Authentic Historicism: the addition to the Chateau Laurier
Sunday, September 23, 2018 - 15:00
Exhibition of Architectural Renderings: Sept. 20 – 23, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Architect Talk: Sunday, Sept. 23, 3:00 pm
Authentic Historicism: The addition to the Chateau Laurier
A Case for Traditional Architecture in Preservation
With Architect and VABE alumnus Michael Pfaff, M.Arch.
Gallery, SoCA Armouries, 37 University Ave., East
This exhibit is open on the weekend as part of DOORS OPEN WINDSOR! The Armouries will be open to the public with tours on SUNDAY, Sept. 23rd, 10 am to 4:30 pm. Not open on Saturday.
Michael Pfaff is a 2013 graduate of the University of Windsor's Visual Arts and Built Environment (VABE) program and continued his education with a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2015. He recently received a post-professional Master's degree in architectural design and urbanism from the University of Notre Dame (May 2018).For his thesis, Michael investigated the current expansion to the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. His project was awarded the Dean's Graduate Award for Design Excellence, as selected by the thesis jurors and the Dean of the School of Architecture.
Michael is now an architect with high-end residential firm, McAlpine in Georgia.
It’s free!
BACKGROUND
VABE Alum Michael Pfaff’s post-professional Master's degree in architectural design and urbanism thesis was awarded the Dean's Graduate Award for Design Excellence at University of Notre Dame this Spring
Michael Pfaff is a 2013 graduate of the University of Windsor's Visual Arts and Built Environment (VABE) program and continued his education with a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2015. He recently received a post-professional Master's degree in architectural design and urbanism from the University of Notre Dame (May 2018).
For his thesis, Michael investigated the current expansion to the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. His project was awarded the Dean's Graduate Award for Design Excellence, as selected by the thesis jurors and the Dean of the School of Architecture.
With support of the Notre Dame architecture faculty, Michael sent the project’s images to Heritage Ottawa and the planning board. The board’s members were very supportive of his approach to the design and passed the images on to CBC Ottawa. CBC’s Laura Osman interviewed Michael about his thesis and preservation philosophy.
“I care very much for heritage buildings across Canada, especially the grand railway hotels. I felt strongly that the new addition would gravely affect not only the hotel's character and its sense of place but the capital as a whole,” explained Michael Pfaff. “At the University of Notre Dame, I was taught that continuity with the historic fabric and compatibility with its sense of place, so as to ensure timeless design, are of upmost importance when approaching a design problem.
“My thesis project offers a counter-proposal to the modernist addition with the intention to create a continuity between the old and the new while also improving upon the design presented by the current architect. My preservation philosophy throughout my thesis has been that the design should respect the context that an addition in part of and improve the local urban and architectural traditions that characterize the context.”
Prof. Jason Grossi
(519)253-3000
Extension:
2781