Crises helped shape modern architecture
- Details
By Brent Bellamy, Architect + Creative Director
Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press
Modern architecture was born out of a global health crisis. With tuberculosis crippling cities in Europe and North America in the early 20th century, gleaming white medical facilities called sanitoriums were designed to provide patients access to sunlight and fresh air, the only known treatment for the disease. This inspired architects to use the same ideas to promote mental and physical health in all new buildings.
(BRENT BELLAMY PHOTO) The Women’s Hospital at Health Sciences Centre is an example of health-care architecture whose principles could inspire other building design.
Rethinking infrastructure after the pandemic
- Details
By Brent Bellamy, Architect + Creative Director
Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press
In our desperate battle to slow the spread of the coronavirus, almost four billion people, half the world’s population, are living under stay-at-home orders. In a rare united effort, governments, industry and citizens alike are working together to combat a common global enemy. The scale and speed of societal change left in its wake would have been unthinkable only a few weeks ago.
(SHANNON VANRAES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES) Active transportation can play a key role, both during the pandemic and in rebuilding the city’s physical and social infrastructure afterward.
Auckland a leader in transformative design
- Details
By Brent Bellamy, Architect + Creative Director
Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press
Most Canadian cities trace their history to a time when Europeans began settling at the confluence of rivers, the inlets of coastlines, or under the protection of hills and mountains. Most of these places, however, had been inhabited for thousands of years, long before today’s gleaming office towers were built.
(SUPPLIED IMAGE) Auckland’s $350-million waterfront redevelopment will be a showcase for Maori design.
Oslo holds key to making Winnipeg streets safer
- Details
Norway's capital bans cars in certain areas
By Kevin Rollason, Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press
Brent Bellamy has long called for more bike paths and pedestrian-friendly streets to make Winnipeg safer by reducing the number of fatal collisions.
(Heiko Junge/NTB scanpix via AP) City bikes covered by snow in central Oslo, after a winter snowfall. The Norwegian capital has banned cars in certain areas of the city in favour of bike-only roadways.
Heritage designations are not something to fear
- Details
By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
"Building owner opposes heritage designation" has become a regular headline in Winnipeg over the past few years. One by one, buildings are being nominated for designation — the Bay, the Manitoba Club, the University of Manitoba — and, one by one, owners are trying to fight it.
Image: Brent Bellamy
This streetscape in Winnipeg’s Exchange District presents a pretty winter picture, but it also illustrates the value of preserving and protecting heritage buildings.
Number TEN Blog
Number TEN Inspired! captures the knowledge, passion and ideas of our award winning architects, interior designers and supporting staff, as they navigate through the complexities of the modern design landscape. We are creative problem solvers, advocates for better ways of doing things, and observers of all that is interesting and noteworthy in our field. This blog is our effort to share our knowledge and ideas in a way that resonates with everyone. Whether you work in the industry as an architect, interior designer, building manager, property developer, or are just someone with an interest in creativity and new ways of doing things, this blog has something for you.
