Eva
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Name and credentials:
Eva Matsuzaki,
Member, Architectural Institute of British Columbia (MAIBC)
Fellow, Past President, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (FRAIC/PP)
Honorary Fellow, American Institute of Architects (Hon. FAIA)
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City and country of birth:
Riga, Latvia
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Education:
B.Arch., Cornell University, 1966
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Achievements:
YWCA Women of Distinction, Management & Professions (2000)
AIA Earth Day Award – CK Choi Building (2000)
AIBC Innovative Design Excellence – CK Choi Building (1998)
International Resource Award Best Building – CK Choi Building (1997)
BOMA initial Earth Award of Excellence – CK Choi Building (1996)
AIBC Award of Excellence – Les Terraces (1992)
Canada Line - Board of Directors (2003–Oct 2009)
Architectural Institute of British Columbia Council Member (1988–92); Chair- Examinations Board (1987–89); Member – Examinations Board (1977–81)
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada President (1998–99); Board of Directors (1986–2000)
Canadian Architectural Certification Board President (1997); Board of Directors (1986–97)
Canada Council for the Visual Arts Advisory Committee (1997–98)
Vancouver Public Library Chair- Building Committee (1992–96); Board of Directors (1992–96)
University of British ColumbiaSchool of Architecture Adjunct Professor (1985–90)
City of Vancouver Urban Design Panel Chair (1986); Member (1985–86)
Women in Architecture BC Founding Member (1990–present); President (2005–2008)
Callanish Society President (2005–2009); Board of Directors (2003–present)
5. A few of my favourite things:
Poetry
Walks along the beach
Friends
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Tell us about your practice as an architect.
I worked student summers plus six years with Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates, in Hamden, Connecticut. The firm evolved from Eero Saarinen and Associates. I spent 10 years with Arthur Erickson Architects, then in 1984 I opened a small general practice with Jim Wright to form Matsuzaki Wright Architects. It later grew to include other partners including my spouse (Kiyoshi Matsuzaki MAIBC FRAIC). We designed student residences, libraries, fire-halls, commercial buildings, government buildings, multi-residential, and houses.
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What architectural work are you most proud of?
In a way, I regarded all my projects like my children; no one can be a favourite, as each deserved my best attention. Some are introverted, some are not. Some are beautiful, some less so. Some with big budgets, some small budgets, etc. That said, we are proud of C.K. Choi Building at U.B.C. for its approach to environmental sustainability. This project preceded the recent wave of “green” work and LEED® certification. Many thought we were crazy to have composting toilets on campus and a project filled with reused and recycled materials. The entire design team – architects, structural/mechanical/electrical engineers, landscape architects – was committed to the concept of “touch the earth lightly”. The client was also very committed to the intent.
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What was it that brought you to architecture?
When I was 10 years old I discovered some magazines with house plans. I began to draw houses and buildings. My parents and teachers encouraged me to stay with the dream.
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How many children do you have? Ages?
Two children – a daughter age 34 and a son age 32.
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How do you manage to practice architecture while raising children and running a household?
For the first 10 years of parenting, we had a live-in nanny. She cared for the children and also helped with household chores. The next 10 years, Grandma lived with us. The children were more independent then, but it was important to have someone home after school. From the time our oldest was nine years old, I was a principal in my own firm (later joined by my spouse). This provided more flexible (though not less hectic) timetables.
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Can you recall an instance where the dual responsibilities of being a parent and an architect came to a head?
For us, the hardest times were when one of us had to travel for work. We had balanced the work/home life with two professionals sharing the load plus helping at home. When one of the parents was gone for a week (or sometimes three weeks - to the Middle East), the workload became lopsided, causing lots of stress. The same can be said for meeting deadlines at the office. The pressure was to work long hours to meet demands. That often meant coming home for maybe two hectic hours around suppertime, then returning to the office, then home at 11:00 or midnight or … . That pace was difficult to sustain because there was no downtime. It was architecture or parenting time with virtually no personal time, which I now appreciate so much.
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Do you think that being a parent has actually influenced your approach to architecture?
Yes. I became more patient, and listened better to what clients or staff had to say. I used to see architecture in more abstract terms and goals. Parenting often deals with very practical Issues. I think it gave me a more balanced perspective.
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“There is no more sombre enemy of good art than the pram in the hall.”
- Cyril Connolly, Enemies of Promise, 1938
What do you think about this quote?
Baloney. The pram represents the future; it can and should inspire.
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What is the best piece of advice you would give to a would-be parent/architect?
You need to find the balance that works for you, that gives you time to enjoy both roles. Both are special gifts.
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If you could change public policy that impacts on child-rearing, what would that be?
We need more economic support for stay-at-home parents, more day care accessibility.