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.
Vancouver Urban Winery partners with Serendipity Winery on new Pinot Noir
Vancouver Urban Winery has released an all-new small lot 2012 Pinot Noir, in partnership with Naramata's acclaimed Serendipity Winery, as part of its Colab Series of premium BC VQA wines. "The Colab Series is our way of honing in on some of our favourite people and...
Young swimmers cross Okanagan Lake
Four of the youngest swimmers setting to swim across Okanagan Lake this Saturday in Kelowna’s Across the Lake Swim are Danae Willms, Chloe Chambers, Sydney Campbell and Georgia Gordon. Each of them have been practicing their skills through the YMCA Okanagan Swims...
Selfie-reflection
An ever-growing number of museums, monuments, and amusement parks have announced that visitors must leave their selfie-sticks at home. I, for one, am applauding the decision with the free hand I’m not using to take a picture of myself with my cell phone. I took a solo...
The Moulin Rouge auditions in Canada
For the third time in its history, the most famous cabaret in the world will hold castings this summer in Canada Eagerly awaited, these castings will take place in July under the expert eye of Janet Pharaoh, associate artistic director of the Moulin Rouge and assisted...
Antique Steam Machine show coming to S.S. Sicamous
Steamed-powered trucks, tractors, engines, and even washing machines are not extinct. On July 18 and 19, the Old Boys with Old Toys Steam Machine Show will be displaying some of those and more outside the S.S. Sicamous in Penticton for the public to enjoy at no cost....
Passion growing for local farmers markets
The BC Association of Farmers' Markets has declared July as Meet My Market month at farmers' markets across the province. The association is encouraging BC residents to bring a friend to their local farmers' market to be entered to win giveaways. "There's no doubt...