"Whatever space and time mean, place and occasion mean more. For space in the image of man is place, and time in the image of man is occasion" -Aldo Van Eyck

This lecture builds on the framework of a recently published book on the work of the practice (Place and Occasion, Montgomery Sisam Architects, Artifice Books on Architecture, London UK, 2013). Beginning with a very short introductory piece on the history and evolution of the practice, the talk is structured around the four themes of the book: light and air; economy of means, generosity of ends; transcending expectations; and the space between. Projects completed by the practice are used to illustrate the significance of the themes in the work while each theme is discussed in terms of historical precedents that have been influential.

David Sisam is a founding principal of Montgomery Sisam Architects, a Toronto based firm with over 35 years’ experience in the fields of healthcare, education, urban infrastructure and housing. He has directed the design of several of the firm’s award winning projects including the Humber River Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, the Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence, the Arts and Administration Building at the U of T Scarborough Campus and the George and Kathy Dembroski Centre for Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden.

David has also played a leadership role in many of the firm’s healthcare projects, building on his interest in healthcare and sustainable design. David has recently been focusing on the impact of urban form on public health and sustainable design and has given numerous lectures on this subject in a variety of venues including the Canadian Green Building Festival and the International Academy for Design and Health World Congress. He currently sits on the City of Toronto Design Review Panel.