Richard Davignon
- Jan 26, 2017
Calgary’s Most Iconic Landmark?
We’ve been talking a lot lately about exciting new Calgary landmarks – both around the office and on the blog. We have talked about who’s...
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Richard Davignon
- Nov 29, 2016
The City of a Hundred Steeples
As an office, we are thrilled to say that our beloved office manager, Caroline Ruiz, has returned to the office after spending some time...
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Richard Davignon
- Oct 27, 2016
Landscape Integrated Architecture
Unless you have been living under a rock or have only recently moved to Calgary, you know by now that Calgary is getting a new library!...
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Richard Davignon
- Sep 29, 2016
Q&A with Richard & Doris
Last month we polled our newsletter readers and our office for questions they wanted answered by our fearless leaders: Richard Davignon...
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Richard Davignon
- Aug 26, 2016
Architecture is Not Subjective
Architecture is not subjective. That was the concise opening statement by Richard when DMA University started on my first day on the job....
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Richard Davignon
- Jul 8, 2016
Trends: Keepin’ it Simple
I surely cannot be the only person who desires to exist inside of a smaller footprint, somewhere on the edge of the grid, if not off of...
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Richard Davignon
- Jun 3, 2016
The Architecture Thinking Series
It happened again and immediately my perception changed. I found myself immersed and captivated. I had no previous idea, yet it made...
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Richard Davignon
- Apr 28, 2016
Recognizing Design Success
We frequently field questions that inquire about the success of projects, both our own or as a critique on others’ – how or why a project...
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Richard Davignon
- Mar 31, 2016
Ctrl+C & Ctrl+V
In February’s newsletter, we featured the current Esker Foundation shows exhibiting the works of Jack Bush and contemporary artist...
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Richard Davignon
- Feb 29, 2016
Brand Synergy Design
Design thinking: A perfect fit where the appeal of the brand synergy is greater than the sum of the appeal of each brand proposition....
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Richard Davignon
- Jan 29, 2016
Down the Rabbit Hole
I recently ran across two seemingly dissimilar, but equally as fascinating anecdotes: something called “place attachment”; and another...
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Richard Davignon
- Nov 24, 2015
The Client-Centric Contractor Partnership
What is this wizardry we speak of? We want great partnerships with the construction managers and contractors we work with. Why? Because...
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Richard Davignon
- Oct 21, 2015
Don’t Hurt My Feelings
There is something odd going on in Calgary. Specifically in the single family residential redevelopment market. We are noticing that...
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Richard Davignon
- Sep 25, 2015
Locally Crafted Intentions
Just like in fashion, design trends are often seen to be cyclical and are typically born of societal needs and pressures. Trends can...
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Richard Davignon
- Jul 6, 2015
The Newest Thing is Something Old
Nostalgia and reverence is often what people feel when it comes to older homes and buildings. Not always justified nor does it need to...
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Richard Davignon
- May 29, 2015
The Blue Hula Hoop: An Interpretation
Living or visiting Calgary, we have all seen the giant blue ring light post on 96th Ave NW visible from Deerfoot Trail. You may have seen...
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Richard Davignon
- Apr 23, 2015
Bringing Sexy Back
Reviving the sensuality of the 70s I often hear “I love modern, but not if it’s cold or stark”. A very well received solution to this...
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Richard Davignon
- Mar 27, 2015
The Parti and the Attitude Behind Each Design
“Le Parti” [1] comes from the French Prendre parti meaning “to make a decision” [2] often referred to as the big idea, [3] it is the...
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Richard Davignon
- Feb 25, 2015
“Should I Build or Should I Renovate?”
Redevelopment vs. real innovation, what is the difference? While working simultaneously on new infill developments and significant...
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Richard Davignon
- Jan 29, 2015
The truth about so-called “Boxy Houses”
It is interesting how some people talk about modern homes and use descriptors like “boxy”, “plain”, or “flat” – but is it reasonable to...
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Richard Davignon
- Dec 18, 2014
From Cowtown to Cosmopolitan: Why Calgary is Trending to “Modern” Home Design
Recent kudos for Calgary have been many and raving. We were named one of the coolest (The New York Times had us 17th on their 2014...
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Richard Davignon
- Nov 27, 2014
10 books for Archiphiles of all ages
With the gift giving season upon us, we’ve come up with a list of ten books for archiphiles of all ages. And to make your shopping...
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Richard Davignon
- Nov 27, 2014
Sustainable Architecture: Design with Lasting Power – Part I
If someone were to tell you that the house you are buying is going to be torn down in 40 or 50 years, you’d think they were crazy. Yet...
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Richard Davignon
- Oct 28, 2014
Design Synergy: Beyond Specialization
Collaboration between architects and interior designers is integral to producing a successful project, and in this post we will share how...
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Richard Davignon
- Oct 28, 2014
A Modern Twist on Old World Character
The New York Times – T Magazine recently featured a home in Stockholm, Sweden designed by the Scandinavian architecture firm Claesson...
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Richard Davignon
- Sep 18, 2014
BLOCK PARTI
In a recent blog post “The Parti and the Bicycle” I shared one of my favorite things about being the principal of an architecture firm –...
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Richard Davignon
- Sep 18, 2014
Designer Branded Hotels
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about fashion brands entering the hospitality business, particularly in Dubai. The Emirate is already...
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Richard Davignon
- Aug 28, 2014
STARCHITECTS vs. LOCATECTS
In a recent essay in The New York Times’ T Magazine called By Design: The Franchising of Architecture, critic Witold Rybczynski...
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Richard Davignon
- Aug 19, 2014
The Parti and the Bicycle
One of my favorite things about being the principal of an architecture firm is figuring out how we work as a studio to produce things....
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Richard Davignon
- Jul 17, 2014
Seven Reasons Why Contemporary Modern is King in Calgary
1. We are a young, cosmopolitan, and confident city. Our adventurous, if not rebellious, spirit has us always looking forward as opposed...
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Richard Davignon
- Jun 25, 2014
The Painting That I Had To Leave Behind
Years ago I built a house in the southwest Calgary neighborhood of Bankview. My neighbours to the east had subdivided their lot into 2...
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Richard Davignon
- Jun 18, 2014
Urban Infills: Taking Advantage of Small Lots
It is no secret that the cost of urban land in Calgary is rising and the space available for development is shrinking. Building a new...
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Richard Davignon
- Jun 17, 2014
Modern or Contemporary: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to architecture, Modern and Contemporary are terms that are often used interchangeably. What is the difference between...
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