The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Kollectif, Quebec’s leading architecture-based website.
The RAIC is Canada’s national voice for architects and architecture and advocates for excellence in the built environment. Partnering with Kollectif is a logical connection between two entities who play an active role in promoting architecture as a means of enhancing the quality of life while addressing societal issues.
This exciting new relationship will contribute to the exchange of information on topics that affect the architectural profession from coast-to-coast, and increase visibility as well as public engagement for both the RAIC and Kollectif.
“Kollectif is a positive force for architecture in Quebec,” says RAIC president Wayne DeAngelis, FRAIC. “Partnering with like-minded organizations such as Kollectif helps the RAIC enlarge the conversation between architects, decision-makers and the public and lead a dialogue on issues of policy, quality and sustainability.”
Founded in 2006, Kollectif’s mission is to gather in one place the Quebec architectural community’s public and professional activities, including talks, exhibitions, opening receptions, professional training, and more. The main objective is to strengthen ties between the profession and the public at large, the practical and academic worlds, design and technique, and the English- and French-speaking communities.
“I am delighted with Kollectif’s new partnership with a nationally and internationally renowned organization like the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada,” says Kollectif founder and Montreal architect Martin Houle, MIRAC. “The RAIC has shown a keen interest in opening up to the architectural community both locally and beyond, for example with the new Moriyama RAIC International Prize.”
The partnership with the RAIC is one of the changes that Kollectif reflects in a new slogan. “S’informer architecturalement” (staying architecturally informed) will be replaced by “S’investir architecturalement” (to be architecturally engaged).
In the coming days, Kollectif will roll out a revamped website. Thanks to a Canada Council for the Arts grant, it will include a new column by journalist Marc-André Carignan, who will provide Kollectif with original content to fuel dialogue and debate on land-use planning.
In 2010, Kollectif added a philanthropic component when it inherited the annual Quebec architects’ golf tournament to raise money for organizations promoting design and architecture across the province. Last August was the 30th edition. Over the years, it has raised $85,000 for the following organizations:
• Cooperation and Emergency Architects (CEA)
• La Maison de l’architecture du Québec (MAQ)
• Métis/Redford Gardens International Garden Festival
• The Centre de design at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
• The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)
• School of architecture at the University of Montréal
ABOUT THE RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is a voluntary national association, representing 4,800 members. The RAIC advocates for excellence in the built environment, works to demonstrate how design enhances the quality of life and promotes responsible architecture in addressing important issues of society.
For more info, visit http://www.raic.org/default.html