Comments from the Curatorial Committee

Ian Chodikoff, Anne Cormer, Christine Macy, Chris Pommer, and Joost Bakker.

It was with great excitement that this year’s jury was able to appreciate the broadening of Twenty + Change’s mandate, an exhibition program designed to showcase emerging architects in Canada. The success of the 2007 exhibition generated considerable discussion amongst the Toronto design culture that, for many years, were waiting in anticipation for a new generation of architects to assert themselves. We hope that the 2009 edition of Twenty + Change will generate similar excitement to the 2007 exhibition, showcasing a selection of emerging practitioners from across Canada.

A pivotal question that was raised throughout the adjudication process related to the questions as to when an architectural firm can be considered “emerging” versus when it is considered to have “emerged.” Amongst the firms selected for Twenty + Change, some firms were more clearly representative of the operative word “change” in Twenty + Change than others. This group of firms convincingly recognized the importance of self-initiated commissions that live up to the jury’s hopeful attitude towards future directions in the profession. For architecture in Canada to advance, it is critical for emerging practices to develop a clear and distinctive approach to their work.

The more successful firms in the exhibition are able to push the expectations of architecture, while encouraging their clients to expand their definition and scope of a meaningful architectural commission. Winning a design commission is difficult enough, especially for emerging architects. However, it is commendable that emerging practices in Canada are leveraging their professional ideologies to actually create rich opportunities that enhance their effectiveness in improving the built environment.

The jury acknowledges the importance of Twenty + Change as an exhibition that can raise the public’s awareness in the quality of architecture being produced across the country. To exhibit and publicize emerging architectural talent to a wider design culture and public audience helps transmit a broader range of ideas being disseminated by today’s practitioners. Congratulations to all those selected and to architects across Canada who continue to define and broaden the reach of architecture today.

5468796 Architecture Inc, Winnipeg

AGATHOM Co., Toronto

Altius Architecture Inc., Toronto

Campos Leckie, Vancouver

D'Arcy Jones Design Inc, Vancouver

Dubbeldam Design Architects, Toronto

EVOKE International Design Inc., Vancouver

Gow Hastings Architects Inc., Toronto

Lapointe Architects, Toronto

Lateral Office, Toronto

Marko Simcic Architect, Vancouver

mcfarlane | green | biggar ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, Vancouver