Theory: Presenting Ideas

WM Fares Proposal for 5447 Rannie DriveThis post takes a small slide into the realm of the unbuilt.Before a building can be built, it must be approved, first by the client and then various regulatory bodies. If you are competing for a job, you need to present your idea, in a complete fashion, but cheaply… Read More

Churchfield barracks

B The ChurchField Barracks, (locally known as the 12 apostles) are a 12 unit townhouse on Brunswick street. The Churchfield Barracks originally served as married Officer living quarters, for officers stationed at Citadel hill. They were built in 1903 by the British Army.The Churchfield name comes from the fact that they were built on the… Read More

Theory: The Curtain Wall

In our post on the Canada Perminant Trust Building,B we revelealed that it was the fist curtain wall structure in Halifax. Recent renovations to the TD tower have allowed us to catch a glimpse of the system in action. In the Photo Above,B you can clearly see how slender the exterior wall is versus the… Read More

Theory: Triangles and Trusses

One of the consistently re-occurring problems in architecture is how to cover a large space, when you available materials are shorter then the gap you wish to cover. A Simple bridge can merely be a plank across a gap, But what if the planks you have are shorter then the Gap. Another example is that of… Read More

The 1945 Master Plan

The Master Plan for the City of Halifax was prepared by the Civic Planning Commission in 1945. The terms of reference for the Master Plan were issued in December 1943. The terms of reference were based on “assisting in effecting an orderly transition from wartime to peacetime conditions”. The commission was made up of 2… Read More

Wright's (Marble) Building

B Owned By Gerorge Wright, Wright's Building or the Marble building as its now known was built in 1896. It was Designed By J.C Dumaresq, It was Built in the Chicago Style, to compliment the Nova Scotia Furnishings building next door.The facade consits ofB Red and Grey brick, with Terracotta accents. Window pairs are seperated… Read More

Endangered Building – the Denis Building.

The Heritage Canada Foundation publishes a list on the top 10 endagered heritage buildings. The latest list Includes one Nova Scotia Example - the Denis Building. this Building located on the Corner of Granville and George, is surounded by parking lots, since its neighbors were demolished. For more on those buildings, see Missing from Barrington… Read More

The 60s Halifax Thinks Big

Many Haligonians have recently been calling for the removal of the Highway to Nowhere - the Cogswell Interchange. Many know why it was built, however few probably understand the thinking that led to Harbour Drive being considered. A few years ago the Canadian Centre for Architecture ran an exhibit called "The 60s Montreal Thinks Big".… Read More

Theory: Forces On a Structure

When a load is applied to a building, the structure must resist it. All materials have an elastic property that allows them to resist forces. the material, or the structure can do this by pushing, or by pulling. If the structure pushes or pulls to much, or too little, the structure can Move, or fall… Read More