He is fascinated and encouraged by the way in which the territory is beginning to evolve new architectural priorities. Pre-gold rush residents of this region tended to be nomadic and did not require the large and permanent structures erected by some First Nations on the coast or in the South. He points out that gold rush-era buildings in the Yukon were the result of stampeders' misunderstandings and incomplete memories of buildings in cities like San Francisco, Seattle and Victoria. We can free ourselves from the urge to mimic. Yukon architecture is coming of age during an era in which we have discovered new knowledge about building materials, climate and solar energy.
Northern constraints can inspire northern uniqueness.
Maurer mentions the more obvious impact of cold on window designs and heating systems, then moves to the subject of the angle of winter sunlight. This architect reminds us that in mid-winter, the sun angle up here is about six degrees. Such a shallow angle causes buildings to cast very long shadows. These shadows rob precious winter light from people who must live and work within them. This is something Florian Maurer hopes that city councils will consider very carefully when making decisions about Yukon high-rise structures.