identity:
—the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognised or known
—an individual’s comprehension of him or herself as a discrete, separate entity
Identity is more than behaviour or personality: it is constructed, deliberately, and sits like a stick of rock at the centre of all we do, the decisions we make.
The first line of identity, whether as an architect, an artist, a building, a city or a nation should have some passing acquaintance with an authentic self simply to be understood. Here is where branding, celebrity and spin often falter.
It is complex, identity; it shouldn’t be subjected to simplification or reduction.
We need deep description of who we are and how we work, where we live and how we fit.
Why look at identity, architecture and urbanism at this time?
This is our twenty-fifth issue of On Site, a project that started very humbly and has evolved over the past twelve years to its present form. At its core is On Site’s identity as a venue for new voices, ideas and wide interpretations of architecture and urbanism.
On Site describes the complexity of what we do.
contents (click for a larger version):
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the company we keep: contributor biographies for issue 25:identity
Reza Aliabadi [M.Arch 1999, M.Phil.Arch 2006] ICEO, MRAIC, OAA is the founder of atelier rzlbd. He splits his time completing architectural projects in North America & Asia and publishing rzlbd POST. www.rzlbd.com
Farzaneh Bahrami has studied and worked in Iran, Italy and Switzerland. Her academic background encompasses two master degrees, one in urban design and one in industrial design, from Domus Academy of Milan and University of Tehran respectively.
Giovana Beltrao is a Brazilian-born architect and urban planner who started working in the favelas of Brazil 18 years ago and continues to work on human settlement projects throughout the developing world with Rob Story and HABICO.
Neeraj Bhatia is a director of InfraNet Lab, founder of The Open Workshop and Wortham Teaching Fellow at Rice University.
Frédéric Brisson, an architecture student at the University of Calgary, spent part of his Masters degree programme in Barcelona studying the city’s urban system. frbrisson@hotmail.com
amery Calvelli is an observer and communicator of design and architecture. Her preferred method of experiencing any urban environment is by foot. www.pushplusminus.com
Joshua Craze is an essayist based in Juba, Southern Sudan. With Meg Stalcup, he just finished an investigation into counterterrorism training in America, published by Washington Monthly.
Department of Unusual Certainties includes Brendan Cormier and Christopher Pandolfi. DoUC investigates unusual, overlooked and speculative urban situations.
Nicole Dextras is a graduate of Emily Carr University in Vancouver BC, where she is currently a sessional teacher. She has exhibited her environmental artwork in Canada, the US and Asia. www.nicoledextras.com
Alexander D’Hooghe is associate professor in Architectural Urbanism at MIT, director of ORG and the Platform for a Permanent Modernity.
Lisa Dietrich completed her architecture degree in Hamburg, Germany. She is currently living,working and exploring (in) Toronto. Her focus is on the context and connection of things, people, spaces. www.lisadietrich.de
Catherine Hamel is an Associate Professor in Architecture. What agitates her is not the sides people take, but the lines they draw in order to be able to take them. She loves the sound of laughter...
Miriam Ho studied architecture at the University of Waterloo. She has worked with award winning architects throughout Europe and Asia. Her research interests lie in issues surrounding rapid urbanisation, sustainable development and cultural identity.
Thomas-Bernard Kenniff is a PhD candidate and teaching fellow in architectural history and theory at the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture. www.tbkenniff.com
Joanne Lam is an architect and writer currently based in Toronto. She is a partner of AtelierPool and is renovating her home. www.atelierpool.ca
Aaron Levine is a Masters of Architecture candidate at UC Berkeley. He is interested in adaptable design within urban environments and the ecological implications therein.
Lejla Odobasic is a former Parkdale resident who does not hide her distain for condominium typology. She has a Masters degree in architecture from the University of Waterloo. Currently she is pursuing independent research overseas on cities and conflict.
Aisling O’Carroll graduated with a Bachelors of Architectural Studies from the University of Waterloo, and is currently completing her Master of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University, exploring the role of landscape in shifting urban environments.
Peter Osborne is an architect and associate with GECArchitecture Edmonton. He is currently the vice-chair of the Edmonton Design Committee and an executive director for the RAIC’s Alberta Chapter. Peter can be reached at peter.osborne@gecarchitecture.com
Michael Panacci, Bachelors of Architectural Studies (Waterloo) is completing his MArch at the University of Waterloo. His research addresses the political and market-driven forces that dictate Toronto’s growth and the societal ramifications on our urban environment.
Corey Schnobrich is a graduate student in architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously he worked for AS+GG Architects in Chicago on projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea.
Tim Sharp: b. Scotland, lives and works in Vienna. Artist (photos, videos and installations) and writer. Recent projects: First Contract (photo series), Chain Reaction (object), Little Mountain ( 2 channel video) and Matters of Fact (photo series).
Cody Spencer is currently studying urban and regional planning at Ryerson University, Toronto.
Victoria Stanton is a performance artist, video-maker, and writer. She has presented actions, exhibitions, and videos internationally, has been published in anthologies and art/literary/lifestyle magazines and is CEO of her own bank: www.bankofvictoria.com.
smsteele, a poet with the Canadian Forces Artist Programme 2008-2009, spent 18 months observing 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry prepare for, go to and return from war. In 2009, she visited Delta Company outside the wire in Afghanistan. She recently received a scholarship to pursue a PhD at the University of Exeter. www.warpoet.ca
David Tsai is a designer with a background in architecture and industrial design. Currently artist in residence at Houston Community College, he is engaged in a studio practice in Houston, Texas. www.davidtsai.net
Kira Varvanina has an MArch from Carleton University and is currently an independent installation artist based in Toronto. In her work Kira explores spatial transformations by means of technology and interactivity. www.studio1to1.ca
Shannon Werle researches the topic of sonic architecture as a Berlin House of Representatives Fellow. She received a degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati and regularly contributes to international design publications.
Deborah Wang is an independent artist, curator and designer in Toronto, with a background in installations and architecture. She is interested in walking and mapping as tactics for investigating the urban landscape.
Wes Wilson recently received an MArch from Waterloo and has since taught at the UW Rome Program in Italy. He is currently continuing independent research into architecture and synecdoche while working with Teeple Architects in Toronto.
Andrea Churchill Wong currently lives in Toronto; she studied English at University of Victoria.
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