The Ottawa Architecture Foundation was formed to create a positive interdisciplinary forum for conversations about the built environment. Inspired by the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation and other examples of public facing, charitable, foundations, the OAF aims to elevate design culture, awareness and appreciation of the buildings, landscapes and natural settings of Ottawa. Toon Dreessen, founding board member, established the OAF with the support of the board and advisory members in hopes of creating a lasting legacy for the built environment in the nation’s capital.
Our Mission
The Ottawa Architecture Foundation (OAF) is a public facing organization dedicated to fostering conversations about architecture, design, and the built and natural environments. The OAF aims to stimulate inclusive conversations about architecture, improve design literacy and culture a positive design culture of the Nation Capital Region.
Our Vision
We imagine a National Capital Region that thrives on sustainable, healthy buildings, parks and natural spaces in which the public feels connected to our past and is engaged in creating our future.
Board of Directors
Toon
Toon Dreessen is President of Architects DCA Inc. He is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects; he is a member of the College of Fellows of the RAIC and served as President of the OAA in 2015 and 2016.
He is a writer and advocate for design and design leadership in creating equitable, sustainable built environments. He has been involved in local, provincial and national committees, on architectural policy, procurement and design leadership, in addition to running a mid-sized architecture practice in Ottawa.
He is a writer and advocate for design and design leadership in creating equitable, sustainable built environments. He has been involved in local, provincial and national committees, on architectural policy, procurement and design leadership, in addition to running a mid-sized architecture practice in Ottawa.
Rick
Rick MacEwen, an Ottawa architect, stands out for his unique approach to documenting the city's architectural legacy. His 180-year genealogy of architectural practices offers a comprehensive and unique perspective on Ottawa's built history and designers. Complementing this, he curates an inventory of both historic and recent works by local architects.
In tandem, his extensive photo collection captures the stories of both lost and standing buildings, a tangible commitment to preserving and deepening our understanding of Ottawa's rich architectural heritage.
In tandem, his extensive photo collection captures the stories of both lost and standing buildings, a tangible commitment to preserving and deepening our understanding of Ottawa's rich architectural heritage.
RHYS
Rhys Phillips has been writing extensively on architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and public place making for 38 years. In addition to architecture criticism and urban design opinions appearing regularly in the Ottawa Citizen, his work has appeared in Canadian Architect, Globe and Mail, Montreal Gazette, Azure, Architectural Record and other Canadian and American design magazines.
Current interests include mass timber design and transit with intensification through well scaled, sustainable and affordable housing in mixed use, transit-based "urban villages" that reflect the unique sense of place that is Ottawa. Instagram @architecture_critic
Current interests include mass timber design and transit with intensification through well scaled, sustainable and affordable housing in mixed use, transit-based "urban villages" that reflect the unique sense of place that is Ottawa. Instagram @architecture_critic
Advisors
Steve
Steve Willis is the Discipline Lead for Planning in Canada at Stantec Consulting ltd - a multidisciplinary international consulting firm. Steve is a Registered Professional Planner and a Professional Land Economist with over 30 years professional experience in consulting and in the various public sector roles.
Steve has spent part of his career with public agencies in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area. He was previously the Executive Director of Capital Planning for the National Capital Commission, and the General Manager of Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development for the City of Ottawa.
Steve has spent part of his career with public agencies in Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area. He was previously the Executive Director of Capital Planning for the National Capital Commission, and the General Manager of Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development for the City of Ottawa.
Martha
Martha commenced her education in Architecture at Carleton University and finished her degree in landscape architecture at the University of Montreal. This combined education has provided a unique perspective throughout her career in Ottawa.
The focus of her designs is to enhance the human experience within the landscape; she was recognized for her work with several City of Ottawa urban design awards, and won the prestigious Carl Borsgtrom Award for Service to the Environment from from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.
The focus of her designs is to enhance the human experience within the landscape; she was recognized for her work with several City of Ottawa urban design awards, and won the prestigious Carl Borsgtrom Award for Service to the Environment from from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects.
Philippe
Philippe is a local practitioner born and raised in Ottawa in the City's East End. He studied both architecture at Carleton University and later engineering at Ottawa University before setting up a private practice alongside his long-time friend, partner and spouse, Louise Lalande.
Over 35 years of professional and personal involvement in this Community, he has come to see architecture as a case study o the contradictions inherent in society and design as a tool for mediating consensus.
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world" - Albert Einstein
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world" - Albert Einstein
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle van Rutten is a Partner at Moriyama & Teshima Architects in Ottawa. She has worked on high-profile buildings in Ottawa including the Canadian War Museum, the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat and the Visitor Welcome Centre on Parliament Hill.
Emmanuelle is an active member of the architectural community: she was Regional Director for Ontario North, East, and Nunavut for the RAIC from 2016 to 2022 and is a member of the Urban Design Review Panel at the City of Ottawa. She was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2019.
Emmanuelle is an active member of the architectural community: she was Regional Director for Ontario North, East, and Nunavut for the RAIC from 2016 to 2022 and is a member of the Urban Design Review Panel at the City of Ottawa. She was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2019.
Christopher
Christopher Hoyt is an architect with 25 years’ experience, licensed with the Ontario Association of Architects. He leads a team of architects and design advisors within the Government of Canada and has significant experience coordinating large multi-disciplinary teams to achieve federal objectives while executing high profile infrastructure projects in the National Capital Region.
He served eight years at the National Capital Commission providing strategic advice to senior leadership on architecture and urban design projects. In the private sector Chris served as lead architect and senior designer at well-known firms in Canada and the U.S.
He served eight years at the National Capital Commission providing strategic advice to senior leadership on architecture and urban design projects. In the private sector Chris served as lead architect and senior designer at well-known firms in Canada and the U.S.
Peter
Peter Coffman is an architectural historian in Carleton University’s History & Theory of Architecture program. A specialist in Canadian historical and English medieval architecture, he has published extensively in academic books and journals, as well as contributing to the public conversation about architecture through newspapers, radio, TV and blogs.
He served two terms as president of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada. In a previous professional life he was a photographer, and he still frequently (in fact, almost daily) turns his lens toward buildings.
He served two terms as president of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada. In a previous professional life he was a photographer, and he still frequently (in fact, almost daily) turns his lens toward buildings.