1 Typical orchard house for a hot climate, ca. 1910 2 Osoyoos house for a desert climate, ca. 1920 3 Spiller’s fruit stand in Penticton, ca. 1960: functional vernacular 4 Various climate tempering devices against the façade of Monk Bluff House, 1996, Robert Mackenzie, architect 5 Lake Okanagan from above Naramata
seen to be rare. Maintaining and controlling the quality of our earth, air, use of fire and water is essential for the future. By being simultaneously retrospective, critical and forward thinking, people are re-assessing the Okana- gan built environment. With varied efforts and modest objectives, there is a resurgence of interest in revitalisa- tion: back-tracking then jumping forward again. Slowing down fast-paced growth and rediscovering what is local about this valley is a collective planning goal. Osoyoos, for example, has come full circle and now encourages desert design influences rather than pseudo- Spanish, which it tried earlier. A true minimalist, mud wall character evolved in this community when first settled — a Canadian desert style, an environmental architecture. These early examples persist, filtering into our vision as we still live and build in Canada’s only desert. At the other end of the Valley, Vernon’s main street struggles to be reborn as people rediscover a vital history of urban infrastructure and culture. Although shop- ping centres scramble for face-lifts, downtown streets are returning to the pedestrian, leaving cars to struggle through the new ex-urban networks. More sensitive de- sign considerations are becoming the norm as the towns borrow good modelling from the past. It has always been a pleasure driving from Vernon through lake country, however I am fearful when I think of what damage we can inflict upon this fragile land. Al- though the blue-green Kalamalka Lake and shore remain a visual pleasure, Kelowna development has pushed to the limits of neighbouring Winfield. At the same time, a new definition of life, colour, landscape, ecology, transit and culture reflecting and respecting Kelowna’s histori- cal roots characterises new planning objectives. Once more, people want to breath, walk, talk, shop and be entertained away from the highway strip, in a local down- town. Youthful and vulnerable, the Okanagan is in major transition. We are turning to what we want to see not just from the corner of our eyes, but all around us. D
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6 Sehgal Residence, Anarchist Mountain, Osoyoos, 2004,
Robert Mackenzie, architect 7 Sehgal Residence, attached theatre and observatory
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