Give Union Bank Tower the Crown
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By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Union Bank Tower has quietly watched over Winnipeg from the bend in Main Street for 113 years. Symbolic of a more optimistic time, its full significance has been lost in our civic memory. If this elegant building stood in one of Canada’s more confident cities, it might adorn postcards and tourist brochures. In Winnipeg, a small bronze plaque on its facade timidly boasts, "The city’s first skyscraper." A deeper investigation, however, reveals it likely deserves to be celebrated with the much loftier title of "Canada’s first skyscraper."
Image: (Brent Bellamy) Winnipeg’s Union Bank Tower can rightfully claim to be Canada’s first skyscraper.
Closed Minds, Open Wallets
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By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Makes no sense to dismiss rail relocation, riverwalk protection without knowing costs, benefits
There is always a reason not to be bold. There are always other priorities. It is always easier to continue doing what you know.
What has made most of the world’s great cities great is the ability to embrace a vision for the future and demonstrate the courage to make choices that challenge the status quo.
Image: Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press Files
Only half the story
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By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
City's thirst for growth fees ignores their power as a planning tool
For the last 50 years, Winnipeg’s built-up geographic area has been increasing at a rate of more than twice the city’s population growth. There are 20 per cent fewer people living in River Heights today than in 1970. In Wolseley, the population is down 36 per cent, St. Boniface 23 per cent and even busy Osborne Village has seen a population decline of 11 per cent during that time.
Image: (Supplied / Winnipeg Free Press) An infill project in River Heights: the city should use a carrot-and-stick approach with growth fees to discourage sprawl and encourage projects that improve population density, Brent Bellamy writes.
Lane it on the line
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By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Developing alleys could breathe new life into the city
The back lane was a perfect spot to play street hockey when we were kids. The narrow alley was enclosed and protected, houses were close-set, allowing our parents to maintain a watchful eye. The occasional slow-moving vehicle could be accommodated simply with an enthusiastic howl of ‘car!’
Image: (Supplied / Winnipeg Free Press) The silhouette of Batman adorns a downtown alleyway. Public art such as graffiti gives alleyways their unique, urban character.
Cyclist safety in numbers, not helmets
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By Brent Bellamy, Creative Director and Architect
Republished with permission courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Compulsory cranium coverage reduces ridership, studies find
Wearing a helmet when you ride a bike will reduce your risk of injury in an accident. The mandatory helmet law currently proposed by Winnipeg city council likely will not.This seems like a contradictory statement, but unlike motorcycle-helmet and automobile-seatbelt laws, bike safety relies on a set of unique variables that require a more complex response than simply forcing everyone to wear a helmet.
Image: (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press) Wearing a helmet while cycling, as Mayor Brian Bowman did while leading 25 cyclists from at Assiniboine Park to The Forks on Bike to Work Day last Friday, won’t necessarily increase your safety as much as riding in a large group will.
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.
