Alfred Waugh Explained

Alfred Waugh
Birth Place:Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Significant Buildings:Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Awards:Governor General's Medal for Architecture, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts
Practice:Formline Architecture + Urbanism
Education:University of British Columbia University of Lethbridge

Alfred V. Waugh is an Indigenous architect based in British Columbia. Born in Yellowknife, Waugh studied Urban and Regional Studies as an undergraduate at the University of Lethbridge, and pursued a second bachelors degree in architecture at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture. Waugh founded Formline Architecture + Urbanism in 2005, an Indigenous-owned practice. He is best known for the design of the Indian Residential School History, and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia, designed alongside Manny Trinca and Vince Knudsen.[1] Another notable project is the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria, which he designed in collaboration with Kenneth Wong.

Early life and education

Waugh was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in Canada, to a mother who was of First Nations descent. He is a Status Indian and part of Treaty 8 and his First Nation community is Fond du Lac located in Northern Saskatchewan.[2]

In 1989, Waugh completed his bachelors degree in Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Lethbridge. he went on to pursue a degree in architecture from the University of British Columbia School of Architecture, where he was the first Indigenous person to graduate with honours in 1993.[3]

Career

Waugh started his career working at Larry McFarland's office while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as a design architect at Busby Perkins + Will from 1996 to 2001, and then moved on to be a partner of Waugh Busby Architects from 2001 to 2004.[4] In 2005, Waugh established Alfred Waugh Architects, a 100% Indigenous owned architecture practice. The firm was incorporated in 2012, and Waugh changed the name to Formline Architecture, where he is the President and Founding Principal.[5]

Philosophy

The strength of Waugh's designs is derived from consulting with Indigenous communities and translating their wisdom into sustainable design that is respectful of the site and the culture of the community. In his designs, Waugh incorporates landscape-oriented modernism and emphasizes cultural sensitivity and ecological sustainability.

Work

Projects

Waugh has completed the following projects and designs:

Awards

In 2022, Waugh, and his firm Formline Architecture was awarded The Governor General's Medals in Architecture from The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), the first Indigenous-owned architectural firm to be awarded the Governor General's Medal for Architecture.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lam . Elsa . 2021-02-10 . Architect Alfred Waugh named one of 50 most powerful Canadians . 2023-03-10 . Canadian Architect . en-US.
  2. Book: Canadian modern architecture : 1967 to present . 2019 . Elsa Lam, Graham Livesey . 978-1-61689-645-4 . 1st . Hudson, NY . 1083178128.
  3. Web site: Lecture Series, Alfred Waugh . 2023-03-10 . Toronto Metropolitan University . en.
  4. Web site: Beya . Christiane . 2022-06-06 . Recipients of the 2022 Governor General's Medals in Architecture announced . 2023-03-10 . Canadian Architect . en-US.
  5. Web site: Alfred Waugh – Formline Architecture + Urbanism . 2024-06-07 . en-CA.
  6. Web site: Sampson . Janna . 2020-11-17 . Canadian team led by Indigenous architect Alfred Waugh to design the new central library . 2023-03-10 . Saskatoon Central Library . en-CA.
  7. Web site: Canada . Royal Architectural Institute of . 2022-05-02 . Governor General's Medals in Architecture - 2022 Recipient - Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre . 2023-03-10 . Royal Architectural Institute of Canada . en.
  8. Web site: 2010-11-24 . Western Red Cedar Architectural Design Awards Winners . 2023-03-10 . ArchDaily . en-US.
  9. Web site: Holland . Adrian . 2014-04-14 . April 2014 issue . 2023-03-10 . Canadian Architect . en-US.
  10. Web site: Winner: Institutional Wood Design: Small - Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, Vancouver, BC; Formline Architecture, West Vancouver, BC. Photo Credit: Wood WORKS! BC – 2019 Wood Design Awards in BC. (CNW Group/Canadian Wood Council for Wood WORKS! BC) . 2023-03-10 . Canadian Architect . en-US.