We are very thankful for all our collaborators and clients, alongside the friends and family who support us. We wrapped up 2023 with one last project pin-up.Check out our Instagram!
It’s amazing to see all that we have accomplished throughout the year. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our incredible team.
Please note that our office is closed for the week of December 25th and will reopen on January 2nd.
Best wishes from the SHAPE Architecture team. We will see everyone in the new year!
STUDIO UPDATE: Administrative Assistant Position
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 an Administrative Assistant 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 this position, we have more exciting career opportunities – see full job listings at shapearchitecture.ca/careers.
Know someone that might be a great fit? Share this post with them!
AWARDS: Maple Ridge Recreation Centre Expansion a Winner at the 2023 IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Architecture Awards!
The 28th IAKS Congress has officially concluded, and we are thrilled to announce that the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre Expansion was named a 2023 IOC IPC IAKS Architecture Prize winner!
These awards are a joint effort between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) to celebrate sustainable, accessible and innovative sports and leisure facilities. The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre Expansion was awarded in the category of Pools, spas and wellness facilities. As the Partner in Charge for this project, Dwayne Smyth accepted the award on SHAPE Architecture’s behalf at the Awards Gala in Cologne, Germany.
This year’s theme for the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Congress was: “Building resilient communities through sports and leisure facilities”. With over 80 amazing entries from outstanding architecture studios around the world, we are honoured to have our work recognized.
We noted that six of the fifteeen overall prizes were awarded to sports and leisure facility projects from Canada. We are pleased to be apart of Canada’s increasing presence on the international stage of recreation facilities, and we are excited to continue our efforts.
From the jury: “MRLC Expansion is an exceptional project in many ways. It takes a building from the early Eighties and redevelops it with clarity and elegance. What is immediately apparent, is a high level of design that is both architecturally attractive and significant in its response to universal accessibility. This project successfully deals with the more subtle aspects of the broader range of disabilities, instead of only looking at wheelchair access…”
Thanks to City of Maple Ridge and our project partners: Chandos Construction, RJC Engineering, AME Group, and AES Engineering.
Learn more about the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre Expansion project here.
Photo credit: Ema Peter Photography
EVENTS: 28th Annual IAKS Congress
It’s been great year in recreation for SHAPE Architecture, with projects such as the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre Expansion and the UBC Recreation Centre North continuing our contributions to the community facility and post-secondary sectors. We have also had the opportunity to take on a significant new recreation facility in Metro Vancouver that we couldn’t be more excited to dive into 🏊🌊
With the 28th IAKS Congress just around the corner, we are pleased to note that Partner Dwayne Smyth will be attending on behalf of SHAPE Architecture. Hosted by the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS), the 28th IAKS Congress is one of the most anticipated worldwide events in sports and leisure facility congregations. We hope to see you there – let us know if you will be attending as well!
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.
Know someone that might be a great fit? Share this post with them!
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.
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.
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!
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.
