Teresa
-
Name and credentials:
Teresa Coady MAIBC AAA AIA FRAIC LEED AP
-
City and country of birth:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
-
Education:
Diploma in Engineering; BA;
B Arch (University of British Columbia)
-
Achievements:
Personal:
- 2008 Woman of Distinction (entrepreneur) RBC Canada
- 2009 Woman of Influence
- 1999 YWCA Woman of the Year (entrepreneur)
- 2008 Fellow of the RAIC
Professional:
- BOMA Earth awards (four times)
- NAIOP office building of the year awards (eight times)
- more than 50 various institutional awards
5. A few of my favourite things:
Adventure travel is my addiction … fashion design is my relaxation … and reading is my escape.
-
Tell us about your practice as an architect.
I was born the daughter of an architect and spent much of my childhood on sites. I studied Engineering and Architecture and have an interest the integration of the art and the science of buildings to achieve the creation of living breathing buildings worldwide. In 1983 I did my thesis on this topic, and I started my company in 1992 to do this work. I had a partner join me from 1994 until 2006, and we created Bunting Coady Architects, one of Vancouver's well-known firms. Our firm specializes in sustainable architecture, planning and interior design.
-
What architectural work are you most proud of?
We are most proud of our innovative and elegant buildings at UBC, Kwantlen University and the Peace Arch Border Crossing.
-
What was it that brought you to architecture?
I have always loved buildings and sculpture. I am well-traveled and have a real appreciation of the role the architect can play in society.
-
How many children do you have? Ages?
I have two adult children, a young man of 22 and a young woman of 20. I also have a fabulous husband of many years.
-
How do you manage to practice architecture while raising children and running a household?
I always prioritized my family over my career and I got a lot of respect from my peers for being a good parent. When the children were small, I took Mondays off if it was possible. I brought my children or my spouse on business trips. I also made time to travel on holiday with the family. I had a live-in nanny when the children were very young, a good neighbour to drop them off and pick them up before and after school when they were children, and my husband worked from home when they were teenagers. We did not over-program the children with activities after school or on weekends as this was family time. Regardless of schedules, we always had dinner together every night. It was not easy, but it was possible, and the children have turned out to be very close to me as a mother, and very capable and accomplished young adults.
-
Can you recall an instance where the dual responsibilities of being a parent and an architect came to a head?
Once the family was vacationing in southern California together on one of my business trips and my son had to fly home for an emergency surgery. I had to stay behind to complete my work and make my own way home the next day. It was a horrible feeling to be separated at that time.
-
Do you think that being a parent has actually influenced your approach to architecture?
I think that being a parent has deepened me as a person, and that has definitely made me a better architect. I also understand now how families evolve so that living conditions must be very flexible to accommodate a family over time. Finally, I understand Generation Y very well, and I am very impressed with their solid family values and social conscience. I believe that architecture will develop in response to their ethics.
-
“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?
Ridiculous! Creativity comes from the inner being, and nothing moves you as much as being a parent. The trick is to remain connected and effective while still being busy with children ... and the trick to that is to let go and relax when it's time to relax and enjoy life.
-
What is the best piece of advice you would give to a would-be parent/architect?
I once made the mistake of apologizing to my daughter for not being there enough when she was growing up. She looked at me in horror and said, "Mum, what are you talking about? You are my idol. I want to grow up just like you!" I think that the best thing that we can do as women is to be a great role model for our sons and our daughters, and an empowered and fulfilled professional architect is a great example of a good life, well lived.
-
If you could change public policy that impacts on child-rearing, what would that be?
I think our public policy around child-rearing is actually very good. We get lots of time off for maternity leave now, and fathers get paternity which helps depending on the circumstances. Daycare is regulated. To make things even better, I would make daycare free and universal, and I would make sure that the self-employed woman gets maternity leave benefits. I would ask schools to set up physical education programs after school for the kids, and I would eliminate homework.