EDW 2024: Discovering Wallbridge and Imrie Architects

When Dr. Sarah Bonnemaison first heard about Jean Wallbridge and Marie Imrie, she was blown away by their incredible story. Here were two women architects, partners in work and life, who had a shared vision for what they wanted in the world. And despite all odds, they accomplished it. They were not interested in being famous or fashionable — they believed architecture should be comfortable, affordable, and delightful. In this talk, Sarah will share her extensive research on Wallbridge and Imrie and their remarkable lives and careers.

Dr. Sarah Bonnemaison is a professor of architecture at Dalhousie University. Her design practice specializes in tensile structures and festival architecture. Sarah is also a writer. Her books include Architecture and Nature and Installations by Architects as well as edited books and numerous book chapters such as “Queer Architecture?” Her passion lies on bringing history and theory to life through writing, exhibitions and video. She is currently writing a book about Jean Wallbridge and Mary Imrie.

This talk is part of programming for Mitchell Art Gallery exhibition, GLAD YOU CLOSER HOME / NEW WHITE WHISKER MARY by artists Cait McKinney and Hazel Meyer (September 20 - December 7), the Queer Horizons Speaker Series at the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) Speaker Series, MacEwan University, and Edmonton Design Week.