November 19, 2026
“Making Room: The Architecture of Adaptation”
Public Lecture by Charlie Bourne: Thursday, November 19th, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Presented by the South Shore Network of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
This is a free event, no registration required.
“How do we preserve the past while making room for the future? Adapting historic
buildings requires more than protecting their architectural character; it demands
thoughtful negotiation between heritage values, contemporary needs, and the
aspirations of the communities they serve. Through the ongoing revitalization of the
Lunenburg Opera House, this talk explores the challenges and opportunities of adaptive
reuse, from integrating modern accessibility and building systems to reimagining
underused spaces for new purposes. It considers how architects, clients, communities,
and heritage authorities navigate the tension between preservation and transformation,
and how thoughtful adaptation can extend the life, relevance, and cultural significance
of historic places.”
Charlie Bourne is an architect with experience in a diversity of projects, and with a
lifetime of experience in visual arts, performance, and storytelling. He is deeply
committed to Fathom’s interdisciplinary process and vision for the built environment.
Charlie believes that a collective commitment to excellence in the design of public
spaces, private spaces, and landscapes can improve quality of life for everyone.
Working with this approach, he aims to make our cities and landscapes more livable,
sustainable, equitable, and meaningful.
With a background as a writer and visual storyteller, Charlie approaches architecture as
a process of connecting diverse narratives toward a common goal. Charlie is passionate
about turning ideas and history into livable experiences for everyone. Charlie has
helped Fathom become a leader in heritage adaptive re-use and development projects,
both as a designer and as a shepherd of planning processes and research.
