Do you hate the big concrete buildings of the 1960s and 70s, that were popular with governments and universities? Don't be shy, probably most folks are not fond of these often dreary buildings, many suffering from 50 years without love (or maintenance). Recently I've become comfortable with this style, often known as Brutalist, and can discern charm and whimsy…Read More

Are there documents you consider essential to understanding Halifax? My suggestion is a National Film Board documentary Encounter on Urban Environment. It records a week in February 1970 when a panel of 12 specialists from "away" spent long days meeting with government, institutions and the community to uncover existing issues and consider pathways to the future.…Read More

Hope that many of you were able to enjoy the Heritage Day holiday. It still feels like a surprise, a pleasant surprise. And furthermore, I think it is wise to change the theme every year because we love novelty and are not noted for long attention spans. This year`s theme, Mi’kmaq Heritage, got me thinking about…Read More

  In the past, I've been asked "what's the most interesting thing you've ever noticed in Halifax?" An impossible question that sets me to mumbling about it's not one thing but the whole la-de-doo. But in my mind I'd be thinking, it was that time I saw a real 18th century building for a moment and…Read More

These days lots of great photos are taken of the buildings we demolish. This post has some not so great photos from a demolition in 1983, but only my camera was there, so they are the best you'll get. Five buildings were demolished one Sunday morning at the corner of Prince and Granville Streets. The most interesting was…Read More