Award

June 2022

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Boreal Centre for Birds Conservation. City of Calgary Water Centre. Driftpile School. Métis Crossing Gathering Centre. J U N E 2 0 2 2 | 7 Reimagine INTO DESIGN While all the projects they have worked on are exemplary in their own way – and as Steve Vallerand, principal, says "all have their unique stories" – among those that showcase the diversity of their talents are: Driftpile School, which is located on Driftpile First Nation land and whose design is shaped in an eagle's feather; the Yukon Visitor Centre that garnered a Governor General's Medal for Excellence in Architecture; and the Calgary Emergency Operations Centre that has been designed to protect Calgarians in the event of a major emergency or disaster. Then there's the Boreal Centre for Birds Conservation and the University of Alberta Botanic Garden Main Entry Pavilion whose building mimics a leaf or flower petal in both its aesthetics and anatomy, and visually and functionally merges the building with its extraordinary natural surroundings. "There are so many projects that make us proud," says Manasc. "A few of my personal favourites include the Water Centre in Calgary, the Athabasca University Academic Research Centre, Métis Crossing Gathering Centre, and the Red Deer Polytechnic Student Residence. All of these are great examples of a truly integrative design process where innovative sustainable strategies are embedded in the heart of the building." Over the past three decades, the company has, much like nature itself, naturally evolved, and as part of that evolution, recently underwent a major rebrand, chang- ing its name to Reimagine. The reason for this is best described by Isaac: "The vision for the rebranding came from a desire we had to simply reimagine ourselves – 30 years tends to bring with it bits and pieces of things, a bit like dust balls in an older house. We didn't want to completely change everything, just clean out the dust, repoint the bricks, and give the paintwork the once over," he explains. The name change is also poignant at a time where the challenges of climate change have become increasingly more urgent and demonstrates their com- mitment to reducing the climate impact from the built environment, while doubling down on its focus on diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. In their recently released 28-page Corporate Sustainability Report, Reimagine dives deep into the seven big ideas that the company holds close to their heart and that will help build equity and prosperity for people and the planet. The goals are in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and cover: value alignment; quality learning environment; holistic well-being; empowered communities; energy and materials; livable cities; and light foot- print architecture. "I am excited that we are now going to have to look at how we battle against the impacts of climate change, which unfortunately is very much upon us," says Isaac. The team at Reimagine – which is now 60-plus strong and includes architects, engineers, technologists, graphic designers, and writers – undoubtedly has the skills to make the journey joyful for its own people and clients. "We really are a cross-pollination of individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives, working collaboratively on joint goals," says Vedran Skopac, principal … and that, right there, is what makes it highly plausible that Reimagine will help get us there, together. A

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