Office CV

Team Biography

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Founded in 2004 by three designers -Maurice Martel, Maxime Moreau and Darrel Ronald- Open Form Architecture seeks to stimulate innovation between technology, design and architecture. Both Maurice Martel and Maxime Moreau are now registered with the Quebec Order of Architects.

The office is characterized by the excellence of it's profile and accomplishments in the domains of architecture and urbanism, as well as photography and writing. The members -partners- have been awarded many prestigious prizes and scholarships such as the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Gold Medal, Excellence prizes for their Master's projects as well as numerous scholarships. In 2008 OFA has received the high-profile Type B Research and Creation Grant from the Québec Council of Arts and Letters. Before founding Open Form Architecture, Martel, Moreau and Ronald have collaborated with a number of recognized international practices such as Zaha Hadid (UK), Servo (SE), NL Architects (NL), Veech Media Architecture (AT), Maxwan a+u (NL), Hal Ingberg Architect and Callas-Shortridge (US). Since their start, OFA has continued to receive prized in Canada, the US and in Europe on compeitions such as the Musée de la Nation Huronne-Wendat, ACSA/STI Millennium Park Design and the City of Skyscrapers.

Open Form Architecture has worked on innovative projects in many countries which has given the team broad experiences, intelligent perspectives and a high level of criticism in contemporary architecture. The office work is strongly influenced by questions concerning the evolution of cities, social interaction and new technologies. Through collaborating in international studios with Stephen Wolfram (A New Kind of Science) the office has been able to develop new links between research and social/architectural applications. Further, OFA persues an expertise in the use of powerful softwares (such as Mathematica) to discover new architectural forms that can respond to contemporary culture, economics and industry. OFA seeks a process of open thinking and creating in order to respond to the questions and challenges for the evolution of architecture and urbanism in our society.

Partners

Professional Registration

Maurice Martel - MOAQ / Membre Ordre des architectes du Québec
Maxime Moreau - MOAQ / Membre Ordre des architectes du Québec
Darrel Ronald - Intern Architect OAQ (All EXAC Exams Completed)

Maurice Martel

2007 > A New Kind of Science Summer School – University of Vermont, Burlington (US)
2002 - 2004 > Master's in Architecture – Université Laval, Québec (CA) 1999 - 2002 > Bachelor's of Architecture – Université Laval, Québec (CA)
1995 - 1998 > D.E.C. - Technology of architecture – Cégep de Chicoutimi (CA)

Maxime Moreau

2007 > A New Kind of Science Summer School – University of Vermont, Burlington (US)
2006 > A New Kind of Science Summer School – Brown University, Providence (US)
2003 - 2005 > Master's of Architecture – Université de Montréal (CA) 2002 - 2003 > New Modeling: International Studies – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
2000 - 2003 > Bachelor's of Architecture – Université Laval, Québec (CA)
1996 - 1999 > D.E.C. - Technology of Architecture – Cégep André-Laurendeau, Lasalle (CA)

Darrel Ronald

2009 > Québec Architecture Residency – British School at Rome (IT)
2003 - 2005 > Master's of Architecture – Université de Montréal (CA) 1999 - 2002 > Bachelor’s of Environmental Design / Architecture – University of Manitoba, Winnipeg (CA)

Projects and Distinctions

2010

Québec Architecture Residency - British School at Rome: Conseil des arts de des lettres du Québec - Rome (IT)

2009

Résidence des Chataigniers - House Renovation: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Résidence Wurtele - House Renovation: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Résidence Hochelaga - House Renovation: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Cuisine NDG - Kitchen Renovation: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Résidence Laval - House Renovation: Private Client - Laval (CA)
COO - Office Planning Feasibility Study: Clinique ophtalmologique de l'ouest - Montréal (CA)
Café Della Via - Café Planning: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Villa St-Joseph - House Renovation: Private Client - Montréal (CA)
Trillium Public Art Competition: Halifax Planning & Design Centre and the W.M. Fares Group - Halifax (CA)

2008

Type B Research and Creation Grant: Conseil des arts de des lettres du Québec - Montréal (CA)
Pump House #2 Contemporary Art Gallery - Commision - Montréal (CA)
Maison St-Donat - Housing - St-Donat (CA)

2007

Electrolux Live-In Room of Tomorrow Kitchen – Competition – New York (US)
Tractable Shape – Research – University of Vermont, Burlington (US)
Continuum Phenomena – Research – University of Vermont, Burlington (US)
Stockholm Public Library – Competition – Stockholm (SE)
Table Debonnaire – Furniture – Montréal (CA), Los Angeles (US)

2006

Bureau Revolver 3 – Interior – Montréal (CA)
The Plan-Less House – Competition – Tokyo (JP)
Spatial Division – Research – Brown University, Providence (US)

2005

International Folly Contest Rotterdam – Competition – Rotterdam (NL)
06 Skyscraper – Competition – New York (US)
Hotel 012: City of Skyscrapers – Competition – 3rd Int. Ljubljana Architecture Biennale (SI)
• 3rd Prize
Vertical Urbanism: City of Skyscrapers – Competition – 3rd Int. Ljubljana Architecture Biennale (SI)
• Honourable Mention
Hotel 012 – Research – Université de Montréal (CA)
• Prize of Excellence for the best project, Master's of Architecture
Charrette Internationale 2005 – Competition – Université de Montréal (CA)
• 1st Prize
ACSA/STI Millennium Park – Competition – Chicago (US)
• 2nd Prize
• Mention, The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction

2004

Martyrs' Square and the Grand Axis of Beirut – Competition – Beirut (LB)
Ice Hotel – Competition – Québec City (CA)
• 1st Prize and realisation
Festival Palace – Competition – Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal (CA)
Abbaye Cistercienne d'Oka – Competition – Oka (CA)
Il Ponticello Canal Lachine – Competition – Montréal (CA)
• Honourable Mention
City Crossing – Competition – Winnipeg (CA)

2003

Vue d’Avenir – Competition – Centre Canadian d’Architecture, Montréal (CA)
Complex Machine – Research – Université Laval, Québec (CA)
• Prize of Excellence for the Best Essay Project, Master's of Architecture
Central Teminal – Research – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)

2002

Beirut Hotel – Research – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
Scanscape Urbanism – Research – University of Manitoba, Winnipeg (CA)
Musée de la Nation Huronne Wendat – Competiton – Wendake (CA)
• Finalist
Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne – Competition – Terrebonne (CA)

2001

Bibliothèque de Châteauguay – Competition – Châteauguay (CA)

Publications

2009

Esquisse (OAQ) Vol.20, No.3 – Sept-Oct, p.12.

2007

ARQ #141 – Young Practices: Québec, November, p.15.

2005

On Site Review #14 – Architecture + Land, Autumn, p.57
Architecture and Ideas – La Machine Complexe, vol. V, no1, p.58
Euphoria: – 3rd Int. Ljubljana Architecture Biennale, No.03, November

2004

New Modeling – Yves Weinand, Presses Polytechniques et Universitaires Romandes, pp.56-57.

2002

Warehouse #10 – Anarcho-Urbanism
ARQ #121 – November, p.18.

Exhibitions

2007

Stockholm Public Library – Stockholm City Hall (SE)

2006

City of Skyscrapers – Euphoria: 3rd Int. Ljubljana Architecture Biennale (SI)

2005

RAIC Gold Medal Finalists – Centre d’exposition de l’Université de Montréal (CA)
Complex Machine – Galerie Rouje, Québec (CA)

2004

Festival Palace – Église St. James, Salle d’exposition de la Biennale de Montréal (CA)

2003

New Modeling – ECAL, École polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (CH)
New Modeling – Faculty of Architecture, Technical University of Graz (AT)
Concours Groupe e2 – École Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (CH)
Concours Groupe e2 – Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Paris (FR)
Vue d’Avenir – Centre d’exposition de l’Université de Montréal (CA)

Teaching

2006

Master's Urbanism Studio Tutor: Darrel Ronald – Delft University of Technology, Urbanism Chair, Delft (NL)

2004

Master's Architecture Studio Monitor/Research Assistant: Darrel Ronald – Université de Montréal (CA)
Architecture Drawing Studio Teacher: Maxime Moreau – Cégep André-Laurendeau, Lasalle (CA)

Lectures and Conferences

2009

Current Trends in Retail Architecture - Collège LaSalle, Montréal(CA) Creative Processes and Lifestyle - Université Laval, Quebec City (CA)

2008

Simple Rules, Complex Behaviour - Pecha Kucha #5, Montréal (CA)

2007

Maxwan A+U: Project A101 Masterplan – MIPIM Europe 2007, Cannes (FR)
Tractable Shape - University of Vermont, Burlington (US)
Continuum Phenomena – University of Vermont, Burlington (US)

2006

L’Ascension d’une pratique architecturale du «non-standard» – UQAM, Montréal (CA)
Spatial Division – MacMillan Hall, Brown University, Providence (US)

Partners

Maurice Martel, M.Arch, MOAQ

Maurice Martel

Maurice Martel graduated from Laval University in Quebec City with a Master’s in Architecture. Characterized by the excellence of his academic profile and achievements, he won several awards and a prestigious grant among all Quebec schools of architecture. He has collaborated with Zaha Hadid (UK), Servo (SE), NL Architects (NL), Veech Media Architecture (AT) and in Montréal has worked for Atelier In-Situ as well as The Arcop Group.

Maxime Moreau, M.Arch, MOAQ

Maxime Moreau

Born in Montréal, Canada, Maxime Moreau studied architecture at Université Laval and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and received his Master in Architecture from Université de Montréal in 2005. Maxime has been recognized and awarded for his work in architecture. In 2005, he was awarded with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal for the excellence of his thesis design project. In 2005 he received the Cardinal-Hardy scholarship to study the evolution of the image, identity and integration of residential structures in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles He has worked with both Callas Shortridge Architects and Griffin Enright Architects, while in Montréal he as worked with Groupe Cardinal Hardy and Daoust Lestage.

Darrel Ronald, M.Arch

Darrel Ronald

Darrel Ronald is a Winnipeg born designer and urbanist based in Montréal. He has been recognized and awarded for his work across the fields of photography, writing and architecture. Darrel has studied photography and worked as an editor in newspaper publishing before completing a professional degree in Architecture. Having worked on multi-disciplinary projects across North America and Europe, he brings a broad perspective and a high level of criticism. He has worked as a project leader at Maxwan a+u in Rotterdam, including Project A101, one of the largest urban developments in Europe. In Montréal he has worked as a designer for both Hal Ingberg architecte and The Arcop Group where he was a main designer for the Parliamentary West Block building in Ottawa. Outside of design projects, he actively pursues teaching and writing.