August 14, 2024

Principal Don Schmitt is featured in an interview with Andrea-Jo Wilson for Foyer magazine, discussing how he came to pursue a career in architecture, where he goes for inspiration, and his approach to sustainability – designing buildings to be much like little energy plants unto themselves.

One such example is the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). This new gallery will feature innovative, sustainable design principles that align with passive house design standards, and integrate smoothly with the existing AGO building. It is also seeking net-zero carbon operations – one of the first major cultural facilities to be to do that upon its completion in 2027.  

“[…] That interest in renovation, rehabilitation, revitalization and sustainability, they're joined – stemming all from the same idea that what we need are more environmentally responsible and socially relevant buildings”, says Don Schmitt.

“Finding ways to re-energize older buildings, to find more appropriate uses for them – that is the first step to sustainability. But then beyond that, it is understanding how you make buildings perform better.”

When asked, to what does he credit his many achievements, it’s not to his eyes he points. But his ears.

“Good architecture is about being a good listener. Listening, not just to the quantitative needs – seven of these, three of that, a roof, a window – but the more sensitive, qualitative goals. They are the important bits, the things that can allow a building to transcend its practical program, its programmatic requirements. It can give you the clues to making a more inspired environment.”

Read the full interview in Foyer here.