Memo to Builders March 31, 2023

By the times now communities everywhere experience new challenges which are not to be undermined yet be treated with respect.  For those of us who are bravely in leadership or in new interactive experiences, the principle to be in mind is that which we treasure most of all, the making of the architecture which makes so much possible for the future for communities where we work.  So upon the truth that our presence did bring excellent new wealth to the province in which we have been building, we look again to see what the achievement has been, how it has been done, and what forwards our future together.

The five items:

1) Canadian cities look towards understanding very tall vertical architecture which has been made.  Contexts in urban conditions were carefully deliberated upon for the designs which were realized.  The newest designs are being reviewed and their amiable geometry may yet find acceptance by another Canadian city. These also have considerations of urban context, where the question lies before the architects concerns what proportions should fit with the mentality of locals who would behold the vertical architecture.  There were reports in older days that there is a sense of intimidation at first in the very tall.  Therefore, for cities whose people like to enjoy the 360 degree view of the blue horizon, our designs will present the architecture as buildings which take them softly into the future, architecturally.

2) In addition to protective zoning which is being worked on, the subject of greening continues to be of interest for awareness towards application.  The Canadian way of being with nature has seen some promotion recently - the idea that natural growth is to be appreciated is one which is intriguing for how yet to apply such an idea for interiors?  As is usual, the simplest things require great complexity.  It is probable that to cultivate natural greenery for natural growth indoors will require quite a complex set of subinfrastructural installations which would be built prior to completion but perhaps could be added with an industrial aesthetics, similar to exposed pipes, after completion of the skyscrapers.  The maintenance of natural greenery in the architectural interiors, which would be realized to different degrees, can become quite costly but possibly education locally for such an endeavor could ease costs if interest exists and expertise is available.

3) Delays have occurred in advancing with professional communication here.  While efforts continue amidst diverse interest for the right connections, my question is still of concern related to whether locally builders have what they need to plan for the future after so much work has been accomplished by them.  Perhaps locals will be able to communicate horizontally and vertically to ensure that good will will continue to be expressed while compensation is to be negotiated in the future.  Arriving at the junction where our contributions could be made in other locations is the proper goal to be held before us.

4) To return the society that will uptake the architecture which was carefully negotiated locally to proper popular basis, the subject of fair trade was examined related with the subject of the prevention of corruption.  It will continue to be examined.  The outcome, it is hoped, is that investment in local interests and growth of economy will occur over time while proper compensation is provided, also over time, to those who have worked so hard with so little returns.  It must be noted that such a business model as before mentioned in previous memos is quite difficult to design and negotiate.  One of the architects who had been working most recently did submit ideas quite well aligned with the direction we want to go.

5) Architectural space as a resource is a notion quite likely to find reception in these Canadian locations.  Just as nature needs to be protected for one reason that it contains growth which is finite and vested over time, so too space which do not find its pristine shape is also finite in a city.  Skyscrapers express the sophistication to a city which bring pride.  Its vertical arrangements make a small footprint while enabling lots of space.  Some report that views from a skyscraper at different floors could make new environments out of any particular space within it.  In the architecture world which finds its expressions in different ways in different countries, skyscrapers remain one of the most treasured and well regarded new architecture.

Raising the affluence of peoples in these times is challenging to all those who create new grounds amidst those circumstances which make it unfavorable.  Yet, in architecture, the making of what supports the peoples has always found realization despite thereof.  It is the pride of the tradition that continuation of works will do no matter the unusual and bizarre.  Thoughts of those overseas are ones still visible to us today.  It is unknowable from here what circumstances they did find but returning home some of them are so perhaps tomorrow our efforts will become united.

Thank you.

Ann Lee

pdf link

Jayco Jay Series A Frame Camping Trailer

 

Promised Decisive Memo to Builders: March 4, 2023

On the eve of the gathering towards future horizons, the knowledge and expertise we carry continues to be of significance in that the realization of architecture by our hands and minds finds reception where we are and possibly also at a few locations south of the border.  The uncertainty that is being discovered during these times has led to many and not just ourselves to think again about security of our persons, communities, and countries.  Trust and protection are found within the communities we are in and with those communities where relations have been forged.  To build in these times of uncertainty we will recall the lessons of past and discover where our participation had bettered the conditions that have changed in the last five years.

The five items as previously received attention:

1) For the amount of skyscrapers realized in Calgary, enquiry to build in other Canadian sites has begun with the seeking of public information through media and has the objective in this phase to reach contacts.  Previous visits to Saskatchewan did result in the consideration of design aesthetics that could find reception there.  The reach for building in other cities had begun in this part of the design process which occurred in the five years prior.  Calgary may yet uptake one skyscraper which is smaller than the others.  Deliberation continues whether the design though appropriate in aesthetics for Calgary may be built here.

2) The uptake of the protective zoning document is being reviewed at the higher levels. However, it is well to note that the idea of future resource is gaining a small amount of popular circulation. Architectural space as resource is understood by some yet others who are still learning to apprehend the notion of space in the context of very tall vertical architecture are still working towards understanding it in the new context.  I hope that with the understanding our own presence in Canada continues to be wanted by many, relations with individuals in local police and other protective groups will be worked on.  It is the case that for being from the tradition, we often find more emphasis in work than personal life and relations.  However, we must be reminded that personal life and relations are usually found in a home location.

3) The intention to work on the website to showcase work in skyscrapers has stagnated.  It will remain up because the connections with my community may remain relevant for future design and build.  The website is considered to be ver 0.1.  Firm building is on my mind.  That a firm today means something different from a firm of yesteryears is the reason why it continues to be a task I am wresting with.  The idea of networking as relevant to the firm has focused on the actual connections with individuals from organizations from the contacts which I have built in the years past.

4) The report to the RCMP and the public has additional sections which have not been written.  The section on our involvement must find the topic that our primary involvement is within the trade.  This is because the continuing practice must not be deterred by too much if our commitment to building in Canada and in the United States is sound.  Another section will deal with compensation, which means returns which are recognizable as returns that are granted.  This topic has been discovered to be rather complex.  I am optimistic that over time returns in the most recognizable form of monetary returns could be granted if the proper business transactional model is presented to those stakeholders whose contact and conversation should be found within the next five years.

5) The thought has now begun that security of locations where we will build depends on the crediting of past work and the documentation of invitation and negotiation.  Consideration will continue to depend on active channels of communication and preparation by local authorities.  This matter needs to be addressed by my person and team.  These times of uncertainty are difficult for everybody, but this does not mean that working towards the future should be halted.  For our prestigious position in the trade, we should retain a certain amount of disinterest in convolution caused by foreign groups.  Work should find continuance and hopefully it will continue to find awareness that architectural space of value is a form of wealth.  The importance of urban heritage finds relevance with us as related to the negotiation that ensures buildings of actual heritage status should not be removed in the process.

For that the appreciation of our works to be realized in general public consciousness takes time, and that the continuation of works is situated in these economic times, the simple fact that a livelihood of good conditions should be guaranteed by the awesome contributions we make should give us pause.  The works we do add wealth to the economy and contribute to Canadian futures.  I continue to await news from our trade and our levels from elsewhere, and hope to hear more about recent conditions from here.

Apologies for the lateness of the memo. New memo April 1, 2023.

Thank you.

Ann Lee

pdf link