Architecture has traditionally been a profession of generalists, but technical specialization plays an increasing role in today’s landscape. Our November issue focuses on projects whose success hinged on in-depth technical knowledge.
We start by visiting T3 Bayside (3XN with WZMH) and T3 Sterling Road (DLR Group with WZMH), two Toronto projects that are testing the market for mass timber commercial buildings. Lloyd Alter explores how dowel-laminated timber (DLT) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) products are deployed in the two buildings, and what it means for their sustainability profile.
Out towards the city’s Pearson airport, we dive under the wings at Bombardier’s new manufacturing facility, by NEUF architect(e)s. Ian Chodikoff details the highly detailed work that went into creating the mega-sized facility for the precision-driven work of assembling aircraft.
For our cover story, Odile Hénault looks at how the rest of Canada can learn from Quebec’s provincial system of architecture competitions. Case in point: two recent Montreal libraries, both complex project which adaptively reuse existing structures to create vibrant new community hubs.
Last, Adele Weder visited Old Crow, Yukon, at the northwest corner of the country. Here, Kobayashi + Zedda Architects has crafted a community centre for the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation. Weder argues that the technical rules for building may need to be rethought for the North: “it may be time to consider encouraging flexibility with certain code requirements and energy targets in such communities.”
Our November issue also includes a review of a compendium on vernacular architecture, an interview with Canadian planetarium expert Bill Chomik, and an afternoon at a giant domino run in Toronto.
-Elsa Lam, editor
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