b'INDIGENOUS ARCHITECTUREabout the initial listening phase of Two Rows work on a ring sculpture at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). Thats a perfect example. The ring is meant to symbolize the connection that we have with the world around us and the reality that we are one part of it, not even necessarily an integral part It took us about a year just to gather the words and conversa-tions we needed to ensure that we were designing something that was for that place, for that university specifically and for the Indigenous community. The ring is a physical acknowledge- Indigenous values. For Porter, onework in a more integrated, wholesome ment of the Indigenous understandingsign is the kinds of architects who areway with their clients. I think its a trend of the land on which the university nowstarting to win the Pritzker Architecturethats going to continue, says Porter.stands, oriented along the cardinal pointsPrize, which was established in 1979 and and incorporating graphic elements representing the Seven Grandfatheris the architecture professions lifetimePorter feels that, as Indigenous architects Teachings (humility, courage, honesty,achievement prize.bring their values and practices more and wisdom, truth, respect and love) and theirmore into the mainstream, the result will animal symbols. The first people who won were yourbenefit them and the profession. We classic iconic superstar architects. Buthavent had any real control over what ARCHITECTURAL in the last five or six years you can see theour institutions looked like for probably R/EVOLUTIONS profession is starting to recognize archi- a couple hundred years. But now that As architectural paradigms start totects that work with the community, thatwere getting more Indigenous archi-shift, the architectural profession itselfare more interested in vernacular solu- tects, plus more people in design and is seeing a change in attitudes, in ations that fit with their settings. I think theengineering, were starting to take some direction that aligns more closely withprofession is starting to value firms thatof that back and get involved. We build impactful relationships with our We build impactful relationships with our people, partners, and communities by people, partners, and communities by putting people at the heart of our business. putting people at the heart of our business. CCLLAARRKKBBUUIILLDDEERRSSCCOOMMCalgar y | Edmonton | Vancouver | Yancouver | YellowknifellowknifeeCalgary | Edmonton | VAboriginal BUSINESS REPORT101'