Conservation Architect Graeme Duffus joins DSRA Architecture

Conservation Architect Graeme Duffus joins DSRA Architecture

Power Cottage

Power Cottage Restoration, Recipient of a 2016 Lieutenant Governor's Design Award in Architecture.

Graeme Duffus, principal of G.F. Duffus and Associates, has joined DSRA Architecture as Principal and Director of Building Conservation. Graeme and his team have combined forces with DSRA to form the largest dedicated Building Conservation Group in Atlantic Canada. The group is composed of conservation architects, engineers, and technicians dedicated to the stabilization and preservation of aging buildings, including designated heritage structures. This merger broadens DSRA’s service offering to its many public and private clients, as well as strengthens and expands the practice of building conservation within Atlantic Canada.

“The material wisdom and regional construction knowledge gathered by a seasoned conservation architect like Graeme, is invaluable within our industry and well-worth preserving and sharing with the next generation of conservation architects in the Atlantic Canada.”
Graeme Duffus
Graeme Duffus, NSAA, AANB, CAHP, APTI, FRAIC

“The merge with DSRA allows me the opportunity to focus on the things I love to do, which is educating on the subject of building conservation and applying my knowledge in the technical assessment and conservation design of aging envelopes,” remarks Graeme.

Graeme Duffus, NSAA, AANB, CAHP, APTI, FRAIC has been working in the field of Building Conservation for four decades and is well-known within Atlantic Canada as a distinguished Conservation Architect. He is well respected by his practicing peers throughout North America, with numerous conservation design awards to his credit. Recent examples of Graeme’s award-winning work include the restoration of Power Cottage, located at the intersection of Sackville Street and Bell Road, and the restoration of Keith Hall, originally Alexander Keith’s residence on Hollis Street. Graeme has also worked on three National Historic Sites: Halifax City Hall at Grand Parade; two facades at NSCAD Universities Granville Campus; and Government House, the Lieutenant Governor’s residence on Barrington. 

Son of celebrated architect Allan Duffus of Duffus Romans Kundzins Rounsefell Architects, Graeme has continued the Duffus legacy of outspoken passion and reverence for our built heritage. His expert knowledge of wood, stone, and masonry materials and envelope systems is the best in the business, with a particular knowledge and understanding of the impacts of our severe Atlantic coastal climate. Graeme’s understanding of the building traditions and methods of our forebears has fueled his passion for the history and care of academic buildings. For nearly two decades, he has been working on buildings at Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, and NSCAD University – assessing their current state, developing conservation master plans, and designing solutions for envelope stability and long term sustainability.

“We are very much honoured to have Graeme join our practice,” remarked Peter Connell, the firm’s Managing Director. “Graeme and I started discussions in the summer of 2015, and we both saw a unique win-win opportunity. Graeme’s business has been flourishing over the last few years and he was looking for a partner to assist with restructuring his business to handle the increased volume of work and to sustain a high quality of service delivery. He also wanted to pass on his extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation of Conservation Architects who work and live in Atlantic Canada.

“It presented a golden opportunity for us to work alongside a master in the field of building conservation, and help develop and expand expertise in this bourgeoning market,” Peter continues. “The material wisdom and regional construction knowledge gathered by a seasoned conservation architect like Graeme, is invaluable within our industry and well-worth preserving and sharing with the next generation of conservation architects in the Atlantic Canada.”

Keith Hall
Keith Hall on Hollis Street, restored in 2014.

 

Halifax City Hall
Halifax City Hall, restored in 2013.

 

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