AVID Architecture
#120, 10309 107 Street T5J 1K3 Edmonton, AB, Canada

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR BUILDING TO THRIVE TRAINING COURSE! Creating spaces that support community wellbeing is our superpower, and we are ready to share it with you! In this 12 week course, get ready to truly create buildings that:... 1 Increase the positive physiological impact of spaces on the human body and consciousness 2 support your clients' wellbeing and the surrounding community 3 reducing operational and maintenance costs 4 inspire your organization's investors and funders If you are an architect, designer, property manager who wants to learn more about developing thriving communities, this training is for you! This course is also for builders and everyone involved in building design or renovations, and especially those involved in the design or renovation processes for apartment or condominium homes. You will get access to live training videos, interactive worksheets, and weekly live Q&As with professionals who have experience building communities that thrive. Space is limited! Click here to sign up today: https://www.avidarch.ca/building-to-thrive/

REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW! Introducing the latest by the AVID family: Building to Thrive training . Not only will this training help you understand your role as a developer, building manager, or community leader in maintaining safe spaces, but it will also give you actionable steps and techniques for greater impact. This course is also for builders and everyone involved in building design or renovations, and especially those involved in the design or renovation processes f...or apartment or condominium homes. Here, Cynthia shares why she was inspired to create this course: My name is Cynthia Dovell, founder of AVID architecture, and I’m proud to say that I am the creator of national award-winning architectural gems. From personal experience, I’ve learned that a safe living environment has the power to transform the lives of those who live there. So I’ve made it my mission to do just that: create safe living environments to transform communities all over the country. I love what I do because I know how much it matters. Changing one life would be rewarding, but creating a building that can change countless lives, is an honor. Join us in creating architecture that provides your community with a sense of safety and well-being. And don’t worry, you are not in this alone! We are here for you every step of the way, partnering to ensure your success. Registration opens tomorrow!

We’ve been teasing you with our Building to Thrive training, and it’s finally here! We are so excited to be able to share this with the world. But first, we wanted to share with you why we created this training. Our founder, Cynthia Dovell, says it best: Hi, I’m Cynthia, founder of AVID Architecture. My vision for AVID is to provide people and their communities with a sense of safety and wellbeing. Inspiring them to move towards self-i...mprovement and living their best lives. We all want a safer world and that starts with the environment we work and live in. From the bottom of my heart, I believe that together we can inspire a nationwide movement toward infusing care and home with architectural design. This online training is for architects, designers, builders, directors, and anyone who is committed to developing thriving communities. Do you want to learn how to create spaces that support community wellbeing? Our course launches next week, so stay tuned to this page for details on how to sign up! See more

Today, we’re celebrating each and every woman. As a female-majority architecture firm, we know first-hand the benefits of empowering women to lead teams. Women wear so many hats - many of the women on our team are also mothers, students, and advocates for our community. Happy International Women’s Day, we couldn’t do it without you!... #choosetochallenge #iwd2021 #internationalwomensday #happywomensday #womeninspiringwomen #herstory #edmontonwomen #edmontonmade #Yegwomen #YEGwomenentrepreneurs #womeninarchitecture #Madamearchitect #discoveryeg #internationalwomensday #cityofedmonton #edmontonwomeninbusiness #yegbossbabes #YEGEntrepreneurs #celebratingwomen #leanin

Here’s a sneak peak of a project we’re super excited to be working on. Swipe left to see the before picture - we can’t wait to show you more! White Knight Construction Cast Supply Westman Steel Larsen Engineering

Be where your feet are Hi, Lindsay here! This quote was shared by @soundvibesyeg at an online yoga class hosted by ies_edmonton last month. This quote really resonated with me and was a reminder to be in the moment. So often we’re rushing through the day that we actually forget to be where we are and connect with who we’re with.... After our yoga class, we had the opportunity to connect with other attendees and talk about different strategies we've found have made working at home joyful! We can’t always change the climate, but we can change how we interact with it. Some strategies shared were having plants in their work space, going outside for walks at lunch, or optimizing lighting with either natural or artificial lighting tweaks. We think the connection between lighting and well-being is so important to consider when we’re designing architecture too! In fact, it’s one of our top priorities when we’re building to thrive. Tell us, what are your strategies for being present and staying mindful? How do you find joy in the small things? See more

Cynthia here! My workplace has been taking a course about the indigenous cultures across Canada. It really hits home the power that the landscape has had in shaping culture, society, familial and governance structures throughout history. Today, with the majority of us living in more urban areas, the landscape that is shaping us is largely the built environment. This is why, even though physiologically speaking we humans are wired to connect, today we are suffering from a ver...y high level of disconnection. When it comes to building to thrive, to me this is about building spaces that support people in connecting and in feeling their best so that they can connect with others. The reason why in my work I often refer to the idea of ‘safe spaces’, is because the majority of us feel unsafe a whole lot of the time. In order to thrive, we must first feel safe. Our built environment is not helping this to the extent it can.

WHEN WE GET ‘STUCK’ There is a moment(s!) in every design process when we feel ‘stuck’ and can’t see what the next best step is. Often our clients will have amazing feedback on our work, or they will have a brilliant inspiration that helps us get outside of our own heads and gives us exactly the nudge we need to create something amazing. This co-creative process is so fun, and rewarding! And doubly rewarding we are so grateful to be working with people ...that have huge hearts toward improving people’s lives, and improving streetscapes and communities through wonderful architecture. These photos are some design iterations of an exciting co-created project we are working on with HIBCO construction. What do you do when you feel stuck? @hibco @singletree_builders See more

The AVID Team Check out the beautiful team at AVID on our newly updated website! We’re so excited to share it with you. Stop on over - www.avidarch.ca - and while you’re there, get to know our team a little better. ... Happy Tuesday!

How are architects faring as we head into the second wave of the pandemic? Good question! Two surveys were conducted in late August to find out and the @canadianarchitect recently published the results. ... Here are some stats that were shared in the article: 34 percent experienced a decline in business, 28 percent saw no overall impact, and 15 percent had more work than usualparticularly in healthcare projects. 65 percent of the Ontario architects surveyed were working partially or fully from home, and 19 percent had returned to the office. The shift to virtual meetings has brought some potentially paradigm-shifting changes. 25 percent said that they were not yet back to business as usual in their service delivery. One survey was done by the Ontario Association of Architects, the other by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada @raic_irac. The article definitely shed light onto what Architects and Architectural firms are going through. We were able to add our two cents to the article too, a positive one at that. Some architects say the slowdown has allowed them to rethink their business strategy and improve their office culture. We’ve made a huge effort to prioritize well-being and safe connection in our team, says Cynthia Dovell, principal of a seven-person Edmonton firm. And because it’s a priority, we’re doing it more. How is your industry faring as we head into the second wave of the pandemic? Ps. The link to the full article is in our BIO. See more

We’re so happy to announce that Joy is back! Some of you may remember Joy because she was AVID’s summer student in 2019. Joy is currently working on her Master of Architecture Studies and is passionate about establishing healthy communities and enriched spaces. Please help us give Joy a warm welcome back to the team!

MEET OUR BUILDING TO THRIVE SPEAKERS The Building to Thrive Panel is less than a week away! But don’t worry, you still have time to register. Whether you happen to be in Edmonton or even Canada, if you want to promote, build, and invest in the development of safe spaces for the community, learn how you can invest in your community’s well-being and contribute through your work, and discover ways to overcome barriers in achieving this reality this panel discussion is must-see!... Click the link in our bio to register! We’d like to introduce you to the remainder of our amazing speakers. OFELIA LEON Ofelia is a counselling therapist currently in private practice in Edmonton. She is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC) and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling status (MPCC). Ofelia holds a Clinical Membership of the formerly known Gestalt Institute of the National Capital. Ofelia is passionate about applying bio-psycho-physiological tools from the Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Neuro-Affective Touch, and Compassion Focused Therapy to support the wellbeing of her clients.You can find more about her at www.befriendingself.ca CHELSEY JERSAK Avid urbanist and community builder, Chelsey Jersak is the founder and principal of Situate, a boutique planning firm based in Edmonton offering advisory, rezoning, permitting, and subdivision coordination services for awesome infill projects. Chelsey has a B.A. in Regional and Urban Development and an M.A. in Human Geography from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a Registered Professional Planner and a certified Project Management Professional, Vice President of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association (IDEA) and past Edmonton Director of the Alberta district council of the Urban Land Institute. She was also a founding member of the Child Friendly Housing Coalition of Alberta, which successfully lobbied the Government of Alberta to amend human rights legislation so that children under 18 could no longer be barred from living in rental and condominium apartment buildings. Instagram @situateinc Click the link in our bio to learn more. The event is FREE.

MEET OUR BUILDING TO THRIVE SPEAKERS Join us on Wednesday, Nov 25th from noon to 1:30pm MST for our Building to Thrive Panel Discussion. Click the LINK IN OUR BIO to register for this free virtual discussion! Our panel will discuss how you can promote, build, and invest in the development of safe spaces for the community, how you can invest in your community’s well-being and contribute through your work, and ways to overcome barriers in achieving this reality.... We are so excited to have these passionate individuals on our Building to Thrive Panel to share their expertise. CYNTHIA DOVELL Cynthia is a principal at AVID Architecture, the Alberta Chapter Chair of the RAIC, and an architectural design instructor at the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University. Having lived in over 20 different urban and rural places across Canada, she has a deep knowledge of the variety of landscapes and the communities that live here. With experience working together with many diverse peoples and organizations, she is adept at finding ways to meet diverse needs. Specializing in human-centered design that supports community wellness, her designs are both functional and artful. You can find Cynthia on Instagram @avidarchyeg ANNE STEVENSON A proud Edmontonian, Anne Stevenson has worked in urban design and planning for the past 15 years, both in Canada and abroad. She is passionate about building more equitable cities that serve all residents. Following 7 years at the City of Edmonton, Anne now works in affordable housing with the Right at Home Housing Society. You can connect with Anne on Instagram or Twitter: @edmonton_anne GEORGE CRAWFORD George is the Youth Culture and Community Director at the Rat Creek Press and an Architecture student at Athabasca University. They live in Cromdale and are an active member of the Parkdale-Cromdale Community League. George is an active advocate for those experiencing homelessness and mental illness. Find them on IG @mindoffire11 You don’t want to miss out on this event! Stay tuned as we share the rest of our panel later this week. @au.architecture @ratcreekpress @pcclyeg @situateinc

Meet our Building to Thrive Partners! ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY Athabasca University... AU is a Canadian public research university that primarily operates through online distance education. Founded in 1970, it is one of four comprehensive academic and research universities in Alberta and was the first Canadian university to specialize in distance education. AU is passionate about making education more accessible. RAT CREEK PRESS Rat Creek Press RCP shares community news, activities, and recreational opportunities, as well as local residents and businesses, to support the growth of a strong, vibrant, well-connected community. Rat Creek Press wants residents in North Central Edmonton to know what is happening in their community, to feel connected to their local institutions, and be acquainted with and support their local businesses. They hope their work will lead to increased ownership, participation and interest in the community. PARKDALE CROMDALE COMMUNITY LEAGUE Parkdale Cromdale Community League The Parkdale Cromdale Community League Board is an inclusive, responsive organization open to the community it represents. They are advocates for neighbourhood community development. Special thanks to all our amazing partners in our Building to Thrive Panel Discussion! Stay tuned to our page as we introduce our speakers next! Registration is open to all https://zoom.us//regi/tJwlc-GrpzkpGdB8CA6Z_ysHoOaXIlmWXiuX See more

We are so excited to announce our first ever Building to Thrive Panel Discussion! Do you want to know exactly how you can promote, build, and invest in the development of safe spaces for the community? Do you want to know how you can invest in your community’s well-being and contribute through your work?... Then you don’t want to miss out on this event! Stay tuned to our page as we introduce our speakers and for details on where you can register. Registration is open to all https://zoom.us//tJwlc-GrpzkpGdB8CA6Z_ysHoOaXIlmWXiuX Special thanks to our partners: Athabasca University Rat Creek Press Parkdale Cromdale Community League See more

Safe Spaces Tip Plant more useful landscaping elements Did you know that landscaping can do double duty? Not only can it provide a decorative element, but intentionally placed landscaping can actually help you save money on landscaping in the longer term! Sturdy potted plants offer your tenants a guide on the ideal path from sidewalk/parking lot to door, and it also keeps people (tenants or not) out of secluded areas, which may be uns...afe to spend time in. Simple additions of landscaping also give the appearance of a well taken care of building. That means people looking to loiter or damage know that there is close attention being paid to the building and are less likely to target it. These tips are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other ways you can increase the safety of your building in a way that also supports your community and protects your property. And while they’re simple to implement, it’s not always easy to determine where to start. That’s why we created a FREE guide for building safer spaces! This quick-reference handbook will help you - builders, designers, and directors of NPOs - learn how to quickly and effectively implement strategies to bring a sense of safety to your property and the community. Hit contact us in the bio to get this essential free guide! #wellbeing #natureandlife #EdmontonMade #YegLocal #EdmontonBiz #edmontonbusiness #YegArchitecture #EdmontonArchitecture #ArchitectureLife #ArchitectureGram #infilledmonton #sustainablearchitecture #cityofedmonton #edmontonwomeninbusiness #YEGEntrepreneurs #plantsathome #plantsindesign #landscapingideas #landscapingdesign See more

TURNING MAIN STREET INTO A WELCOME MAT AVID Architecture is honoured to be included as one of the designs in Bring Back Main Street’s Design Challenge Playbook! The goal of the challenge was to produce a free, open-access main street design playbook that can inspire action by any organization, municipality, or individual.... We find this accessible approach to design very valuable to our communities and something that we are passionate about participating in. AVID’s entry proposed renovations and expansions to Boyle Street Community Services in the format of a welcome mat to the community. What if main street frontage could facilitate more hope, greater opportunity, and deeper connection? At present, the primary goal of Boyle's facility is survival: its community members contend with a lack of security, overcrowding, and inaccessibility. Changing our main streets to be more of a welcome mat is a great replicable opportunity to address existing risks and provide a safer space. Our team proposed a design that expresses the cultural identity of its predominantly Indigenous users, and minimizes its impact on the environment and to adapt for future needs by investing in durable and multifunctional materials. About Bring Back Mainstreet: This new nationally-coordinated research and advocacy campaign is about finding the best solutions to ensure our main streets recover from COVID-19 and emerge from the crisis more resilient than ever. Check out our design, along with many other amazing entries, in the Design Challenge Playbook - https://bringbackmainstreet.ca/main-street-design-playbook RAIC - IRAC Canadian Urban Institute Boyle Street Community Services

Do you see yourself and your community reflected in where you live? Do you feel connected to your house, apartment, condo? If you answered yes to either of these questions, why do you think that is?... Housing is an anchor in this world, and it fails when residents don’t feel attached to it. That’s a bold statement, but seeing yourself in your space is so important to well-being because it gives us a sense of belonging not only in your home, but in the larger community. If you do feel connected to where you live, it’s likely because you can see yourself in that space. You feel free to decorate, and there are plenty of chances to show off your individuality and how you identify. Your community is reflected in the design choices. Take our Right at Home Beacon Heights design - we designed with the community in mind. This meant including communal meeting areas, prayer rooms, and multi-family suites into the project plans. And that’s just the beginning. Are you a Builder, Planner, or Designer who wants to help people find belonging in their surroundings? We can’t wait to collaborate on creating a unique and community centred design for your next housing project. Send us a DM and let’s get started!

Calling all non-profit and for-profit organizations that want to prioritize well-being in the community! Are you someone who is renovating or creating a space that houses people that you know need to feel safe? Are you wanting to create a project, design, or community space that promotes well-being, belonging, and joy?... We’ve got an exciting opportunity coming up and we are looking for YOUR feedback. ’ : This training will give your team knowledge and tools for elevating your existing and new spaces toward increasing the level of safety and well-being that the buildings offer Share how you can (and should!) showcase your buildings as even bigger success stories, in how they contribute to improving people’s lives and the community around them We will help you give your donors complete confidence that you are going above and beyond in your ability to provide safety and well-being to people and communities through the quality of spaces you provide And even if this isn’t for you please do share this post with organizations you think will benefit from this training! We truly believe this will change the world. Send us a DM for more details or hit CONTACT US with the subject FEEDBACK - we’ll connect you with more details AND you’ll get first access to our FREE Safer Spaces guide! See more

Some things you’ll often hear people in our city lament are our long Winters, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Autumns, and lack of substantial sunlight from October to March. There are surely opportunities to connect with nature during the colder months, but it does become more challenging. It’s quite a feat to motivate ourselves to spend a ton of time outside when the temperature approaches -20C and beyond. And while we often take pride in living in a Winter Ci...ty, it can actually take a toll on our mental well-being, so we wanted to share some tips with you on making winter living more joyful! Humans have a built-in desire to connect with nature - studies have shown that when we connect with nature we reduce stress and improve our well-being. So it’s even more critical that builders, planners, and designers who want to prioritize well-being in their housing projects incorporate elements of nature in their designs. Here are some simple ways that you can incorporate nature into your next housing design: Certain plants thrive in artificial light! Snake plants, pothos, and some ferns all grow well in artificial light and are low maintenance too. You can design built-in flower beds and planters in common areas for your guests to enjoy. Just make sure that if your housing project is pet-friendly so are your plants! If your main floor units open up onto grass, consider creating dedicated garden plots for residents! Using natural finishes like wood for flooring and cabinets not only helps bring in elements of nature, but also tends to create a feeling of warmth and peace. Tune in to our video where Savannah talks about why bringing nature into her home is so important for her own well-being. Let us know in the comments - how do you incorporate nature into your personal and professional environment? See more

Here is our simple guide to improving safety in an existing building, and some things to consider at the beginning stages when designing a building. Crime prevention, safety, and incorporating well-being into the design process are all topics we feel passionately about. But it can be challenging to know where to start, so here are some quick tips!... Swipe through and let us know - which tip is your favourite? And don’t forget - you can save this post to come back to over and over again. #safespaces #EdmontonMade #YegLocal #EdmontonBiz #edmontonbusiness #YegArchitecture #EdmontonArchitecture #ArchitectureLife #ArchitectureGram #infilledmonton #sustainablearchitecture #cityofedmonton #wellbeingatwork #edmontonwomeninbusiness #YEGEntrepreneurs #womeninarchitecture #youngarchitects #yegbuildings #canadianarchitecture #yegbuildings #yegcommunity #emotionalwellbeing #diversityalliance #canadianbusiness See more

Take a look around you - do you feel that your surroundings support you and your community to safely socialize? Are you looking at your project and wondering how to design it with distanced socializing in mind? We’re here to help!... Our 3 Practical Tips to Incorporate Safe Socializing in your Housing Design 1 Design housing with a combination of public semi-public/semi-private, and private spaces! This allows for various levels of social interaction. 2 Adding balconies to your design is a great option to promote safe socializing between neighbours and their visitors from street level! 3 Consider the addition of built-in seating areas not only in the main lobby areas, but on all floors as well! Without a place to sit down, people are less likely to stop and chat. This provides residents with the opportunity to pause as they come and go and connect with their neighbours. Tune in to Lindsay’s video where she shares her personal experience bringing safe socialization into housing. And do share ways you’ve incorporated safe socializing in your own home with a comment down below!

Last week the AVID Team took the afternoon off to celebrate JOY and that AVID is officially a member of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)!! CAMSC’s mission is to champion business relationships and economic growth of the Canadian supply chain through the inclusion of Aboriginals and Minority suppliers. Associated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), CAMSC is also a member of SDAC (Supplier Diversity Alliance Canad...a) and GSDA (Global Supplier Diversity Alliance). So we hopped on some scooters and scooted our way down to Ritchie Professional Centre to get some Kind Ice Cream and Transcend Coffee. How do YOU celebrate your accomplishments? Comment below or better yet tag us in your photos of JOY! See more

Did you know that some of the largest waves of housing innovation started after the pandemic known as the Spanish influenza? Read on if you want to know why this matters and how to design housing that is practical & beautiful. In the wake of the pandemic there was an overwhelming desire to design spaces with natural light, fresh air flow, and easily sanitized surfaces.... It’s important to consider these things when designing housing that prioritizes public health, but an extremely common mistake is thinking that this translates to designs that are cold and sterile. How many public buildings can you name that make you smile? Designers, Planners, Executive Directors! There are so many ways that you can design housing that is hygienic AND inviting! For example, choose surfaces for double duty - a copper surface not only warms up your space, but did you know that it’s also antimicrobial and very easy to clean? Tune in to Cynthia’s video where she shares her personal experience with housing and hygiene. What do you think? Can you have both practical AND beautiful? Let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to sign up for our FREE safe spaces PDF guide! Hit CONTACT US with the subject subscribe me! so that you can get first access to this FREE guide! See more

We specialize in design and education that promotes community well-being, safety & joy. Safe buildings. Happy people. The truth is, it’s easy to say that. For us, the ability to deliver on that promise starts at the heart of our organization - our team. Once a month, the AVID team gets together for a socially distanced yoga class that enlivens, aligns, and inspires us to show up fully in our work.... Can something as simple as a yoga class really do that? We’re so glad you asked! We know that when we intentionally create a culture of well-being and joy it extends out into every facet of our designs and it enlivens us to advocate for our clients and our community. So we made that a priority here at AVID and take our monthly ritual very seriously. This gives a consistent opportunity to connect with ourselves and each other in the spirit of physical and mental well-being so that we can show up fully in our mission and values. Do you agree? What is a secret activity that fuels your work? Ready to centre well-being in your next project? Send us a DM and let’s get started on your project that can change the world. #teamyoga #yegyogacommunity #teamcollaboration #AvidArchitecture #EdmontonMade #YegLocal #EdmontonBiz #avoidburnout #edmontonbusiness #YegArchitecture #EdmontonArchitecture #ArchitectureLife #ArchitectureGram #infilledmonton #sustainablearchitecture #cityofedmonton #edmontonwomeninbusiness #YEGEntrepreneurs #womeninarchitecture #youngarchitects #teambuildingactivity #canadianarchitecture #yegbuildings #yegcommunity #safespaces #emotionalwellbeing

Are you... Wondering how to design your own space centred around safety, well-being, and community, but you don’t know where to start? Wondering how you can protect your building against property damage?... Wanting expert tips from award-winning designers? We’re offering a free PDF on Building Safe Spaces - a helpful guide on how you too can design and build safe spaces, protect your property, and more, all from our award-winning architects. Hit CONTACT US with the subject subscribe me! you’ll be added to our distribution list to get first access to this FREE guide! See more

There are so many ways you can create spaces that evoke a feeling of joy. One of the most exciting opportunities to do this is on our Freecloud building project. Tune in to the video as Lindsay explains how we were able to create an atmosphere of joy by choosing interior design options that mimics the feeling of being outside in an arctic landscape. Are you ready to incorporate more joy into your design? Send us a DM and let’s chat!

Architecture is one of the most impactful determinants of well-being. In March, our principal and lead architect Cynthia shared her talk Nothing, Something, Everything about this very topic. Since then a lot has changed and the topic she spoke about is more resonant than ever before... Often spaces that feel bad do so in a way that’s invisible. It could be a lack of light, low ceilings, small spaces, acoustics, ambient noise. Elevated ambient noise is an interesting one - not only does it contribute to hearing loss, it also alters our natural respiratory rhythms. It physically affects how our bodies operate in that space. Over time, this can affect our entire cardiovascular system. As a result, our sense of control is diminished, we feel less patient, we're more easily distracted and less able to focus. Our physical surroundings impact us emotionally and physicallyusually at an unconscious level. And it extends to our personal space, too! In March, as our homes transformed into some combination of living space, daycare, gym, yoga studio, and office, how many of us felt the need to make improvements there in order to benefit our physical and emotional well-being? If you haven’t already, watch Cynthia’s video on our IGTV channel that highlights the importance of creating a space in your home that supports your well-being. We’d love to hear what kind of improvements you made to your home, and how they impacted your well-being. Thinking of making similar improvements to your building? Send us a DM and let’s get started on making that dream come true. See more

Are you anxious about going to public spaces? You’re not the only one. Today, Victoria is sharing her thoughts on how keeping a dialogue going is an important part of well-being when we’re building safe spaces. The idea of well-being is quite a personal topic right now because it is vastly different for everyone. This is something that I've been personally struggling with as COVID cases have been rising here in Edmonton. I've been feeling anxiety for myself and family membe...rs, especially family members that are susceptible to illness. It comes in waves - you think more about it, you can dwell on it. But you also want to try to maintain your personal day to day activities and a sense of well-being. It's quite a balance. Now more than ever, it’s really important that we talk about what community means to us. How can we change public spaces to be more accessible and friendly, and also physically safer for everyone? Are there ways we can ensure that we can gather as a community with the health and wellness of everyone in mind? Builders, planners, and executive directors - let’s keep the conversation going, together. Send us a DM - we would love to work with you on how to translate concerns when it comes to well-being into a safe space design for you and your clients! #safespaces #safespace #yegcommunity #covid19 #anxietyawareness #publicspaces

How noise can affect our ability to concentrate. We’ve all been there - whether it’s working from home with our kids running around, trying to sleep in when there’s construction going on across the street, or simply an office with too much talking, noise can make it hard to concentrate. Did you know that lack of focus and productivity is not the only side-effect to noise? Too much noise can create a level of unwanted stress in our bodies.... Talk about the opposite of well-being! When we approached the design phase of the Freecloud Interior Building, we worked with the client to prioritize: 1 Carefully choosing materials that allow reduction of sound 2 Separation of space between different tenants 3 Intentionally placing walls around offices that require more privacy There are so many ways to reduce noise in your building. Let’s chat! Send us a DM and let’s talk noise. See more

We are very excited about the positive impacts the Church Street Housing Project is going to have on the streetscape and community! And It’s been so much fun working on this with HIBCO Construction. So far we are really digging options 1 and 3.

Does the lighting in your office impede well-being? Chances are, if you work in an office environment the lighting may have been an afterthought. Meaning: the ways in which lighting can impact our concentration, cause eye strain, and disrupt our natural rhythms was not considered in the design process. But lighting shouldn’t be an afterthought - it’s part of creating a space of well-being. ... During our work on the Freecloud Building interior, we explored options with the client that promote focus and health. Inspired by the northern lights and the natural lighting changes that span throughout the day, we were able to create a solution that centres well-being. Want to learn how we can do the same for your project? Send us a DM to chat with our award-winning designers and let’s make a plan that will work for you! #yegArchitecture #spacedesign #edmontonarchitecture #CityofEdmonton #YegLocal #workinprogress #architecture #Architecturelovers #yeggers #yeglocalbusiness #yeglocal #yegbuilder #yegbuildings #yegliving #yegentrepreneur #yegwomeninbusiness #womeninarchitecture #edmontonliving #yeghomebuilder #yegcommunity #yeginfill #yegreno #yegrenovations #communityspace #northernlights #northernlightsphotos #yegdesigner #yegthecity #cityofedmonton @ Edmonton, Alberta

4 Tips on How to Design a Space to Limit Anxiety Have you ever felt lost in a large building where all the hallways looked the same? And anxious knowing that you need to get somewhere in it, and fast? The design of a space has a big impact on whether it’s easy to navigate or a maze to be dreaded, and the stress that can arise when we get lost has a big impact on our well-being.... It can feel even worse with the new anxiety of COVID contamination, as many people are trying to reduce their time in public indoor settings to a bare minimum. Here are 4 strategies you can use to make sure that visitors of spaces know where they are and can easily navigate their way around: LIGHTING: making some areas brighter than others will attract peoples’ attention towards them. If they are in a darker space, people will naturally head towards a lighter one while exploring. COLOUR: accents will attract attention. Many large buildings now use colour accents as a way of differentiating areas that would otherwise look identical: for example, one wing of an airport has green accents while another wing has blue ones. LAYOUT: having a large central hub space with other spaces branching off of it can help visitors orient themselves in relation to it. When a user gets lost, they can always return to the courtyard, hub, or starting place. SIGNAGE AND OTHER GRAPHIC ELEMENTS: these can provide additional cues for where to go such as marking exits or washrooms. Buildings that support our well-being are easy to navigate and help us know where we are. Lighting, colour, layout, and signage can all work together to create legible spaces that are enjoyable to explore. Which of these design strategies would you employ in your buildings? AVID can help you with that! Send us a DM and let’s chat more about your project.

Each Friday in August we will be sharing some personal stories from our team, highlighting an aspect of well-being in a pandemic as it relates to the spaces around us. This week Cynthia shares her personal connection to well-being, Safe Spaces, and her bed - yes, you read that right! We’ve been doing a lot of thinking about spaces for well-being and I wanted to share a funny story with you in my life. ... When I was a kid, I slept on a lawn chair for several years. At the time I was really excited and happy about it, but as an adult, it meant I had the idea in my head that a bed doesn’t need to be anything fancy. As a result, I have literally been sleeping on a futon that I purchased in university for the past 20 years! For the past 5 years, I’ve been dreaming about a better bed. I know that a better bed results in better sleep, which results in bringing one’s best self to their day, but I kept telling myself that a better bed was a luxury I didn’t need. But since this pandemic, we’ve all been spending so much time inside our homes - we need our spaces to support our well-being as much as possible. So last week I bought a new bed. I am so excited! And this is what I think is so important right now for everyone! The pandemic is having a huge effect on our mental and emotional well-being. So let’s set ourselves up for success and make the spaces we are in work to support us in feeling good! The intention to create spaces with well-being in mind extends to not only our homes, but how we build and design spaces in the future. Is this a topic that has been on your mind? Send us a DM and let’s chat about how we can help you design your space in a way that supports well-being, regardless of what stage in the process you’re in.

Dear Builders, Planners, Executive Directors: Why YOU should design your building with well-being as a top priority. Well-being is considered to be a state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. And what we define as space is our home, the buildings around us, our environment, businesses we patronize, even nature! As we navigated through June and July thinking more and more about Safe Spaces, we began to unpack how well-being is connected to the space around us.... Here is why well-being is a top priority when you’re designing a space: 1. Unsafe spaces can negatively impact your business by increased crime rates - this includes property damage, theft, and creating a sense of danger in and around your building meaning less traffic 2. Creating a sense of well-being for your clients, patrons, or residents contributes to building a sense of community, causing people to make your building a hub - something that can positively impact your bottom line and the health of the community 3. Designing a building with your resident’s well-being in mind allows the space to be better utilized - the case of an office building this means higher levels of productivity We’ve got a lot more to share - keep following as we dive into the importance of well-being in your design. Got questions on how you can incorporate these concepts into your design? Whether you’re at the beginning of the project or already started, AVID can help you. Send us a DM and let’s chat!

Is your building contributing to the growing crime rate in your area? According to Canada’s own non-profit and independent research foundation, "60% of Albertans believe crime rates are rising". Our belief in rising crime rates affects how we perceive our day to day. When we feel more crime is happening around us, we become more anxious, uneasy, and much less likely to engage in our community. ... Do you have an area in Edmonton that you often avoid because it has a reputation of not being very walkable? There are many ways that we as architects can create a feeling of safety within our Built Environment and this includes things like lighting, spacing, materials, and views. Check out our video on IGTV where Lindsay shares strategies you can apply to your project to make the community - and your building - safer! https://www.instagram.com/avidarchyeg/channel/ Statistic source: http://angusreid.org/justice-system-confidence-20/

Have you ever wondered why we talk about creating Safe Spaces frequently? The truth is, having (or lacking) a feeling of safety and well-being affects every facet of our day-to-day life. It may mean choosing to walk a different way home that is longer but more well-lit. Or it could influence your life in more profound ways, such as the ways in which you’re able to connect with people. ... How do your actions change when you feel unsafe? Listen in to hear Cynthia’s personal experience with safety within your environment and the way it can empower you or disempower you. Architects, planners, builders, or community advocates - we all have a responsibility to our community to create spaces that consider not only the well-being of people who will enjoy the space for years to come but also the community that is already there. Our mission is to empower you and help you create Safer Spaces - no matter what stage of the project you are in. If you need help with making existing or new spaces safer and more future proof, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! #CityofEdmonton #Edmonton #edmontonbusiness #yegarchitecture #edmontonarchitecture #safespaces

Today we’re talking about another Safe Space principle - creating visibility through sightlines! A sightline is an unobstructed line of sight from the observer to the subject of interest. Creating visibility through sightlines at the entrance to a building is an important design consideration - it’s a way we can ensure that people entering can assess the space prior to entry, and they have the ability to identify hazards before they encounter them. Creating visibility ...through sightline also allows the people inside to see who is approaching the space for entry into the space. To facilitate visibility through sightlines and eliminate any interior hiding spots for Right at Home, we chose doors that had vision panels and sidelights for both the main entrance and in the stairwell entrances. Additionally, the doors on each individual living unit were designed to have a vision panel as a way for people to see who is at their door before letting them into their living space. All of these design choices contribute to a feeling of safety, security, and comfort and allow tenants and visitors to be able to enjoy their surroundings without anxiety or concern. Would you like to see more about how we apply Safe Space principles to specific projects? Comment below!