Sarah Weisenberger
Mr. Omstead
BSU English 104 Period 3
5 March 2014
Modern Architecture Houses are built as a source of shelter, a haven in a sea of storms. Whether these storms are related to the climate or the occurrences in one’s life, a home acts as a recluse from all negative outside influences. As a result, homes project a sense of stability and warmth, and should be welcoming. One should feel relaxed and at ease within his or her house, which is the aim of modern architecture. Architects Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe of the Shim-Sutcliffe Architects Company attempt to convey this ease through the use of wood, glass, and open space within the buildings, and the Integral House, a home they built in 2008, exemplifies this ideal. Modern architecture is characterized by the lack of ornamentation and exposing the materials used to build the structure (McRae). Homes consisting of concrete, stone, glass, or metal tend to exhibit these aspects, leaving the materials unearthed (McRae). Most buildings also retain a basic geometric structure, such as square, triangle, or circle shapes (McRae). Artistry and ornate objects are excluded from the exterior of the building; simplistic aligns more with the ideals of current society, so pillars, buttresses, and gold trimmings are omitted from designs (McRae). However, designs differ from house to house, in an effort to convey the personality of the occupants. Every building attempts “to be different from every other, making innovative use of design features and materials…” (O’Rourke). While houses are categorized by being modern architecture, the buildings within that category differ from one another. Architect Brigitte Shim was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1958 (“Architecture”). She graduated in 1981 from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada with a bachelor degree in Environmental Studies and Architecture (Architonic). Upon graduation, Shim apprenticed at Arthur Erickson Architects for one year before transferring to Baird/Sampson Architects (Architonic). After four years at Baird/Sampson Architects, Shim ventured as an entrepreneur, opening her own business called Brigitte Shim Architect (Architonic). However, this sole proprietorship did not last, and after six years as an entrepreneur, she joined Howard Sutcliffe in a partnership at the business Shim-Sutcliffe Architects (Architonic). Architect Howard Sutcliffe was born in Yorkshire, England in 1958 (“Architecture”). He graduated in 1981 from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada with a bachelor degree in Environmental Studies and Architecture (Architonic). Upon graduation, Sutcliffe worked at Merrick Architecture Ltd for four years before relocating to Thom Partnership for one year (Architonic). At the conclusion of his time at Thom Partnership, Sutcliffe changed businesses and joined Barton Myers Associates, Inc. for two years (Architonic). Next, he worked at Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects for eight years before joining forces with Brigitte Shim and founding the Shim-Sutcliffe Architects in 1994 (Architonic). Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe are renowned architects, distinguished from other architects by numerous awards. Both Shim and Sutcliffe were elected to the position of the International Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, as well as the position of a member of the Royal Canadian Academy (Architonic). Furthermore, both are members of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Toronto Society of Architects, and the Ontario Association of Architects (Architonic). Howard Sutcliffe also received the Ronald J. Thom Award in 1991 for Early Design Achievement, given by the Canada Council (Architonic). Together, they have collected eleven Governor General Medals and Awards for Architecture from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada; they have even been recognized by the American and Canadian Wood Council’s award programs for their work (Architonic). Shim