Weathering steel panels are waterjet cut with black-locust leaf patterns for a recent Shim-Sutcliffe project, producing striking
visual effects looking outwards. Several significant black locust trees are part of the Carolinian forest where the project is situated. Photo by Scott Norsworthy
Since they first began their collaborative practice, Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe have continuously dedicated their life in architecture to building an architectural oeuvre. Situated in the decades of globalization following the 1980s, this oeuvre?which is primarily located in Canada, but also in other geographical and climatic environments including Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Russia?can be understood as a single body of work, which has been insistently and purposefully created over time. Each one of their buildings adds significance, depth, nuance, and meaning to this body of work. In turn, the body of work in its entirety adds significance, depth, nuance, and meaning to what will in the future become understood as the present-day contribution to the making of architectural history. Shim and Sutcliffe are keenly aware that architecture is situated in specific geographical locations and environments, and exists only through the creation of material manifestations. Over time, these material manifestations can become material legacies: articulations of their culture, place and time. Throughout their work, Shim and Sutcliffe have actively avoided the misfortunes of iconicity, placelessnes...