ABSTRACT
Canada has an extensive building stock of aging architecture that ranges from vernacular to monumental, and that is of exceptional quality. These often richly-appointed buildings were the product of the combined efforts of skilled, autonomous craftsmen who transformed materials into the architectural compositions that we appreciate. Contemporary building practice consists primarily of selecting prefabricated elements and systems that are readily available from industry and assembling them in an interesting and aesthetically-pleasing manner while abiding by regulations and building codes. Traditional building construction was guided by the paradigm of create, maintain, and restore. Building components were designed for long-term performance through regular maintenance and they were amenable to localised repairs for remediating deficient or deteriorated elements. Hybrid building construction was the result of rapid technological developments and industrialisation. Advances in engineering, materials science, mechanisation, and manufacturing resulted in more efficient and cost-effective building processes that, in turn, allowed for the construction of larger, taller, and more complex buildings.
