Award

4 | J U N E 2 0 2 5 PERSPEC TIVE J U N E 202 5 VOLUME 39 | NUMBER 2 Publisher DA N C H A P M A N 604.473.0316 dchapman@canadawide.com Editor N ATA L I E B RU C K N E R Senior Art Director S COT T L AU R I E Contributing Writers RO B I N B RU N E T L AU RI E J O N E S J E SSI C A K I RBY Subscription Inquiries 604.299.2116 1.800.663.0518 subscriptions@canadawide.com CEO & Group Publisher RYA N B EN N Group VP, Publishing & Operations N I N A WAG N ER Group VP, Finance CO N R OY I N G , c pa , c m a VP of Finance S O N I A R OX B U R G H , c pa , cg a Group VP, Education & Administration J A N E G R I F F I T H S VP of Sales A N N A L EE Group Director of Operations D E V I N S T EI N B ER G Director of Circulation T R AC Y M CR I TCH I E Accounting EI L EEN G A J OW S K I T ER R I M A S O N Circulation K EL LY K A L I R A I Ad Technician K I M M CL A N E Executive Assistant H A N N A H D E WA R Award magazine is published four times a year by Canada Wide Media Limited. Head office: 130, 4321 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, BC V5C 6S7. Phone 604.299.7311, Fax 604.299.9188. Send covers of undeliverable copies to address above. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065475. © 2025. 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 604.299.2116 or email: subscriptions@canadawide.com. National Library No. ISSN 1202-5925. Printed in Canada by Transcontinental Printing. 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. T his World Environment Day, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is sending a clear message: the architectural profession must lead boldly in address- ing the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. With the release of its Climate Action Plan – A Framework for Engagement and Enablement, the RAIC offers a visionary and practical roadmap for transforming Canadian architec- tural practice into a catalyst for ecological and social regeneration. The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is not just a strategy – it is a pro- fession-wide call to action. Developed through a two-year national engagement initiative involving more than 800 architects, allied profes- sionals, Indigenous knowledge holders, and climate experts, the CAP is rooted in science, justice, and responsibility to future generations. It acknowledges architects as central contributors to shaping the built environment and challenges them to reimagine their role in advancing the transition to a resilient, low-carbon, and regenerative future. WHY NOW? Communities across Canada are experiencing the impacts of climate change – from catastrophic wildfires, hail, and flooding to the degra- dation of biodiversity loss and permafrost. In 2024 alone, the insurance costs of extreme weather events surpassed $8 billion, not including uninsured costs to governments, businesses, and homeowners. Built environments are at the heart of the problem and the solution. Globally, buildings account for roughly 37 percent of energy-related carbon emis- sions, and construction activities are responsible for over 90 percent of biodiversity loss and water stress. In this context, the CAP argues, architects face new responsibilities in safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare. FOUR PILL ARS OF ACTION The RAIC Climate Action Plan is structured around four strategic focus areas: Accelerating the Transformation of Practice This pillar emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate changes in Canadian architectural practice to address the pressing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The RAIC will provide resources, tools, and education to support the transition of practice towards resil- ient, low-carbon, and regenerative design across all project scales. A key commitment is to align RAIC programs, awards, and publications with the principles of regenerative design and development. Additionally, the RAIC will include Indigenous Knowledge Holders and youth voices in shaping future pathways. Advocating Boldly to Create Pathways for Change Architects must play a more visible role in shaping public policy across various forums. The RAIC will advocate for incentives, regulatory reform, and professional licensure requirements that prioritize climate action. This includes advocating for insurance and fee structures that reflect the true value and risk mitigation of resilient, low-carbon and regenera- tive design. It also includes recognizing new scopes of work needed for climate-responsive environments, ensuring architects are equipped to address these challenges. Mobilizing Partnerships and Collaborative Action No single discipline can solve the climate crisis alone. The CAP positions architects and the RAIC as conveners – working across sectors, juris- dictions, and knowledge systems to spark collective impact. Through national roundtables and strategic alliances, the RAIC aims to create a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates innovation and aligns efforts with both local contexts and global targets. Investing in Education and Research From licensure to lifelong learning, education is a cornerstone of climate leadership. The RAIC will expand access to microcredentials, Indigenous land-based learning, research fellowships, and public education cam- paigns. Collaboration with schools of architecture and mentorship programs will ensure the next generation of architects is prepared to lead with conviction and creativity. CENTERING RECONCILIATION AND EQUIT Y The CAP is explicit in its commitment to reconciliation and equity. The document was developed with the guidance of the RAIC Indigenous Task Force and emphasizes "Two-Eyed Seeing." First introduced by Mi'kmaq Elders Albert Marshall and Murdena Marshall from Eskasoni First Nation, Two-Eyed Seeing encourages us to view the world from two perspec- tives - one from the strengths of Indigenous knowledge systems, the other from the strengths of Western knowledge systems. The CAP also recog- nizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on youth, those facing barriers to affordable housing, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, affirming that climate justice is inseparable from design justice. A PROFESSION TR ANSFORMED What makes the RAIC's Climate Action Plan especially compelling is its dual role as both a roadmap and an invitation. It offers a structure for action – complete with measurable goals, annual reporting, and a com- mitment to continuous improvement – while encouraging architects to reimagine what their work can accomplish. Architects are positioned to influence the systems, spaces, and mate- rial flows that define our daily lives. But the world has changed. Design excellence must be synonymous with ecological restoration, social equity, and climate resilience. As the CAP states, "Every fraction of a degree matters. What choice will we make?" CALL TO THE PROFESSION The CAP ends with a resounding call to action: "Together, we will rise to the complex challenge before us, drawing on creativity, innovation, love for our one precious planet, and our responsibilities to future generations." The message is clear: The time for incremental change has passed. Architects must act with increased urgency, responsibility, and ambition to shape a regenerative future. Designing For A Regenerative Future by MONA LEMOINE, fraic, Architect AIBC; JOANNE PERDUE, fraic, Architect AAA; GIOVANNA BONIFACE, RAIC Chief Commercial Officer

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