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University of Alberta Botanic Garden Main Entry Pavilion. 6 | J U N E 2 0 2 2 Reimagine For more than 30 years, Reimagine has been creating joyful journeys toward regenerative architecture by NATALIE BRUCKNER | photography courtesy REIMAGINE R eimagine's journey began more than 30 years ago when two young architects, Vivian Manasc and Richard Isaac, took the bold leap outside the boundaries of traditional architecture, and began working with Indigenous communities in Northern Alberta to design buildings that would not only respect their sense of place and improve the environment, but also align with the traditional values of their clients. Those early experiences, working in a realm that very few dared venture into, set them on a path that would not only shape the rest of their careers, but also the future of the company. "From the very beginning, Vivian and Richard have always been able to find healthy and sustainable architecture solutions to underserved clients and markets. With these clients they were shown remarkable ideas, strategies, and philoso- phies that became central to our company," explains Garth Crump, principal. There were many lessons learned early on. Among them, Manasc and Isaac discovered that rather than being a linear process, community building is more inclusive and collaborative. They also learned to envision with courage, design with wisdom, celebrate with humility, and evaluate with honesty. "Those early lessons cemented the importance of the power of collabora- tion – and how we can work together to co-create buildings and communities that are meaningful and reflective of the values and vision of the community," explains Manasc. "We were also early adopters of the ecological green building approach when it was just a twinkle in a few peoples' eyes," adds Isaac. "Early on we grasped the idea of reimagining existing buildings to save the embodied energy they contained, whilst others continued to demolish those old structures." Their work was making waves in the architectural community and beyond, and as the reputation of the company grew, so too did the company – both strategi- cally and organically. "At each stage during our growth we have asked ourselves: 'What are the needs out there for architectural design and community develop- ment?' From there we created an idea of where to go next," says Manasc. "We start based on our values of living lightly on the earth, and look to find opportunities that enable those values to be realized through buildings. We also build long- term relationships with clients whose values align, and grow with them." They have many examples of this, including their work with Saddle Lake First Nation. "That relationship began back in 1992 when we collaborated on their school. Since then we have completed a Healing Centre and other community facilities, and we are currently building an elementary school at Saddle Lake," says Manasc. Similarly, the team has been working working at Métis Crossing for more than two decades, and have recently completed the new Boutique Lodge there. "These long- term relationships invite us to keep growing and developing capacity," adds Manasc. And much like their vision and experience, their scope of work is broad, cross- ing a multitude of sectors from post secondary, First Nation and Metis, and NGO to municipal, health care, and residential. Integrating Wisdom

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