The exhibit, billed as 'an architectural activist campaign for non-alienated housing', shares a political and rhetorical bent with some of the other entries.Another is “reparative architecture.” Toronto architects SOCA and the firm CP Planning, along with the neighbourhood group Keele Eglinton Residents,
imagine new development on small lots that would bring housing and retail, owned by Black-led community land trusts, to all corners of Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood – cementing a presence for the existing Caribbean community. A third proposes a cluster of cabins to accommodate homeless people on public land in Waterloo, Ont., providing support services and decent temporary accommodation. This group includes the courageous builder Khaleel Seivwright, architect John van Nostrand and A Better Tent City Waterloo Region.
That – and the other 70 per cent of the show – is a lot to pack into one smallish exhibition. But Simon Brault, CEO of the Canada Council, which supported the exhibition after a juried selection process, suggests political ambition is the order of the day. “There are moments where architects or artists are at the intersection of their discipline and social change,” Brault said.
Indeed, the show’s organizers see their work as part of a campaign, supporting the “demand” teams in realizing their work. Fifteen students from UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture are working in the pavilion until July; they will be succeeded by students from the University of Waterloo.“We understand it in multiple ways,” explained architect and UBC professor Matthew Soules, one of six members of the organizing committee.