It’s Architecture Week

September 26 to October 2 is Architecture Week, a celebration now in its seventh year.

OAA Corner

By Lesley D. Watson,

Architect

B. Arch., OAA, MRAIC

President

Ontario Association of Architects

September 26 to October 2 is Architecture Week, a celebration now in its seventh year. Numerous events for the public and the building industry to come together, to learn more about one another and raise awareness of how the built environment impacts us all are being organized by our 14 Regional Societies.

I want to invite you to participate. There are more than 50 events in 18 communities to choose from and many are free. This year the OAA is supporting Societies’ local focus; some have incorporated themes that are of special interest to their community. In Ottawa the events centre upon shelter: “At its core, ‘shelter’ is a basic human need and is influenced heavily by climate, economics, culture, environment and family. For these reasons, The Ottawa Regional Society of Architects has focused this year’s annual celebration of the field of Architecture on shelter and its various definitions. With expert panels, acclaimed guest speakers, exhibits and demonstrations, this event is designed to engage the general public of all ages as well as professionals from the fields of architecture, planning, social advocacy, public policy and construction.”

In Windsor, the St. Clair Society of Architects is focusing on a theme of restoration/adaptive re-use in the St. Clair region. They are collaborating with co-sponsors Doors Open Amherstburg/Windsor, Architectural Conservancy and Windsor Heritage to bring you an interesting program of events.

Some of the other Societies are concentrating their energies in participating in Doors Open events. I am thrilled that 11 Doors Open events are being held during this time of year by Heritage Ontario. Doors Open allows people to tour buildings in their neighbourhoods and experience, first-hand, the contributions architects and others in the building industry have made. The event is widely successful, starting in Ontario in Toronto (an annual May event); it has now spread to more than 130 cities and towns.

Each year we are witnessing an increased level of public interest in architecture. This is very exciting and correlates to our objective with Architecture Week: to build upon this interest, engage the public and bring together the building industry. All of us play a role in contributing to our environment and improving upon it. Architecture Week is structured with this objective and to heighten awareness of architects and architecture in their communities. There are tours, walks, exhibits, lectures, clinics and more. I encourage you to visit www.oaa.on.ca for a full event listing. Be sure to attend and invite your friends, family and colleagues to join in.

If there isn’t anything scheduled in your neighbourhood there are still lots of options. Take a moment and learn something new. I recommend renting a video that focuses on architecture, take a tour of architecture Web sites, visit your local library or bookstore for an interesting read . . . just let your mind wander. You could do something physically active, take a walking tour of your own area (and experience it from a new perspective) or design and construct something with a child.

Of course, Architecture Week is just seven days, but there are opportunities available throughout the year to learn more about the profession, the industry and how these impact our society. The OAA’s Speakers Bureau is a resource to find an architect to speak to your community group or class, participate in a panel discussion or on a board or jury, you can contact marciac@oaa.on.ca and we will put you in touch with an individual who can speak on your specific subject of interest.

The OAA’s Architecture Education Resource Guide had a very successful first year. This manual for Ontario teachers is updated regularly to help integrate the elements of architecture into their lesson plans. The guide consists of various resources and offers learning activities, suggestions, and ideas to integrate architecture into subject areas such as the arts, mathematics, sciences, social studies, history, humanities and technological education for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. It’s conveniently available on the OAA Web site at www.oaa.on.ca. Why not pass this information along to teachers you know and together we can make a difference— excite a child about the built environment, introduce them to the possibilities. Help to create tomorrow’s clients who are aware of the importance of good design and how it can positively impact our world.

There is a re-energized interest in architecture and design in Ontario, Canada and beyond. More and more people are engaging in a discussion, taking an active interest in what is happening in their communities. In Toronto for example, public projects like the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Ballet Opera House and the Ontario College of Art and Design are helping to stimulate this interest. Governments and concerned citizens are keeping issues such as urban sprawl, affordable housing and sustainable design on the agenda. People are genuinely interested and curious to learn more. Today’s public, including today’s clients, are becoming more and more knowledgeable. The proliferation of design magazines, Web sites, television programming and literature all contribute to greater awareness (and sometimes misconceptions). Professional associations and their members can be an excellent resource for accurate information.

Understanding architecture and the building industry helps build better working relationships and ultimately a better built environment. Knowledge and communication result in better client and public relations, building processes, and inevitably better projects that make a positive contribution to society as a whole.

Architecture Week provides an opportunity for everyone to get involved, share your knowledge and increase awareness of the industry. Whatever you choose to do, we hope it results in an increased appreciation for the built environment in Ontario.

Please join us and celebrate Architecture Week 2004!

The Ontario Association of Architects is the regulatory body and professional association for Ontario’s architects. The OAA is established under, and administers, the Architects Act, a public statute. As a self-regulating and self-governing profession, Ontario’s architects recognize the importance of fulfilling their responsibility under that statute to “regulate the practice of architecture . . . in order that the public interest may be served and protected.”