Phyllis Lambert has been a key figure in the preservation of Canada's cultural heritage. As an architect and advocate for heritage conservation, Lambert has left an indelible mark in Montreal and other cities worldwide. Her contributions to Montreal's architectural scene can't really be judged in terms of individual buildings, but rather in terms of the city as a whole. She not only cofounded the Canadian Center for Architecture (CCA), but also helped reshape the way cities like Montreal think about heritage and the importance of community voices in urban planning.
Native to Montreal, Quebec, Phyllis Lambert's journey into architecture began with her involvement in the construction of the Seagram Building in New York City. She persuaded her father to abandon the original design and hire modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe instead. She then worked as the director of planning for the project (1954-58) and played a crucial role in creating the masterpiece of modern architecture we see today. Her passion for architecture led her to study at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she earned her master's degree in architecture in 1963. This early work established her as a force in architectural design and planning, a trajectory she continued to build upon in Montreal.
