News

Before planning any new build, architects and builders should always consider the importance of social space within a building. Social architecture is the conscious design of an environment that encourages a desired range of social behaviours. Social psychologist Kurt Lewin (1936) designated this equation as: B = f (p,e) which stands for “Behavior is the function of a person within their environment.”

The building at Bayview Trainyards, between Scott Street and the Ottawa River Parkway, was built in 1941 and will soon begin a dramatic makeover to become the much anticipated Ottawa Innovation Centre. The process of transformation began some time ago as a group of community leaders, including Mayor Jim Watson, identified the space and recognized its potential.

Welcome to the new ChmielArchitects.com. Over the last few months, we have been working with Ottawa-based TRUEdotDESIGN to design a website that would allow us to showcase our team and projects and we are pleased with the results.

There are many links between urban planning and healthy communities. Environmental, social and economic conditions can have both positive and negative influences on our health. Urban planning professionals play an important role in shaping those conditions – while supported by dynamic leadership, urban planners, developers, citizens and city officials must work together towards one goal: the improvement of health, well being and overall quality of life. Whatever the process, healthy urban planning must always take into account the various cultures, religions and lifestyles within the community.

The Rideau Carleton Raceway, a fixture in Ottawa since 1962, was last renovated in 2000 and was in need of a complete update. Clientele are generally older, and the goal was to not only keep their existing customer base happy, but to attract a new and younger demographic. Chmiel Architects was commissioned to develop a fresh, new vision for the hospitality areas, which included the 650 seat dining room (offering a panoramic view of the 5/8 mile track) and a new banquet facility for a variety of events.

Relationship building is important, no matter the industry. Getting to know people beyond reputation can go a long way towards building your business and defining the contributions you can make to your community. This notion is true for architects and their clients too.

The Chmiel team is pleased to share the exciting news that our 400,000 square foot fitup for Export Development Canada (EDC) has achieved a LEED GOLD certification for Commercial Interiors from the Canada Green Building Council. The 19 storey facility includes notable features such as an addressable lighting system, low water use plumbing fixtures, daylight in 75% the space, use of construction materials and furniture with low VOCs, certified wood and recycled content, Energy Star rated equipment and appliances, employee “cafes” designed for leisure use and informal meetings, and an employee fitness centre.

“Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” -Julia ChildIn order to remain abreast of key trends, innovations and guiding principles for the North American Architecture industry in 2014, 2015 and beyond, the Chmiel Architects team actively participates in a number of industry lead events.

In her landmark book on urban planning, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities”, visionary planner Jane Jacobs observed that: “Intricate minglings of different uses in cities are not a form of chaos. On the contrary, they represent a complex and highly developed form of order.”

When Ashcroft Homes first acquired former Ottawa Humane Society land at 101 Champagne Avenue South, the intention had been to construct condos on the edge of Little Italy. Plans changed in late 2012 and the focus has shifted to students.

Recently, Elaine Yee attended an event hosted by Interface. The purpose of the event? To share information about their partnership with Net-Works – an organization who works with developing countries to harvest discarded fishing nets. The concept is win-win: it provides assistance in beach/ocean clean up but has also resurrected the economy of the coastal villages and former fishing communities in the Philippines whose main industry has become the reclamation of discarded fishing line (made of recyclable nylon).

What makes a building “green” is still sometimes subject for debate but the definition of sustainable building and sustainable or green architecture is unmistakable. The LEED® system in Canada, administered by CaGBC, is guided by a clear and stringent set of requirements for each level of LEED® certification. The requirements are put in place to provide structure and industrywide clarity and consistency, on a Global scale.