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| A Benedictine monk doing a math problem. |
I often had this nightmare when I felt helpless in a situation my subconscious was trying to elucidate. It was déjà vu when it came time to find an architect to build our ecohome. If you have never worked with an architect to design your house, I offer the following visualization. You sit in front of a huge white page filled with symbols. Sweat beading your brow, you breathe shallowly not to betray your anxiety. On the great expanse of white paper, this is not the house of your dreams. These are the ideas of the architect and what he or she could do with your money. Financially, you are maxed out because the price per square foot has doubled, plus tax. Suddenly, the almighty architect index descends on the page to guide you through the dream home that you can barely recognize. My preconceived perception was that working with these prima donnas was a real torment. In addition, they all look and dress like Andy Warhol. You could buy plans from a catalog or even a prefabricated house, but no, you wanted a house that looked like you and told your story. The architect obviously has guessed all of this and besides, you submitted your own sketches. You feel numb, almost non-existent. You have a sour taste in your mouth because of the nervous reflux. You would have preferred going to the dentist. It's too late. You sheepishly leave the architect’s office with the plans under your left arm because you left your right arm on the table with your check. Then you fade into non-existence. End of visualization.
This is what I had visualized in a flash when my husband told me one evening, after drawing the umpteenth version of our home, that we needed an architect. I refused to believe that we had to add this expense to our construction budget even less, lose the equivalent of a bedroom for us to pay for his services. I did not capitulate. I was adamant, but wanting my house, I went looking for an architect. During the interviewing process, I was so suspicious; I was looking for clues to see if they were actually listening to us. Before our meetings, Pierre would email the plans he had worked on for months as well as a comprehensive document with all relevant information for the meeting. In one instance in particular, the architect we interviewed completely ignored everything we had prepared and showed us already made plans for houses built for another project. It was the ready-to-wear syndrome, exactly what we did not want. If it was not the lack of knowledge in green building from the architect’s part, it was the glaring lack of participatory listening. We were talking in a vacuum. Disappointed, we left the architect's office even more confused. It was at that moment that one could feel the emotional significance of creating a synergy in order to get anywhere. We had to find an architect that we could trust with our last residence, the one where we would live our old age peacefully and in full autonomy. That's why we decided to start all over again by communicating with another architectural technologist. The latter listened to our story and politely refused our proposal. However, he knew of a highly recommended architectural firm in Québec City which had garnered every honor in the field of ecological housing and construction. That said, we checked their website and made an appointment. In two weeks we would meet Bruno Verge, senior architect at Tergos.
By consulting their internet site, we were intrigued by Tergos’s philosophical approach. Their’s is more than a mission and vision statement. It is a commitment that goes beyond the typical branding used in the marketing business. Tergos focuses on quality of life and a greener world by stating that it all begins at home. They even say that to change the world, we must first transform ourselves. Finally, this vision is connected to green sustainable architecture. I confess, reading their assertions, was like looking in a mirror. It was reassuring.
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| Historical Saint-Roch in Québec CIty |
The morning of our meeting, we headed to their office located in the old Wilfrid J. Lachance fur warehouse in the Boho chic district of Saint-Roch in Québec City. First clue that karma was positive: everyone was smiling in that office. Second clue that the planets were aligned in our favor: our first impression of Bruno Verge.
Sitting in a cozy conference room bathed in natural daylight, I felt relaxed. Pierre began his usual presentation and I watched Bruno Verge. Despite a well-rehearsed speech, we expressed our desires and needs, sometimes wandering all over the map. With great tact, Bruno Verge kept bringing us back on track which indicated to us that he really listening. What was the tipping point for us is when Pierre mentioned that he was concerned about the lighting without specifying why. Bruno brought the discussion back to that point to inquire about his concerns. It was at that moment that I changed my attitude. Working with an architect is not an excessive expense. This is a solid investment that ensures that we will reach our target. We had found the hidden gem. Moreover, Bruno would come to see our estate lot in Saint-Irénée to see how the land would influence the design of our residence. Sharing the same concerned with green architecture, we spoke the same language and did not have to defend our point of view. Looking at the shelf in their conference room, we could see all the awards in sustainable architecture and green building certifying the highest distinction in these fields. Karma had smiled upon us. We were in the right place with the right person.
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| Tergos Offices |
After searching for months for a professional who would take the time to listen and study the plans that Pierre had painstakingly drawn, we had finally found our architect. When we left the Tergos offices, Pierre had a peaceful smile and I was relieved. We had found our beautiful equation.
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