AIA Canada - Designing for Social Impact: The Potential of Transforming Architectural Practice
photo credit: Nic Lehoux
Speaker
Darryl Condon, Managing Principal, HCMA Architecture + Design
CES: 1.0 LU/ HSW for AIA Members
Event Description
The architectural community’s quest for a more responsible design culture is at a critical stage. It is time to expand our focus to include a much more serious attempt at understanding and improving the conditions of social sustainability and through this the social impact of our work. This is necessary so that we can maximize our potential to support the development of strong resilient communities that are better equipped to adapt to the complex challenges that lie ahead. Design decisions should be viewed through the lens of adaptation and resilience and we must be advocates for a much deeper change.
Illustrated with case studies and ideas, this talk will be a call to action.
Speaker
Darryl Condon, Managing Principal, HCMA Architecture + Design
Darryl Condon is interested in design that acts as a catalyst for positive social change. As Managing Principal at Vancouver based HCMA Architecture + Design, he has created successful public spaces including community centres, pools, recreation facilities, fire halls and libraries across Canada. His work has been recognized internationally for its design excellence including an award at the recent World Architecture Festival in Berlin.
After 30 years of practice creating these dynamic, engaging and effective spaces, Darryl is asking ‘what’s next’. The intent is to push, think and break away from preconceptions of practice at every scale, to maximize the impact and potential of projects and collaborations. These efforts are focussed on creating spaces which leave lasting legacies in our communities.
Darryl is a registered Architect, a LEED Accredited Professional and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He is a Past-President of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and has been an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Moderator
Lara Presber, AIA, AAA, AIBC, MAA, OAA, AIA, NCARB – Vice-President, AIA Canada Society.
Lara began her design career in the field of architecture earning her B.Arch from a small atelier based school in Boston. After working as a healthcare architect for several years she yearned to work on smaller and more intimate projects and took advantage of a scholarship to study fashion in Milan where she earned her MA degree in Fashion Design. She remained after graduating to gain valuable experience in product design and manufacturing by interning with luxury shoe and handbag brands before launching her own eponymous womenswear line. The shift in creative scale was the catalyst for redefining her architecture practice and Lara has grown to discover that she would much rather ‘fill the box’ than ‘build the box’ and has since narrowed her studio’s focus to Interior Architecture; strategizing with business owners to make beautiful spaces that contribute to their success through the configuration and function of their built environment. Lara is the owner and Managing Principal of Studio Presber, a 4-person architecture firm established in 2005 located in Calgary, Canada. Studio Presber’s practice focuses on the commercial sectors of retail and office.
