We Are Hiring!
We are Hiring: one Senior Architect / Technologist. WHO WE ARE Proscenium Architecture + Interiors is a forward-thinking, mid-sized architecture and interior design firm working in an integrated design team (IDT) environment. We started in 1996 as a firm specializing in arts & cultural design and expanded our scope over time to include residential, commercial, institutional and public projects of various scales. In all our
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
WISH & Working Gear Donation Drive
For over a decade, we have held a "Spring Cleaning" donation drive for two amazing organizations in East Vancouver, WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! This week, we were able to drop off 5 large garbage bags of donations from our firm and some other participating local firms to benefit these organizations. Natasha and Vicki sorting donations! Drop-off at WISH! Thank
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
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
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
Staff Ski Day & Vancouver Aquarium
We were lucky to get out of the studio last Friday and enjoy some local tourism! The snow-savvy half of the team spent the day sliding down Grouse Mountain, enjoying lunch at the lodge and finally seeing the beautiful view in the afternoon when the clouds lifted and the city came into view! Footwear included skis, snowboards and snowshoes for those that felt like
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
PAI Team: Meet Justin, Senior Architectural Designer
Meet the PAI Team: Introducing Justin Huang! Justin joined Proscenium in 2022 as a Senior Architectural Designer. Justin's MO is to create inspiring architectural spaces that enrich the people and organizations that use them. He has a diverse portfolio that includes worked internationally on projects in New York, L.A., Shanghai, Xiamen and his home haunt, Vancouver. Where were you born? Vancouver, BC. How did you get
Waffle Wednesdays are Back
Warning: this post includes "fluffy" content. A longtime tradition at Proscenium has made its way back into the weekly calendar... Waffle Wednesdays! This month we debuted the new PAI waffle maker to surprisingly delicious results. Special thanks to Pouian for getting us back on the waffle train. Proscenium... getting through the week one waffle at a time!
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3
Day One of Demo at Volvo Richmond
The start of something exciting! Demolition is underway at our project site in Richmond, BC. We are working with Dilawri Group to design the first Volvo dealership in North America to express their re-branding. The project will also be LEED certified. In consultation with brand designers and Volvo’s corporate guide, Proscenium is devising a facility that communicates their latest corporate image. The renovated commercial/retail facility
PAI Highlight: Designing Offices for the Future
Proscenium has long been passionate about workplace design (see MEC Head Office) and the shifting trends that are defining the future of office design. The increased accessibility of remote work has made us hone in on what makes in-person workplaces worth the commute. In 2022, we had the privilege of designing a new office for Chard Development, a long-time client of our firm. The
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
Happy Holidays!
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a great holiday season! Next week, we are taking a break from the studio to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones. The office will be closed from noon on Friday Dec 23rd to Tuesday, Jan 3rd. We had a lot of fun with our Christmas cards this year, which feature festive trees
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
Fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association
We are excited to share our fundraising campaign this holiday season to support UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), a charity working to support and empower Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. Click here to help us make a difference! More information about Urban Native Youth Association: Urban Native Youth Association delivers over twenty culturally responsive, prevention focused programs to urban Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver. Our
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
Meet Chloe, Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are very glad to welcome Chloe to Proscenium! Chloe hails from France and has hit the ground running working on several projects. Where were you born? In a small town in North East France. How did you get into interior design? Since I was a kid I’ve always been into design and creative stuff. I was actually first attracted to interior design, but at that
PAI Highlight: Langara Bioinformatics Lab
After a project is finished, the architect usually steps out of the equation. But we find it extremely valuable to check in after the fact to see how the design is supporting users. What is their day-to-day experience of the space? What design features are working well and what can we learn for future projects? The Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College was completed in 2020
Welcoming New Staff
Over the past couple months, Proscenium has been growing! We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to the team. (left to right, top to bottom) Adriana Agueros, Architectural Graduate Adriana graduated from the Polytechnical University of Madrid with a Master of Architecture in 2017. She began her architectural career at a company specializing in the design and building of exhibition spaces, where she gained experience
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
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
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
Fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association
We are excited to share our fundraising campaign this holiday season to support UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), a charity working to support and empower Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. Click here to help us make a difference! More information about Urban Native Youth Association: Urban Native Youth Association delivers over twenty culturally responsive, prevention focused programs to urban Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver. Our
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Resources
For National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, our office is showing our support by wearing orange shirts! Two weeks ago, we participated in a fantastic and educational seminar by OCI Solutions called "Indigenous Peoples; Fundamental Information on Canada’s Past, Present, and Future" which we highly recommend. Here are some resources for you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and show support for residential school
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
Our Story – Celebrating 25 years of Proscenium
It is with pride that we recognize 25 years of Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc! What started in 1996 as a small architecture and interior design firm specializing in theatre design has grown to a mid-sized firm in 2022 working across many project types. We want to take this opportunity to reflect on where we came from and where we are going. Team members
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
Donation Drive for WISH and Working Gear!
Spring is in the air and we have completed our annual donation drive for WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! These are two great organizations that benefit folks in need in our community. Proscenium has been supporting WISH and Working Gear since 2010. We truly believe in the work they are doing and are glad to be able to donate physical items again. Thanks to
Meet Saeedeh, our new Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are excited to welcome Saeedeh to our growing team at Proscenium! She joins us with a Masters of Urban Design from UBC and has hit the ground running in a busy spring season at the firm. Where were you born? I was born in Tehran, Capital of Iran How did you get into architecture? When I was 15 I visited an art school. I
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
Happy Holidays from PAI!
Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season, from all of us here at Proscenium. Our office will be closed from noon on December 24th to Tuesday, January 4th. See you in the New Year!
Supporting Carnegie Community Centre & The Gathering Place
Over the years, Proscenium has held donation drives to support two exceptional organizations we have worked on in the past, Carnegie Community Centre and The Gathering Place in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. This year, we are excited to be collecting physical items from our staff to bundle together and drop off to benefit their programs! A little bit of history: CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE Carnegie Centre is
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
QET and BMO Theatre featured in Construct Connect
We're excited to see two of our favourite theatre projects featured in September's edition of Construct Connect. The issue's main feature is an article on Acoustics called "Perfecting the Sound Experience in Theatres", written by Payam Ashtiani. It's certainly an interesting time for the performing arts community as audiences re-enter theatres following the pandemic. Many organizations are looking for safe ways to accommodate higher numbers
PAI Insight: Evolving Space Needs for Industrial/Office Buildings
Our projects like The Yukon (2021) and 750 SW Marine Drive (ongoing) have highlighted some recent changes in space needs of our clients. We'd like to share some insights on the mixed-use building typology of industrial/office buildings and how we're navigating those changes. MEC Head Office (2014) Covid-19 Impacts on Workplace Design The increasing capabilities of remote work and employee's desire for flexible
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
Langara Bioinformatics Lab is complete!
We're excited to have completed the Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College. This brand new molecular lab has a built-in tissue culture lab and some other great features. The main lab has all the essentials for an academic science lab geared towards teaching upper-level biology. Proscenium paired a clean contemporary design with the necessary specialized building services such as access to water, compressed air, fume hoods,
UBC MacLeod: A Seismic Test Case
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JDRk9iZ--Bs Our ongoing major renovation of The MacLeod Building, the electrical and computer engineering building at UBC, involves a complete gutting down of the building to its basic structural elements. Necessary seismic upgrades are driving the renovation, which has provided an opportunity to reconstruct the building to evolve its approach to 21st Century learning. As part of the assessment, there was consideration given to not
242 West 6th Site Visit
This beautiful heritage house at 242 West 6th is coming together, with the roof complete, windows in, and the shingle cladding being installed. The renovation/restoration project is about 80% built, with estimated completion for Spring 2021. The project will really come together over the next couple months as attention is turned to tiling, millwork, painting, site work and landscaping. The project converts The
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 Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
750 SW Marine Drive in for DP
We are excited to start this new mixed-use project in the quickly developing South Marpole area of Vancouver. Proscenium is providing full architectural services for 750 SW Marine Drive, an eight-storey office/industrial building for Chard Development awaiting its Development Permit. This is a much-needed building typology in Vancouver and we have used our recent experience to optimally combine office and industrial use in the
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
MEC Vancouver receives 2022 SABMag Award
We are excited to announce that MEC Vancouver Store has received the 2022 SABMag Canadian Green Building Award for Mixed-Use projects! We are blown away at the recognition this building has had since its completion in 2020, including the 2020 BC Wood Design Award, 2021 Canada Green Building Award, runner-up for the 2022 ASHRAE Technology Award and now the 2022 SAB Mag Award. It's a
Working with a local Performing Arts School
For many years Proscenium has worked with local arts groups, big and small, to realize their vision for performing spaces. We are excited to share that we are designing a new home for Vancouver Performing Stars, a dance and theatre performance school for children and youth. The project includes a black box theatre with approximately 90 seats, 2 secondary studios, offices, front of house including
PAI Insight: Incorporating Theatres into New Developments
Designing and renovating theatres has been a focus of Proscenium since 1996 when our firm started. In recent years, we have been approached by multiple clients who want to design theatres that are incorporated into new developments. Often this results in having a theatre on ground level (at grade) with a residential or mixed-use building attached. When handled correctly we think this is a great
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
MEC Vancouver wins CaGBC Award for New Construction
We are so pleased to receive the 2021 Canadian Green Building Award for New Construction for MEC Vancouver! Thank you to Canada Green Building Council for recognizing the project. Hugh Cochlin will be giving a presentation on the building's many green features along with Roland Charneux next week, September 28th at 9am PST. CaGBC Awards Lunch ‘n’ Learn: New Construction Tuesday, September 28th; 9-10 am
PAI Insight: Evolving Space Needs for Industrial/Office Buildings
Our projects like The Yukon (2021) and 750 SW Marine Drive (ongoing) have highlighted some recent changes in space needs of our clients. We'd like to share some insights on the mixed-use building typology of industrial/office buildings and how we're navigating those changes. MEC Head Office (2014) Covid-19 Impacts on Workplace Design The increasing capabilities of remote work and employee's desire for flexible
MEC Vancouver wins the BC Wood Design Award 2020
On July 14th, WoodWORKS! BC announced MEC Vancouver is the winner of the BC Wood Design Awards (2020) for Commercial buildings! We are so glad to receive this award and thank you to our great project team for all their hard work on this inspiring, sustainable project. IN THE NEWS: Canadian Architect Journal of Commerce The building has also been spotlighted a Case Study publication
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
PAI Feature: Cook Street Plaza
Cook Street Plaza is a comprehensive mixed-use development in the City of Victoria, currently under construction. The vision for the project was to supply a range of market and below-market housing options and locally supportive commercial space for a walkable, thriving urban area with excellent access to transportation options. The scale of the site allows a holistic approach to the public realm; landscaped mews forming
MEC’s newest Head Office
New flooring is being laid at MEC's new head office, the third our firm will have completed for the company (1999, 2014 and 2021). Following a transfer of ownership, MEC gave up its former head office in 2020 and engaged Proscenium to do a basic tenant improvement for a new space on Great Northern Way. The new, smaller footprint office is a clean shell and
NEWS: PAI named Associate Architect for new mass-timber office
Proscenium is excited to announce our involvement in T3 Mount Pleasant, a new mass-timber office building in Vancouver. Standing for "timber, transit and technology," T3 Mount Pleasant will be a 10-storey, 196,000 sq ft office building geared towards tech and creative industry tenants. PAI will be acting as Associate Architect to DLR Group in this project developed by the Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban.
750 SW Marine Drive approved by Urban Design Panel
Another milestone moment for our project at 750 Southwest Marine Drive, which has full support from the Design Panel held last week. THE PROJECT The proposed building for Chard Development is an eight-storey, mixed-use building between Oak St. and Cambie St. in Vancouver’s South Marpole district. It is located on the southeast corner of Marine and Aisne Street, walking distance from the Marine Drive Skytrain
Study for a Local Kollel
Earlier this year, we developed a study for a new community centre building for a local Kollel. There are some great features about this project that we want to share with you! WELCOMING FROM ALL SIDES The Kollel is located on a site that faces the street on the west and backs onto the Arbutus Greenway on the east. The greenway is an ongoing City
MEC Vancouver in the Press
MEC Vancouver Flagship store seems to be the talk of the town! It's great to see the project get some recognition for its various sustainable elements, from mass timber design to rainwater recycling. ArchDaily Wood Design & Building Magazine, 2020: Print and Online: "Expressing a brand’s outdoor-friendly philosophy by building with wood" Think Wood Blog: "Biophilic Brands: Can Wood and Nature Boost the Bottom Line?"
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
PAI Highlight: Designing Offices for the Future
Proscenium has long been passionate about workplace design (see MEC Head Office) and the shifting trends that are defining the future of office design. The increased accessibility of remote work has made us hone in on what makes in-person workplaces worth the commute. In 2022, we had the privilege of designing a new office for Chard Development, a long-time client of our firm. The
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
PAI Highlight: Langara Bioinformatics Lab
After a project is finished, the architect usually steps out of the equation. But we find it extremely valuable to check in after the fact to see how the design is supporting users. What is their day-to-day experience of the space? What design features are working well and what can we learn for future projects? The Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College was completed in 2020
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
750 SW Marine Drive in for DP
We are excited to start this new mixed-use project in the quickly developing South Marpole area of Vancouver. Proscenium is providing full architectural services for 750 SW Marine Drive, an eight-storey office/industrial building for Chard Development awaiting its Development Permit. This is a much-needed building typology in Vancouver and we have used our recent experience to optimally combine office and industrial use in the
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
Two Projects Recognized in Recent Awards
We are proud to share that two buildings we worked on for Chard Development won developer awards in the last month! The Urban Design Institute (UDI) Awards 2022 recognized The Royals for best Purpose Built Market High Rise. UDI recognized Vivid at the Yates for best Non-Market Housing. The Georgie Awards also recognized Chard for Vivid at the Yates with the Provincial Award for Excellence
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
PAI Insight: Incorporating Theatres into New Developments
Designing and renovating theatres has been a focus of Proscenium since 1996 when our firm started. In recent years, we have been approached by multiple clients who want to design theatres that are incorporated into new developments. Often this results in having a theatre on ground level (at grade) with a residential or mixed-use building attached. When handled correctly we think this is a great
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
Photographing our New Office
We decided to wait until most of the team was back in office before taking some pictures to show off the space! Thanks to Kori for his photography skills and the Interiors team for their help. Our office is located on the third floor of the MEC Vancouver building (have you heard about its new award?). A bonus of designing this building was envisioning a new
MEC Vancouver wins the BC Wood Design Award 2020
On July 14th, WoodWORKS! BC announced MEC Vancouver is the winner of the BC Wood Design Awards (2020) for Commercial buildings! We are so glad to receive this award and thank you to our great project team for all their hard work on this inspiring, sustainable project. IN THE NEWS: Canadian Architect Journal of Commerce The building has also been spotlighted a Case Study publication
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
PAI Feature: Cook Street Plaza
Cook Street Plaza is a comprehensive mixed-use development in the City of Victoria, currently under construction. The vision for the project was to supply a range of market and below-market housing options and locally supportive commercial space for a walkable, thriving urban area with excellent access to transportation options. The scale of the site allows a holistic approach to the public realm; landscaped mews forming
MEC’s newest Head Office
New flooring is being laid at MEC's new head office, the third our firm will have completed for the company (1999, 2014 and 2021). Following a transfer of ownership, MEC gave up its former head office in 2020 and engaged Proscenium to do a basic tenant improvement for a new space on Great Northern Way. The new, smaller footprint office is a clean shell and
NEWS: PAI named Associate Architect for new mass-timber office
Proscenium is excited to announce our involvement in T3 Mount Pleasant, a new mass-timber office building in Vancouver. Standing for "timber, transit and technology," T3 Mount Pleasant will be a 10-storey, 196,000 sq ft office building geared towards tech and creative industry tenants. PAI will be acting as Associate Architect to DLR Group in this project developed by the Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban.
750 SW Marine Drive approved by Urban Design Panel
Another milestone moment for our project at 750 Southwest Marine Drive, which has full support from the Design Panel held last week. THE PROJECT The proposed building for Chard Development is an eight-storey, mixed-use building between Oak St. and Cambie St. in Vancouver’s South Marpole district. It is located on the southeast corner of Marine and Aisne Street, walking distance from the Marine Drive Skytrain
Langara Bioinformatics Lab is complete!
We're excited to have completed the Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College. This brand new molecular lab has a built-in tissue culture lab and some other great features. The main lab has all the essentials for an academic science lab geared towards teaching upper-level biology. Proscenium paired a clean contemporary design with the necessary specialized building services such as access to water, compressed air, fume hoods,
The Royals featured in the North Shore News
Our project with Chard Development in central Lonsdale, North Van has been featured in the North Shore News. "The Royals" includes a new 24-storey building and a fully renovated 16-storey building for which Proscenium is doing full interior design services. The article describes the design intent, quoting Alissa Foss, PAI designer: "Residents of both towers will be greeted by beautifully designed foyers and elevator lobbies
Study for a Local Kollel
Earlier this year, we developed a study for a new community centre building for a local Kollel. There are some great features about this project that we want to share with you! WELCOMING FROM ALL SIDES The Kollel is located on a site that faces the street on the west and backs onto the Arbutus Greenway on the east. The greenway is an ongoing City
1235 Marine Drive goes in for development permit
We are excited to announce that 1235 Marine Drive, a new four-storey residential/commercial project in North Vancouver has gone in for development permit. The new project on the North Shore is a contemporary expression of the history of Marine Drive and its rich ship building past, historically an early industrial neighbourhood constructed of brick, steel and wood. We researched local building typology and expression circa
We Are Hiring!
We are Hiring: one Senior Architect / Technologist. WHO WE ARE Proscenium Architecture + Interiors is a forward-thinking, mid-sized architecture and interior design firm working in an integrated design team (IDT) environment. We started in 1996 as a firm specializing in arts & cultural design and expanded our scope over time to include residential, commercial, institutional and public projects of various scales. In all our
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
WISH & Working Gear Donation Drive
For over a decade, we have held a "Spring Cleaning" donation drive for two amazing organizations in East Vancouver, WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! This week, we were able to drop off 5 large garbage bags of donations from our firm and some other participating local firms to benefit these organizations. Natasha and Vicki sorting donations! Drop-off at WISH! Thank
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
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
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
Staff Ski Day & Vancouver Aquarium
We were lucky to get out of the studio last Friday and enjoy some local tourism! The snow-savvy half of the team spent the day sliding down Grouse Mountain, enjoying lunch at the lodge and finally seeing the beautiful view in the afternoon when the clouds lifted and the city came into view! Footwear included skis, snowboards and snowshoes for those that felt like
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
PAI Team: Meet Justin, Senior Architectural Designer
Meet the PAI Team: Introducing Justin Huang! Justin joined Proscenium in 2022 as a Senior Architectural Designer. Justin's MO is to create inspiring architectural spaces that enrich the people and organizations that use them. He has a diverse portfolio that includes worked internationally on projects in New York, L.A., Shanghai, Xiamen and his home haunt, Vancouver. Where were you born? Vancouver, BC. How did you get
Waffle Wednesdays are Back
Warning: this post includes "fluffy" content. A longtime tradition at Proscenium has made its way back into the weekly calendar... Waffle Wednesdays! This month we debuted the new PAI waffle maker to surprisingly delicious results. Special thanks to Pouian for getting us back on the waffle train. Proscenium... getting through the week one waffle at a time!
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3
Day One of Demo at Volvo Richmond
The start of something exciting! Demolition is underway at our project site in Richmond, BC. We are working with Dilawri Group to design the first Volvo dealership in North America to express their re-branding. The project will also be LEED certified. In consultation with brand designers and Volvo’s corporate guide, Proscenium is devising a facility that communicates their latest corporate image. The renovated commercial/retail facility
PAI Highlight: Designing Offices for the Future
Proscenium has long been passionate about workplace design (see MEC Head Office) and the shifting trends that are defining the future of office design. The increased accessibility of remote work has made us hone in on what makes in-person workplaces worth the commute. In 2022, we had the privilege of designing a new office for Chard Development, a long-time client of our firm. The
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
Happy Holidays!
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a great holiday season! Next week, we are taking a break from the studio to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones. The office will be closed from noon on Friday Dec 23rd to Tuesday, Jan 3rd. We had a lot of fun with our Christmas cards this year, which feature festive trees
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
Fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association
We are excited to share our fundraising campaign this holiday season to support UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), a charity working to support and empower Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. Click here to help us make a difference! More information about Urban Native Youth Association: Urban Native Youth Association delivers over twenty culturally responsive, prevention focused programs to urban Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver. Our
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
Meet Chloe, Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are very glad to welcome Chloe to Proscenium! Chloe hails from France and has hit the ground running working on several projects. Where were you born? In a small town in North East France. How did you get into interior design? Since I was a kid I’ve always been into design and creative stuff. I was actually first attracted to interior design, but at that
PAI Highlight: Langara Bioinformatics Lab
After a project is finished, the architect usually steps out of the equation. But we find it extremely valuable to check in after the fact to see how the design is supporting users. What is their day-to-day experience of the space? What design features are working well and what can we learn for future projects? The Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College was completed in 2020
Thanksgiving Potluck at the Studio
In keeping with tradition, the PAI team had an autumnal lunchtime potluck last week complete with Trivia, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie and all manner of delicious things! The office will be closed for Thanksgiving holiday on Monday, October 10th. We hope you have a great weekend with friends, family and food!
Welcoming New Staff
Over the past couple months, Proscenium has been growing! We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to the team. (left to right, top to bottom) Adriana Agueros, Architectural Graduate Adriana graduated from the Polytechnical University of Madrid with a Master of Architecture in 2017. She began her architectural career at a company specializing in the design and building of exhibition spaces, where she gained experience
Two Projects Recognized in Recent Awards
We are proud to share that two buildings we worked on for Chard Development won developer awards in the last month! The Urban Design Institute (UDI) Awards 2022 recognized The Royals for best Purpose Built Market High Rise. UDI recognized Vivid at the Yates for best Non-Market Housing. The Georgie Awards also recognized Chard for Vivid at the Yates with the Provincial Award for Excellence
MEC Vancouver receives 2022 SABMag Award
We are excited to announce that MEC Vancouver Store has received the 2022 SABMag Canadian Green Building Award for Mixed-Use projects! We are blown away at the recognition this building has had since its completion in 2020, including the 2020 BC Wood Design Award, 2021 Canada Green Building Award, runner-up for the 2022 ASHRAE Technology Award and now the 2022 SAB Mag Award. It's a
An ASHRAE Technology Award for the MEC Vancouver Store
We are thrilled to share the news that mechanical/electrical lead on MEC Vancouver, Pageau Morel, has received second-place for MEC Vancouver at the 2022 ASHRAE Technology Awards. During the winter conference of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Pageau Morel received a second-place Technology Award in the New Commercial Buildings category for the Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) store project in Vancouver.
Four projects are finalists for the Georgie Awards
We are excited to share that four projects we recently completed for Chard Development are named as finalists in the 2022 Georgie Awards, hosted by Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC. The Georgie Awards celebrate excellence in home building and renovation in the residential construction industry. Projects are submitted by member companies for consideration by a panel of industry professionals from across Canada and the
MEC Vancouver wins CaGBC Award for New Construction
We are so pleased to receive the 2021 Canadian Green Building Award for New Construction for MEC Vancouver! Thank you to Canada Green Building Council for recognizing the project. Hugh Cochlin will be giving a presentation on the building's many green features along with Roland Charneux next week, September 28th at 9am PST. CaGBC Awards Lunch ‘n’ Learn: New Construction Tuesday, September 28th; 9-10 am
Meet Rachel, our Communications Coordinator
Where were you born? Good old North Vancouver! How did you get into marketing/communications? Strictly speaking, sideways? I come from a writing and dance background, but I often find myself in marketing. What class in school has proven to be the least useful? African Dancing and drumming. Though it was an easy credit! What is the best building of all time? I feel somewhat
2020 Excellence in Commercial Wood Design
We are thrilled to receive this award for MEC Edmonton Brewery District in Edmonton! WOOD WORKS! Alberta / the Canadian Wood Council jury provided these comments on the building: "Wood was used for structural and accent finishing pieces and the jury felt that this choice makes the project stand out. It is going above and beyond in a retail experience when customers are allowed to
Lt. Governor Merit Award: Langara College Science & Technology Building
We are honoured to have received one of three Lt. Governor Merit Awards for The Langara College Science and Technology Building. The $54-million building is a gateway to the college’s main campus that cantilevers out 16 metres over the 49th Avenue entrance. Proscenium Architecture and Interiors Inc in association with Teeple Architects Inc
MEC Head Office news & award
In November 2017 Canada Green Building Council certified The MEC Head Office LEED Canada Platinum, the highest level of distinction for a sustainable building! In January 2018, ASHRAE awarded Pageau Morel 1st Place Technology Award in the New Commercial Buildings category for the construction of the Mountain Equipment Co-op Head Office.
2017 IDIBC Shine Award for BMO Theatre
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONAL - BMO THEATRE CENTRE Proscenium Interiors is honoured to have won the Award of Excellence for BMO Theatre. Congratulations Kerri! Lead Designer: Kerri Shinkewski, RID Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc. Photography: Andrew Latreille The interior design concept for the BMO Theatre Centre used material and pattern to weld spaces of disparate programme into a cohesive theatrical experience, creating
Langara S&T Building to be certified LEED Gold!
We are proud to announce that the Langara College Science and Technology building has achieved 67 LEED points and will be certified as a GOLD level building!!!
MEC Head Office receives Landscaping Award
15th Annual Design Awards of Excellence Awards Announced Connect Landscaping is excited to announce that two projects will be recognized with the 2017 Green Roof and Wall Award of Excellence. The Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence will be awarded for Mountain Equipment Co-op Head Office and VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre in September at the 15th Annual CitiesAlive in Seattle, WA. https://citiesalive.org/ http://connectla.ca/blog/
Energia Prize: Letter of Congratulations
Following the Energia Prize we received last May, we’ve received a congratulation letter from the Minister of “Développement Durable, Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatique" of the province of Quebec. We thought we’d share the letter: Gentlemen, I would like to address my most sincere congratulations on winning the “AQME Prize” during the 2017 Energia Contest organized by l’Association québécoise pour la maitrise
The 27th Energia Contest recognizes Pageau Morel!
The 27th Energia Contest recognizes excellence in Quebecois achievements and celebrates local genius in matters of energy efficiency in categories related to building, technological innovations, industrial processes and manufacturing, transportation, integrated design and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Pageau Morel was recognized as the electrical and mechanical engineering firm on the design team of MEC’s Head Office, which was designed using an integrated design process involving
Proscenium wins AIBC Special Jury Award for Christ Church Cathedral!
We are honoured to have received The AIBC Special Jury Award for the long term stewardship of a significant heritage resource and seismic upgrading technology for our work on the Restoration and Renewal of the Christ Church Cathedral. The C.C.C. team included Hugh Cochlin, Matthew Kurnicki, Ron Clay, Ben Nielsen, Sarah Piccinato and Sara Theuerkauf. We couldn't have done it without The Christ Church Cathedral
Sarah Piccinato has been made an Associate at Proscenium!
It is with great pride, honour and excitement that Proscenium announces that, effective immediately, Sarah Piccinato has been made an Associate with the firm. In addition to her broad range of design skills displayed over her tenure here at Proscenium, Sarah brings extensive management experience and has already stepped into the day to day running of various aspects of this office. We are delighted to have
MEC Head Office wins Wood Design Award!
Proscenium is pleased to announce that the MEC Head Office in Vancouver has won a Wood Design Award in the commercial projects category at the Canadian Wood Council's 2015 Wood Design Awards. We worked with MEC to create a green building for their head office that would reflect their unique corporate culture which puts emphasis on environmental sustainability and employee wellbeing. The resulting heavy timber structure
MEC North Vancouver wins Canadian Green Building Award!
Proscenium is pleased to announce that the MEC North Vancouver store has won a Canadian Green Building Award! The project is featured in this summer's edition of SAB Magazine. MEC's innovative retail space at 212 Brooksbank Ave. in North Vancouver raises the bar for sustainable building practices for retail stores. The store is is targeting LEED® gold designation focusing on energy efficiency, water consumption, materials, landscaping
MEC North Vancouver Store Receives Award
In March of the MEC North Vancouver store received a North Vancouver Urban Design Award. The key criteria under consideration for the award included the project’s response to its context at several scales: immediate, regional and global. At the local scale it was concerned with the work’s contribution and sensitivity to its immediate surroundings and the public realm. Regionally, the focus was on MEC North
We Are Hiring!
We are Hiring: one Senior Architect / Technologist. WHO WE ARE Proscenium Architecture + Interiors is a forward-thinking, mid-sized architecture and interior design firm working in an integrated design team (IDT) environment. We started in 1996 as a firm specializing in arts & cultural design and expanded our scope over time to include residential, commercial, institutional and public projects of various scales. In all our
Meet Chloe, Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are very glad to welcome Chloe to Proscenium! Chloe hails from France and has hit the ground running working on several projects. Where were you born? In a small town in North East France. How did you get into interior design? Since I was a kid I’ve always been into design and creative stuff. I was actually first attracted to interior design, but at that
Welcoming New Staff
Over the past couple months, Proscenium has been growing! We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to the team. (left to right, top to bottom) Adriana Agueros, Architectural Graduate Adriana graduated from the Polytechnical University of Madrid with a Master of Architecture in 2017. She began her architectural career at a company specializing in the design and building of exhibition spaces, where she gained experience
Meet Carolyn, our new Junior Graduate Technologist
We're excited to welcome Carolyn Ruttan to the team at PAI. Where were you born? Duncan, on Vancouver Island. How did you get into architectural technology/drafting? I've always been interested in buildings and how spaces work. I considered interior design, but I found a great program to become a technologist -- I definitely have a passion for both. What class in school has proven to
Seeking Interior Designer
Happy New Year! We are looking for an intermediate Interior Designer with at least 5 to 7 years of postgraduate Interior Design Office experience. Confident enough to take on multiple projects and work well both independently and as part of a team. We are looking for confidence in decision making, team co-ordination, and leadership for younger team members. Proscenium covers professional dues, contributes to on-going
Proscenium is Hiring!
We are currently looking for a junior and two intermediate Architectural Graduates, Graduate Technologists or Interior Designers with at least 2 to 3 years of postgraduate experience. This individual must be confident enough to take on projects, develop a work plan and work well both independently and as part of a team. Confidence in decision making and
Seeking Intermediate Interior Designer
We are currently seeking an intermediate level Interior Designer with 3 to 4 years of postgraduate experience. This individual must be confident enough with interior detailing to take on projects, develop a work plan and work well both independently and as part of a team. Proscenium provides a cooperative and positive work environment and an interesting range of cultural and private sector projects. We offer
We Are Hiring!
We are Hiring: one Senior Architect / Technologist. WHO WE ARE Proscenium Architecture + Interiors is a forward-thinking, mid-sized architecture and interior design firm working in an integrated design team (IDT) environment. We started in 1996 as a firm specializing in arts & cultural design and expanded our scope over time to include residential, commercial, institutional and public projects of various scales. In all our
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
WISH & Working Gear Donation Drive
For over a decade, we have held a "Spring Cleaning" donation drive for two amazing organizations in East Vancouver, WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! This week, we were able to drop off 5 large garbage bags of donations from our firm and some other participating local firms to benefit these organizations. Natasha and Vicki sorting donations! Drop-off at WISH! Thank
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
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
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
Staff Ski Day & Vancouver Aquarium
We were lucky to get out of the studio last Friday and enjoy some local tourism! The snow-savvy half of the team spent the day sliding down Grouse Mountain, enjoying lunch at the lodge and finally seeing the beautiful view in the afternoon when the clouds lifted and the city came into view! Footwear included skis, snowboards and snowshoes for those that felt like
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
PAI Team: Meet Justin, Senior Architectural Designer
Meet the PAI Team: Introducing Justin Huang! Justin joined Proscenium in 2022 as a Senior Architectural Designer. Justin's MO is to create inspiring architectural spaces that enrich the people and organizations that use them. He has a diverse portfolio that includes worked internationally on projects in New York, L.A., Shanghai, Xiamen and his home haunt, Vancouver. Where were you born? Vancouver, BC. How did you get
Waffle Wednesdays are Back
Warning: this post includes "fluffy" content. A longtime tradition at Proscenium has made its way back into the weekly calendar... Waffle Wednesdays! This month we debuted the new PAI waffle maker to surprisingly delicious results. Special thanks to Pouian for getting us back on the waffle train. Proscenium... getting through the week one waffle at a time!
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3
Day One of Demo at Volvo Richmond
The start of something exciting! Demolition is underway at our project site in Richmond, BC. We are working with Dilawri Group to design the first Volvo dealership in North America to express their re-branding. The project will also be LEED certified. In consultation with brand designers and Volvo’s corporate guide, Proscenium is devising a facility that communicates their latest corporate image. The renovated commercial/retail facility
PAI Highlight: Designing Offices for the Future
Proscenium has long been passionate about workplace design (see MEC Head Office) and the shifting trends that are defining the future of office design. The increased accessibility of remote work has made us hone in on what makes in-person workplaces worth the commute. In 2022, we had the privilege of designing a new office for Chard Development, a long-time client of our firm. The
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
Happy Holidays!
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a great holiday season! Next week, we are taking a break from the studio to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones. The office will be closed from noon on Friday Dec 23rd to Tuesday, Jan 3rd. We had a lot of fun with our Christmas cards this year, which feature festive trees
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
Fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association
We are excited to share our fundraising campaign this holiday season to support UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), a charity working to support and empower Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. Click here to help us make a difference! More information about Urban Native Youth Association: Urban Native Youth Association delivers over twenty culturally responsive, prevention focused programs to urban Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver. Our
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
Meet Chloe, Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are very glad to welcome Chloe to Proscenium! Chloe hails from France and has hit the ground running working on several projects. Where were you born? In a small town in North East France. How did you get into interior design? Since I was a kid I’ve always been into design and creative stuff. I was actually first attracted to interior design, but at that
PAI Highlight: Langara Bioinformatics Lab
After a project is finished, the architect usually steps out of the equation. But we find it extremely valuable to check in after the fact to see how the design is supporting users. What is their day-to-day experience of the space? What design features are working well and what can we learn for future projects? The Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College was completed in 2020
Welcoming New Staff
Over the past couple months, Proscenium has been growing! We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to the team. (left to right, top to bottom) Adriana Agueros, Architectural Graduate Adriana graduated from the Polytechnical University of Madrid with a Master of Architecture in 2017. She began her architectural career at a company specializing in the design and building of exhibition spaces, where she gained experience
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
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
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
Fundraiser for Urban Native Youth Association
We are excited to share our fundraising campaign this holiday season to support UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), a charity working to support and empower Indigenous youth in East Vancouver. Click here to help us make a difference! More information about Urban Native Youth Association: Urban Native Youth Association delivers over twenty culturally responsive, prevention focused programs to urban Indigenous youth in Metro Vancouver. Our
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Resources
For National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, our office is showing our support by wearing orange shirts! Two weeks ago, we participated in a fantastic and educational seminar by OCI Solutions called "Indigenous Peoples; Fundamental Information on Canada’s Past, Present, and Future" which we highly recommend. Here are some resources for you to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and show support for residential school
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
Our Story – Celebrating 25 years of Proscenium
It is with pride that we recognize 25 years of Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc! What started in 1996 as a small architecture and interior design firm specializing in theatre design has grown to a mid-sized firm in 2022 working across many project types. We want to take this opportunity to reflect on where we came from and where we are going. Team members
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
Donation Drive for WISH and Working Gear!
Spring is in the air and we have completed our annual donation drive for WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! These are two great organizations that benefit folks in need in our community. Proscenium has been supporting WISH and Working Gear since 2010. We truly believe in the work they are doing and are glad to be able to donate physical items again. Thanks to
Meet Saeedeh, our new Junior Architectural Graduate!
We are excited to welcome Saeedeh to our growing team at Proscenium! She joins us with a Masters of Urban Design from UBC and has hit the ground running in a busy spring season at the firm. Where were you born? I was born in Tehran, Capital of Iran How did you get into architecture? When I was 15 I visited an art school. I
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
Happy Holidays from PAI!
Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season, from all of us here at Proscenium. Our office will be closed from noon on December 24th to Tuesday, January 4th. See you in the New Year!
Supporting Carnegie Community Centre & The Gathering Place
Over the years, Proscenium has held donation drives to support two exceptional organizations we have worked on in the past, Carnegie Community Centre and The Gathering Place in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. This year, we are excited to be collecting physical items from our staff to bundle together and drop off to benefit their programs! A little bit of history: CARNEGIE COMMUNITY CENTRE Carnegie Centre is
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
QET and BMO Theatre featured in Construct Connect
We're excited to see two of our favourite theatre projects featured in September's edition of Construct Connect. The issue's main feature is an article on Acoustics called "Perfecting the Sound Experience in Theatres", written by Payam Ashtiani. It's certainly an interesting time for the performing arts community as audiences re-enter theatres following the pandemic. Many organizations are looking for safe ways to accommodate higher numbers
PAI Insight: Evolving Space Needs for Industrial/Office Buildings
Our projects like The Yukon (2021) and 750 SW Marine Drive (ongoing) have highlighted some recent changes in space needs of our clients. We'd like to share some insights on the mixed-use building typology of industrial/office buildings and how we're navigating those changes. MEC Head Office (2014) Covid-19 Impacts on Workplace Design The increasing capabilities of remote work and employee's desire for flexible
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
Langara Bioinformatics Lab is complete!
We're excited to have completed the Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College. This brand new molecular lab has a built-in tissue culture lab and some other great features. The main lab has all the essentials for an academic science lab geared towards teaching upper-level biology. Proscenium paired a clean contemporary design with the necessary specialized building services such as access to water, compressed air, fume hoods,
UBC MacLeod: A Seismic Test Case
https://www.youtube.com/embed/JDRk9iZ--Bs Our ongoing major renovation of The MacLeod Building, the electrical and computer engineering building at UBC, involves a complete gutting down of the building to its basic structural elements. Necessary seismic upgrades are driving the renovation, which has provided an opportunity to reconstruct the building to evolve its approach to 21st Century learning. As part of the assessment, there was consideration given to not
242 West 6th Site Visit
This beautiful heritage house at 242 West 6th is coming together, with the roof complete, windows in, and the shingle cladding being installed. The renovation/restoration project is about 80% built, with estimated completion for Spring 2021. The project will really come together over the next couple months as attention is turned to tiling, millwork, painting, site work and landscaping. The project converts The
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 Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3
Two PAI Industrial/Office Projects featured in Storeys Magazine
Two of Proscenium's ongoing industrial/office projects have been featured in an article “It’s The Next Evolution: Why Stacked Industrial is on the Rise in Vancouver" in Storeys Newsletter. https://storeys.com/stacked-industrial-real-estate-market-vancouver-british-columbia/
750 SW Marine Drive in for DP
We are excited to start this new mixed-use project in the quickly developing South Marpole area of Vancouver. Proscenium is providing full architectural services for 750 SW Marine Drive, an eight-storey office/industrial building for Chard Development awaiting its Development Permit. This is a much-needed building typology in Vancouver and we have used our recent experience to optimally combine office and industrial use in the
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
MEC Vancouver receives 2022 SABMag Award
We are excited to announce that MEC Vancouver Store has received the 2022 SABMag Canadian Green Building Award for Mixed-Use projects! We are blown away at the recognition this building has had since its completion in 2020, including the 2020 BC Wood Design Award, 2021 Canada Green Building Award, runner-up for the 2022 ASHRAE Technology Award and now the 2022 SAB Mag Award. It's a
Working with a local Performing Arts School
For many years Proscenium has worked with local arts groups, big and small, to realize their vision for performing spaces. We are excited to share that we are designing a new home for Vancouver Performing Stars, a dance and theatre performance school for children and youth. The project includes a black box theatre with approximately 90 seats, 2 secondary studios, offices, front of house including
PAI Insight: Incorporating Theatres into New Developments
Designing and renovating theatres has been a focus of Proscenium since 1996 when our firm started. In recent years, we have been approached by multiple clients who want to design theatres that are incorporated into new developments. Often this results in having a theatre on ground level (at grade) with a residential or mixed-use building attached. When handled correctly we think this is a great
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
MEC Vancouver wins CaGBC Award for New Construction
We are so pleased to receive the 2021 Canadian Green Building Award for New Construction for MEC Vancouver! Thank you to Canada Green Building Council for recognizing the project. Hugh Cochlin will be giving a presentation on the building's many green features along with Roland Charneux next week, September 28th at 9am PST. CaGBC Awards Lunch ‘n’ Learn: New Construction Tuesday, September 28th; 9-10 am
PAI Insight: Evolving Space Needs for Industrial/Office Buildings
Our projects like The Yukon (2021) and 750 SW Marine Drive (ongoing) have highlighted some recent changes in space needs of our clients. We'd like to share some insights on the mixed-use building typology of industrial/office buildings and how we're navigating those changes. MEC Head Office (2014) Covid-19 Impacts on Workplace Design The increasing capabilities of remote work and employee's desire for flexible
MEC Vancouver wins the BC Wood Design Award 2020
On July 14th, WoodWORKS! BC announced MEC Vancouver is the winner of the BC Wood Design Awards (2020) for Commercial buildings! We are so glad to receive this award and thank you to our great project team for all their hard work on this inspiring, sustainable project. IN THE NEWS: Canadian Architect Journal of Commerce The building has also been spotlighted a Case Study publication
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
PAI Feature: Cook Street Plaza
Cook Street Plaza is a comprehensive mixed-use development in the City of Victoria, currently under construction. The vision for the project was to supply a range of market and below-market housing options and locally supportive commercial space for a walkable, thriving urban area with excellent access to transportation options. The scale of the site allows a holistic approach to the public realm; landscaped mews forming
MEC’s newest Head Office
New flooring is being laid at MEC's new head office, the third our firm will have completed for the company (1999, 2014 and 2021). Following a transfer of ownership, MEC gave up its former head office in 2020 and engaged Proscenium to do a basic tenant improvement for a new space on Great Northern Way. The new, smaller footprint office is a clean shell and
NEWS: PAI named Associate Architect for new mass-timber office
Proscenium is excited to announce our involvement in T3 Mount Pleasant, a new mass-timber office building in Vancouver. Standing for "timber, transit and technology," T3 Mount Pleasant will be a 10-storey, 196,000 sq ft office building geared towards tech and creative industry tenants. PAI will be acting as Associate Architect to DLR Group in this project developed by the Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban.
750 SW Marine Drive approved by Urban Design Panel
Another milestone moment for our project at 750 Southwest Marine Drive, which has full support from the Design Panel held last week. THE PROJECT The proposed building for Chard Development is an eight-storey, mixed-use building between Oak St. and Cambie St. in Vancouver’s South Marpole district. It is located on the southeast corner of Marine and Aisne Street, walking distance from the Marine Drive Skytrain
Study for a Local Kollel
Earlier this year, we developed a study for a new community centre building for a local Kollel. There are some great features about this project that we want to share with you! WELCOMING FROM ALL SIDES The Kollel is located on a site that faces the street on the west and backs onto the Arbutus Greenway on the east. The greenway is an ongoing City
MEC Vancouver in the Press
MEC Vancouver Flagship store seems to be the talk of the town! It's great to see the project get some recognition for its various sustainable elements, from mass timber design to rainwater recycling. ArchDaily Wood Design & Building Magazine, 2020: Print and Online: "Expressing a brand’s outdoor-friendly philosophy by building with wood" Think Wood Blog: "Biophilic Brands: Can Wood and Nature Boost the Bottom Line?"
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
PAI Highlight: Designing Offices for the Future
Proscenium has long been passionate about workplace design (see MEC Head Office) and the shifting trends that are defining the future of office design. The increased accessibility of remote work has made us hone in on what makes in-person workplaces worth the commute. In 2022, we had the privilege of designing a new office for Chard Development, a long-time client of our firm. The
New Website Launched!
We are very excited to share our new website with you, which is the result of several months of working with the folks at Amplitude Multimedia. From the outset, our goal for the new website was to marry design with functionality. Showcasing our projects and communicating who we are as a firm was the top priority, while optimizing navigability and readability throughout. The new site
PAI Highlight: Langara Bioinformatics Lab
After a project is finished, the architect usually steps out of the equation. But we find it extremely valuable to check in after the fact to see how the design is supporting users. What is their day-to-day experience of the space? What design features are working well and what can we learn for future projects? The Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College was completed in 2020
Setting up Royal Bay Presentation Centre
After three recent successful residential projects in Victoria, BC in the last few years, Proscenium is excited to be continuing our work on Vancouver Island in Colwood, BC! We are providing full interior design services for Royal Bay Ryder Village, a new multi-family residential development located in the Royal Bay neighbourhood of Colwood, at the edge of an urban seaside. Our interior design team
750 SW Marine Drive in for DP
We are excited to start this new mixed-use project in the quickly developing South Marpole area of Vancouver. Proscenium is providing full architectural services for 750 SW Marine Drive, an eight-storey office/industrial building for Chard Development awaiting its Development Permit. This is a much-needed building typology in Vancouver and we have used our recent experience to optimally combine office and industrial use in the
UBC MacLeod: Inside the Envelope
Clothing a building has become infinitely more complex due to new building codes. Building envelope technology, which once may have been akin to throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, is now the equivalent of designing a custom Gore-Tex parka, with a sweat-wicking base layer for good measure. As expectations for buildings’ environmental performance increase to meet new sustainability goals by clients and municipalities, navigating envelope
Two Projects Recognized in Recent Awards
We are proud to share that two buildings we worked on for Chard Development won developer awards in the last month! The Urban Design Institute (UDI) Awards 2022 recognized The Royals for best Purpose Built Market High Rise. UDI recognized Vivid at the Yates for best Non-Market Housing. The Georgie Awards also recognized Chard for Vivid at the Yates with the Provincial Award for Excellence
T3 Mount Pleasant receives support from Design Panel
Last week, we received support from the Design Panel for T3 Mount Pleasant, a new 12-storey mass-timber office project designed by DLR Group for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. The project (developed by Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban) joins other T3 buildings around the world named for their use of mass timber, technology and close proximity to transit. Renders by Steelblue
PAI Insight: Incorporating Theatres into New Developments
Designing and renovating theatres has been a focus of Proscenium since 1996 when our firm started. In recent years, we have been approached by multiple clients who want to design theatres that are incorporated into new developments. Often this results in having a theatre on ground level (at grade) with a residential or mixed-use building attached. When handled correctly we think this is a great
Designing Ballet BC’s New Home
We are excited to be working with Ballet BC with the design of their future home on Granville Island! Our team is currently working with the dance company to renovate the space at 1286 Cartwright St, formerly occupied by Arts Umbrella. The project includes new administration and dance rehearsal spaces. Over the holidays the company announced the news: Following more than a decade at Scotiabank
PAI Highlight: 1235 Marine Drive
We are pleased to be moving forward in the design phase with our project at 1235 Marine Drive in North Vancouver! This Mixed-Use project on the vibrant Marine Drive corridor consists of one floor of Commercial Retail and three stories of market residential condos ranging from one to two bedrooms. Some great design features include: A widened pedestrian sidewalk and added seating to encourage
Photographing our New Office
We decided to wait until most of the team was back in office before taking some pictures to show off the space! Thanks to Kori for his photography skills and the Interiors team for their help. Our office is located on the third floor of the MEC Vancouver building (have you heard about its new award?). A bonus of designing this building was envisioning a new
MEC Vancouver wins the BC Wood Design Award 2020
On July 14th, WoodWORKS! BC announced MEC Vancouver is the winner of the BC Wood Design Awards (2020) for Commercial buildings! We are so glad to receive this award and thank you to our great project team for all their hard work on this inspiring, sustainable project. IN THE NEWS: Canadian Architect Journal of Commerce The building has also been spotlighted a Case Study publication
Skewed off the Grid: Elenore on Fifth
The design of Elenore on Fifth, a distinct mixed-use commercial and residential building completed in 2020, was driven by the site's unique parameters and the identity of the vibrant lower Main Street neighbourhood. STEPPING DOWN THE HILL Located on 5th and Main, the site is about halfway down the hill between Broadway and 2nd Avenue. The area has a history of small, light industrial uses
PAI Feature: Cook Street Plaza
Cook Street Plaza is a comprehensive mixed-use development in the City of Victoria, currently under construction. The vision for the project was to supply a range of market and below-market housing options and locally supportive commercial space for a walkable, thriving urban area with excellent access to transportation options. The scale of the site allows a holistic approach to the public realm; landscaped mews forming
MEC’s newest Head Office
New flooring is being laid at MEC's new head office, the third our firm will have completed for the company (1999, 2014 and 2021). Following a transfer of ownership, MEC gave up its former head office in 2020 and engaged Proscenium to do a basic tenant improvement for a new space on Great Northern Way. The new, smaller footprint office is a clean shell and
NEWS: PAI named Associate Architect for new mass-timber office
Proscenium is excited to announce our involvement in T3 Mount Pleasant, a new mass-timber office building in Vancouver. Standing for "timber, transit and technology," T3 Mount Pleasant will be a 10-storey, 196,000 sq ft office building geared towards tech and creative industry tenants. PAI will be acting as Associate Architect to DLR Group in this project developed by the Houston-based Hines and local developer PC Urban.
750 SW Marine Drive approved by Urban Design Panel
Another milestone moment for our project at 750 Southwest Marine Drive, which has full support from the Design Panel held last week. THE PROJECT The proposed building for Chard Development is an eight-storey, mixed-use building between Oak St. and Cambie St. in Vancouver’s South Marpole district. It is located on the southeast corner of Marine and Aisne Street, walking distance from the Marine Drive Skytrain
Langara Bioinformatics Lab is complete!
We're excited to have completed the Bioinformatics Lab at Langara College. This brand new molecular lab has a built-in tissue culture lab and some other great features. The main lab has all the essentials for an academic science lab geared towards teaching upper-level biology. Proscenium paired a clean contemporary design with the necessary specialized building services such as access to water, compressed air, fume hoods,
The Royals featured in the North Shore News
Our project with Chard Development in central Lonsdale, North Van has been featured in the North Shore News. "The Royals" includes a new 24-storey building and a fully renovated 16-storey building for which Proscenium is doing full interior design services. The article describes the design intent, quoting Alissa Foss, PAI designer: "Residents of both towers will be greeted by beautifully designed foyers and elevator lobbies
Study for a Local Kollel
Earlier this year, we developed a study for a new community centre building for a local Kollel. There are some great features about this project that we want to share with you! WELCOMING FROM ALL SIDES The Kollel is located on a site that faces the street on the west and backs onto the Arbutus Greenway on the east. The greenway is an ongoing City
1235 Marine Drive goes in for development permit
We are excited to announce that 1235 Marine Drive, a new four-storey residential/commercial project in North Vancouver has gone in for development permit. The new project on the North Shore is a contemporary expression of the history of Marine Drive and its rich ship building past, historically an early industrial neighbourhood constructed of brick, steel and wood. We researched local building typology and expression circa
We Are Hiring!
We are Hiring: one Senior Architect / Technologist. WHO WE ARE Proscenium Architecture + Interiors is a forward-thinking, mid-sized architecture and interior design firm working in an integrated design team (IDT) environment. We started in 1996 as a firm specializing in arts & cultural design and expanded our scope over time to include residential, commercial, institutional and public projects of various scales. In all our
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
WISH & Working Gear Donation Drive
For over a decade, we have held a "Spring Cleaning" donation drive for two amazing organizations in East Vancouver, WISH Drop-in Centre and Working Gear! This week, we were able to drop off 5 large garbage bags of donations from our firm and some other participating local firms to benefit these organizations. Natasha and Vicki sorting donations! Drop-off at WISH! Thank
PAI Highlight: Massey Theatre Renewal
We are excited to be working with the City of New Westminster on the upcoming Renewal of the Massey Theatre! Proscenium has been involved in renovations and studies for the building since 1997 through various phases and we are thrilled to be leading its next steps. WHEN THE MASSEY WAS A ROADHOUSE The Massey Theatre is a historic, modernist theatre built in 1949. In its
Residential Design at PAI
RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS Proscenium has over twenty years’ experience providing architectural and interior design services for single and multi-family residential projects. Our architecture and interior design professionals work in an Integrated Design Team format, and a dedicated interiors department consists of eight full-time individuals. DESIGN APPROACH Our firm is community-minded, client-focused and takes a process-driven design approach to our projects. We strive to create functional and
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
Ballet BC is Taking Shape!
As spring arrives, our project out at Granville Island for Ballet BC is taking shape! We are at the exciting turning point where finishes and floors are being installed and we're starting to see the final product. The phased project for the province's preeminent contemporary dance company is establishing a new home for the organization out of a former Arts Umbrella space. Proscenium has
Forum featured on RenX, Colliers
Our newest industrial/office project in South Vancouver is getting attention. Colliers Canada is talking about how the eight-storey strata office for Chard Development is in a prime location with excellent connectivity, and flexible floor plans for businesses. They also speak to how Southwest Vancouver’s Marine Gateway Neighborhood is a new hotspot for development. In the Real Estate News Exchange, Byron Chard is quoted on how
Staff Ski Day & Vancouver Aquarium
We were lucky to get out of the studio last Friday and enjoy some local tourism! The snow-savvy half of the team spent the day sliding down Grouse Mountain, enjoying lunch at the lodge and finally seeing the beautiful view in the afternoon when the clouds lifted and the city came into view! Footwear included skis, snowboards and snowshoes for those that felt like
2346 West 4th Ave in for Development Permit
We are glad to be working with Yenik Realty Ltd. on a new commercial building located on the bustling West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano! The project will bring much-needed office and retail space to a lot that has been vacant for over six years. The proposed two-storey building will replace the existing single-storey building to allow for 7,100 ft2 of new office, retail and restaurant
PAI Team: Meet Justin, Senior Architectural Designer
Meet the PAI Team: Introducing Justin Huang! Justin joined Proscenium in 2022 as a Senior Architectural Designer. Justin's MO is to create inspiring architectural spaces that enrich the people and organizations that use them. He has a diverse portfolio that includes worked internationally on projects in New York, L.A., Shanghai, Xiamen and his home haunt, Vancouver. Where were you born? Vancouver, BC. How did you get
Waffle Wednesdays are Back
Warning: this post includes "fluffy" content. A longtime tradition at Proscenium has made its way back into the weekly calendar... Waffle Wednesdays! This month we debuted the new PAI waffle maker to surprisingly delicious results. Special thanks to Pouian for getting us back on the waffle train. Proscenium... getting through the week one waffle at a time!
T3 Mount Pleasant mentioned in DesignBoom Magazine
Our project with DLR and Hines is getting international attention. DesignBoom posted a feature on the two companies' ventures, including the new mass timber office building T3 Mount Pleasant, for which Proscenium is Associate Architect. When complete, the project will be the tallest mass timber building in Western Canada. Image by Steelblue "The most recent proposal developed as part of the Hines T3