Architecture college idea gaining steam
By David Hutton, The StarPhoenix
February 25, 2010
A Saskatchewan school of architecture is moving beyond the brainstorming stage and accelerating fast toward a blueprint that could see the college built in downtown Saskatoon.
"It was just an idea last summer. Now it's an idea that's been recognized as something that could really make a difference," said Charles Olfert, regional director of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
"I could see this in two to three years, potentially, and I might have said five to 10 years last summer."
Olfert will deliver a chamber of commerce-sponsored talk with university architect Colin Tennent, titled It's Time for a Saskatchewan School of Architecture, today at noon at the Sheraton Cavalier. It will examine the economic impact a college of architecture could have.
Saskatchewan has a dearth of architects, Olfert said, which means out-of-province firms that are hired bring with them a preference for products they know.
"Based on my experience in the industry, I estimate (we're losing) $20 (million) to $30 million per year because we have a shortage of architects," Olfert said.
"(Out-of-province) architects tend to specify products they know . . . and that takes away from local suppliers in the process."
One of the ideas that has been floated, but would require city hall support, is locating the school in a renovated city-owned John Deere building in the warehouse district once 25th Street is extended to Idylwyld Drive.
Locating 300 to 400 students in downtown Saskatoon would provide a $3-million to $4-million per year economic benefit once the program is underway, Olfert estimates.
A feasibility task force struck by the council of the Saskatchewan Association of Architects in early 2008 to study the creation of a program said a school would fit well in either Regina or Saskatoon.
Tennent, who chaired the task force, said an undergraduate architecture program at the U of S would likely focus on aboriginal architecture.
"It's an area of study that's sadly lacking," he said.
Since summer, there have been discussions of working with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science & Technology and a possible undergraduate program focused on construction management at the University of Regina.
Tennent would like to see a provincial group lay out the vision for the college, including the curriculum, program requirements and costs.
"To me, it's really quite stunning that we're progressing as rapidly as we are," he said. "There's an outstanding demand for architecture education right now and it doesn't appear it's going to slow any time soon."
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