SHAPE Architecture pursues big ideas – with great people, we make them happen.
We are fundamentally passionate about creating unique, inviting and functional spaces for end-users through design that reflect the identity, structure and patterns of one’s specific place.
SHAPE Architecture is an award-winning architectural practice of architects and designers located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. The firm was founded on the belief that our work as architects is central to building an engaging, humane and sustainable future.
Exceptional projects result from great people working together.
With our international team, we love bringing our diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives into the design process. We advocate an open and collaborative environment because every voice matters. The pursuit of excellence is the essence of our studio culture as we focus on enriching our communities through the architectural expression of public institutions, housing and larger scale urban mixed-use projects.
Our commitment to delivering design excellence centers around our core values:
Passion – Achieving design excellence in the way we shape our communities.
Collaboration – Working in harmony with an open-mind, respect and thoughtfulness.
Innovation – Devising unconventional concepts and approaches.
Betterment – Advocating low-energy/high-performance design.
Integrity – Acting with honesty, accountability and fairness.
Inclusion – Respecting, supporting and celebrating diversity.
At SHAPE Architecture, the foundation of a good design methodology starts with exploring and representing the contextual structures and patterns, which underlie the places within which we design.
Agility and flexibility are at SHAPE Architecture’s core and our design process allows for redirection, correction and redefinition of a design problem at every phase of the design process. We integrate sustainability, accessibility and inclusion while prioritizing consensus building, strategic scheduling, cost-effectiveness and value maximization.
SHAPE Architecture’s commitment to future generations to come goes beyond design – we are sensible of the technical advancements of materials and products which result in producing more environmentally-responsive buildings.
We incorporate environmental policies within both our studio and projects we design and deliver. Our collective experience working with numerous sustainable benchmarking systems is part of our integrated approach. We also have a number of Passive House-certified members on our team.
SHAPE Architecture is active in the local design community as well as the community at large. Our staff have been involved in a range of pro-bono work, giving back to communities with which we’ve worked with.
We routinely extend an invitation for students to engage in critical discourse and work in our Vancouver studio. The result is a collaborative atmosphere which reaches far beyond our office walls and extends into the fabric of the entire design community with the goal of creating meaningful public spaces that shape and influence our communities.
SHAPE Architecture is proud to be a certified Living Wage Employer. We recognize that fair compensation is essential for fostering a healthy work environment and ensuring the well-being of our team. By committing to pay a living wage, we not only adhere to ethical standards but also empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally
Ensuring fair pay enhances quality of life, reduces stress, and allows our team peace of mind to focus freely on their projects. When our team is supported and valued, everyone benefits—from our clients to the communities in which we work.