Show and Tell Sudbury Architecture

Some exciting events taking place in the Downtown for 10 days in the heritage Silverman's building on Elm Street as a part of the official Northern Ontario School of Architecture's Idea's competition. Details of the competition callout can be found here. Just this week another business in the same building had its doors closed when the landlord repossessed 'The Office' for rent in arrears.

The first public stage of the NOSOA outreach was a series of public art pieces in the downtown. Less than a year later most of the pieces have been removed but a short video I made is still viewable to look at the installations





In the last month ImagineneSudbury announced that Designer Bruce Mau is looking to establishing a Center for Massive Change in Sudbury.

Both projects are multiyear in development and suggest that important creative change is possible for Sudbury but in the short term signs of the creative thinking and dialogue that both promise to instigate are few and hard to find.

In fact, I suggest that these types of megaprojects, whether in the education or health sector tend to dry up and monopolize available funding and squeeze smaller alternatives. The end result are showcases that encourage the City's braindrain and do not necessarily contribute to changing the city in any meanungful way.

While the shortterm influx of students and money is good, we actually end up creating a braindrain of talent and creativity after graduation. And without some serious engagement outside of the silos of City Hall, Laurentian University and the Arts community - these projects may far fall short of the possible change they portend. Just look at the last 'mega project's suggested for the city and ask whether any after action reviews have taken place.

Lets hope that these projects are more than just show and tell

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