Retirement Is Boring
Sonja Bata
This story was published in the Ottawa Citizen. I read all architectural news that originates from my hometown because its only a 15min/year commitment.
If you want to read the full article it’s here (Hilarious: “Why not combine the Bata name with the last syllable of Ottawa? Batawa has a nice native sound.” I had no idea.) but the gist is basically Sonja Bata of Batawa, who studied architecture before becoming the “Madame of Bata shoes”, wants to employ the entire Carleton architecture department to redesign the town as a new model for sustainable rural living. It used to be populated by the large Czech community that worked in the shoe factory. Now that the factory is closed the town is only of about 300.
Students and Sonja at the old shoe factory
Is this a good idea?
It’s a dream project for the students, and the faculty. I’m not convinced it will come to fruition, or that people will move there if it does, but I’m still curious.
any thoughts?
R
