OAA Announces SHIFT 2019 Event

By Canadian Architect On Nov 1, 2019

Rail to Trail London |Ryan Ollson, Richard Hammond, Magdaleen Bahour, Shannon Hawke, Tyler Hearn, Jerry Kim and Siobhan Latimer |Cornerstone Architecture Inc, via shiftchallenge.ca

On Wednesday, November 6, members of the architecture profession—from emerging students to experienced practitioners—will present thought-provoking projects that emerged as part of the OAA’s inaugural SHIFT Challenge program.

The SHIFT Architecture Challenge highlights the distinct contribution architects and architectural thinking bring to addressing key societal issues.

Running biennially, it invites Ontario architects and their collaborative teams to respond to an identified area of concern using their skills and insights.

This year’s inaugural theme was chosen to be infrastructure—whether physical or social.

In a fast-paced, micro-lecture format co-presented with the Toronto Society of Architects (TSA), 11 teams will talk about their out-of-the-box ideas.

The projects include railway corridors as cycling highways, buildings powered through wastewater energy, public space transformed with modular libraries, and pragmatic approaches to affordable housing through zoning reform.

“In a world facing increasingly urgent and complex issues, the need for responsible, innovative, and inspiring thinking has never been greater. This urgency extends to the very foundational infrastructure upon which our society is built—not just physical, but also social and organizational,” says the OAA.

The evening will take place at the award-winning Toronto Central YMCA (designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects). The free event is open to all at 6:30 p.m., with the talks scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m.

Scheduled speakers: