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.
Heart of Gold Gala raises $1M for the Interior Heart & Surgical Centre
KGH Foundation’s signature fundraising gala Heart of Gold raised revenues of more $1 million for critical medical equipment required in Kelowna General Hospital's new Interior Heart & Surgical Centre. More than 400 attended the gala held at Kelowna Flightcraft’s...
WestJet new baggage fees won’t apply to Mexico travel from Kelowna
Airline also introduces price-drop guarantee WestJet new baggage fee take effect today. WestJet announced it will charge a $25 fee for a first checked bag on Econo fares for travel within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. The new fee will only apply to bookings...
Sandwich Generation struggling to save for retirement
A recent a study BMO Nesbitt Burns found that Canadians in the sandwich generation (those aged 45-64 who are known as being 'sandwiched' between the demands of caring both for their aging parents and for their own children), are more than half a million dollars short...
Women’s creativity shines in new show at Kelowna Art Gallery
The Power of Women’s Creativity: Past, Present, & Future September 20 to December 6, 2014 A new exhibition entitled The Power of Women’s Creativity: Past, Present, & Future opens at the Kelowna Art Gallery on September 20. The show is presented in partnership...
Ron Maclean: Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour To Visit Kelowna
This hockey season, Canadians across the country will get to experience the game they love with the ones they love, along with one of Canada's favourites – Ron MacLean – as Rogers today unveiled the 25 communities that will be part of the inaugural Rogers Hometown...
Skate Canada tickets go on sale Friday
Single event tickets for the 2014 Skate Canada International in Kelowna, B.C., will go on sale Friday, September 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (PT). The event will take place from October 30 – November 2, 2014 at Prospera Place. TICKETS The single event ticket prices range...