KPMB Architects

Accounting for architects. Ha/f Climate Design is so thrilled to be supporting the The Royal Architectural Institute Of Canada | L'Institut royal d'architecture du Canada and National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada deliver in-person Life Cycle Assessment workshops to over 1,350 architects across Canada this coming year. Come join us for one-day hands-on workshops to understand how to make decisions that can lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions. We'll also be partnering with local experts in every city to illustrate how these practices can be applied to the varied contexts of the country. This workshop builds on sessions we've been engaged in with practices across the country over the past year. Kael Opie at KPMB Architects kindly shared this testimonial from our session last month: "We were very pleased to welcome Ha/f Climate Design to our office for an informative workshop on Embodied Carbon and Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) training. Ha/f's expertise and leadership in the field have significantly influenced our internal embodied carbon guidelines and standards and will help propel us towards more low-carbon architectural practices. We applaud the RAIC and NRC for their embodied carbon training initiative and strongly encourage architects to participate and contribute to our collective environmental responsibility." We will be in Ottawa, Toronto, St. Andrews, Regina and Winnipeg this fall, and Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax next year. Look forward to seeing you there! Architecture 2030 Ontario Association of Architects Toronto Society of Architects University of Toronto - John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Enjoying patio weather and delicious food and drink at our annual summer social! It’s always a great time getting together to celebrate all that our outstanding team has accomplished.

Last month we hosted architect and activist Nyasha Harper-Michon in celebration of Pride Month. Nyasha delivered a Framework Leadership Pride Talk on challenging the “Reference Man,” a biased and outdated archetype and standard in design that often overlooks the needs of racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA communities, people with disabilities, seniors, and other historically excluded communities. A self-described archtivist, Nyasha believes approaching design with empathy and an intersectional lens will help us build cities that reflect the diverse communities we serve. More here: https://lnkd.in/giudwPVC ‎

Last month we hosted Elder Dr. Duke Redbird in our office in celebration of Indigenous History Month. A renowned Indigenous poet, filmmaker, and keynote speaker, Dr. Redbird spoke about Indigenous ways of being, the complex relations between Indigenous Peoples and settler communities, and viewing technology and artificial intelligence through an Indigenous lens. Following Dr. Redbird’s talk, the team enjoyed lunch from Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin (They Feed the People), an Indigenous catering company that uses its profits to support Indigenous seniors, families, and vulnerable community members in the city. More details: https://lnkd.in/gf3Efb3V

“Claude was prescient because his practice and work brought together his knowledge of ecology and agriculture and his irrepressible imagination,” says founding partner Bruce Kuwabara of renowned Canadian landscape architect Claude Cormier. Along with friends and colleagues of the late architect and founder of CCxA, Bruce shared stories and fond memories of working with Claude for the Pioneers of Landscape Design Oral History series, a program by The Cultural Landscape Foundation that celebrates the legacy of eminent landscape architects. A collaborator and friend of KPMB, Claude was known for the whimsy he brought to the design of public spaces like Berczy Park and Sugar Beach in Toronto, and Dorchester Square and Lipstick Forest in Montreal. In 2021, KPMB worked with CCxA on a design for the architectural design competition for Block 2, a prominent urban block located across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Working with Claude “brought amenity and delight,” Bruce recalls. “Every time we got together, I felt bolder, and every time I am in one of his parks, I feel more alive.” Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/gXRrz6GK

Last month, founding partner Bruce Kuwabara delivered a presentation on Crafting Urban Densities with Tall Buildings at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Organized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)/CTBUH Toronto, the event brought together presenters Bruce Kuwabara and Alfredo Caraballo (Allies and Morrison), panelists Leona Savoie (Woodcliffe Landmark Properties) and Andre Antanaitis (Great Gulf), and moderators Carlo Parente, OAA, MRAIC, AIA, NCARB and Terri Peters (TMU) to discuss how tall buildings influence city-building. During his presentation, Bruce highlighted some of the firm’s projects that explore how tall buildings can be built sustainably, how they can shape the public realm and create new neighbourhoods, and how they can aid in the preservation of heritage buildings. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gN8kCgqA

In June, founding partner Marianne McKenna joined experts and practitioners in housing, infrastructure, immigration, and sustainability at The Globe and Mail Events' Building for Growth to discuss approaches to Canada's housing crisis. "Architecture changes outcomes... We want to provide the right kind of housing, in the right places, for Canada, in our time,” she said during her keynote session moderated by Alex Bozikovic, architecture critic with The Globe and Mail. Marianne emphasized the need for a holistic approach that centers affordability, sustainability, and design excellence. She spoke about city-building and the importance of creating complete communities that prioritize livability and serve the diverse needs of the people who make up our cities, including our most vulnerable populations. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gUb8xspz

Sip, savour, and explore at the ICFF’s Archiwine event on July 12, an evening celebrating great wine and great architecture. Learn how architecture has impacted winemaking through two exclusive screenings; learn about the architecture and design of wineries from experts in the fields, including partner Mitchell Hall, who served as project architect on the multi-award-winning Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery; and indulge in a curated wine tasting, sampling selections from Italy and Canada’s top vineyards.   Details here: https://lnkd.in/gtPtfnmq

Last month, founding partner Bruce Kuwabara received the University of Waterloo’s highest honour — an honorary doctorate degree — at its spring convocation ceremony. Speaking to the graduating class, Kuwabara implored them to use their careers as a vehicle to engage with the issues of our time. “Your accomplishments in your chosen area of study will mean something if they serve the needs of society and make better lives for people,” he said. Photos: Bruce Ladouceur Read more: https://lnkd.in/gE3CAh3e

ICYMI: Downsview Framework Plan was chosen as the People's Choice honoree in the “Urban Design – Unbuilt Developments” category at the 2024 AZURE Media AZ Awards Gala in June. Designed with Henning Larsen, SLA, Urban Strategies Inc., and a team of excellent consultants, the Framework Plan proposes the transformation of Downsview Airport into a transit- and community-oriented hub inclusive of affordable housing units for 80,000 residents; a community centre; community-led initiatives like markets, maker spaces and urban farms; a network of green, biodiverse spaces and parks; and thousands of job opportunities. Team: Northcrest Developments, Canada Lands Company / Société Immobilière du Canada, Henning Larsen, SLA, Urban Strategies Inc., Transsolar KlimaEngineering, Arup, Nbisiing Consulting, Ramboll, Third Party Public, Monumental, FUTURE SIMPLE STUDIO, StrategyCorp Inc., Purpose Building Inc., BA Consulting Group Ltd. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyuqApXB