Old stories, new ways : conversations about an architecture inspired by Indigenous ways of knowing

Vivian Manasc, one of the founders of Manasc Isaac Architects, has pioneered sustainable architecture in Canada. Her work in partnership with Indigenous communities has been her greatest inspiration, and it has transformed the very nature of her practice. Through the profound lessons of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, Vivian came to understand that the process of planning and designing a building should be a circle, with the beginning and end of the story linked together. The stories Vivian tells in Old Stories, New Ways are also framed by these teachings of Courage, Love, Wisdom, Respect, Truth, Humility and Honesty, with each teaching illuminating an aspect of how working with Dene, Cree, Saulteaux, Métis, Inuit and Inuvialuit communities has influenced her design practice. "Old Stories, New Ways is about the influence that Indigenous Elders and their Grandfather Stories have had on the Manasc Isaac projects, not only on Indigenous lands but also on their practice as a whole. Indigenous ways of knowing make for better, more sustainable architecture, and it also made Manasc Isaac a more caring, nurturing, best practices firm, always ready to look at any problem from an Indigenous perspective."-- Description de l'éditeur "Old Stories, New Ways is about the influence that Indigenous Elders and their Grandfather Stories have had on the Manasc Isaac projects, not only on Indigenous lands but also on their practice as a whole. Indigenous ways of knowing make for better, more sustainable architecture, and it also made Manasc Isaac a more caring, nurturing, best practices firm, always ready to look at any problem from an Indigenous perspective."-- Provided by publisher Foreword by Diana Steinhauer and Vince Steinhauer (Posthumous) Preface Acknowledgments Design Credits Section I - Introduction Section II - Reflections on Storytelling and Architecture Section III - The Seven Grandfather Teachings in Architectural Practice Final Lessons Notes Bibliography About the Author About the Editor