Architect Q & A
Outdoors inspires indoors for Aquattro architect
Number TEN Architectural Group is responsible for Aquattro’s sophisticated, sustainable architecture set among an old-growth forest, ponds, streams and trails.
With a team of 60 in offices in Winnipeg, Victoria and Regina, Number TEN Architectural Group has experience planning and building projects in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa and Pakistan.
For developer Peter Daniel, Number TEN CEO Terry Cristall was a natural choice for Aquattro’s head architect. A talented designer and builder, Terry has also earned a reputation as a good listener and flexible team player.
For Terry, Aquattro’s natural beauty is a canvas. To shed some light on what inspired Aquattro’s structural design, Terry answers a few questions.
Q: What was your vision for Aquattro? 
A: We wanted to create a living environment that celebrated that natural beauty of the site.
The zoning on that land is such that we could have covered the property with buildings and left minimal amounts of green space, but we ended up with a site where 40 per cent of the property is parkland.
Q: What about the property inspires you?
A: The incredible natural landscape. Buyers at Aquattro have the opportunity to live both inside and outside.
Very few developments offer such a valuable synergy between physical living space and the magnificent outdoors, and Aquattro provides this for all suites. Just look at all the amenities: Royal Roads University, hiking trails, old-growth forest, a bird sanctuary, a recreation centre, a beach, a lagoon. It’s an exceptionally long list.
Q: Why was it important for all suites to maintain sightlines to the water?
A: We did this because people want to see the water. People typically want water views or something very scenic, so our mandate was to give the utmost of this extraordinary scenery to each buyer.
Even those suites that don’t directly face the ocean still have unique views of streams, ponds, the salt-water lagoon or old-growth forest. It’s really a phenomenal landscape.
Q: Speaking of natural landscapes, what specific challenges did you face with this project?
A: One challenge was the shape of the site. The site rises quickly and unevenly so it was difficult to place the buildings so they would marry with the natural contours of the land.
It was a challenge to maintain the views for each suite because also we had to resolve the impact to the existing homes in the area.
We did not want to create a negative impact on the community.
Q: It is essential to foster a positive relationship with the community. How did you cultivate this relationship?
A: We wanted to create a development that would be embraced by the people in the area. This objective was accomplished by making short buildings with flat roofs so as not to impact existing views. We built the taller buildings at the top of the site against the forest where views would not be interrupted by their height.
Basically, if you can be a good neighbour, why not be? We were working with a variety of community stakeholders because we wanted to be sure the project impacted the area in a positive way.
Q: How did design principles factor into the development?
A: We wanted the buildings to fit in to the landscape; to be part of the landscape. We wanted something contemporary and sophisticated, with a lot of glass and natural materials. The wood character is a predominant feature, as well as a lot of stone accents.
The buildings are very sophisticated in the way they’re put together, but they also blend in to the natural environment. For example, all condos above grade have huge balconies so people can maximise their time spent outdoors no matter what time of year. This follows our belief that the outside environment is fundamental for healthy living.
Q: What details or aspects of the site’s design would surprise people?
A: The sustainable design. We included a state-of-the-art geothermal heating system, large overhangs and an exceptional building envelope to keep moisture out.
Also, we sourced a lot of our building materials locally to reduce energy and transportation costs. If we could source anything locally, we did. All the stones used onsite are local in origin.
Q: Did you accomplish all you had hoped with this project?
A: Yes. You can always find ways to design differently, but fundamentally we met our objectives. We had a vision and we achieved it.