As an architecture firm, not only do we have a vision of sustainable cities and a more accessible built environment that puts people first, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our advocacy by finding prominent voices to join ours in making a better-built environment.

Earlier this year, when the world looked much different than it does right now, we got in touch with these distinguished voices, in an effort to shed some light on the steps we, as a community of Ottawans with a shared responsibility, could take in order to introduce equity and sustainability in the buildings and structures that surround us.

Speaking with City Councillor Shawn Menard, we discussed a myriad of challenges that we face when it comes to reimagining our city, and what would be required in order to change our approach to building better.

Here are just a few of the topics and ideas that were discussed in our interview with Councillor Menard:

FRESH PERSPECTIVES:

One way to introduce new ideas into the conversation of reinventing our city is through things like ideas competitions. Before funding is ever even in place, an ideas competition can allow the opportunity for smaller firms, emerging practices, architecture students, and non-practicing architects to share their ideas. It’s a great way to show different sides of innovative thinking and engage with the public; the kind of innovative thinking that can break the mould and usher in some real change, laying the groundwork for longer-term planning, budgeting and building community support for creative solutions.

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