When David Ellis first established david ELLIS architect inc., breaking out on his own in the late eighties, it was with a vision to become one of the premiere design firms in North America. He and his senior technologist, Marie Hunter, continue to be moved by that same ambition over thirty years on as they venture on and on into the realms of architecture where design meets innovation. This vision is perfectly encapsulated in the phrase coined by Mr Ellis more than three decades ago: ‘design is not a product, but a process’. He referred to his own philosophy in the process of architecture and the unfailing commitment to excellence throughout from architecture to planning all the way through to the interior design, yet it is a philosophy that holds true also when considering Mr Ellis’ career as a whole. His international reputation is for the design of highly complex buildings that house academia, science, research and medicine – the art of evolving and moving forward. His buildings pay homage to these concepts, possessing both technological innovation but a respect for the human condition. As Mr Ellis says himself, it is this cohesion in his designs which sets him apart: “the unending process to create buildings borne from experience and the knowledge that one keeps learning, to move forward.” Having lead the overall project management of major scientific and research institutions, such as for the World Bank and the Malaysia Health Development Project, Mr Ellis is proudly the only Canadian recipient of the prestigious ‘Laboratory of the Year Award’. It is this specialist knowledge in technical architecture that has allowed his firm to pave the way in designing environmentally conscious architecture, that has become intrinsic in the processes of architects around the world. Since the creation of his first earth-sheltered and solar homes in the late seventies, to Net Zero teaching facilities, for Sault College, and LEED gold science buildings for Algoma University, Mr Ellis has holistically integrated human and environmental needs into functional and beautiful spaces, regardless of LEED or other environmental intent. From the initial design stages, to completion, the team at david ELLIS architect inc. explores new avenues for innovation in sustainability whilst staying aligned with the vision and budgets of its clients. Amongst the numerous low-energy projects that the firm is currently engaged in is an Alternative Energy Learning Centre that will not only showcase and explain alternative energy sources, but be run through a combination of solar, wind and bio-fuel energy sources that will create a unique and cost-effective building. This will join an impressive portfolio of completed projects such as the Boreal French Immersion School, that was a re-purposing of an abandoned building, into a new leading edge learning centre, the laboratory design for National Blood Services Centre in Kuala Lumpur the restoration of several historic buildings such as Chevalier Island, or the Charles Franz house, his contributions to the community of Ontario through the government’s ‘Heritage Tool Kit’ and much more besides. For its vast repertoire of projects, david ELLIS architect inc. has been recognised in countless publications such as Dimensions Magazine, The Canadian Architect, and One Thousand Architects, whilst Mr Ellis himself has been recognised for a myriad of awards from international governing bodies for his works. His initiatives in science and research also earned Mr Ellis numerous accolades, and resulted in his invitation to present key note addresses to the Commonwealth Scientific Congress, the US Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association annual convention in Chicago and the Ontario Global Trader’s Awards. Mr Ellis has also served as a past Board member of the Algoma Community Hospice, a Past President and current Board Member of the Art Gallery of Algoma, on the Municipal Heritage Committee, and Chair of the Algoma Society of Architects. He also plays an active role in his community as a member of Sault Ste Marie’s Accessibility Committee and the Community Healthcare project, alongside volunteering in a variety of other roles from design to athletics, for his community and province. These experiences have all formed an incredible path through a career in architecture for Mr Ellis and his enthusiastic and talented team, shaping the way in which he creates and innovates in design and its wider context. After all, design is not the finished product – it is a process. Contact: David Ellis Address: david ELLIS architect inc. 267 Cathcart Street, Studio 2, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, P6A 1E5 Telephone: 705 253 4333 Email:
[email protected] Company: davidELLISarchitect inc. Website: www.ellisdesign.ca Best Education Architecture Practice 2021 “Design is not a product, but a process”: the words of David Ellis of david ELLIS architect inc. are the perfect compendium of his architectural philosophy based on excellence in architecture, planning and interior design. For more than thirty years, the Sault Ste Marie-based firm has been delivering this excellence to some of the most outstanding buildings for academia and science, representing the ingenuity that blossoms inside in the buildings themselves. Dec20433