School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape dean honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Dr. John Brown, dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary and a distinguished registered architect in Alberta, has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to his field. 

Throughout his 27-year career, Brown, PhD, has redefined the architecture profession with an entrepreneurial and value-driven approach. He founded Housebrand, a radical practice model that combined real estate, construction management and furniture retail to offer a unique, custom-designed alternative to production-built suburban housing. Over the years, Housebrand has completed more than 250 residential projects, catering to middle-market homeowners often overlooked by traditional architecture practices.

Brown's latest venture, Garden Loft, continues his legacy of innovation by addressing the urgent need for supportive housing across Canada. Launched in 2023, Garden Loft offers a prefabricated modular system for creating high-quality, small-scale supportive housing developments. This initiative is particularly focused on rural and remote areas, where access to construction services and supportive housing options is limited. The project is set to deliver more than 400 supportive homes annually across multiple provinces within the next five years.

Brown has been a dedicated faculty member at UCalgary since 1985, serving as SAPL's dean since 2018. His leadership has driven the school through significant expansions, including the launch of a community-focused design hub in downtown Calgary and innovative programs like the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation and the Doctor of Design program. He is currently spearheading a $40-million expansion into a vacant downtown office building, aimed at creating community-embedded education and research culture that will have a lasting impact on Calgary and the broader architectural field.

Beyond his professional practice and accomplishments as dean, Brown has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within the architectural community. He has held numerous influential positions, including president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) from 2020 to 2022. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in guiding RAIC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for public policy on social distancing and remote work. His leadership extended internationally as he helped renew RAIC’s global strategic framework and reestablished connections with major architectural bodies worldwide.

Brown receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal underscores his exceptional contributions to architecture, education, and community development in Canada and beyond.