Architecture

Canadian Architecture

Architecture is a language: it tells the story of people and of the organization of their space. In Canada, architecture is an eloquent expression of who we are. It tells our history and provides some clues about our future.

The tradition of Aboriginal architecture remains to this day. The words ‘igloo’, ‘tipi’ and ‘wigwam’ are known throughout the world, although they represent only a small portion of Native architecture.

European settlers arrived in Canada in the 1600s and from that period until the late 19th century, Canadian architecture reflected the building styles that were fashionable in France and Great Britain. Some of the finest examples are Canada’s Parliament Buildings that are inspired from Gothic Revival.In the 20th century, other trends began influencing building design while a Canadian architectural style was emerging. Ernest Cormier’s Supreme Court of Canada Buildings incorporate an art deco and an international style and are representative of the period.

Today architects like Douglas Cardinal who brings together landscape-inspired forms and computer-assisted design, are gaining notoriety on the world scene.They are still balancing aesthetics with the practical imperatives of a harsh climate, of bridging old and new, and they experience the challenges of integrating structures into our cities and our landscapes. They continue to shape the visual representations of Canada.

Canadian architects truly speak our language – they tell the story of Canada.