UBC MacLeod wins SABMag Award 2024
We are honoured to receive the SABMag Canadian Green Building Award - Institutional Large category for UBC MacLeod Renewal! The LEED v4 Gold learning facility integrates active and passive systems with full reprogramming to limit its environmental impact and support new teaching pedagogy. JURY COMMENTS: An incredible transformation of an existing building. While much of the upgrade is technically driven, elements such as solar shading have
PAI Team: Meet Juan, Architectural Graduate!
Introducing Juan Castaneda! We are thrilled to welcome Juan to the PAI team. Juan is originally from Colombia and brings over 9 years experience in architecture. He is a skilled designer with considerable experience in various building typologies, in particular multifamily residential projects. We are lucky to have him! Where were you born? I was born in Medellin, Colombia. How did you get into interior
New policies encourage tall mass timber in Vancouver
One of our projects is featured in a new article on the Daily Hive regarding mass timber construction in Vancouver. It is great news to see that Vancouver City Council is putting in place pro-tall timber policies that will allow BC to continue leading the charge upwards in the country. The policy offers rezoning incentives to developers that choose mass timber as a construction material,
Staff Day Out! Skiing and Alcohol Ink Painting
As per annual tradition we avoided the studio last Thursday for a bit of team bonding. Half the group skied and snowshoed up at Grouse Mountain while the rest of us explored alcohol ink painting with Hilary Paige Fine Arts out at Parker Street studio! Ski folks reported mixed conditions and a satisfying hot lunch at the chalet (arguably the best part of skiing).
PAI Team: Meet Mahtab, Interior Designer!
Introducing Mahtab Kiani! We are very glad to welcome Mahtab, Intermediate Interior Designer, to the team at Proscenium! Mahtab brings over five years' experience in the industry and is skilled at drawing in both Revit and AutoCAD. Mahtab has worked on all phases of the design process, including guiding a project through Contract Administration. She specializes in adaptable design and is a LEED Green Associate.
PAI Insight: New Perspectives on Heritage Incorporation
Vancouver’s high level of immigration, strong economy, and high demand for real estate make it the site of constant development. Industrial space is particularly in demand for the city of Canada’s largest port. Amid increasing density, protecting Vancouver's built history through heritage incorporation is a crucial aspect of preserving and celebrating its architectural past. Heritage incorporation is an area of growing importance. Urban planning strategies
3215 Macdonald Street featured in the Daily Hive
We're pleased to announce the rezoning application of 16th & MacDonald, a new purpose-built rental and mixed-use in the Arbutus Ridge neighbourhood. The project was published in the Daily Hive this week. Replacing a single-storey commercial building, the project will provide secure rental housing to the area without displacing other housing, supporting the City's goal of densifying along major arteries. The project completes a bustling
Happy Valentines Day from PAI
Taking this opportunity to appreciate and send some warmth to all our clients, consultants, suppliers and colleagues! Feat. Benjamin Moore.
8 Books to Read for Black History Month
Book challenge at PAI! February is Black History Month and we were inspired by this great list put out by UBC Bookstore. Take up the challenge to read one of these incredible titles to expand your knowledge on Black history, life and culture. ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou: a coming-of-age memoir of the acclaimed writer and poet on her experiences
PAI Highlight: Mixed-use design on the Greenway
Introducing a new mixed-use project on Barnard Street in Vancouver for PC Urban! The Barnard Southlands project includes three two-storey industrial buildings—two that mirror each other and a third triangular building that follows the shape of the site. The project occupies a prime location on the Arbutus Greenway, a cycling route that connects South Vancouver to Downtown. The natural slope of the site drives the
Happy Holidays!
It was been a wonderful year of great projects, opportunities and milestones. We want to wish you all a restful break this season! PAI office will be closed from noon on Friday, December 22nd to Tuesday, January 2nd. Thank you for being part of our PAI community and Happy Holidays!
Gingerbread Design-Build Competition
On Monday we took the afternoon off to have a little gingerbread house competition in the studio! Teams went all-out with some very creative and ambitious ideas. We were very glad to support local bakery Ginger & Bread, an Afro-Indigenous owned small business making amazing products!
Holiday Fundraiser for UNYA
Launching our third annual holiday fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association! See Fundraiser UNYA has a philanthropic goal of $6 million to build the Native Youth Centre, which will open doors not only for Indigenous youth, but for the whole community. Through major partnerships with Suncor Energy and the City of Vancouver, UNYA has already secured $19 million in land for the Native Youth Centre at
PAI Team: Meet Anicka, Intern!
Introducing Anicka Bertram! Anicka is with us for a limited time as an interior design intern. It's been wonderful to have her in the office! Where is your role at PAI? I am an intern at the office, trying to learn as much about architecture and interior design as I can in the short time I am here. Where were you born? I was born
PAI Team: Meet Barbara, Junior Interior Designer!
Introducing Barbara Svarc! We are very glad to introduce Barbara, the newest member of PAI! Barbara joined Proscenium this summer as a Junior Interior Designer after graduating from BCIT's interior design program. Where were you born? I was born in Zadar, Croatia. How did you get into interior design? I got into interior design after deciding to stop studying criminology. I was always interested in art
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Resources
For National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, our office is showing our support by wearing orange shirts! Here are some resources for you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and show support for residential school survivors. RESOURCES History of Orange Shirt Day Reconciliation Toolkit for Businesses Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society TRC (Truth & Reconciliation Commission) Calls to Action_English UNDRIP_English (United
PAI Lawn Bowling 2023
Last week the team donned their whites for the annual Lawn Bowling staff day out at Dunbar Lawn Bowling Club! We had a wonderful lunch at the local watering hole, The Cheese Inn, to fuel up before a lively afternoon of chasing the jack around the lawn! It was fantastic weather and fun was had by all. Special congratulations to the winning
Volvo Richmond in the Press
We are very glad to announce the completion of Volvo Richmond! This exciting project is the first of their North American dealerships designed to be LEED-certified and reflect their new green-focused rebranding. The project (Proscenium’s fifth for Dilawri Group) transforms an former dealership into a refreshed commercial/retail facility with offices and a service bay component. Environmentally-focused aspects include rooftop solar panels, an integrated green exterior
Cypress Challenge 2023
We are excited to be participating in the Capilano Volkswagen Cypress Challenge presented by Glotman Simpson Cycling for the first time this year to support Pancreatic Cancer Research! Several of our staff will be facing the mountain on Sunday July 30th to join this great race for the BC Cancer Foundation. This year, more than 800 British Columbians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Its
PAI Team: Meet Myrian, Junior Interior Designer!
Introducing Myrian Oculam! We are very glad to welcome Myrian to the team at Proscenium. A new graduate from BCIT's Bachelor of Interior Design, Myrian joined the firm in May as a Junior Interior Designer. So far at Proscenium, she has focused on institutional, commercial/office and multi-residential projects. Myrian loves designing meaningful spaces that the public can enjoy. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hosting
Pride Month at Proscenium!
In honour of Pride month we have launched our second annual mini-fundraiser for Rainbow Refugee, a great organization that promotes safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. Get involved and donate to our fundraiser on our Canada Helps page! How does Rainbow Refugee support refugees from inside Canada? Rainbow
Indigenous Awareness Training and Red Dress Day 2023
This May, our firm is proud to have completed the Indigenous Awareness course with Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.! Thank you to Rupert Richardson, our fantastic facilitator. We are committed to better understanding the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, to working well with our Indigenous partners on projects and advocating for the 94 calls to action. We have much to offer and much to learn!
UBC Jack Bell Renewal Open House
On April 26, we were pleased to participate in an Open House for Jack Bell, our ongoing project at UBC in collaboration with Teeple Architects. Rendering by Tango Studio This project, in the design stage, will transform the existing Jack Bell building in a complete renewal project. This project represents the next capital renewal project on UBC campus, following the successful renewal of
PAI Team: Meet Faraneh, Architectural Graduate!
Meet the PAI Team: Introducing Faraneh Nouraei! Faraneh joined Proscenium in 2022 as an Architectural Graduate. A skilled technician and designer, Faraneh has become an essential member of our team. Her strong work ethic and easygoing positive attitude makes our office a better place to be! Since joining the firm, Faraneh has primarily been working on mixed use and residential projects. Her big-picture values are
2022 in Review
2022 was a year of growth for Proscenium! We won awards, started new projects, finished projects, celebrated our 25 year anniversary and held fundraisers for some great charities. Our staff team expanded and returned to the office. Business is officially back in full swing and we can't wait to see what 2023 has in store! Last year in a Snapshot: AWARDS MEC
