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