Village Squire, 1978-11, Page 37firm in Toronto in 1970. During that time
he designed a community centre to fit into
the surrounding residential neighbour-
hood. Shortly afterwards. land was
rezoned. and high rise buildings crowded
out the centre.
"Overnight the scale. character. privacy
of that neighbourhood was shattered.
What v. -as the use of designing a building if
the surrounding area can change."
Then Nick joined the Huron County
planning department to learn about
planning. He calls his four years there the
most valuable period of his professional
lite.
"I think in restoration it isn't just a
matter of doing individual buildings. you
have also got to ensure there is a solid
planning framev. ork in which buildings can
er,n.." he said.
And Chris v. as attracted to w:orkine in a
small toy: n in a similiar fashion.
While he N. as in Toronto. supervising the
construction of large buildings. he
designed a library in the Village of
Stout\ ille. He said this project differed as it
'.as "providing an environment of
co-operation in comparison to imposing
large buildings."
"1 suddenly found I would much prefer
working in a small tow n rather than a large
City.
"I ‘.anted to get down to the point of
talking to the fellow. putting nails in the
board."
And both agree the partnership is a
success. Nick said the partnership began
because there v. -as an "exceptionally
amount of v:ork to do both in architecture
and planning."
Secondly. Chris brought to the firm his
technical and management expertise.
v. hile Nick's strengths lay in planning and
designing.
"Putting the two together you have a
service that runs from planning to
building." said Nick.
And business has boomed. as indicated
by the recent staff and office space
expansion on the second floor of the Elgin
Avenue building in Godericb.
"We are rushed off our feet." said
Chris.
[hough restoration is the major part of
their ‘.ork. the firm is also involved in
construction of nes. buildings such as the
Goderich senior housing unit. Stratford's
nee. boathouse and tourist booth.
industrial complexes and sub -division
platting.
Their main territory is Huron, though
they are expanding services to Kincardine.
Stratford and London. "We are getting
nibbles from as tar ac. ay as Toronto." said
Chris.
When asked if there is roost for another
architectural firm in Huron. Nick said there
is need tor architects but ones that are
responsive to the needs of the area.
"We live here in a cert' sophisticated
rural soviet \." said Nick. adding that v. hat
is needed is architects that appreciate
build n
reflect the quiet sophisticated
character of the arca.
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