Tag / architecture
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Why energy efficiency houses have to be unattractive?
There is the famous phrase we designers know well: Form vs. Function It is never the Form AND Function, but they are always in an adversarial relationship with the VS. I see this adversary relationship play well in the architecture field, especially when it comes to aesthetics in design. It is given that one (form) cannot…
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What is YOUR take on green design?
The last couple of posts touched on sustainable design strategies that could be used for new buildings or existing buildings; for this one I want to respond to the question of why “green” design is important? Attending an architecture program at a university that focuses on sustainability and northern architecture, I have learned just how…
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You and Your Architect – the Dream team
Are you planning to build your own home? Have an idea of a plan you are set on? How it will look? Now let me ask you have you thought of hiring an architect? Well, they are trained in this field; they know the dos and don’ts, know how to save you some money. And…
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Community Centres as Pivots of Our City
We are slowly getting tired of hearing news about new commercial and residential developments happening in Toronto, so let’s talk about community developments. How often do we hear about community centres opening? In 2015 only, merely two community centres opened throughout Toronto.
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Who is responsible: The OMB or City?
There is not a single week that goes by without having any news about condo developments happening and being proposed in Toronto. We’ve reached the point where questions like whether this is a matter of supply and demand have emerged and words like ‘housing bubble’ or ‘housing crisis’ are starting to hover around us. But…
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Success and Failure: Thoughts on OAA Awards
Last Monday on March 6th, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has announced twenty Design Excellence Finalists of this year’s OAA Awards. Scrolling down through the list, I experienced a spectrum of emotions: hope, excitement, bitterness, unease, a very mixed feeling, just like the other hundred or so architects!
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Sunshine & Rainbow Everywhere – How to Get The Most Of Sunshine
Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together If that classic song by Lesley Gore doesn’t give you a spring to your step then it’s time to learn how to get the most out of sunshine to brighten your day! Luckily, as makers of space, AKA architects, and designers,…