Designing high-performance buildings in Canada's Arctic 30 years ago, we translated the knowledge we developed in working in extreme climates with limited resources, into a commitment to be frugal with resources and materials while creating great environments for people.

This commitment has translated into a number of firsts including:

» Alberta's first C-2000 green building – Banff Town Hall; (top)

» Alberta's first LEED® Certified building AUMA Offices;

» Edmonton's first LEED® Silver building – St. John's Ambulance Alberta Council Headquarters;

» First LEED® Gold in the Arctic – Greenstone Government of Canada Building, Yellowknife, NWT; (bottom)

» One of the very first firms in Canada to adopt the 2030 Challenge

 

 

Manasc Isaac adopted the 2030 Challenge and remains at the forefront of this ambitious global architecture and building initiative to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from buildings through the design of new and renovation of existing buildings. It was under the presidency of Vivian Manasc that the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada adopted the 2030 challenge, over 5 years ago. Our firsts have also generated much recognition, including:

» Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Innovation Award; 
» Brilliant Building Award;
» Govenor General's Award.

With over 10,000 hours of experience in integrated design and community engagement are hallmarks of our design and construction approach. We are leaders in design methods and process that involve many participants in our creative process.

 

Vivian Manasc and Cheryl Mahaffy's award winning book tells the story of our firm:

Agora Borealis: Engaging in Sustainable Architecture

$39.95 CAD Copies are also available at: Edmonton »Audrey's Bookstore »Greenwoods Bookshoppe »The Artworks Toronto »Built Books »Ryerson Bookstore »U of T Bookstore

From the front flap:

"Agora Borealis is the story of a journey into sustainable architecture amid the vagaries of Canada’s northern climate. From that journey emerges a new generation of green buildings, models not only for the north but for the world.

Agora Borealis makes its case by taking readers behind the scenes, telling the story of four community friendly, occupant friendly and energy efficient buildings. In the process, we demonstrate that sustainable architecture can bring financial as well as environmental rewards.

This is a story of targets set and (usually) met, of energy (generally) saved, of tenants (mostly) comfortable in their space and of people, occupants and communities engaged in the design of their environments. This is a story of the paradigm shift required to create these buildings: a shift to a process of full-scale integration where each decision is pondered in light of its impact on the whole. It is a story of turning theory into a reality that performs increasingly better than the norm. Most of all, it’s a story of the teams, attitudes and materials engaged in a new and evolving architecture".