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Clifton House, Calgary, AB Bridlewood Affordable Housing, Calgary, AB The Performing Arts Theatre of Hinton, Hinton, AB J U N E 2 0 2 3 | 7 METAFOR P H OTO G R A P H Y BY W I K TO R S KU P I N S K I / L AT I T U D E P H OTO G R A P H Y; C H R I S TO P H E B EN A R D P H OTO G R A P H Y "As architects we have the opportunity to affect actual change within our community and society as a whole, by listening to our clients' needs, being col- laborators, and understanding the challenges they face as they fulfil important mandates within the communities in which we live, work, and play in. We realized that Metafor is more than architecture – we believe in being collabora- tors, truly integrating design, sustainability, and building science to achieve superior results. Social change and sustainability are here to stay, and we are embracing the new thinking required and how we can make tomorrow better than today," explains managing principal Claudia Schaaf. Metafor's commitment to creating a socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative world is more than just words. Due to their collective success in establishing mutual trust among themselves, their clients, and the communities they serve, Metafor has been designated a Just 2.0 Organization by the International Living Future Institute – a transparency platform for orga- nizations to disclose their operations, including how they treat their employees and where they make financial and community investments. "Pursuing the Just 2.0 Label allows us the foundation to pursue all aspects of our work with a more defined sense of purpose," says principal Jeff Lyness. "Sir David Adjaye's statement 'made by the people waiting for it' embodies our belief that design team members are a community of professionals designing for a community of people. We care about who we work with, and for, and are a making a commitment to engage in an open and transparent process of collabo- ration and education. Sharing knowledge openly is key to success for us." The company's unwavering dedication to sustainable design, community place-making, and adaptive building is reflected in its impressive portfolio of projects. Two notable examples are The Performing Arts Theatre of Hinton (PATH) and the ROAM Transit Operations and Training Facility. The former is a great example of adaptive re-use in a community. Despite initial uncertainty about its fate, Metafor principal Mike Woodland's innovative approach to reducing waste and carbon footprint proved that the building could be transformed into a multi-use Performing Arts Theatre, as well as FCSS offices and Guild Art Society. The result is a testament to the power of sustainable design and how overlooked opportunities can be leveraged to bring new life to old buildings, while providing essential amenities that attract and retain residents in the town. "The profession of architecture is evolving and requiring us to be stronger stewards of the environment, think about equity of design in our communities and accessibility to all, while also making sure we are providing a high level of value to our clients by helping them understand that meeting ESG goals is good for their business, good for the community, and good for the environment," says Woodland. While very different in nature, ROAM in Banff is another great example of a Metafor community-driven project. The project was designed to house an expanding transit service with a high degree of sustainability that would meet the town's greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policy goals. The design-build project incorporates innovative features, such as an electric bus fleet with charging stations powered by a large rooftop PV array, and a low-carbon district heating plant that uses waste biomass from Parks Canada as fuel. The design is simple yet stunning, seamlessly blending with the surrounding natural environment while meeting the town and Parks Canada's design guidelines and mountain theme. The outcome is an inspiring showcase of renewable energy solutions that respect the pristine mountain environment, while demonstrating the com- munity's commitment to reducing GHG emissions. In recognition of its climate leadership and optimal building performance, the project won the 2022 CaGBC Zero Carbon Design Award. This deep sense of community and sustainability lies at the heart of each and every Metafor project. For example, Bridlewood Affordable Housing prioritizes the environment and the needs of the community; Clifton House is stand-out in that it has been designed in a collection of small neighbourhoods that promote flexibility and connection; and the stunning three-storey wood frame Lookout Ridge has been designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, while offer- ing residents a private amenity landscape and lookout feature with breathtaking views of Stewart Creek in Canmore, Alberta. And while the team already has an impressive track record, Metafor is poised to take on even greater challenges and breathe new life into communities with their upcoming projects. "We're excited to take on the challenges coming our way and explore new opportunities where our expertise can be both valued at the same time as being challenged for growth," says David Leonard, principal at Metafor. Those opportunities include projects such as Deer Lodge in Lake Louise, Cascade visitor accommodation, CRPS Land Use and ARP, and the purpose-built rental 900 Railway Avenue. While Metafor has been a trusted industry leader for many years, their recent rebranding marks an exciting new chapter in their journey, empowering them to continue to push the boundaries of what's possible. "We're asking ourselves questions that perhaps haven't been asked before and then asking, 'what's the worst that can happen if we try?' And, 'what is the worst that can happen if we don't, and can we live with that?' The new brand gives us a platform where our values can be rooted but the brand will evolve with our firm over time into the future," says marketing and communications lead, Monica Silenzi. As we look to the future, we can expect a multitude of even more remarkable accomplishments from Metafor and its community. Chris Sparrow, Metafor principal, concludes, saying: "I'm excited about the way architecture can contribute to the experience and sense of place of a community, and have a positive impact on the users, inhabitants, and visitors of those places. As the communities and municipalities we work in evolve, the buildings we design and the fabric of the communities they form part of change. We take great pride and responsibility for the role our firm takes in creating and defining the experi- ences of these places for future generations. Simply put, let's make tomorrow better than today." A

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