Number TEN’s Victoria office is conducting a design study for a unique multi-residential housing project on Vancouver Island that would be constructed entirely out of re-purposed steel shipping containers. The study assesses the viability of modifying surplus steel containers from a large import/export business, shipping them directly from the factory to the site for final assembly.

The design study, which aims to create more affordable rental housing options on Vancouver Island, envisions a three-storey, 35 apartment complex comprised of 35.5 sq.m. (382 sq.ft.) one-bedroom units. The project is currently awaiting a suitable site on which to construct a prototype building.

By Tim Phelan, Marketing and Business Development Manager

 Photo by Mike Pratt

TEN years ago this week, Winnipeg’s MTS Centre opened its doors for the first time. It’s remarkable to look back and see how Winnipeg has changed since that historic moment in the city's history. Suddenly, Winnipeg was back on the North American entertainment scene, attracting the world’s biggest acts on a regular basis. New venues, such as the fully restored Metropolitan Entertainment Centre and Tavern United began to emerge, taking advantage of a sudden influx of people breathing new life into the downtown core.

By Ayla Manning, Marketing Content Producer

Number TEN Architectural Group, Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. and RRC Polytech were awarded an Institutional Conservation Award for their collaboration to sensitively rehabilitate the historic Scott Fruit Company building and maintain its character and integrity while creating dynamic spaces for RRC Polytech students at Manitou a bii Bi daziigae.

Frank Koreman (Akman Construction), Maria Mendes (RRC Polytech), and Doug Hanna (Number TEN Architectural Group) at the 36^th Annual Preservation Awards.

By Tim Phelan, Marketing and Business Development Manager

As a non-architect working in an architecture firm, I am often amazed at the level of knowledge, creativity and passion that goes into the design of a project. Architecture and design have the power to transform the way we live and inspire us to see the world in a different way. It can make the world around us more exciting, our cities more livable and sustainable, and our places of work more dynamic and interesting.

So I’ve often wondered: what do architecture and design professionals draw inspiration from? What buildings have inspired them to pursue a career in design? How does the work of their favorite designers that came before them carry into their own designs?

We asked TEN staff members to choose their most inspiring building of all time and explain why it is important to them. Here are their responses:

By Ayla Manning, Marketing Content Producer

Wood: Pride of the Past and An Incentive for the Future

The World Interiors Day 2022 guiding theme is “Pride of the Past and An Incentive for the Future.” What better subject than wood, an ancient material with enduring popularity, which represents hope for a better future, and provides a tangible connection to the natural world?

Wood is beautiful and versatile in its utility and has been used as a building material for as long as humans have built. Wood is culturally significant: it is the material we turn to when we want to connect more closely to the natural world. Sometimes wood choices are symbolic; sometimes they are based on technical characteristics.

Wood insulates and absorbs sound. It is flexible, lightweight, renewable, and beautiful. We love to see, touch, and use it. Despite the many new and innovative products and materials available to designers, wood has remained perennially popular.

On an individual scale, each piece of wood displays its history in its grain. Environmental conditions and tree variety contribute to the unique grain of each piece. On a broad scale, the use of wood connects us to the past, either through reclaiming techniques or reclaiming materials.