Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/354800
It could be argued that Condon's appreciation for the business side of architecture helped evolve HCMA to the point where it can explore sustainability and bring its parameters into sharper focus. As a newly-designated partner in a firm of less than 20 people, Condon saw first-hand how painful the ebb and flow of market conditions could be; so he, and his partners, set about leverag- ing the company's design strengths else- where in Canada. Today, HCMA is known locally for as many as 10 areas of practice, but it's viewed by architects outside of B.C. as specialists in aquatics, libraries and other community-oriented projects. "This business model has enabled us to grow in the last decade to an organiza- tion of around 60 people, with an addi- tional office in Victoria," he says. The ability to partner with other pro- fessionals drives this model and harkens to the values instilled in Condon during his Prairie years. "Partnering gives us strength as a company and leads to more business," he says. "For example, for the UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building we were the local architects and Montreal firm Saucier + Perrotte Architectes was the outside partner, and this has led to two new projects in Montreal where we're the outside spe- cialist. Being a good partner is a critical skill, and for us it has translated into many fulfilling and long-lasting rela- tionships," says Condon. If Condon and his Partners are on a quest to define and act upon sus- tainability in broader terms, HCMA's commitment to social responsibil- ity has already benefitted the archi- tectural community in several ways, not least of which is its devotion to employee development. "Years ago, in recognition of how challenging it is for young talent to become registered architects, we launched an intern architect support program whereby we attack the barriers to registration," he says. "In the last several years we estimate about 10 per cent of new archi- tects in B.C., registered through intern- ship, have been touched in some way by this program." The busy Condon winds down his interview in HCMA's open-air confer- ence room, which, like all other areas of his headquarters beside Granville Island, is abuzz with young architects rushing past each other. Condon is intent on leaving the world a better place than when he entered it – but for the time being, there are schedules to meet. "The people here want to do good work and have fun doing it, and that really is the driving force behind HCMA," he says. "Design should be fun as a practice as well as an end result." n PHOTO: MARTIN TESSLER PHOTO: LUCAS FINLAY PHOTO: MARTIN TESSLER PHOTO: MARTIN TESSLER PHOTO: HUBERT KANG 1 2 3 4 5 Photos: 1. Duchess Park Secondary School. 2. West Vancouver Community Centre. 3. Whistler Public Library. 4. Hillcrest Community Centre. 5. Playtime at UniverCity Childcare Centre. 10/ AUGUST 2014 HCMA