Canada’s infrastructure. This includes exciting new museums and libraries but also the day-to-day infrastructure for offices, renovations, roof rehabilitation, barrier-free washroom upgrades, and thousands of regular projects. But …

Our physical infrastructure supports a social infrastructure, which is why design industries need to be involved in those conversations. When people talk about spending to stimulate the economy, governments are often quick to turn to “shovel ready” projects. According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the CanInfra Challenge, we have an infrastructure deficit in the …

Creating a welcoming environment is no easy task for small businesses. Finding the right space, fitting up the location, and attracting customers are typically top-of-mind concerns. The old real estate saying, “location, location, location” is very true. If your business needs regular clientele walking past your doorway, you need to be in the right place. …

Why the current procurement model needs an overhaul. Architecture, at its core, is for the people. For this reason alone, current procurement practices must be turned on their head. Why? Because quite simply, the wants and needs of the people are being buried in the long-held, staid process of selecting architects. This deeply bureaucratic approach …

A Modest Vision On February 1st, Ottawa’s Finance and Economic Development Committee approved the ByWard Market Public Realm Plan. This is the culmination of years of consultation and work to engage the public in the design and revamping of this historic civic space. The next steps are for City Council to approve the Committee’s recommendation. …

Architects DCA prepared a pro-bono urban design study of the ByWard Market. This was published in draft form in October of 2018 and a final version is available for your interest. We undertook this work for free, out of a love for the ByWard Market. As a source for some of Ottawa’s most beloved civic …

Our built heritage is part of our culture. Few people would debate that we need to conserve, restore, and respect the cultural institutions that house our democracy, our collections of art, or our history. Our built environment is the place we learn about our past, forge our sense of community, and give hope to our …

It’s always a great feeling when hard work gets the recognition it deserves. Euro Tile & Stone’s Delta Hotel Pool restoration project was something that we were excited to collaborate on, as it challenged us to find ways to safeguard the surrounding pool area with leak-proof tiling, while also giving it an aesthetic upgrade. The …

Thank-You While great to acknowledge partners and supporters, there is an absence of architects and engineers in the document; this speaks to a lack of engagement with the design professions who are responsible for much of the energy consumption (80% of GHG) in the built environment. Future engagement should consider reaching out to the Ontario …

“Inside every cynical person is a disappointed idealist.” – George Carlin There is something in the Zeitgeist telling us to stop trusting in authority. It’s as though, as a generation passes-on, we are poking at the beliefs they held dear. Sometimes this is a good thing, like moving from eminence-based medicine to evidence-based medicine, and …

A #betterbyward Market is an opportunity for social infrastructure that respects our #heritage and creates a festival space for people” When people talk about spending to stimulate the economy, governments are often quick to turn to “shovel ready” projects. According to Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the CanInfra Challenge, we have an infrastructure deficit of …

In an ongoing effort to connect with the distinguished and prominent voices that back our advocacy for better-built environments, we sat down with City Councillor Catherine McKenney at the beautiful new National Arts Centre to discuss equity in the built environment. In addition to accessible transit and para parity for people facing mobility challenges, we …

As an architecture firm, not only do we have a vision of sustainable cities and a more accessible built environment that puts people first, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our advocacy by finding prominent voices to join ours in making a better-built environment. Earlier this year, when the world looked much different than …

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that comes from holding two conflicting beliefs, values or attitudes. It is part of a social psychology theory that tries to explain a disconnect between a person’s behaviours and their beliefs. When you know that cigarettes cause cancer, but decide to start smoking anyway, this is an example of …

The built environment plays a big role in how we feel about our city. We may not realize it, but when we see beautiful buildings or bridges, let alone experience them by walking through or across them, it lifts our spirits. Whether that’s the beautiful stonework of our heritage buildings or the shining innovations of …

Ottawa aspires to be one of the best livable mid-sized cities in North America. A key part of this vision includes vibrant traditional main streets supporting both speciality and everyday items: think of a butcher, bagel shop or bakery that are within a short walk. Add a pharmacy and services such as dentists, doctors and …

How investing in architecture now will set us up for future success. Over the last month, we’ve seen the world respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, as in many other parts of the world, we’ve seen the economy shut down while we work from home. As governments provide the much-needed support to people, small businesses …

The Big Story recently did a piece on the impact that the COVID19 pandemic is having on our cities, homes and offices, and discussed with Toon Dreessen whether or not the short term effects we’re seeing will have long term benefits on the future designs of our built environments. Read the article and listen to …

Last fall, the City of Ottawa, like many other cities, declared a #ClimateEmergency. We’ve also declared a #HousingEmergency. We need to restore, conserve, adapt and renovate our existing buildings, including abandoned and derelict ones, to provide more housing. It can take years to get a project through planning approval and construction, so any action we …

Running a small business isn’t easy at the best of times. Payroll comes every two weeks. Rent and utility bills come every month. Tax submissions come every quarter. Today’s pandemic exacerbates the challenges that small businesses face: reserves are often minimal, allowing for, if they’re lucky, a month or two of emergency financial resources. Due …

It’s been a tough few weeks for all of us. Small businesses are struggling and our traditional, walkable main streets are void of the pedestrian traffic that independent stores depend on to stay afloat. Some have closed outright, while others are taking steps to keep their doors open by offering take-out and delivery options for …

If you’re in business, you’re likely already doing this in your line of work. ISO 9001 Certification gives us a framework for making sure that we do this on every project, every time. We are one of a handful of architecture firms in Canada with this unique certification. Getting this certification is more than just …

How Ottawa can address its empty and abandoned buildings Apathy is costing our communities Vacant and derelict buildings tear holes in our communities. They harm our economy, reduce our safety and set us back in making our city a great place to live. And here in Ottawa, lax bylaws fail to offer many incentives to …

We have a problem with procurement. Procurement is the way public institutions such as governments purchase professional services and materials. It starts with a request for proposal (RFP), an open call by organizations for work that specifies the conditions by which they’ll grade and then select the bidder to whom they’ll award the project. Canada’s …

I have occasionally worked on high floors in office buildings, which means I get to see the roofs below me. I have memories of the sparkle of the snow on frigid days in January and the sparkle of cars in the intensity of July sunshine. But I don’t remember ever seeing solar panels. In travelling …

City staff should be congratulated for setting an ambitious goal with the “Five Big Moves” of Ottawa’s new Official Plan. These are, indeed, big moves for the city. But creating the built environment is a political act. How will our local politicians approach these five planning goals? The first goal seeks more growth by intensification than …

Two weeks ago at the OAA Annual General Meeting, Heather Dubbeldam, OAA, FRAIC, was awarded the G. Randy Roberts Service Award. This award celebrates an OAA member for their extraordinary service to the membership. In her acceptance speech, Heather talked about her role in the Toronto Society of Architects, founder of BEAT (Bringing Equality to …

Two years ago, a good friend introduced me to Creative Mornings Ottawa. On April 27 I had the honor and pleasure of speaking at the monthly gathering of creative minds to speak on equity. I chose to address the topic of how we design washrooms in general, and specifically women’s washrooms. Based on my November …

As someone who has written policies for companies large and small, people often assume that I am “for” policies, rules and laws. And I am, I think they should exist and I think the same laws should be applied to everyone in the same way. Where I buck people’s frequently voiced perceptions of my mind …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 New International Version In thinking about the backlash against efforts to bring about a more equitable world …

Climate change is everywhere, and architecture has a big part to play in making change. Awareness of the built environment, and its role in effecting change is crucial: how we plan our parks, allowing rivers to overflow; how we create sustainable suburban communities and halt the ravage of unchecked #sprawl; how we invest in existing, …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) It feels like we’re perpetually in awards season. There’s always some group patting themselves on the back. It makes me uncomfortable. When my kids were in grade school the awards were generally pointless so I saw all awards as harmless praise. My opinion has evolved and I …

On Monday, March 11 2019, the Honorable David Onley former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, slammed the Province of Ontario for failing to reach accessibility goals. He noted that unnecessary barriers persist in the built environment, and called on architecture schools, and the profession, to take action. The following day, Kenzie McCurdy and I were invited …

A layman’s view (not an architect) For those of you who have never been to a conference, I would recommend you experience it at least once in your life. To feel the collegiate spirit. To watch people interact as they applaud themselves and their peers is a moment to enjoy. A conference is like a …

There’s a concept in economics called the tragedy of the commons which states that without external controls, people will act in their own self-interest to the detriment of the whole. Where we don’t impose guidelines about how to show respect in a given situation, some people will act in their own self-interest to the detriment …

Last year we had a unique opportunity and took to chance to dive right in. A local hotel had been having trouble with their pool and had hired an engineering company to do the structural repairs to their pool. In that process, the pool was found to be leaking, causing problems for the hotel ballrooms …

Making intensification work in Ottawa More people living on less land means less sprawl. However, when poorly designed or located in inappropriate areas, infill development is often accused – with some justification – of degrading the urban landscape and livability of a community. There are basically four levels of density.

The following are the notes used for my address to Ottawa City Council last Wednesday with minor notes for clarity, as well as links for reference to articles and research. This follows on the publication of the Ottawa Citizen Editorial of February 28 2019 “LRT Stage 2 – Is a P3 Model really the right way to …

The other evening I was driving home and listening to CBC Ottawa’s All in a Day with Alan Neal. He was interviewing Canada’s Auditor General Michael Ferguson on the Phoenix payroll system. When the payroll system was in the beginning stages, the federal government had a budget of $155 million. IBM said that for all …

A layman’s view (not an architect) I have probably read thousands of historical novels and history books. It occurred to me that in some ways my work life and my fictional life have a similar cast of characters. Many of the books I read have butlers and housekeepers. The butler is the gate keeper and …

The Globe and Mail published an article in early December 2017 entitled Ottawa holds up venture capital deal to highlight benefits of Beijing ties. The article discusses the business travel to China of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. While in Beijing, the two countries have agreed to work together on issues …

I was happy to read that the sale of Aecon was recently scuttled. It was a bad idea from the start. PCL, Ledcor and others recently met with the feds to ask that they block the sale, citing concerns that the state-owned construction company has a poor track record in safety, corruption and it would …

A layman’s view (not an architect) I was in my forties the first time I visited Europe. My family emigrated from Europe, mostly France and Poland, hundreds of years ago. As someone brought up in Canada, emotionally, Europe is as fantastical as Asia: a continent I thought I would never understand. I’ve seen thousands of …

In August of this year, I graduated for the second time. After having spent four years deep in academia at the University of Toronto – Major in History, double minor in English and East Asian Studies – heading back to school wasn’t in my plan. I pushed to take my final semester abroad, and ended …

I’m going to start off by saying I have no direct, hands-on, experience with this subject. But I know of it, and that this is often taboo; no one wants to talk about, especially not guys. But, as a guy, happily married to a beautiful woman, and dad of two great boys, I’ve come to …

This is an abridged text of my (short) speech at the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) annual general meeting, held in Toronto May 2018. Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I’m big on threads, and once I get on a soapbox, it’s hard to get me to change the subject, especially …

A Communication Professional’s Perspective When I walk around Hintonburg, where Architects DCA’s office is located, I see shops proudly displaying their buy local signs. This is a wonderful initiative, supporting small businesses in the community who are selling products made in Ottawa, Ontario or Canada. When I speak with colleagues about architectural services however, it …

Making Byward Market more pedestrian friendly Should William and Byward Streets be closed to traffic, CTV’s Leah Larocque explains.

Architect’s plan for ByWard Market curbs street parking | CBC News A local architect is hoping Ottawa will embrace his vision for a ByWard Market built more for people than for parking. Toon Dreessen, president of the Ottawa-based group Architects DCA, presented his plan for the market at an open house Tuesday evening.

Ottawa architect promotes plan to make major ByWard Market streets car-free A prominent Ottawa architect has spent his own time and money to come up with a plan that he says will revitalize the ByWard Market in part by taking cars off several major streets and turning them into pedestrian- and bike-friendly thoroughfares.

Local architect pitches dream vision for ByWard Market with more focus on pedestrians A local architect is challenging people to think about how the ByWard Market can be more pedestrian friendly through a concept he put together on his own time, simply because he loves the place. Toon Dreessen, president of Architects DCA, unveiled his …

PEDESTRIANS FIRST: Architect pitches ByWard Market dream vision A local architect is challenging people to think about how the ByWard Market can be more pedestrian friendly through a concept he put together on his own time, simply because he loves the place. Toon Dreessen, president of Architects DCA, unveiled his vision Tuesday at the central …

Architects DCA, is on a mission – we want to bring Ottawa’s ByWard Market up to the standards of world-renowned destinations like Vancouver’s Granville Market, Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and Boston’s Fanueil Market. Architects DCA has shared the results of a self-directed research and design report on the untapped potential of Ottawa’s ByWard Market. …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) I was talking with a well-respected business leader and asked her how she manages to keep her employees engaged in a highly competitive environment and she told me that they do weekly learning. Sometimes its 15 minutes, sometimes it’s a full day, but every week the team …

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 …

On February 7, Miranda and I went on a tour of the Ottawa Food Bank. Architects DCA made a financial contribution at the end of 2017 thanks to our wonderful clients. You can read more about why the Food Bank is important in Miranda’s blog, Charity of Choice. There were a lot of interesting facts …

The economic case for retrofitting buildings This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about leadership and management. Follow us at @Globe_Careers . Find all Leadership Lab stories here. Beyond social responsibility, more and more data are proving it makes economic sense for landlords …

Article in the Ottawa Business Journal written by Toon Dreessen. Architectural lessons from an Ottawa Valley laboratory Travel two hours northeast of Ottawa to Chalk River, and you’re likely to see the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) – a complex established after the Second World War to provide nuclear research lab space for Atomic Energy of …

During the month of May, we celebrate Bike to Work Month in the nation’s capital. This month signifies the start of riding season for many Ottawa residents. In fact, just the other week I went with my son to help him choose a new bike. How do we inspire more people to use bikes as …

Over the years, I’ve been on, and attended, a lot of panel discussions and conferences. When I am on a panel discussion, I am generally on stage sitting in a deep chair that isn’t quite comfortable. In recent years, there’s been more awareness of the need for inclusivity in panels, and moving away from the …

The problem with public-private partnerships: mediocre buildings The new East Vancouver campus of Emily Carr University of Art and Design should be a showpiece. This is an art school, after all, committed to creativity. You’d think lead architects Diamond Schmitt would get a chance to do something great for the faculty and students.

Sears Canada, at the beginning Simpsons-Sears, began in 1952 as a mail order company where people bought household and clothing items. Until 2017, when the Canadian company filed for bankruptcy, Sears continued to sell via magazine and also in store. The first Simpsons-Sears stores were opened in Ontario and British Columbia before more stores opened …

Article in the Ottawa Citizen written by Toon Dreesen. Dreessen: Let’s value architecture like we do music and art Starting in 1872, Canada had a Chief Architect, originally a Dominion Architect, responsible for the design of many federal buildings. However, that role ended in 1975. In some federal departments, such as the Department of National …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) A Blog by Miranda Paquette The Globe & Mail announced back on September 21, 2017 that Terrazzo was being rediscovered. This is huge! Why they buried the article on page L3 I will never know. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment since I became …

The Globe and Mail published an article in early December 2017 entitled Ottawa holds up venture capital deal to highlight benefits of Beijing ties. The article discusses the business travel to China of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. While in Beijing, the two countries have agreed to work together on issues …

Infrastructure is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as, the basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively. Infrastructure includes the bike lanes and roads that take us to work and school as well as the buildings where we live, work and play. …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) A Blog by Miranda Paquette I learned a new word today. I’m the second oldest person in our office so sometimes I feel like I’ve plateaued compared to my peers. But not today because I just learned about a woonerf. For those of you also learning today, …

This blog post is not actually about statistics. It’s about the way building science uses statistics to help design. Building Science is the bundled fields of architecture and engineering whose goal is to calculate and respond to how the building works in its environment. By this I mean how the building reacts to the environment: …

Social media is all around us. On a personal level, Twitter keeps us informed on the latest news, Facebook with our friends and family’s lives, and LinkedIn for professional networking. You may be wondering, why do businesses use social media? More specifically, why would an architecture firm use social media? Recently I have had discussions …

Whenever architects get together, we have lots of things to say to each other. We talk about fees, who won which project, where we traveled, what we learned and what engineers we recently worked with, or didn’t. Like many industries, we talk to each other. While that’s all very good, it limits us because we …

Article in the Ottawa Citizen written by Toon Dreessen. Architect Toon Dreessen’s recipe for success Architect Toon Dreessen is never happier than when he’s cooking up a storm in his kitchen or designing trendy urban lofts, slick car dealerships and modern high-tech facilities at his Wellington West office.

Architect Toon Dreessen: Pushing the envelope – allthingshome.ca He not only wants to push the envelope in his designs, Ottawa architect Toon Dreessen wants to push his profession. That’s why the past-president of the Ontario Association of Architects and president of Dreessen Cardinal Architects Inc. is advocating for a national architecture policy.

Frank Cunha III of I Love My Architect interviewed Toon Dreessen of Architects DCA.

It’s that time of year again, the new year has arrived and everyone is eager to start it off on the right foot. For most people, the holidays are a time of excitement with an underlying note of stress. Whether the stress was aimed at having to pack up the family for holiday travels, getting …

Last year, I had the experience of a lifetime when my best friend and I drove and camped out across Canada and the United States. After spending two weeks as rural as it gets in Wyoming, where deer casually walk across the residential front lawns of their small towns, the feeling of driving into Chicago …

Article in the Globe & Mail written by Toon Dreessen. Canadian architecture needs the support of a national policy An architecture policy sets an aspirational goal for what we value about the built environment, and helps create a framework for that contribution to culture. The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) is actively consulting with …

“We are seeing office environments where there is dedicated space for collaboration, for whiteboard sessions, for cafes and for interactive space,” says Toon Dreessen, president of Architects DCA and past-president of the Ontario Association of Architects. “We are now creating spaces where people can come together and solve problems and they are not stuck at …

The old adage says that when one door closes, another one opens. This is very true today as it marks the last Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Council meeting I will be attending. For six years, I’ve had the honour of serving the architecture profession’s regulatory council. Elected by the members of Eastern Ontario, it …

One year my New Year’s resolution was to pick a charity of choice – an organization that I could contribute to whenever I felt the urge to donate to a worthy cause. There were a couple of reasons why I wanted to do this: I was on so many lists that I was getting a …

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for me, from conferences to speaking engagements and everything in between. Travelling from Ottawa to Toronto and “virtually” sparking conversations with people all over the world via the DCA Twitter account, I’ve been on a mission to help educate and inspire a new way of thinking about architecture, …

Buying better buildings: How governments should hire architects Procurement is the process used by large organizations such as governments to buy goods and services. There is an expectation – and a requirement – that purchasing goods and services in the public sector will be in a competitive, open and transparent environment so that best value …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) A Blog by Miranda Paquette I don’t get out much. My family left Europe in the 1600’s and doesn’t go back very often – for several generations, they we didn’t go back at all. So my second trip to Europe was the year I turned 45. I …

Has LEED reached the tipping point? Flipping through the magazines that come into our office we noticed that everyone is claiming to somehow be related to LEED. It’s used as a selling feature for homes and offices alike. From what we see it has become synonymous with “good.” In our human ability to short-phrase complex subjects, …

In Layman’s Terms (A Non-Architect’s Point of View) A Blog by Miranda Paquette Flashback to my teen years – I lived briefly in Orléans, went to Catholic Secondary School Garneau and babysat kids all over town. I cashed my first cheque on St. Joseph Blvd, and with all that cash ($30 or so) took a …

Architects DCA has maintained a Quality Management System and certification under ISO 9001:2008 for over 10 years. On September 18, 2017 we achieved the milestone of an upgraded certification to ISO 9001:2015. We believe it’s an investment in methodology that will help us consistently deliver excellent services to our clients. When it comes to quality, our commitment …

Ontario condo buyers grapple with monthly fees amid slow rollout of new rules When Joe Byer bought a condo in a 24-storey downtown building in 2009, he and his wife were attracted in part by the appealingly low monthly fee: $400 for the two-bedroom unit. After about a year, recalls Mr. Byer, an IT sales …

My internet life is fairly well curated. I receive articles filtered by the applications I use based on the tags I’ve picked and the stuff I have read before. While part of me finds it a little creepy, a huge part of me finds it convenient. There is too much for me to read, I …

Speaking as a panelist at the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Industry Environmental Scan on August 20th-21st at Ottawa’s Delta City Centre Hotel, Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) past President Toon Dreessen of Architects DCA identifies emerging trends and the challenges ahead which affect design and construction, and how they will continue to be delivered. “We’ve seen …

A Blog by Miranda Paquette Ottawa is rarely on the cutting edge of trends. By the time a trend gets here it seems to be passé in the great metropolises. Sometimes a trend is just a great idea whose time has come. What’s been called “the sharing economy” seems to have fallen into that category. …

A Blog by Miranda Paquette Our Twitter account ArchitectsDCA has been chatting about procurement with regards to Public Service, and DCA President Toon Dreessen asked me to think about it from a generalist perspective and offer an opinion (in layman’s terms). When the government buys “things” they are spending our money. They are buying it …

We’ve been keeping our eyes on the ever-evolving design styles and changing trends, and (you heard it here first) we feel the “wood-look” tile might be on its way out. While absolutely beautiful, practical and welcoming, similar to every other trend, once it reaches the point of saturation, it too will be passé. What’s up …

A walk down Wellington Street: Exploring Ottawa’s contentious communism memorial Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court of Canada … and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Strange as it sounds, that will be the sequence along Confederation Boulevard in Ottawa if the capital’s newest memorial goes into the ground this year as planned.

Simply put: yes! With each concept, design and building, architects tell a story. Whether the building is a new home, an apartment building, or just the fit up of a commercial space, we tell a story about the client, the function of the space or the community it sits in. Successful buildings do all three. …

Built in 2016, the Harriet Brooks building is a two-storey, Class C radioisotope laboratory, named after Canada’s first female nuclear physicist. Architects DCA was integral in the design to replace the existing R&D infrastructure at the Chalk River Laboratory Complex. The building houses 85 scientists and engineers focused in the field of nuclear energy. The …

Article from the Globe & Mail written by Toon Dreessen. The economic case for retrofitting buildings This column is part of Globe Careers’ Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about leadership and management. Follow us at @Globe_Careers . Find all Leadership Lab stories here. Beyond social responsibility, more and …

As they say, “all good things must come to an end” and this sentiment hits close to home for me this week. For the past two years, I have had the pleasure and distinct honour to represent the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), as their President. Today, my two-year term comes to an end. The Ontario …

Article from the Huffington Post written by Toon Dreessen – Committed to cultivating a dialogue with the public about the value of architecture to society. Smarter Buildings Can Help Canada Hit Its Climate Goals Back before we talked about climate change and the damaging environmental impact of fossil fuels, Fram oil filters introduced an iconic …

Synapcity Toon Dreessen, President of Ottawa’s Architects DCA and Synapcity alumni presented his design to residents, bringing to life their co-created vision for their home.

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Winter 2016/2017 on page 6.  TIME FLIES. THERE IS NO time like the present. A good time was had by all. Ahead of one’s time. Big time. Closing time. The year 2017 marks a major milestone in Canadian history. It is the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the 50th anniversary of Expo 67, …

Having watched the debate on the NCC’s deliberations for site selection of the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, the news last week that Site 12, formerly the Sir John Carling Building has been recommended is disappointing, at best. Here’s why we, the citizens of Ottawa, may come to regret this choice. To be clear, I’m fully …

When we talk about food, shelter and clothing, we generally mean these three to be separate things, and, to be one thing: our basic needs. They can also be seen as the same activity in deferent mediums. They are the weaving of different elements together to form comfort. When we look at the literal meaning …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Fall 2016 on page 8. AS ALWAYS, IT SEEMS THAT the deadline for submission of this quarterly message comes tight to another project deadline. In addition to the never-ending tasks and seemingly endless conference calls, running a full-time practice is, as many of you know, at least a full-time job. …

We’ve been riding bikes since the early 1800s and since then, have produced more than 1 billion bicycles worldwide – that’s twice as many bikes than cars! Biking is a major source of transportation for the world, and for some a lifestyle. North America and abroad, many people are opting to pay a small fortune …

When you think about the future, how do you envision your environment? What do buildings look like, both inside and out? As frequently as the trends in fashion and design change, so do the trends in architecture which influence how structures around us are designed and constructed. Beneath those changes are fundamental elements and standards …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Summer 2016 on page 6. A FEW WEEKS BEFORE WRITING this, I was in Vancouver with colleagues from across the country, reviewing and validating the fall edition of the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC), as a committee member. This was followed by a meeting, again with national colleagues (mostly …

Architecture has always played a huge role in climate change. We know that buildings contribute to nearly half of the nation’s CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions – which is a huge part of the problem, but the good news is, it’s a huge part of the solution. When we add the fact that transportation accounts for …

Recently, I was invited to speak to a group of interested Ottawa residents as part of the Westboro Brainery’s ongoing series of crowd-sourced education programs. The subject: The Architects Role in City Building. We explored a number of topics to better understand what role architects play in the design and planning of a city and …

June has been an eventful month for our team so far. On June 4th, Evelyne Cardinal was officially inducted into the OAQ (Ordre des architects du Québec) .     On June 8th, Toon Dreessen was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.     We invite you to visit our Facebook …

On April 28, 2016, the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada announced it was changing its designation categories. Starting in a year, only licensed architects can use the term RAIC (and interns can use RAIC (Intern) to reflect the importance of the internship process to the profession). This announcement, in RAIC news was also posted to the …

Each year, The College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) bestows Fellowship in recognition of outstanding achievement. Among 2016’s 41 new Fellows is our very own Toon Dreessen, OAA, AIA, LEED AP. The criteria for Fellowship include design excellence, exceptional scholarly contribution, or distinguished service to the profession or the community. …

All across Canada, city planners are working towards more livable communities with the goal of providing residents with increasing opportunities for a better quality of life. Public transit plays a major role in shaping where people choose to live, work, and spend time. Businesses and developers are focusing on building in areas close to mass …

The 360 Lofts Condominium brings sophisticated and contemporary architecture to the urban-Ottawa Byward Market neighbourhood. Located at 360 Cumberland Avenue, between York and George Streets, the 38 unit building is an in-fill construction with a style and unique design that aims to get Ottawa locals excited about architecture. The location of the building provides convenience …

Article in CBC News written by Toon Dreessen. ‘Serene, pristine, modern’: St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church a landmark for Ontario architects | CBC News The recognition gives the church – the brick building with the dome near the intersection of St. Anne’s Road and Notre Dame Avenue – iconic status and should help foster pride, the …

Every type of building, whether in a commercial, residential, or a secure environment, must meet specific standards to ensure the structure can meet safety requirements and function to the intended program while raising the human spirit through its timeless beauty. One of the more difficult structures to design, from an architectural standpoint, is a secure …

Recently, I’ve been involved in a number of conversations on Twitter relating to unhappy buyers of new homes and their dissatisfaction with the design and construction of their investment. Many of these conversations show the frustration homeowners have with Tarion, the body that is supposed to provide the warranty for new home construction in Ontario. …

Like art, great music and architecture pushes boundaries a little bit at a time. Taking raw materials and putting them together to create something beautiful and interesting. Whether it’s paint and canvas, guitar and piano sounds, or glass and steel, it’s up to the designer or artist to assemble the pieces however they see fit. …

Building on decades of experience and a spirit of innovation and collaboration, Toon Dreessen is pleased to announce the following evolutionary changes to the firm:  Evelyne Cardinal, Steve Lajeunesse, and Derek Ruddy will join Toon as partners, and the firm will now be known as… Dreessen Cardinal Architects Inc A Group of Architects While our commitment to quality, …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Winter 2015/16 on page 8. Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to serve as the President of the OAA. In doing so, one of the things most often talked about in formal and informal settings, in media interviews, procurement meetings, presentations and other events has been the role …

As architects, we spend a great deal of time imagining form and function as it relates to design and ultimately, to the impact each project will make on its surroundings. The process of developing a new website to showcase those designs is not much different. We have spent some time over the last few months …

A few weeks ago, the DCA team took to the streets of our Wellington West (Ottawa) neighbourhood to explore our community with fresh eyes.  Sketchpads in hand, we took the opportunity to return to our roots. Many of us have had training and experience with old-school pencil-to-paper drawing but rarely have the opportunity to flex …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Fall 2015 on page 8. Living with teenagers is, among other things, a lesson in tolerating the music of another generation. I’m guessing my father would probably say the same thing. It was my father who got me interested in what is now called classic rock, probably to ensure I didn’t …

Windsor rife for development of community hubs, says architect A planned overhaul of the historic Sandwich Towne post office could become a shining example of how to transform an aging and unused public building into a modern community hub, proponents of the project said Wednesday.

How Architecture Can Bring Communities Together Communities are comprised of a diverse mix of people, functions, and uses. The built form that we give to communities helps to foster connections and communication: it becomes the stage for our culture. Single destination buildings serve a single function, obviously, so they become like a single experience, rather …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Summer 2015 on page 8. The busy awards season is now over. Our Design Excellence Awards were presented at the gala in Hamilton last month and are featured in this issue. Leading up to the OAA Conference, I had the opportunity to speak to the media about our award winners, and …

Originally published in OAA Perspectives Spring 2015 on page 8. The Theme of this issue of OAA Perspectives – Advice for Aspiring Architects – got me thinking. It’s easy to get “aspire” and “inspire” mixed up. Both words come directly from Latin. The first translates as “breathe towards”; when we aspire to something, we really …

Glebe home tour: A peek inside the old and the new Why flip through the pages of design magazines or scroll through websites when you can experience the real thing? The annual Glebe House Tour Sept. 21 is a one-day event that allows the public to admire five beautiful and unique homes from the inside.

Hello city: Good architecture can bring new life to Ottawa, experts say Boxy high-rises. Huge parking lots and garages. These kinds of functional, concrete structures are everywhere, it seems: Think Tunney’s Pasture, or some of the behemoths in Ottawa’s downtown. But they aren’t on postcards. Young professionals don’t see them and think, “Wow, Ottawa looks …

360 Lofts Condo wins provincial design award! Project: 360 Lofts Condominium, Ottawa Architect: Farrow Dreessen Architect Inc. (successor firm to Dreessen Architect) Engineer: AAR Wood construction was an early choice for this 38 unit, 2072 m2 condominium apartment building due to the tight footprint of the property and limited site access. There was no room …

Farrow Architects Inc. is proud to announce a merger with Dreessen Architect Inc. The combination of the two firms enables expanded architectural services available to commercial, industrial, residential, institutional, and government related market sectors.

COOL & Contemporary An architect gives his 50-year-old bungalow a durable new life with corrugated aluminum, concrete panels and skylights in his basement office.