41 - Sundus. Februars 4. 9990 0 North shore News 2 INFLUENCE Public shouldn't fear community's rapid growth, says architect n Vancouver’s devel- opment boom: ‘‘Peo- ple are automatically scared of change — any kind of change, because they're afraid of what they don’t know. Whether it’s more traffic, throwing people out of their apartments or raising rents — that’: what we talk about when we think of change. But that’s only one side of the coin: the other side is very ex- citing. There will come a time when we'll have to look at too much growth. In one sense, Toronto has reached a point where it’s fast becoming unlivable; but | don’t think Van- couver will make the same mistakes. | would guess we're get- ting smarter about those things. It means building affordable housing and | think our politicians are do- ing that. It’s easy to do and it’s the right thing to do.” On his style: “Architecture for me is an opportunity to deal with everything from heritage buildings to contemporary structures. Ar- chitecture is like skirts. There was a time when women would only wear long skirts, and another when they would only wear short skirts. We've reached a_ point where the only critical thing is putting the right building in the right place. In my view, putting a modern building in Shaughnessy, for example, is outrageous. A lot of it has to do with scale. In the end, everything you do comes out of your culture, and culture is a very important part of the design process. To be sensitive to that is what we try to do.” On his seniors housing projects: “In the old days colors were chosen for cleanliness. Now we choose floors, colors and overall space to make people feel com- fortable. It’s reatly their last home. If you look at our projects, they look more like resorts than houses. And the point is it doesn’t cost Architect. Al) Waisman relaxes with Faigie, his wife of 40 years deft photo). Above, Waisman at work at his Vancouver office. very much more to make these spaces look like people want to be there. None of us want to end up in little cubby-holes.”’ On Lower Lonsdale development: “M's amazing to see the lost op- portunities taking place there. Lower Lonsdale will be one of the premier areas to live in in the Lower Mainland: it has an unbelievable view of the water and downtown Vancouver, and at the same time the people living there are living literally in the country. The truth is it’s one of those wonderful questions human beings get into: you have the lowrise people saying ‘it’s the on- ly way,’ and you have the highrise people saying it’s the only way. The truth about life is you need both. You need !owrise for families and highrise for young married couples and the old timers. A zsompromise is what everyone’s really looking for.”’ Our years of experience handling injury and accident claims will hel p you obtain Vancouver, Canada the award your case deserves. * Free Consultation * Percentage Fees Available Derek Cave Dennis Quinlan Martha Konig 687-3216 FERGUSON GIFF ORD - Barristers & Solictlors Suite 500 - Park Place, 666 Burrard Street V6C 3H3 NEWS photos Neil Lucents Make it happen at U-Factor Weight Management meetings... with 7 food plans, exercise." guidelines, proven behaviour techniques and more, there's a way to help you achieve it! Call today for the group near you and ask about our introductory half price, registration offer ($9.50). The first session is free. FACTOR Much more than a diet Call 276-0515 1525 Taylor Way Weds. 7325 McPherson Ava, Tues. 2177 W. 42nd Ave. ives, 1025 Ridgeway Weds. 783) Westminster Hwy. Tues. 1401 Comox St. Thur. 1634 E. dist Weds. 9316 - 16th Si Weds Langiey/Alder 20699 . 42nd Ave Weds. Kitsitano 2490 W 2nd Ave Weds "Meetings start a1 6:30 p.m. Drop in any week - Ist session free 10 convenient locations. West Van. Burnaby Kerrisdale Coquitlam Richmond Westend East Van N Delta/Surrey U Factor was developed by Sandra Lopez taylor Dt.