Scale and Context

Quality design is about trade-off and compromise. There are always alternative solutions to any architectural problem. But when I attended the commissioner’s public meeting for #1 Clift’s Baird’s Cove on the 11^th of March I was struck by the unwavering determination of the developer’s representative, Mr. Anthony Novac. It was an attitude that smacked of privilege. His presentation on the controversial Park Hotel design was “not up for debate” as the CBC inferred in their news headline of the following day.

The proposal to amend the St. John’s Development Regulations with respect to a text amendment to the Atlantic Parking Garage District and Atlantic Place Parking Garage Zone does, at least superficially, addresses many aspects of the Municipal Plan that the citizens of this community have endorsed. The provisions fall, strictly speaking, into the category of “Planning” and are ostensibly black and white: increase in permissible building height, increase in floor-area-ratio, and addition of proposed commercial/office use (in the downtown).

I for one, cannot argue against the merit of such proposals. They reflect sustainability goals, addressing density and other laudatory ideals about planning. However, this is an exceptionally narrow focus that distills important architectural concepts and questions conveniently down into coloured blobs on a map. This is the essence of the proposed amendment. When it is approved (as it probably should be for the reasons cited above) it will be used to defend architectural travesties and excuse the oversight of missed opportunities.

Continue reading “Sonco: Why Not Give Us Something in Return?”

Acoustics was a specialty of mine. I can’t say that any other architect that I have met claimed likewise. They probably went out of their way to avoid being so boring.

Typically, acoustics has been very low on the building design totem pole because if you wanted a superlative aural atmosphere you had to pay extra to get it. Funny thing – that made most clients conclude that acoustics wasn’t really all that important.

This, of course, led to a situation where beautiful built environments were often aggravating on the ear … or worse, damaging. In buildings where the acoustic environment is critical, concert halls are a prime example, the acoustic specialists are brought in. And this is very important because the ability to tune an auditorium is a highly complex and expensive technical niche. Unfortunately, this leaves nearly all other building types unassessed in terms of the acoustic environment they impose upon their users or the public.

Continue reading “The Reverb Problem”

In the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador most architectural designs for new buildings are derived from a government selection process that awards based on lowest bid. Our provincial government will argue that point, but an ATIPP request will demonstrate that my statement is well-founded.  Virtually every major building design over the past twenty years has been awarded based on architectural fees that are less than that recommended by the provincial and national published fee schedule. Let’s start there. It’s going to be an interesting ride, so hold on.

Continue reading “Building Design Based on Lowest Cost Selection Process”

St. John’s is awash in proposals at this time. In fact, this week, as I write, we will see a very public defence of some of the most contentious downtown building proposals that have surfaced since we were plunged into bleak economic times about five years ago when oil prices came crashing down around us.

On the slate for the near future are the Anglican Cathedral Annex, the Parish Lane condominiums, an infill development at 331 Water Street, a six-storey commercial / apartment complex for 43-53 Rowan Street in Churchill Square and an addition to the JAG Hotel with more bells and whistles than any big top. Let’s not be facetious. These are major. So major, in fact, that lost in the mix is a tarting up of the Quality Hotel on Hill O Chips with a less-than-quality mixed bag of exterior finishes. (Ref: “simulated wood siding”.)

Most of these proposals don’t revolve around architectural criticism. They are more about the urban context, and, we have a mirror that we can hold up as a basis for evaluation, that mirror being the Municipal Plan. Certain key goals, especially about preserving neighbourhood and promoting green space, are critical to the discussion, and subsequently to the evaluation.

So it is in the context of this lively setting I would like to talk about architectural transparency and integrity.

Continue reading “Architectural Transparency”

Since I retired from the rat race of owning and managing my own architectural firm, I have never felt like more of an architect. Rather than constantly scrambling for the next project and worrying how I was going to continue to feed twenty families, I now have so much more time for more ideal pursuits. I can be a strong voice for architects now that I don’t have to worry about upsetting potential clients. I think that this blog demonstrates that commitment. And I don’t have to hesitate about calling out crap design or condescending post rationalization perpetrated by my fellow architects, although I understand how clients can wring every ounce of enthusiasm out of you with high expectations and low budgets.

Indeed, how underfunded design can lead to poor quality, unsustainable buildings needs to be revisited practically on a monthly basis. This a public policy problem, and a few architects are always more than eager to lower the bar even further, if that is at all possible. You know who you are.

But this post is about the exploration of architecture through the medium of sketching – and it’s for everyone – whether you are an architect and want to become a better one, or, as a layperson, you wish to explore the very notion of architectural composition.

Continue reading “Sketching is not an Art – It’s an Exploration”

I’m sorry, but I can’t let this go as many of my readers well know. The St. John’s Port Authority Harbour Fence ought never to have been erected. Sheilagh O’Leary and Shannie Duff (the only two councilors of the day opposed) were right to rail against this urban blight and affront to democracy.

You may recall that this security fence was constructed in 2013. It cost St. John’s taxpayers roughly $425,000 of the total cost – estimated to be in the vicinity of $850,000. We (the taxpayers) were permitted to spend that money to make it look pretty. And in fact, as security barriers go, this is no Trumpian design.

However, cutting Newfoundlanders off from the waters to which they have had access for five-hundred years is the point. That is the context.

Continue reading “Take Down the Fence”

Because of all the buzz surrounding the Liberal government’s announcement for the construction of a new penitentiary to be sited in the White Hills, I thought it appropriate to republish a favourite letter of mine which appeared in the 9th of January 2015 edition of The Telegram. This is a suggestion as to what to do with the existing HMP on Forest Road. Many of you may have forgotten this, so it’s a good time to resurrect a novel idea.

Continue reading “A Pitch for Her Majesty’s Penitentiary”

I don’t make a point of telling people that the architect for the Fogo Island Inn was, in fact, me. Now that’s a statement that could raise a few eyebrows! Surely the architectural genius behind the Fogo Island Inn was Todd Saunders. But that statement is just as true as the opener.

So this is a public education piece. It’s meant to clear up some commonly held misunderstandings / misconceptions about who architects are, how they are credentialed and what the various roles might be on a building project – especially on a building project that soars to international design acclaim.

Continue reading “Architect of Record”

Newfoundlanders have had a history of building their own houses. Up until recently, this was a sacred right. You’d go out into a nearby forest, cut down a few cords of snotty var, haul them to a mill and in the spring you’d be set to go. A pile of match lumber (that’s T&G or sheathing for those of you unaccustomed to the dialect) and clapboard would be the bulk of secondary processing required, except that you might get an actual carpenter to make up a few windows and possibly doors.

You’d pile up an outline of flat shale rocks roughly akin to the footprint, then locate a central beam (just a big log actually) to carry the span of the floor. You’d take an axe or adze (the latter if you also built boats) and skivvy off a few var to equal depth for studs and joists and then, have at it as we say.

Building codes didn’t matter much, and there was little in the way of plumbing or electrical to confuse matters.

Continue reading “What You Think You Know About Design”

Someone once said that there is nothing so appalling, so awesome as a burning barn, unless it be a burning ship at sea.

To clarify at the outset, I am not an animal advocate. I am not a card-carrying member of PETA or WWF largely because I believe in the traditional hunting rights of Newfoundlanders, Labradorians, Innu and Inuit.

Nor am I a vegan. I am a carnivorous architect.

But I am also an animal lover (especially when it comes to my dogs). To this end, I cannot bear the thought of any animal dying a tortuous death in the utter horror of smoke and fire. This post will demonstrate that such events are not only needless but preventable.

Continue reading “Buildings for Animals”