Japanese-American landscape architect, Hideo Sasaki partnered with Richard Strong to form the Toronto-based firm Sasaki, Stong and Associates in 1961. Working mainly in Canada, they master planned Toronto's Queen's Park Complex[4][5] and designed Nathan Phillips Square.[6]
1965-1970: Richard Strong Associates Ltd.
Richard Strong founded Richard Strong Associates in 1965, but continued to partner with Hideo Sasaki on numerous projects.[7] Together they designed La Ronde, the amusement park for Expo 67 in Montreal.[8]
1970-1973: Merged to form Strong Moorhead Sigsby, Ltd.
Merging with Australian landscape architecture professor, Donald Guy Sigsby,[9] and Toronto-based landscape architect Steven Moorhead, Richard Strong became president of Strong Moorhead Sigsby, Ltd. The firm expanded, with offices in Toronto and Sydney, Australia. As Strong Moorhead Sigsby Limited the group published numerous academic articles and studies, as well as the following books:[10]
1973-1977: Name Change to Richard Strong - Steven Moorhead
Upon Sigsby's departure to start his own firm in Australia,[11] a partnership formed between Strong and Moorhead. Most of the work from these 5 years was based in Ontario. During this time the company focused on urban renewal, recreational land planning, and landscape design for urban parks, like Devonian Square[12] in downtown Toronto. One of their largest projects was The Thunder Bay Waterfront Park Study plan. This 28-page report was well received and was used as the basis of development for years to come.[13] The pair continued to produce industry related books and articles, including:
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute: Landscape Development (1975)[14]
1977-1984: Moorhead Fleming Corban Inc. then Moorhead, Fleming, Corban, and McCarthy
Strong moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1977 and established his practice there as Richard Strong Associates.[15] A series of employee promotions and company mergers adjusted the name and management make-up of the company for almost a decade.[16] In 1978, the firm designed Canada's Wonderland, the country's first major theme park and later, in 1981, the World Water Park at West Edmonton Mall.[17][18]
As FORREC
The increase of theme park and water park focused work led to the company's final name change in 1985 to FORREC, a shortened version of "For recreation".[17][19] The company's business model also became a private limited with share capital.[20] To keep ownership fluid, a policy was created that required shareholders to begin selling their shares at age 60.[21]
FORREC began doing more international work.[24] They were hired to transform the Beijing National Aquatics Center from the 2008 summer Olympics into a family water park called the Happy Magic Watercube.[25] BBC Worldwide asked FORREC to create a series of prototypes for four of their most famous brands – Top Gear, CBeebies, BBC Earth and Walking with Dinosaurs.[26]
2013-Present: Continued growth and mergers
In 2013, Tim Scott and Nolan Natale of Natale and Scott Architects (NASA), joined FORREC, along with their entire team. This addition makes FORREC a fully licensed architectural practice in Ontario.[27]
FORREC merged with Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc (STLA) in 2016 to extend local expertise in landscape architecture.[28]
Sansei Technologies, Inc. (KK:6357) purchased a 70% stake in FORREC Ltd.’s parent company.
Award of Excellence to Michael Mills for Hungarian House of Music, Budapest
Thomas Payne Juror's Award to Anthony Chieh for Tower Concept, Guiyang
Richard Johnson Juror's Award to Steve Thorington for Ocean Cottage
2014
Order of da Vinci Award to FORREC Creative Director, Gordon Grice from the Ontario Association of Architects - Recognizing architects who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the profession, education and/or in the community[55]
Excellence in Planning Award: Healthy Communities for Step Forward Pedestrian Mobility Plan, City of Hamilton from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute[56]
Dream Design: Waterpark Renovation Honor for Happy Magic Watercube, Beijing from Aquatics International[57]
Award of Excellence to Danny Drapiza for Thanh Xuan Park
Award of Excellence to Steve Thorington for Powerlong City Plaza
Award of Excellence to Jan Jurgensen for Verdant Avenue
2012
Architecture in Perspective 27
Award of Excellence to Juhn Pena for 1001 Cities
2011
Planning Excellence Award: Innovation in Sustaining Places for Confederation Park Master Plan Review and Update from American Planning Association, New York Upstate Chapter - Recognizing plans that demonstrate how sustainability practices are being used in how places are planned, designed, built, used, and maintained at all scales[59]
Architecture in Perspective 26
Award of Excellence for two Wanda Dalian Illustrations
