BIO

Martin Liefhebber, Architect

Martin’s projects have an emphasis on community and environmental conservation. His work on alternative building technologies is locally and internationally recognized, including the European Energy Agency, the International Congress of Industrial Designers as well as the Canadian Architectural community. Most noteable are the ‘Toronto Healthy Houses, the houses are independent from the munipal service structure. In September ’99, the project was featured on a Canadian post stamp in a series depicting the evolution of Canadian housing. His work is on permanent display at the Ontario Science Museum and the Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, under the category of ‘domestic innovation’. Ongoing work including the Strawbale House on 977 Meadow Wood Road, Mississauga have a similar philosophical orientation. He is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto teaching energy systems. He participates in several Toronto based initiatives with a focus on the quality of life and the environment.

Martin Liefhebber Architect, Inc.

MLA PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A Lorne Park Strawbale Residence, grid connected and solar powered. A residence specifically designed to spare the owners from chemical vapours in new buildings.

Rammed Earth House, Wolf Family. Currently under construction in Terra Cotta, Ont. Solar Thermal and Electrically powered.

Roth Cottage, Sundridge, relies primarely on rainwater and sunlight for heating and electricity.

Shaw House, Toronto Island. A 4300 sq.ft facility housing senior citizens. It will demonstrate construction with recycled products i.e. strawbales, recycled styrofoam for underfloor insulation etc. It features renewable energy for comfort. A joint venture project with Ian Trites, Architect.

Hall House, Port Perry, Ont. A passive solar heated residence with solar panels for electricity and hot water. It is ready for construction.

Wilson House, Mono Mills, Ont. An energy self-sufficient home for a family of four. Design has just been completed. Construction has been started.

MLA PROJECTS UNDER STUDY

The Rosalie Sharp Pavilion, a study to renovate a recently acquired building by the Ontario College of Art and Design. As well as designing high quality art studio spaces, the mandate is to also provide comfortable space through the use of renewable energy sources.

MLA PROJECTS BUILT

Toronto Healthy House. A CMHC competition winner. A pair of infill townhouses, autonomous from all city services including water supply and sewage removal. House design and systems details can be viewed on www,cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Potter’s Rammed Earth House, Gilmour. Using automobile tires as formwork for earth compaction. Energy/ Waste Treatment self-sufficiency. Located on Hwy 62, 15 miles south of Bancroft.

House is open for public viewing at a cost. Call Potters first.

Magwood/Bowen Strawbale House, Madoc. Completed in 1997.

Community Action Centre, 761 Queen Street West, a renovation of a large downtown church into a barrier free community centre. It houses community based business ventures. Project finished in March ’97 at a cost of $ 1.3M.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street. A conversion of the Old Toronto Workshop Productions Theatre Space into an Environmental Theatre. The design included Talulah’s Cabaret and Gallery space.

All venues have been made wheelchair accessible.

Sound Studios for Partners TV Berkeley Street. Toronto

Film editing facilities. State of the art soundstage and acoustic seperation of spaces.

York University, Calumet College

A separate college accommodating residential and academic facilities surrounding a large courtyard.

The buildings houses 264 students in 44 residences, a student pub, café, library, computer lab, sound studio, common room for commencement and performances. Design was developed with a large committee representing client and user interests. CS+P Architects functioned as sub consultants to MLA. The project was completed in March 1997 at a cost of $15M. The project received an Urban Design Award.

Non-Profit Housing . Several Project were executed for Woodgreen Community Centre.

Humber College Student Centre, Etobicoke.

Completed in Spring of 1987, this building is nestled in the centre of the Humber College complex. It accommodates the student entertainment facilities and student government offices. Cost $2M.

Humber College Daycare Centre. Completed in 1987.

Humber College. Several intricate renovations to the interior facilities of the existing buildings. The renovations were done over a ten year period and required detailed knowledge of the Building Code.

Daycare Centre, Columbus Centre. A daycare centre for 60 children designed as a little Italian village.

Space Camp, American Space Museum in Huntsville, Al.

Winning entry of a competition. Accommodation for 160 students in a setting simulating space travel using technology and expertise provided by the museum and its sponsors. Working drawings and construction supervision by a local firm of architects.

Canadian wood Council, Head Office.

Judged by Frank Gehry to be the winning entry of a national competition held in 1985. Not built.

OTHER ACTIVIES

Chair of the Eco-Architecture Foundation, a non-profit group focussed on eco/architecture installations in Ontario. Board members comprised of artist, ecologists and architects.

Board member of 761 Development Corporation, a non-profit group intent on restoring economic and mental health to its community. The organization provides employment to 60 people through CED ventures: Renostore, StreetCity Bikes, Inspirations, BottleWorks etc. All ventures have a motivation to restore people and inanimate objects back to productivity into the larger community.

Board member of the Committee on the Environment, Ontario Association of Architects.

Guest speaker in numerous settings including the Humane Village Conference for the most recent International Industrial Designers Congress Conference.

AWARDS

1994. European Solar Energy Competition.

1992. CMHC Health Housing Competition

1992. Urban Design Award, Calumet College, York University

1990. Second Prize, Concours Cite ‘International de Montreal. Two stage competition.

1988. Limited competition winner, Calumet College, York University.

1985. Canadian Wood Council Competition winner.

1984. 1985 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence, Space Camp project for the American Space Museum in Huntsville Alabama.
1985. Winner, Limited competition for the Space Camp.

1980. Finalist for the Denver Downtown Urban Renewal Competition.

1976. Finalist for the Regina Downtown Rail Relocation Area.

1972. Canadian Architect Award of Excellence for OTF Outdoor eduction centre.

1969-1974 Uof T, Faculty of Architecture Awards.