The Fields Institute Turns Twenty-Five 170725 Final book with covers | Page 61

CHAPTER 9
Punting with Bill Shadwick
Thomas Payne
“It is possible to accommodate a post-graduate visitor immediately
next door to a famous scientist, all working together potentially on
a challenge in pure mathematical science that if solved will change
lives and further scientific, knowledge and understanding.”
When we, the architectural firm of Kuwabara, Payne,
McKenna, and Blumberg (KPMB), pursued and subsequently
received the commission for the new home of the Fields
Institute, we were all very excited and honoured. I recall
saying at the time that I could not imagine designing a building
that did not reflect in its overall concept and detailed execution
the beauty of mathematics.
When we began our work, we were fortunate to be led
by Bill Shadwick, at that time the Deputy Director of the
Fields Institute. Bill’s work predated our own, but we quickly
developed a creative and collegial rapport. Our practice
(KPMB) was well advanced at the time with university and
cultural community work at many scales, and we therefore