2024: A Year in Review

If we had to sum up our 2024 in one word, it would be ‘whirlwind.’

We've recapped just a few of the highlights below.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

We completed some truly awe-inspiring projects this year. We’re still picking our jaws up off the floor from some of these photos!

Coldwater Health Centre

The Coldwater Health Centre is designed to give each special department its own distinctive wing. The building form language is simple yet striking with a unique entrance court featuring a circular planter and sculptural tree that will be lit up in the evening. The three wings are arranged in a manner that creates an intimate, triangular central courtyard, protected from the winter winds and the summer sun. This allows natural light to penetrate deep into the corridors of the building and keeps people connected to the outdoors. Each wing is also able to act independently, or in collaboration with the other. The medical offices and treatment areas can be locked off from the rest of the building for security, with an additional discreet entrance that is separate from the main entrance for patients who prefer more privacy.

Saulteau Cultural Centre – The Grand Opening

?A day 6 years in the making, the Grand Opening of the Saulteau Cultural Centre brought together hundreds of Saulteau First Nations’ community members and area locals in celebration of the momentous occasion.

The design for this cultural building is based on a loose, artistic interpretation of the teepee. The Centre’s program includes a large gathering hall with viewing area, full commercial kitchen, elders’ and members’ lounge, workout room, playroom for children and a large educational space. The dramatic roof form drapes down from the main hall in curvilinear sweeping motions, almost touching the ground in places. Partially clad in recycled composite shakes and solar panels, the roof reflects the colours of the aspen forest surrounding the site.

Gauthier Residence

This modern take on the conventional barn house as requested by the client exhibits simple geometries and conventional roof lines. Subtle details throughout the house, such as vertical wood slat panels, large overhangs with integrated and hidden gutters, and a light-framed steel accent trellis at the rear patio bring this architectural expression into the 21st century. The materials, which remain conventional, are applied in a clean and modern way. The interior spaces are light and textured, with modern sliding barn doors and wood accents that reflect the language already established on the exterior.

AWARDS

BC Heritage Award for Conservation: Fairacres Garage + Stables

Heritage BC recognized the sensitivity and care that Denis Gautier and James Emery dedicated to the adaptive re-use of Burnaby’s Fairacres Garage + Stables building.

This heritage renovation and adaptive reuse project involved converting a hundred-year-old stable building with multiple floor levels to a new, educational studio space for the public programs department of the Burnaby Art Gallery on the main floor and new office space on the second floor. The building had not been constructed to function as a conditioned space and in addition to requiring the introduction of air and vapour barriers and insulation, restoration of aged doors and windows was essential to the efficient introduction of heating and cooling. Accessible, universal washrooms were needed to accommodate 30 students and teaching staff and create a welcoming environment that respected the building’s history.

Design Educate Awards: Doig River Cultural Centre

The reverent Doig River Cultural Centre also received an honourable mention at the internationally-recognized Design Educates Awards .

Nestled into the slope in a grove of birch and aspen trees, the design for this Cultural Centre complements its natural surroundings and stands as an important building at the entrance of the community. The building is Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) certified, which will result in 90% less energy usage over a conventional building. It is also one of the most northern PHIUS certified building in North America as well as the first passive house community building on First Nations land, making it a truly unique structure on this continent.

OUR GROWING TEAM

The biggest whirlwind of 2024 was our firm’s unexpected growth, with nearly a dozen new faces joining our team.

We grew so much, we had to expand our office. Check out the new digs!

We also saw the return of a familiar face: Principal and Partner, Daniel Hawreluk . You can read all about his return to the firm here.

Stepping back into his role as Principal in Charge of our Multi-Residential Studio, we can’t wait to see the exciting new projects 2025 has in store for Daniel and his team!

STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

IA in committed to providing ongoing professional development support to all our team members. This past year saw many staff achieve some big milestones.

Denis Gautier was accepted into the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals.

Albert Lam and Roberty Ferreira became our firm's newest Associates.

Bryce Lao became a Registered Architect with the AIBC.

And Pauline Mansey and Aida Voshtani became Intern Architects with the AIBC.

A huge congratulations to our amazing colleagues on these inspiring achievements!

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the long hours, sleepless nights, and endless meetings and phone calls, we wouldn't have it any other way. As we so often say, we truly believe that architecture has a key role to play in shaping communities and promoting a more sustainable future. We couldn't do what we do without the hard work and dedication of our outstanding team, collaborators, and valued clients. Thank you all for a wonderful year. Here's to another great one in 2025!