COVER STORY
Renaissance Man www.wildmanphotography.com
M
ichael Geller is a Vancouver-based architect, planner, real estate consultant, and property developer with 4 decades’ experience in the public, private, and institutional sectors. He serves on the Adjunct Faculty of Simon Fraser University, is a regular contributor to the Vancouver Courier and Vancouver Sun, and a frequent commentator on urban issues across Canada. He is President of The Geller Group that specializes in planning and real estate consulting for a variety of large- and small-scale residential and mixed-use projects. He also undertakes small property developments on his own or in partnership with others. Michael has been honoured as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is a Life Member of the Architectural Institute of BC. This interview in conversation with Val Wilson was recorded n June 2019. The Scrivener: What took you to study architecture? Michael: In Canada, young boys and girls played with mini Val Wilson bricks to build houses. In England, it was a system called Bayco. My parents bought me a set when I was 4 years old, and that Volume 28 Number 2 Summer 2019
was the beginning of my interest in designing and building houses.
homeless around Vancouver and the province.
The Scrivener: What university did you attend?
After a brief stint with a private architectural firm in Toronto, I joined CMHC where I subsequently spent 10 years in Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Michael: The University of Toronto. Following my 4th year, I won a CMHC Travelling Scholarship and toured across America, looking at modular housing and mobile home communities. As a result, I did my thesis on relocatable modular housing that ultimately led to the modular housing that is now being built for the The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener
The Scrivener: Please tell us about your experience with CMHC. Michael: I often tell people that if you want to be successful in planning and development, you have to work for both government and the private TABLE OF CONTENTS
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