UBC School of Biomedical Engineering: Where Creativity in Science Takes Shape
UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering is built around the idea that science is creative. Designed by Patkau Architects, it replaces isolated labs with open, visible spaces that encourage shared resources, collaboration, and learning by proximity. Daylit north-facing labs, flexible planning, and informal gathering areas support comfort, adaptability, and discovery.
The Quiet Impact of Everyday Transit
Every day, millions of Canadians make small decisions about how they move through their cities. They wait for a bus or a train, step onto a platform, tap a card, and head to work, school, or home. Those moments may feel routine. But repeated across a city, day after day, they start to add up to real changes in how cities move and consume energy.
Mentorship and the Women Moving Architecture Forward
Mentorship shapes architecture through shared learning, opportunity, and leadership, linking early pioneers like Esther Marjorie Hill with contemporary women advancing inclusive practice across the profession.
Elevating Flexibility: How a School Cafeteria Became a Community Hub
For more than a decade, Architecture49 has been rethinking how school spaces can do more. Throughout Nova Scotia, our education projects have moved beyond traditional classroom layouts to embrace multipurpose environments where learning, gathering, and creativity coexist. The cafeteria, once a single-purpose space, has evolved into a flexible setting for lunch, assemblies, presentations, and performances alike, a shift that continues to shape how we design for education today.
Centering Indigenous Voices in the Built Environment
Incorporating Indigenous voices into architectural projects is a powerful way to honour the histories, identities, and relationships rooted in place. When we engage with Indigenous collaborators, not just as contributors, but as knowledge holders and co-designers, we create opportunities for dialogue, cultural exchange, and a more grounded design process.
New Standard for Accessibility: Port Coquitlam Community Centre
Port Coquitlam has emerged as a leader in inclusive community design, setting a high benchmark for accessibility with the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The City of Port Coquitlam in British Columbia is a vibrant community that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, and a strong sense of local connection. The facility itself, recognized with a Rick Hansen Gold Rating, embodies thoughtful planning and execution aimed at fostering comfort and independence. Visitors can take advantage of a wide variety of health, wellness, social, and sports activities at the Centre.
Innovating Rural Healthcare: North Cumberland Health Care Centre
With 41.1% of Nova Scotia’s population in rural areas, healthcare access is a challenge. North Cumberland Health Care Centre (NCHCC) is tackling this by uniting services once split between two buildings. Designed for seamless staff movement and efficient care, the Centre is redefining rural healthcare with a flexible, patient-focused environment.
From thesis to the workplace, Hilary Romaniuk discusses Spatial Justice in design
Hilary Romaniuk, an Intern Architect at Architecture49, emphasizes the importance of inclusive design practices that consider accessibility, race, neurodivergence, Indigenous relations, and queer inclusivity. Hilary's work aims to create safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces for all users.
Advancing Science through Modernization: Advanced Material Research Facility
The Laboratories Canada Projects represent a groundbreaking initiative by the federal government, aimed at modernizing and enhancing science facilities across the nation. A key component of this initiative is the transformation of the Advanced Materials Research Facility, which has undergone significant upgrades and expansions.
Building Connections: The St. Andrew's Community Centre Experience
A vital support for the residents of West-End Halifax, St. Andrew’s Community Centre replaced a repurposed structure over 60 years old. Despite its lacking form, the historic St. Andrew’s Community Centre was much more than just a public building, it was a ‘home away from home’ for many in this area. It was crucial that the new St. Andrew’s Community Centre maintain this welcoming and open feel, providing support to its patrons.