Architectural design and construction go hand-in-hand on paper. In practice, however, conflicts of interest may arise between firm and developer over creativity versus practicality, vision versus budget and so on. Canadian architect Peter Braithwaite operates on both sides of the design-construction coin, breaking down all boundaries between the two disciplines in his work.
He is trained in carpentry, cabinetry, environmental design and, of course, architecture, all of which informed the establishment of his eponymous design-build practice Peter Braithwaite Studio in 2014. Canadian architectural heritage sits at the centre of Braithwaite’s design influences, which capture the nation’s material fervor for timber.
‘Atlantic Canada has a rich cultural history of light frame wood construction which is rooted in a deep understanding of boat building traditions,’ explains the architect. ‘This local history is the foundation for our pride in wood design and craftsmanship and is exemplified in all the projects we undertake.’
These historical cues are made tangible in Back Bay Studio, Braithwaite’s self-designed firm headquarters in the remote fishing community of Terence Bay. Locally sourced slates of wood and aluminium siding combine in the construct’s monolithic rectangular exterior, which both ages naturally and withstands the bitter southern Nova Scotia climate.
