Behind the Build: Brian MacKay-Lyons - MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Pt. 1

Brian MacKay-Lyons, born in Arcadia, Nova Scotia, is a celebrated Canadian architect known for his designs that connect deeply with the coastal landscapes and cultural heritage of his home province. After earning a Bachelor of Architecture from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, he completed a Master of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of California, Los Angeles. Early in his career, MacKay-Lyons collaborated with prominent architects such as Barton Myers, Charles Moore, and Giancarlo De Carlo, gaining international experience in Italy, China, and Japan. In 1983, MacKay-Lyons returned to Nova Scotia to establish his architectural practice and join the faculty at Dalhousie University, where he has been a professor for years. His teaching emphasizes the relationship between architecture, landscape, and culture, culminating in the creation of the Ghost Architectural Laboratory. This hands-on design-build program, held on his family farm, encouraged students and architects to explore the intersection of regional traditions and contemporary practice. In 2005, he partnered with Talbot Sweetapple to form MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects . The firm is internationally recognized, with over 160 design awards, including eight Governor General's Medals and the 2014 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Firm Award. MacKay-Lyons' work highlights cultural sustainability through the use of local materials and traditional construction methods, reflecting the unique qualities of Nova Scotia’s landscapes. In recognition of his contributions to architecture and education, MacKay-Lyons was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022. His legacy lies in his ability to create designs that honor their surroundings while pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture, along with the thousand of people who have had him either as a professor, mentor, lecturer, public speaker, advocate, friend, and team-member. Enjoy Part One of this incredible conversation.

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