Architectural Projects

Built Realities

Real projects, real challenges, real solutions - here's what we've actually pulled off

Residential

Westridge Green Home

West Vancouver, BC

This one was a journey, honestly. The clients wanted net-zero energy but didn't wanna sacrifice the floor-to-ceiling windows. Took us eight months of tweaking, but we nailed it with triple-glazed panels and a geothermal system that actually works.

Area

3,200 sq ft

Completed

March 2023

Energy Rating

Net-Zero

Budget

$1.8M

Project Timeline
Jan 2022
Initial consultation - Site analysis & client brief
Mar 2022
Design phase - Schematic & detailed drawings
Jun 2022
Permits approved - Municipal green light
Jul 2022
Construction starts - Foundation & framing
Mar 2023
Project complete - Final walkthrough & handover
Downtown Office Building
Main Facade
Commercial

Harbour Point Office Complex

Downtown Vancouver, BC

Six-story commercial space that almost didn't happen because of the weird zoning restrictions. We had to get creative with the setbacks, ended up with these cool terraced levels that everyone now loves. The green roof wasn't even in the original plan - client added it halfway through and it became the building's signature feature.

Total Area

42,000 sq ft

Floors

6 Levels

LEED Rating

Gold

Completed

Nov 2022

Key Features
  • Solar panel array generating 35% of building power
  • Rainwater harvesting system for irrigation
  • Natural ventilation reducing AC dependency by 40%
  • Bike storage for 80+ bicycles
Office Interior
Rooftop Terrace
Lobby Design
Heritage Restoration

Gastown Heritage Conversion

Gastown, Vancouver, BC

This 1912 warehouse was basically falling apart when we got the call. Heritage regulations meant we couldn't touch the exterior brickwork, which was both a nightmare and a blessing. Spent months just documenting every brick before we could even think about the interior conversion to mixed-use retail and lofts.

Technical Specs
Original Build

1912

Restoration

2021-2023

Total Area

18,500 sq ft

Units

12 Lofts

Restoration Process
Phase 1: Assessment 3 months

Structural evaluation, heritage documentation, permit applications

Phase 2: Foundation Work 6 months

Seismic upgrades, new foundation reinforcement

Phase 3: Brick Restoration 8 months

Cleaning, repointing, window restoration

Phase 4: Interior Build-out 7 months

Modern systems, loft conversions, retail spaces

Heritage Building Exterior
Loft Interior
Exposed Brick Detail
Residential + Landscape

Capilano Forest Residence

North Vancouver, BC

Building in the forest comes with a whole set of headaches you don't get in the city. Had to work around 23 protected trees, which basically shaped the entire design. The house wraps around the old-growth cedars instead of fighting them - took longer but worth every minute when you see how it sits in the landscape now.

Forest Residence
Environmental Integration
  • Zero tree removal during construction
  • Elevated foundation to preserve root systems
  • Native plant restoration - 400+ species
  • Wildlife corridor maintained
Construction Details
  • Area: 2,800 sq ft
  • Timeline: 14 months
  • Materials: Reclaimed cedar, local stone
  • Completed: July 2023
House in Forest
Deck View
Commercial

Pacific Arts & Culture Center

Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

The city wanted something "iconic" for the waterfront. No pressure, right? We went through 47 design iterations before landing on this form. The cantilever over the water was an engineering challenge that kept us up at night, but it creates this amazing floating effect that changes with the tide.

Cultural Center Main View
Cantilever Detail
Gallery Space
Theater
Lobby
Terrace
Project Stats
Total Area

68,000 sq ft

Main Theater Capacity

450 seats

Gallery Spaces

4 Levels

Budget

$28M

Completion

Sept 2022

Development Timeline
Jan - Apr 2019
Competition & Concept

Won the design competition against 8 other firms. Spent 3 months refining the concept with stakeholder input from arts organizations, city planners, and community groups.

May - Dec 2019
Design Development

Engineering the cantilever took most of this phase. Wind tunnel testing, structural analysis, waterfront regulations - way more complex than we initially thought.

Jan - Jun 2020
Permits & Approvals

Multiple review boards because of the waterfront location. Environmental impact assessments, marine habitat protection measures, and about a million other hoops to jump through.

Jul 2020 - Aug 2022
Construction Phase

26 months of actual building. Marine construction crew for the foundation, specialized glazing team from Europe for the curtain wall, local trades for everything else. Coordinating that many teams was intense.