Douglas J. Cardinal
Douglas Cardinal’s philosophy on architecture is that the building should foster a relationship between the occupants of the building and the surrounding environment. Moreover, designing architecture is a sacred activity and it should encourage the visitor’s well-being. Nature in particular plays a significant role in Cardinal’s design mantra, and his passion for and interest in the natural world is one that stems from his early upbringing. Cardinal’s father, Joseph, came from Blackfoot ancestry, and he was one of Alberta’s first conservationists and forest wardens. Cardinal junior pinpoints his father’s respect for nature and, in specific, animals as an inspirational element in his own life and architectural vision.
Cardinal’s predilection for nature combined with his deep-seated interest in medieval and Roman Catholic cathedrals made for an interesting kind of design that features undulating waves, curvilinear shapes, and organic forms. Cardinal’s designs were so unique that some deemed them radical. In 1953, Cardinal attended the architectural program at the University of British Columbia but was asked to resign partly due to his avant-garde design vision and partly because the mainly-British board members were prejudice against him as Aboriginal. Cardinal remained steadfast to his goal of attaining an architectural degree, however, and completed a bachelor of architecture at the University of Texas in 1963.
Cardinal’s unique design is echoed in buildings across Alberta, including Grande Prairie Regional College (1976), St. Mary’s Church in Red Deer (1969), and the St. Albert Civic and Cultural Centre (1983). These are in addition to his other large-scale productions such as the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Québec (1989). In addition to his marvellous architectural feats, Cardinal’s repertoire includes various speaking engagements, exhibition shows across Europe and North America, and a plethora of awards, including the Order of Canada, which he received in 1990. Although Cardinal left Alberta to set up a practice in Ottawa in 1985, he continues to be Alberta’s cherished architect.
