Shelley
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Name and credentials:
Shelley Craig, MAIBC
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City and country of birth:
Toronto, Canada
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Education:
Bachelor of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, 1980
A.A. Dipl. Architectural Association, London, England, 1984
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Achievements:
Bernard Webb Scholarship for four months at the British School at Rome after graduating, 1984-5 (peaked early!!), and fast forward more recently AIBC Innovation Award, 2008 and WoodWorks Architect Award, 2009
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A few of my favourite things:
Arbutus trees (want to build a cabin on the Gulf Islands on a site with arbutus trees), San Francisco, coaching soccer games, glass of red wine, designer porn magazines like Metropolitan Home, morning latte
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Tell us about your practice as an architect (intern, public artist, landscape architect, engineer, teacher).
Have almost always practiced in small firms, places where one has to do everything – all parts of the architectural work, from design to construction review, and then vacuum the office on the weekends.
Currently I am a partner in Urban Arts Architecture, with Jennifer Marshall. I am unbelievably fortunate to be partners with one of the most talented architects I know and my closest friend.
Our working methodology involves ongoing dialogue and collaboration with natural segues between concept design, architecture, and the ongoing issues of teen-agers.
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What architectural work are you most proud of?
Our recent installation at Harbourfront in Toronto. Urban Arts Architecture represented Vancouver in a national exhibit, called “A Question of Place.”
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What was it that brought you to architecture?
Modernist houses in Better Homes and Gardens from the 1960s when I was growing up. Always wanted to be an architect, and was raised to think anything was possible.
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How many children (grandchildren) do you have? Ages?
Daughter, 17, Grade 12,
Son, 15, Grade 10,
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How do (did) you manage to practice architecture while raising children and running a household? (participation in office culture, hours worked, children’s sick days, ability to network, drop offs and pick ups from day care and schools, childcare costs, housework, cooking, single parenting, etc.)
Started my own practice after our daughter was born. It really was out an unspoken necessity of being able to control my own time, balance needs of children with the needs of work. My first practice, Urban Forum Architecture, had an office on Granville Island, sharing space with life partner and his urban design firm – Urban Forum Associates. It was a fabulous time of working side by side with one’s life partner but not working together. I also taught at ECIAD, shopped at the Market, lived in Kitsilano, so created a small village life in the context of the city.
Our children spent a lot of time in the office. There are many photocopies of small hands and lots of drawings on tracing paper from that time. I also worked short days, and would pick them up at 3h15 after school. Had laptop, could travel.
At the same time, I was keenly aware, as a colleague so aptly summarized, working in architecture with small children is not financially logical or lucrative. It is a necessity to maintain one’s career.
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Can you recall an instance where the dual responsibilities of being a parent and an architect came to a head? Please share.
Generally, I feel as if I am behind and 15 minutes late for everything. That may be due to an inherent level of trying to cram one more thing in rather than parenting. Currently I am traveling a far amount as we have projects in the Yukon, Quesnel, Smithers and Lillooet. It is a struggle, and I know my children resent the time away. In many ways, they need me around more as teenagers – as “background” – available when it suits them!
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Do you think that being a parent has actually influenced your approach to architecture?
I think being a parent has made me more efficient, but it is difficult to say if it has affected my work. I sometimes worry that I just do not have the same amount of time to put into the work. But, equally, have learned to work in a much more collaborative manner.
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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?I think it is fairly arrogant and self serving. Good art is present in the everyday.
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What is the best piece of advice you would give to a would-be parent/architect?
Follow your heart and your art. Do not step outside of the profession as it is difficult to step back in again. And have two children so they can play together, so you don’t have to play with Barbies!
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If you could change public policy that impacts on child-rearing, what would that be?
Universal affordable day-care. Finding and maintaining good child-care was by far the greatest stress when my children were toddlers. We found, ultimately that day-care was by far the most dependable, social, best care for them. And it should be available to all.