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Nistal Prem de Boer was born in Amsterdam and immigrated to Canada after finishing his degree of Architecture and Engineering at the Technical University of Delft. In Montreal he worked at several architectural offices. In 1976 he moved to Nova Scotia and started working as an independent Architect. |
| His work focused on solar houses. He designed and built homes and homesteads, self sufficient to a large degree, using appropriate technology and many innovative designs and processes. Typically he has been working in rural settings with large owner involvement in the design and building. Although most residence/homesteads were very low cost, beauty and harmony were of the highest priority. For Nistal the actual building represents only a part of an environment. Landscape architecture has been an integrated part of all his work. |
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| Homestead in Canada Creek, Nova Scotia |
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| In 1988 Nistal moved back to Europe, after meeting Janet Perry. Janet is a soprano, who sings opera and concerts. Her website is www.janetperry.com |
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| In Northern Italy they restored together the ruin of an old water mill "The Molino di Fondo". While traveling the opera houses of the world, they spent their time "off" hand-crafting this project that included a music auditorium for concerts and groups, a large residence and four small apartments. |
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"Consumer Chair" |
"Cobraskin Bathtub" |
"Conversation Pit" |
| Sculpture has presented itself all his life. Nistal's architecture and landscape architecture can certainly be called sculptural. Also his way of working has been more that of a craftsman/artist than of a designer. Nistal has created many terra cotta sculptures, sometimes integrated in his architecture. |
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Nistal and Janet sold the "Molino di Fondo" in 1999 and Nistal made Nova Scotia, Canada his principal residence. Here he decided to make his lifelong love affair with sculpture, his professional ambition. They still have a place in Northern Italy. |
| "Altar of Love" |
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