Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc. was founded in 1996 as an architectural firm focused primarily on the planning and design of facilities for the arts. Within the firm’s first 10 years, Proscenium grew from the two founding principals to a firm of ten individuals, with half of them having worked together while at Waisman Dewar Grout Carter / Architectura. At WDGC/Architectura, two of the current Proscenium principals, Kori Chan and Hugh Cochlin, were project architects on the Vancouver Airport.
In 1997, Hugh Cochlin joined Proscenium to take on the role of Project Architect for the Stanley Theatre. He became an associate in 1999 and a partner and in 2005. Hugh has remained extremely involved in the firm’s arts and culture projects and has also led the diversification of the firm’s project base with his many commercial and residential clients.
Kori Chan joined Proscenium in 2000 having stayed with WDGC to complete the award winning Liu Center for the Study of Global Issues as project architect. He then spent a few years with Bing Thom Architects where he was project architect for the Surrey Central Civic Centre. Kori became an associate at Proscenium in 2001 and was welcomed into the partnership in 2008. Kori has led the entire team for the Simon Fraser University School of Contemporary Arts. He has also led numerous redevelopment projects at the University of British Columbia.
Since 2006, the firm has continued to grow, almost doubling in size to currently 17 individuals. With this growth, the firm has been able to take on larger scale projects and has continued to significantly broaden its project base into many other project sectors. The success and growth of Proscenium required a strong managerial team, which led to the addition of Eileen Chen as associate in 2008 having left the Vancouver East Cultural Centre where she served as Office Manager and gained a wealth of experience with the arts and culture sector. Eileen was invited into the partnership in 2009.
As the principals develop their skills within large architectural practices, Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc. combines the technical strengths usually associated with a large firm with the personal attention of a smaller design practice. This approach has resulted in many repeat private and public sector clients.