Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/147234
august 2013 / Volume 27 / Number 4 perspective editor Natalie Bruckner-Menchelli art director Laurel MacLean by Edmond D. Koch, FRAIC RAIC | Architecture Canada Regional Director, Atlantic Provinces A Source of Pride for Everyone A Twin Bridges Photo rchitecture has a long-lasting influence on our environment. Buildings and urban plans define an environment for a long time, sometimes centuries. Some projects are the result of competitions or attributed to renowned architects or firms with a track record for great designs. The results have an important impact on the users and make significant contributions to the urban environment. Not all projects are awarded in this fashion. That can be a good thing. How do small starting firms get to design projects that will bring them the attention some of their design talents deserve? How do they get to show their ability and potential? There are many ways for these smaller firms to get work including networking with local business leaders, responses to request for proposals (RFPs) and approaching various levels of governments. However these are dependent on many factors. While luck is one of these factors it is not something to be counted on. Responses to RFPs are another. Here the problem is different as it is a demanding process. The portfolio of previous similar projects may be thin, the time required to respond can be taxing and if the fees are a major selection factor, the financial benefits may be minimal. Working with developers on design-build or P3 projects may require, in many cases, a lowering of fees, some design concessions and other factors that will not put the firm in the best position to create the highest quality building its talents may be capable of. How do you change the situation? A challenging task, but not an impossible one. The regulatory bodies publish proposed minimum fees that are seldom respected. Some government clients require more services or concessions on the schedule. Maybe one solution would be to have more design competitions on smaller projects and some remuneration for the top proposed designs? A small investment by the owner at this time may lead to a better project that will eventually bring recognition to the submitting firms. RAIC | Architecture Canada has an award program for Emerging Architectural Practices. Such an award is a recognition of both the designer(s) and the client. Local governments and other potential clients hoping to influence the quality of the built environment can follow suit. And why not? Do we not all want a greener, more liveable environment where we can live, work and enjoy life to its fullest, whether surrounded by small or large buildings? Do we not want an environment where future generations can enjoy and be proud of the results of a process that has created that special urban fabric? Shouldn't everyone want to be a part of the creative work of both large and small architectural firms where there is a recognition that "architecture matters" in the creation of a liveable, enjoyable environment – an environment that can create a great source of pride? I strongly believe so. n contributing writers Angela Altass Bill Armstrong Robin Brunet Godfrey Budd Peter Caulfield Adam Currie Stefan Dubowski Jerry Eberts Lawrence Herzog Laurie Jones Jessica Kirby Yvan Marston Stacey McLachlan Susan Pederson Irwin Rapoport Martha Uniacke Breen Kenneth Armstrong Philip Castleton Terry Guscott / ATN Visuals contributing photographers production/Studio manager Kristina Borys assistant Studio manager Mandy Lau production coordinator Julie Reynolds Advertising Production Allison Griffioen, Chris Sherwood Electronic Production Ina Bowerbank senior imaging technician Debbie Lynn Craig electronic imaging Mandy Lau, Laura Michaels publisher Dan Chapman Account Manager Alexander Sugden Advertising Coordinator Queenie Blumenthal Award Magazine – Head Office Phone 604.299.7311 Fax 604.299.9188 Chairman, ceo Peter Legge, obc, lld. (hon) President Gary Davies Senior Vice President/ Editorial & Custom Publishing Kathleen Freimond (on leave) Vice President/Finance Farnaz Riahi, ca Vice President/Sales Karen Hounjet Vice President/Marketing Holly Pateman Vice President/editorial Tom Gierasimczuk Vice President/specialty sales Rebecca Legge Vice President Samantha Legge, mba (on leave) executive creative director Rick Thibert Director of Circulation Scott Wheatley Director of Information Technology Mike Packer Director of production Kim McLane Director of digital media Raymond Yip managing director, custom publishing Mike Roberts Digital Media Piushi Ariyawansa, Kristen Hilderman, Debbie Jiang, Elaine Linsao, Lisa Manfield, James Marshall, Michael Small, Candice Ui marketingCrawford, Mark Bakker, Casey Joanne Da Silva, Natasha Gowda, Chelsea Hartmann Technical Support Analyst Brian Fakhraie Application Support Analyst Eileen Gajowski AccountingGajowski, Rita French, Eileen Joy Ginete-Cockle, Terri Mason, Sonia Roxburgh, Jocelyn Snelling Circulation Manager Tracy McRitchie Circulation Coskun, Ashley Cleggett, Millie Kelly Kalirai, Ruth Pisko, Isabelle Ringham Executive Assistants Heidi Christie, Jackie Lee Reception Ellenor McClelland Award magazine is published six times a year by Canada Wide Media Limited. Head office: 4th Floor - 4180 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6A7. Phone 604.299.7311, Fax 604.299.9188. Send covers of undeliverable copies to address above. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065475. © 2012. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Award is distributed to architects, interior designers, landscape architects, consulting engineers, specification writers, development companies and major construction companies throughout Western Canada and Ontario. For subscription information call 604.299.1023 or email: awardsubscriptions@ canadawide.com National Library No. ISSN 1202-5925. Printed in Canada by Transcontinental LGM Graphics. Award magazine welcomes your letters, corporate announcements or company information. The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors and publication shall not be deemed to mean that they are necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Canada Wide Media Limited. The acceptance and publication of advertisement of products and services does not indicate endorsement of such products or services. The publishers cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The winner of the Emerging Architectural Firm Award was 546. Pictured from left are: Sasa Radulovic, MRAIC, Johanna Hurme, MRAIC, and RAIC president Paul Frank, FRAIC. 6/ p06-07RAIC.indd 6 august 2013 13-07-12 11:33 AM