STUDIO UPDATE: We are Hiring!

Join our award-winning firm and work with our growing team of talented architects and designers!⁠⁠ At SHAPE Architecture, we advocate an open and collaborative work environment. We believe every voice matters, because sharing our thoughts, experiences and viewpoints brings forth the best ideas. We offer mentorship, generous paid-time off, health benefits, flexibility, and work-life balance.⁠⁠

We are currently seeking Intermediate Intern Architects and Student Interns to start immediately at our Vancouver Studio. As a diverse and growing studio, join us as we build an engaging, humane and sustainable future. In addition to the listed positions, we have more exciting career opportunities – see full job listings at shapearchitecture.ca/careers.
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PROJECT UPDATE: Menno Hall Exterior Renders

Menno Hall is a mixed-use gateway development within the University Endowment Lands (UEL), adjacent to the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus. This project weaves sustainability into the physical and social space of the building by carefully addressing solar orientation, urban context and the unique co-existence of rental housing, student housing and academic/institutional mixed-use.

“Responding to the Neighbourhood”
The location of this development at a key urban intersection grants opportunity for the design to utilize the street-level energy generated by the movement of pedestrian traffic. The public realm flows directly underneath the housing in an outdoor weather-protected pedestrian quadrangle, integrating the building with the surrounding site.

AWARDS: Maple Grove Elementary a Winner at 2023 DNA Paris Design Awards

We are honoured to announce that Maple Grove Elementary School has been recognized as a winner in the ARCHITECTURE/Educational category in the 2023 DNA Paris Design Awards!

A great project with our partner firm Montgomery Sisam Architects. Thank you to all our project collaborators listed below.

Learn more about the project details here.

Collaborators:

About the Awards: The DNA Paris Design Awards is an accolade honoring the work of international architects and designers, who improve our daily lives through practical, beautiful and innovative design.

 

Photos: Ema Peter Photography

PROJECT UPDATE: Cardero

It’s all in the details. A glimpse behind the scenes of the white oak and carefully mitered corners that make up the custom railing present throughout our new Cardero project in the Vancouver West End. Keep an eye out for more to come soon.

AWARDS: Maple Grove Elementary selected for Official Selection in the 2023 DNA Paris Design Awards

SHAPE Architecture is excited to share that the Maple Grove Elementary School is part of the Official Selection for the 2023 DNA Paris Design Awards.

A collaboration with Montgomery Sisam Architects, the Maple Grove Elementary School incorporates ideas of the outdoor school with concepts of 21st century learning. The result is a school that pushes the boundaries of innovative learning environments. Thank you to all our project collaborators!

Find out more about the project here.

Collaborators:

 

Photos: Ema Peter Photography

The DNA Paris Design Awards is an accolade honoring the work of international architects and designers, who improve our daily lives through practical, beautiful and innovative design.

PROJECT UPDATE: Menno Hall

We’re thrilled to offer a peek at Menno Hall’s newest renders.

Menno Hall is a mixed-use gateway development within the University Endowment Lands (UEL), adjacent to the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus. This project weaves sustainability into the physical and social space of the building by carefully addressing solar orientation, urban context and the unique co-existence of rental housing, student housing and academic/institutional mixed-use.

“The Grotto”
Environmental stewardship was a core design driver through the design of the project. Green roofs, exposed cross-laminated-timber structure, and stormwater retention and management in an attractive subterranean “Grotto” give residents and visitors a visual, tactile and auditory connection to sustainable living. The journey to the Student Dining, Living and Lecture Hall via an overhead bridge allows views of the Grotto’s open-air courtyard.

STUDIO UPDATE: Promotions to Senior Associate and Associate

SHAPE Architecture is excited to announce the promotion of Loretta Kong and David Guenter to the position of Senior Associate, and Alex Russell to the position of Associate. These team members have played crucial roles in shaping the design culture of the office, delivering projects which address many of the societal and environmental design challenges facing our profession today.

Since joining SHAPE Architecture in October of 2009, Loretta has amassed experience in realizing a number of award-winning aquatics and community recreation projects, including AFBC (AIBC) Lieutenant-Governor Medal for Architecture awards for the Guildford Aquatic Centre and the Columbia Valley Centre. She has delivered multiple mixed-use community facilities for municipal and post-secondary clients including the University of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the City of Burnaby, and the City of Surrey. In addition, Loretta, with co-Senior Associate David Guenter, will lead the project management team at SHAPE Architecture in continuing to deliver low-carbon, high performance buildings for public and private clients across Western Canada.

David joined SHAPE Architecture in 2010 and as a key member of the design and project management team, he has contributed his expertise to several award-winning projects including the AFBC (AIBC) Lieutenant-Governor Medal for Architecture for the Guildford Aquatic Centre. He has considerable experience working with industry to deliver economically viable design solutions for a multitude of project types. David was the project architect for the addition to the West Vancouver Memorial Library and most recently, was project architect for the Vancouver Masonic Centre mixed use affordable housing project. He has taken a leadership role mentoring architects within the practice and ensuring quality assurance and a level of design excellence across all projects delivered within the studio. David joins Loretta as a senior member of the management team at SHAPE Architecture.

Alex joined the practice four years ago after working in the UK and completing his architectural training at the University of Bath and the University of Westminster. Since joining SHAPE Architecture in 2019, Alex has focused his design and project management acumen in developing a number of complex multi-family residential rezoning and development projects in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. He is currently leading the Innisfail Aquatic Centre in Edmonton and the Bowling Green Community Centre in Richmond. Alex brings a refined design problem-solving approach in applying straight-forward solutions to complex design problems.

AWARDS: Maple Grove Elementary Selected for Special Mention in the 2023 Architizer A+Awards

SHAPE Architecture is thrilled to share that the Maple Grove Elementary School was selected as a Special Mention in the 2023 Architizer A+Awards for the Primary & High Schools category. Less than 5% of entries were chosen as Special Mentions. Among the thousands of projects submitted worldwide, we are honoured that our work was chosen to receive this recognition.

A great project with our partner firm Montgomery Sisam Architects. Thank you to all our project collaborators!

Find out more about the project here.

Collaborators:

About the Awards: The Architizer A+Awards is the largest awards program focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture and spaces.

 

Photos: Ema Peter Photography

Behind the Design Process: North Delta Recreation Centre Expansion

Have you ever wanted to ask an architect about the thought process behind key design concepts of a project? Managing Partner Nick Sully provides insights into the design choices behind the North Delta Recreation Centre Expansion, and the intent in bringing out the potential of the centre as a social heart for the local community.

We are hiring!

We are hiring! At SHAPE Architecture, we advocate an open and collaborative environment because we believe every voice matters. Engaging with our staff, sharing our thoughts, experiences and viewpoints with each other brings forth new ideas.

We’re looking for the following new team members:

– Construction Administration Specialist (Intermediate Intern Architect or Registered Architect)
– Intermediate Intern Architect
– Junior to Intermediate Interior Designer
– Architectural Technologist

Sound like you or someone you know? See details on the open positions and how to apply here.