Articles from Canadian Architect

Several Canadian architecture and design firms have announced key promotions among their staff. COEX Architecture welcomed Daphnee Van Lierde and Nicolas Demers-Stoddart to lead their practice. Anne Carrier Architectes promoted Patricia Pronovost, Martin L'Hébreux, and Mathieu St-Amant within their organization. Reich&Petch and Vlan also made leadership changes with new principals and partners, respectively.

Plusieurs cabinets d'architecture et de design canadiens ont annoncé des promotions importantes parmi leur personnel. COEX Architecture a accueilli Daphnee Van Lierde et Nicolas Demers-Stoddart pour diriger leur pratique. Anne Carrier Architectes a promu Patricia Pronovost, Martin L'Hébreux et Mathieu St-Amant dans leur organisation. Reich&Petch et Vlan ont également modifié leur direction avec de nouveaux associés et partenaires.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has unveiled the Gordon B. Shrum Building, designed by Patkau Architects, as the new hub for the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME). This purpose-built facility will unify SBME's previously dispersed locations and includes specialized labs and collaborative spaces to advance biomedical research and education. The project, valued at $139.4 million, was funded by the Government of British Columbia, UBC, and philanthropic contributions. This building will foster research, education, and innovation in biomedical engineering while supporting the growth of Canada's life sciences sector.

L'Université de la Colombie-Britannique a inauguré le bâtiment Gordon B. Shrum, conçu par Patkau Architects, pour abriter l'École de génie biomédical. Cette installation vise à centraliser les activités de l'école, jusqu'ici dispersées, et comprend des laboratoires spécialisés et des espaces collaboratifs pour promouvoir la recherche et l'enseignement en génie biomédical. Ce projet de 139,4 millions de dollars, financé par le gouvernement de la Colombie-Britannique, l'université et des donateurs, soutiendra la croissance du secteur canadien des sciences de la vie.

Guardian Glass North America recognized outstanding projects at its 8th annual Commercial Project Awards in Las Vegas, celebrating the innovative work of glaziers and fabricators. Among the winners was the Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy in Quebec City, designed by Saucier & Perrotte Architectes, which impressed judges with its expansive use of SunGuard glass and a unique gold ceiling feature. This Canadian project was praised for its ability to provide light and expansive views essential to the building's multiple functions. Guardian Glass highlighted the exceptional skill and talent of the teams involved in these high-performance building projects.

Canada and the UK have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) allowing architects registered in either country to easily practice in the other, starting May 14, 2025. This agreement simplifies the registration process through a streamlined application procedure, enhancing professional mobility across the Atlantic. The MRA also outlines specific requirements for qualification verification to maintain high professional standards. It further strengthens historical ties between the two Commonwealth countries and complements existing MRAs with other regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and within Canada itself.

The Toronto Public Space Committee has launched a global design competition to reimagine public washrooms in Toronto. The competition calls on designers, architects, and urban planners to create innovative and inclusive washroom designs to address the city's shortage of public washroom facilities. The focus is on accessibility, sustainability, and cultural inclusion, with an overall goal to enhance urban infrastructure. Winners will receive cash prizes and their designs will be showcased in a public exhibition.

The government of Ontario has been ordered to pause the removal of key bike lanes in Toronto until a court decision is made regarding their constitutionality. The injunction is a response to a legal challenge that argues removing the lanes could endanger lives and violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Despite the government's claims that removing bike lanes would reduce traffic congestion, evidence and internal reports suggest that congestion reduction would be minimal, while bike lanes have been shown to decrease crashes. The case highlights important constitutional questions and the balance between traffic management and cyclist safety.

The Ordre des architectes du Québec has announced the 18 finalists for the People's Choice Award at the 2025 Prix d'excellence en architecture. This annual event celebrates exemplary architectural achievements and aims to raise public awareness about architectural quality. Winners will be announced on May 22, 2025, at a gala in Montreal, with four additional distinctions awarded for contributions to distinctive architecture. The finalists include projects like the Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy and Mellem Ville-Marie, showcasing a variety of architectural firms and styles.

The Blue Stick Garden, originally created by Claude Cormier for the International Garden Festival, has been transformed into the Blue Stick Forest at Les Jardins de Métis. This installation features 2,500 blue and orange sticks within a microforest composed of 1,800 trees, shrubs, and perennials, showcasing innovative planting methods to address climate change. It symbolizes a blend of art and environmental adaptation, with a focus on resilience and sustainability, accentuating the importance of preserving a fragile environment. The installation will be open to the public on June 21, 2025, in conjunction with the 26th edition of the International Garden Festival.

The St. Lawrence Market in Toronto will soon celebrate the grand opening of its redeveloped North Building, a project designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Adamson Associates Architects. This redevelopment, which replaces an old one-storey market building, now includes a Farmers’ Market, Sunday Antique Market, Toronto court services, administrative offices, and a 250-space underground parking garage. The construction began in July 2019, with the Farmers' Market starting operations in the new space in April 2025, and an official grand opening scheduled for May 10, 2025.

In Toronto, a legal battle ensues over the provincial government's decision to remove bike lanes from major roads, which Cycle Toronto and its supporters argue infringe on cyclists' safety rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter. The provocation questions if the province can legally remove these lanes without breaching cyclists' rights to life and security. The case points to data-based analyses supporting the retention of bike lanes, emphasizing their role in reducing congestion and preventing collisions. The court's decision could set a precedent for future infrastructure projects, where provincial power is measured against community safety and rights.

A new 25-unit affordable housing project at 1120 Ossington in Toronto showcases successful implementation of deeply affordable, supportive housing through innovative design and construction techniques. Developed by Smart Density and mcCallumSather, the project utilizes modular mass timber construction, enabling rapid assembly in 17 days, and is designed for energy efficiency with a 40% performance improvement over NECB baseline. Supported by government funding and driven by sustainability goals, the initiative highlights a scalable model for addressing homelessness, especially with ongoing coordinated leadership and investment from upcoming governmental policies.

The article discusses the closure of the historic skating rink at Bonsecours Basin in Montreal's Old Port due to the costs of installing a new refrigeration system. Despite its popularity as a community gathering space and cultural icon, the government decided to close it, citing financial reasons. The author proposes alternative uses for the site and suggests remodeling it based on successful examples from other cities. This op-ed highlights the potential for maximizing the site's use while preserving its open-air skating attraction.