Pandemic shows need for affordable housing
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By Brent Bellamy, Architect + Creative Director
Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press
As half the world hid in their homes trying to avoid a deadly virus, we had a lot of time to wonder what our "new normal" would look like. As we watched New York melt down, Gotham City imagery of skyscrapers, bustling streets, and tiny apartments made it easy to assume that population density might become a COVID-19 casualty.
Drawing a line between population density and viral transmission seems like simple logic. New York is the highest-density city in the United States and its biggest hot spot for COVID-19. Living near more people intuitively means closer contact with others. It seems to add up.
Community Engagement from Six Feet Away
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By Marnie Gartrell, Architect
With many Manitoba workplaces carefully re-opening their doors and some pandemic restrictions loosening, the desire to move forward in these uncertain times, and dealing with the stress of that uncertainty, is about the only certainty we can count on right now! 
This graphic adapted from the Spectrum of Public Participation (c) International Association for Public Participation www.iap2.org
Pandemic presents obligation to change our world
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By Brent Bellamy, Architect + Creative Director
Originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press
Crisis creates opportunity and leverage for change. As governments prepare to make once-in-a-generation stimulus investments to fight a global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are faced with an opportunity, if not an obligation, to use it to change our world.
(Daoust Lestage Architects) The Market Lands development on the former Public Safety Building site will bring transformative change to downtown Winnipeg.
Can a Pandemic and Universal Design go Hand in Hand?
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By Laurène Bachand, Architect
Universal design is simple and inclusive. It is to ensure an environment can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, or ability. It is not ‘just’ for wheelchairs. It is for all of us, at different stages of our lives.
As designers, we need to question how this pandemic can have a positive input on our built environment. I was wondering: could the pandemic be an opportunity to rethink the universal accessibility of our public spaces?
Crises helped shape modern architecture
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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.
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.
