Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 26/01) - Creating shelter from the Northern elements takes more than just hammer and nails, it takes a special understanding of culture, lifestyle and some artistic flair.

"Permafrost and climatic conditions as well as cultural conditions are a part of the working environment up here," said architect Wayne Guy. Architecture is an amalgamation between art and science, he says.

Northern lifestyles add to the challenges of building a comfortable and functioning shelter.

"Whether it's being able to fix a snowmachine in the front porch or cut up an animal there. Or it could be a matter of accommodating the way people get together," said Guy.

So after working towards an association for 10 years, architects in the Northwest Territories saw legislation take effect on Nov. 6. Now architects working in the NWT will have to be members of the NWT Association of Architects.

"It will be a self-regulating association with the aim of improving the quality of practice in the profession and safe-guarding the public," said Guy.

The formation of the association allows Northwest Territories' architects to belong to a larger national body: the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils.

The association insures that building designers who impact public health and safety are qualified by accounting for architects' education levels. "A person could come up from the provinces with no education requirements and do major buildings," said Guy.

"We want to always ensure that the quality of design and construction in the North continues to improve."

Understanding building codes is only one part of an architect's responsibility though.

Aesthetics are vital, as is a building's ability to fit into its surroundings.

"In Wrigley we developed a window design that was reflective of the drum and so the drum motif was carried throughout the whole office space," said Guy.

The lighting pattern under the ceiling reflects the movements of drum dancers. That was one instance of giving a community something that reflects its values.

"That's not engineering. That's what the art in architecture brings to the building," he said. Northern architects deal with special logistical problems too.

"There are pretty tight schedules to make sure the building can be tendered and materials can make the barge on time," said Guy.

Building sites are often huge distances from an architect's head office so simplicity in a structure's plan is important. The available labour force must be able to understand the design.

"If the building goes together in a more straight-forward fashion, you can get the quality you require."