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Philip Beesley Architect Inc.

Philip Beesley Architect Inc. is a design firm working in Toronto and Southern Ontario. Work within the practice of Philip Beesley Architect includes public buildings, development planning, commercial facilities and offices, and residences. Working with community groups is a particular strength of the office, drawing on Philip Beesley's experience as a housing activist and community organizer.

Recent projects include a new bank building for the Niagara Credit Union, the Harbour Inn development at Niagara-On-The Lake, the new Gallery of Korean Art for the Royal Ontario Museum, planning for historic building projects for the Toronto congregations of the British Episcopalian Methodist/Christ St. James Church (1924) and St. George-the-Martyr (1844), a trade gallery for the General Consulate for Indonesia in Toronto, playground designs for the Toronto District School Board, and a public art installation with Kai Chan at the Living Arts Centre, Mississauga.

Advanced digital visualizations are a normal part of the office's design method. Interdisciplinary art projects, graphic design, exhibit design, stage and lighting projects are also frequently undertaken by the office. Scultptural work in the last decade has focused on lightweight 'textile' environments, and landscape installations. 'Hylozoic Soil' recently won first place for the 11th annual VIDA competition on Art and Artificial Life held by the Fundación Telefónica.

Philip was previously a Senior Associate with A. J. Diamond, Donald Schmitt and Company, where he acted as project architect for public facilities including the York University Student Centre, (recipient of the Governor General's Award), South Riverdale Community Health Centre, and the renovation of the historic Ontario Legislature, Queen's Park, Toronto.

He has degrees in Fine Art and Architecture and a diploma in Technology. He was recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Architecture for Ontario and the Prix de Rome in Architecture for Canada.

Philip is associated with the University of Waterloo. At Waterloo he is a professor of architecture and shares responsibility for the Integrated Centre for Visualization, Design and Manufacturing, a high-performance computer and rapid-prototyping facility.