Michael J. Cox, FRAIC, is the 79th president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). The Manitoba architect has led numerous organizations and is passionate about the contribution architects can make in their communities.
Born in Fort Frances, Ontario, Cox received his B.Arch. from the University of Manitoba in 1971. He has been the principal of Michael J. Cox, Architect, a one-person practice in Brandon Manitoba, since 1979. The firm has completed hundreds of projects, ranging from small-scale residential renovations to significant commercial projects.
Cox received the President’s Medal of office from the 2017 President Ewa Bieniecka, FRAIC, at a change-of-office ceremony on February 2 in Ottawa. About 40 guests attended, including past presidents and the RAIC board of directors, who were in the national capital region for a board meeting. The one-year term began January 1. Cox has been serving as president since September 2017 when Bieniecka shortened her term for personal reasons.
“The RAIC needs to focus on the immediate needs of its members at all stages of their careers and in all sizes of practice,” said Cox, who has been a sole practitioner for nearly 40 years. “This includes delivering relevant and accessible continuing-education programs, helping emerging practitioners, and advocating for architects on practice issues such as procurement reform.”
Cox, a past president of the Manitoba Association of Architects, said he will encourage significant membership growth among licensed architects as well as graduate architects, academics and emerging practitioners. “Greater numbers are essential for the RAIC to strengthen its advocacy on behalf of the profession and the built environment. I will be speaking with groups and individuals to come to a better understanding of ways in which the RAIC can be of increased assistance as part of a continuous effort to be valuable, relevant and forward-thinking.”
He added, “I will work to position the RAIC for growth, and to foster positive working relationships with provincial and territorial regulators as well as the Canadian academic institutions that teach architecture.”
