Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has announced five new inductees into its College of Fellows, including Canadian architectural historian, preservationist, and educator Martin Segger.
With a five-decade career that has made a significant impact on the architectural community in Victoria and beyond, Segger will be officially inducted as an Honorary Fellow during the RAIC Convocation Ceremony on June 3 in Montréal, Quebec.
The fellowship is one of the highest honours the RAIC can grant non-members, recognizing individuals who have achieved international prominence or made exceptional contributions to the profession or to the community. This lifetime honour is awarded by the RAIC College, an exclusive body that celebrates outstanding achievements in architecture.
Throughout his career, Segger has demonstrated a deep commitment to architectural history, preservation, civic advocacy, and education. His influence extends beyond Canada, with a notable presence in international academic circles, where he is regarded as a thought leader. Based in Victoria, B.C., his work has left a lasting mark on the Pacific Northwest, where his research, publications, and public talks have helped deepen the understanding of the region’s architectural heritage.
As Associate Fellow at the Centre for Global Studies at the University of Victoria, Segger highlighted the region’s architectural history, enriching the community’s knowledge of its built environment. Through books, lectures, and media appearances, he made the architectural history of Victoria accessible to both residents and visitors, reinforcing the city’s role in Canada’s broader architectural landscape.
In addition to his academic contributions, Segger helped shape the RAIC Syllabus course A History of Ideas in Architecture, which he supervised for 15 years before adapting for online learning. His leadership within the Society of Architectural Historians, Pacific Northwest Chapter, and the Commonwealth Association of Museums further underscores his impact on both the architectural and museum communities.
Segger’s work as Head of the University of Victoria’s Art Gallery and Collections also stands out. He curated several significant exhibitions, including those focused on mid-century modernism in Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, which highlighted the region’s unique architectural heritage and ensured its continued appreciation and preservation.
Civic engagement has been another cornerstone of Segger’s career. Through years of leadership and active participation in discussions about the built environment, he has fostered a greater understanding of architecture’s role in shaping communities and cultures. His efforts have encouraged future generations to approach the built environment with a critical, informed perspective.
His induction as an Honorary Fellow of the RAIC College is a fitting recognition of his lifelong dedication to architecture, education, and civic engagement. The preservation and celebration of Canada’s architectural heritage remain central to his work, continuing to inspire and influence the field for generations.
Segger joins four other distinguished individuals, including Kimberly N. Dowdell, Emily Grandstaff-Rice, Michelangelo Sabatino, and the late His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, in receiving this prestigious honour.
The formal induction ceremony will take place during the RAIC Conference in Montréal on June 3, 2025, where Segger and his fellow Honourary Fellows will be celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the architectural profession.
