June 02, 2023
As privately owned public spaces (POPS) increasingly become part of new developments in Waterloo Region and beyond, we thought we'd take a closer look. You may not realize it, but you've likely spent some time in privately owned public spaces. Typically found in denser urban environments, they can take many forms, including front yards, courtyards, enhanced walkways, plazas and gardens.
The term privately owned public space was initially popularized by Harvard professor Jerold S. Kayden through his 2000 book Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience. However, the concept actually dates back to the late fifties, when New York planning officials began offering private developers both additional height and density in exchange for public open space…
Read more ...
October 02, 2023
John MacDonald Architect continues to grow.
Our forward-thinking studio of twelve or so is presently working on a wide range of projects including adaptive re-use of heritage properties, mixed use and multi-res developments, institutional projects including library renovations, public spaces, office renovations, and maintenance facilities, as well as custom residential projects. If you can bring a unique skillset(s) to our dynamic team and would like to assist us with our expanding project load, we'd like to hear from you.
The successful applicant will be involved with all phases of project development, including client / subconsultant support and will work in person at our downtown Kitchener office.
Experience and skills:
A good a…
Read more ...
August 17, 2023
Doors Open Waterloo Region returns as an in-person event in 2023 on Saturday, September 16 from 10 am to 4 pm, and we're proud to be a part of it. Waterloo Region will have 20 participating sites this year, such as noteworthy buildings, interesting places & heritage sites, many of which are not usually open to the public. The list includes WPL's Eastside Branch, which we designed in joint venture with ward99 architects inc, and the historic Public Utilities Commission building in downtown Kitchener, where our office is located on the second floor. Details about each can be found below.
An interactive map showing the location of all 20 participating sites can be found here. For further information, visit Doors Open Ontario.
The excellent illustratio…
Read more ...
Rear house elevation with measurements
When accurate drawings don't exist, survey drawings must be done at the very beginning of every house renovation. They are the basis for realistic decision-making that responds well to the existing situation. When a couple of inches make the difference between being able to fit a door, or a washroom, the importance of good accurate drawings is evident. Unlike most architectural drawings, (done with a CAD program and sitting at our desks), these are done by hand and on site. The tools for this task haven't changed: a couple of steel measuring tapes (15' & 30') and a surveyor's tape at 100', clipboard, plenty of paper, pencils, eraser, sharpener and pens in various colours, a flashlight and a camera.
You might th…
Read more ...
June 01, 2023
John MacDonald Architect is interested in hiring a senior architecture student to join our team in Kitchener. Undergraduate and graduate students seeking co-op placements are encouraged to apply. Preference is for a student able to start September 2023.
Our office is a small team of twelve or so that is presently working on a vast range of projects including adaptive re-use of heritage properties, residential care (including emergency shelters, group homes, and supportive housing), and various institutional projects including library exterior / accessibility renovations, office renovations, and maintenance facilities, as well as a handful of residential projects including an office conversion and private residences.
We offer exposure to all phases of project d…
Read more ...
April 26, 2023
Our staff will once again be participating in Jane's Walk, the annual community-based approach to city building that uses volunteer-led walking tours to encourage people to rediscover the value of walking, and to observe, reflect, share, question and re-imagine the places in which they live, work and play. This year, both John and Scott have Jane's Walks planned for the first full weekend of May (6-7).
Balzer-Manitou Trail: Parkway Potential, with Scott
Take a stroll with Scott Clark of John MacDonald Architect down Schneider Creek into the Balzer Greenway, following the route of a planned active transportation connection. Along the way, we'll look at the history of the Balzer farm, as well as discuss desire lines, local infrast…
Read more ...
September 01, 2022
John MacDonald Architect is growing. Our forward-thinking studio of ten or so is presently working on a vast range of projects including adaptive re-use of heritage properties, residential care (including emergency shelters, group homes, and supportive housing), and various institutional projects including library exterior / accessibility renovations, public spaces, office renovations, and maintenance facilities, as well as a handful of private residences. If you can bring a unique skillset(s) to our dynamic team and would like to assist us with our expanding project load, we'd like to hear from you.
The successful applicant will be involved with all phases of project development, including client / subconsultant support and will work in person at our downt…
Read more ...
July 11, 2022
Eastside Branch Design Team
We're pleased to share that the Waterloo Public Library's new Eastside Branch Library has been awarded the 2022 New Library Building Award by the Ontario Library Association (OLA). According to John MacDonald: “These are the awards we cherish, where clients and their community confirm that the performing facility meets their needs, inspires their use, and validates the trust they have placed in us.”
Commitment to community development, architectural & technological innovation, and creative advancements that emphasize local connections are important aspects that are embodied by the recipients of the New Library Building Award. The award aims to encourage and showcase excellence in the design of n…
Read more ...
June 14, 2022
John MacDonald Architect is interested in hiring one to several architecture or architecture engineering student(s) to join our team in Kitchener. Undergraduate and graduate students seeking co-op placements are encouraged to apply. Preference is for a student able to start September 2022.
Our office is a small team of ten or so that is presently working on a vast range of projects including adaptive re-use of heritage properties, residential care (including emergency shelters, group homes, and supportive housing), and various institutional projects including library exterior / accessibility renovations, office renovations, and maintenance facilities, as well as a handful of private residences.
We offer exposure to all phases of…
Read more ...
March 15, 2022
John MacDonald Architect is interested in hiring an architecture student to join our team in Kitchener. Undergraduate students seeking co-op placements are encouraged to apply. Preference is for a student able to start May 2022.
Our office is a small team of eight that is presently working on a vast range of projects including adaptive reuse of heritage properties, residential care (including emergency shelters, group homes, and supportive housing), and various institutional projects including a library, office renovations, and maintenance facilities, as well as a handful of private residences. We offer exposure to all phases of project development and mentorship from the firm principal and senior level staff.
The successful applicant will work in perso…
Read more ...
November 03, 2021
Stage 1: Information Package
John MacDonald Architect is looking for a bright professional to join our Waterloo Region firm. We wish to augment and diversify our capacity in the key areas of communication and information management, project team support, marketing and promotion.
Our Firm
Our small, full service design consultancy provides personal and caring service from project conception to completion. We apply our processes and expertise on behalf of a wide variety of clients, for projects ranging in scale from urban to building to interior and object design.
We are often the co-ordinating centre of an overall project team, focusing client and other consultants to the task at hand. We lead multi-disciplinary teams that integrate creativity…
Read more ...
Scott
|
August 02, 2023
Thanks Nolan. If you can think of anything to add to the list, we'd be interested to hear from you.
Nolan Bentley
|
August 01, 2023
I am going measuring tomorrow so this is a timely reflection :-) thx!
