The aesthetics of the building are defined by the function and are a reflection of local material, culture, environment and context.
Jim Meiklejohn
Meiklejohn Architects Inc.
Story by Karen Silvar Photo by Colin Jewall
Behind the development scene there are architects. The Meiklejohn family has been leaving its mark on the Okanagan skyline since 1953.
Born and raised in Penticton, Cal and Jim Meiklejohn grew up with architects for parents. Following in their parents’ footsteps, Cal obtained his bachelor of architecture from the University of British Columbia and Jim obtained his from Washington State University. The brothers took over the family practice in Penticton in 1992, and have since opened an office in Kelowna. Today they employ 16 to 17 people.
An architect takes people’s ideas and gives them shape. For Jim the joy is in watching people respond positively to the spaces he and his team create. In Kelowna the Cannery Lofts, the Cardington Apartments and the Mode all bear their signature style, as do the Osoyoos Visitor Centre, Kelowna Secondary School and the soon to be built Kelowna Yacht Club.
Jim refers to this style of architecture as “regionally-appropriate modernism.” The aesthetics of the building he says are defined by the function and are a reflection of local material, culture, environment and context.
One of Jim’s favourite projects is the offices of Beelineweb.com in Lake Country. The post-and-beam design is reminiscent of the area’s historical rural buildings and was constructed using locally sourced timber and stone. The clients were personally committed to limiting their environmental footprint and building green, says Jim.
These days sustainability is designed into most developments, although financial and time constraints limit application in many projects. But where there’s a will there is a way. The Mode, a multi-family residence, uses the sun to pre-heat its domestic hot water. The original plan was not as simple and involved the recovery of waste heat from the neighbouring commercial buildings to pre-heat the domestic water, but the red tape involved with getting approval from the BC Utilities Commission halted the design. Without the developer’s commitment to the idea the system would never have been built. The condo building went on to win the first annual Mayor’s Environmental Achievement Award for Most Sustainable Development in 2008 from the City of Kelowna.
Jim’s environmental footprint is relatively small compared to most homeowners. He and his wife Shirley Ng choose to live in downtown Kelowna, close to the action and within walking distance of basic amenities and civic buildings. “We love it,” says Jim. Shirley is originally from Singapore and used to living in a city of five million where everything is within walking distance or can be reached by transit. Although the couple can walk to the office they usually take their car for work related reasons like attending client meetings.
When it comes to days off—not too many of those—the couple enjoys visiting with family and friends. They also like to tour cities and look at the buildings, streets and parks.
Read more of the original stories celebrated in our 30th-anniversary issue.
Wine reviews: Valley expressions of bold red wines
As seen in [downloads ids="156027" columns="1"] Summerland Pyramid Winery 2014 OM Organic MeritageKelowna, Okanagan Valley1/2 $65 This Bordeaux blend is very new-world in style. Full-bodied and robust, it is a wonderful presentation of ripe dark fruits...
Beautiful blends
Even a blend of one or two percent can make a significant difference in wine, says sommelier Mike Lee.
Kitchen Confidential with Todd Laidlaw of True Grain Bakery
Baking up a storm with heritage wheat
Retail Real Estate Revolution
Okanagan developers are reviving urban centres with a mix of workplaces, greenspaces and lofty living.
Whites: Best of BC Wine Awards 2018
Let’s celebrate the wines from our fourth annual Okanagan Life Best of BC Wine Awards, this year held at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan. Our judging panel was a select group of independent, experienced wine judges from the trade, restaurant and education...
In the kitchen with Kristina Klein at EATology
At the bus stop Young Vernon chef serves up the science of eating fresh food It started out as a side thing, but then it just took off, says Kristina Klein, founder of EATology, an unusual bus depot diner in Vernon. It’s modern, but funky, with wooden floors instead...
Wine reviews: Sperling Sparkling Brut
Sperling Vineyards 2011 Sparkling Brut Kelowna, Okanagan Valley 1/2 $40.00 Reminiscent of a fine quality Champagne, this single vineyard Pinot Blanc sparkling wine is grown organically and biodynamically, allowing it to truly represent its own unique...
Garagiste winemakers
A garage can make for a passionate first crush At 650 metres above sea level, Forgotten Hill Wine Co. is the highest-elevation vineyard in the South Okanagan — a nod to a tract of land way up the hill on a forested, gravel road past...
Penny wise: Confessions of a thrift store shopper
Back in the swinging sixties, I was six and still enjoying playground swings. It was not until I was out of my brown school uniform and had started working that I realized what I’d been missing out on, fashion-wise. My hard-earned money...
Carbon is Not the Enemy. End Chemtrails!
Look in the Sky and Notice the Harm Being Done. Ask questions. Demand Answers Hall’s Introduction We are are being induced to feed and consume the Netzero/Climate Change nonsense being peddled by the predators disguised as our governors. Carbon is not our enemy....
Yes, Schools are Transitioning Kids!
The School to Medical Pathway Image from CNN Woke Watch Canada is a reader-supported publication. Please consider becoming a paying subscriber or making a one-time or recurring donation to show your support. Today’s post continues a Woke Watch...
SUGARCANE’S HORRIFIC FALSE AND UNVERIFIED CLAIM THAT BABIES WERE THROWN INTO THE ST JOSEPH’S INCINERATOR LIBELS CANADA AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Chief Willie Sellars and Sugarcane co-directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie were at the Kamloopa PowWow Grounds next to where 'the remains of 215 children' were allegedly found but didn't interview anyone in the Kamloops Band Woke Watch Canada is...
Breaking: Claims That Childhood Vaccines ‘Saved Millions of Lives’ Based on Flawed Models
In a paper published today, all-cause mortality expert Denis Rancourt, Ph.D., said claims by public health agencies and top medical journals that childhood vaccination prevents millions of deaths annually are based on “tentative and untethered models of...
Welcome back to Okanagan Life Magazine
For over 40 years I absolutely loved being a journalist, magazine owner, editor and publisher of Okanagan Life, Lethbridge Magazine, Thompson Life and Medicine Hat Life. I started by publishing the Alberta Dusters Semi-Pro Basketball Program in 1980 in...
Canada Is Older Than the USA
A History Lesson to Expose the Depth of "the Totally Unacceptable Insults and Unprecedented Threats" Made by President Donald Trump to "Our Very Sovereignty." Anthony James Hall “…. the totally unacceptable insults and the unprecedented threats to our very sovereignty...
0 Comments