About us

HCMA challenges the traditional boundaries of architectural practice by asking one question. “How do we achieve the maximum positive impact through design?”

That curiosity leads to technological innovations, valuable community engagements, and ultimately to positive changes in people’s lives. From planning and design, to consultation and evaluation, we take projects beyond what’s expected, and beyond what’s trending, to deliver places that maximize potential.

In the ways that we work, design, give back, and connect - we are catalysts for healthier, more creative, more engaged communities. If you want to create magnetic, public spaces with lasting social value, you’ve come to the right place.

Perspectives

Take a closer look inside HCMA through the eyes of the people who work here.

Meet the team

Principals

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Founding Partner

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Senior Associates

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Associates

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Directors

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Design Staff

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Studio Team

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Meet the team

Oli Lewis

BA

  • Role

    Marketing Manager

  • Year Joined

    2018
I'm passionate about ideas that challenge the norm, especially when they prove how important architects and designers are in shaping society and improving lives.

Jubril Idowu

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2017

The opportunity to be a part of a very talented team that is devoted to solving problems.

Michael Rivest

Architect AAA, MRAIC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2019

As light a touch as possible.

Michael’s career has focused on designing projects with an overarching goal to strengthen communities through a built environment that improves people’s lives and the public realm.

Since 2019, he has been leading HCMA’s Edmonton office and is thrilled with the positive impact it is having on his home city.

Michael’s project success is a combination of his strong communication skills, passion for people, and a commitment to design excellence.

He is a co-founder of the High Level Line Society, a not-for-profit initiative that aims to re-purpose 4.3 km of underutilized infrastructure in the heart of Edmonton as a linear park and multimodal network.

Read Michael's perspective on life at HCMA

Jason Burtwistle

MArch, LEED AP BD+C

  • Role

    Sustainable Building Advisor

  • Year Joined

    2018

I'm motivated by having a positive impact in communities through design, while also helping the planet. And good coffee.

Isabel Cullather

BA

  • Role

    Engagement Coordinator

  • Year Joined

    2018

I'm motivated by the excitement of discovering new ways to engage with our built environment

 

Aiden Callison

Architect AIBC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2009

I am driven by working on a variety of different types of projects, each requiring unique problem solving, that actively impact people’s everyday lives and create a stronger and more connected community.

Aiden is interested in creating spaces that remove physical and perceived barriers to foster diversity within our communities. He believes architecture is an opportunity to empower clients to make a positive social impact through design.

As an Associate, Aiden enjoys bringing clients and communities together to develop an integrated vision that excites and encourages conversation. His focus has been designing civic and recreation facilities, including the award-winning Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, BC and the Clayton Community Hub project with #ConnectingClayton engagement strategy.

In addition to practicing architecture, Aiden is a father, an athlete, an artist, a lifeguard and a firefighter.

Key Projects

Nicolas Dagenais-Lussier

MArch

  • Role

    Project Assistant

  • Year Joined

    2018
The ability to learn about the world and be part of the thoughtful, respectful process that shapes it.

Joanne Tran

BA

  • Role

    Marketing Coordinator

  • Year Joined

    2017

Endless possibilities - every day is different and I'm motivated by team collaboration to see how we can make great things happen from the ground up

Natalia Mulekova

Architect AIBC

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2017

I am motivated by our ability to solve problems through critical thinking and collaboration.

Rebecca Holt

M.Urb, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP ND, EcoDistricts AP

  • Role

    Director of Sustainability

  • Year Joined

    2019

I like that sustainable design necessitates rethinking systems, breaking rules, and generating knowledge. I love that it requires inviting new voices to the design process where you can test, refine, and elevate new concepts – doing so builds capacity in others and myself.

Rebecca is as a sustainable development professional and city builder. She’s a subject matter expert in performance and assessment, and leads a team of specialists responsible for advancing HCMA’s commitment to sustainability. Rebecca believes strongly that the design process must prioritize the health of the environment as the first principle of protecting human health.

Rebecca is skilled at communicating the value of sustainable design, and charting paths for projects to meaningfully respond to global imperatives and commitments to climate action. Her approach seeks co-benefits and embraces local, contextual conditions. A strategist, collaborator, and steward of process, she is known for her rigour and willingness to question business as usual. Rebecca has led many successful projects both large and small, pursuing aggressive sustainable design goals.

In service of accelerating the practice of sustainability, Rebecca is also an advocate for research-in-practice. She establishes partnerships between academics and designers to inform practical application with evidence, and offers project-based research opportunities to the academic community. In the past, she has led designed experiments, research fellowships, grant funded research projects, and supervised students within large research cluster projects. She is currently leading HCMA’s collaboration with Dr. Lindsay McCunn, Environmental Psychologist, to evaluate design conditions in schools, and their impact on occupant experience.

Read Rebecca's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Jennifer Kwok

  • Role

    Marketing Coordinator

  • Year Joined

    2017

I'm motivated by a collaborative team and the ability to create impact with my actions

Lidia Pasini

Licensed Architect in Italy

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2018

I love to work on projects where both my brain and my heart are engaged. To do that with committed and positive people is a great added value.

Joshua Potvin

MASc, BASc, EIT

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2018

I am motivated knowing that laughs, friendships and memories are created around the architecture we create.

Derek Harris

  • Role

    Technologist

  • Year Joined

    2018

Being part of a team that continually strives to improve the places around them, and is committed to the idea that “getting it right” is just a starting point… that’s pretty good motivation for me.

Ruth Cheung

  • Role

    Studio Manager

  • Year Joined

    2017

I am fascinated with how a space can facilitate community. I come alive in an environment where authenticity transcends from worker to actual work produced and purposeful collaboration is encouraged.

Fiona Jones

BA&Sc, March, RHFAC Professional

  • Role

    Social Impact Advisor

  • Year Joined

    2017

I am motivated by the challenge of better understanding, measuring, and amplifying the links between the tangible and the intangible, the physical and the social.

Ilya Nepogodin

Architect AIBC, March

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2018

I am motivated by the fact that I can work to contribute positively to our society and have fun doing it with fantastic people alongside me.

Marni Robinson

MSc Public Health

  • Role

    Director of Social Impact

  • Year Joined

    2018

I love working on difficult problems — so much of what we value in the world comes from people working together to solve tough challenges.

Marni believes in creating spaces for people to have their voices heard about what matters to them — in their communities and in their lives. As co-lead of HCMA’s Impact Team, she and her team focus on inclusive design, social impact research, and community engagement.

She believes a more equitable future is possible and is committed to continued learning on how to do things in a good way.

Prior to joining HCMA, Marni was a Director at Context Research where she developed and led engagement and communications strategies for municipal community infrastructure projects. She has been a champion for the creation of healthy, sustainable communities including projects that increase mobility, create connections between people and places, and provide essential public services.

Marni was previously Chair of the Advisory Planning Commission at the City of North Vancouver and a Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society of British Columbia.

Key Projects

Lisa Mu

BSc Finance

  • Role

    Project Accountant

  • Year Joined

    2019

I'm motivated by friendly and diligent people who appreciate each other's contribution and company.

 

Lynn Curtis

CPHR

  • Role

    Director of Human Resources

  • Year Joined

    2019

Forward movement motivates me - from collaborating with senior leaders to bring out the best in their team, to supporting people at all levels in achieving their career goals.

Read Lynn's perspective on life at HCMA.

George McCutcheon

Architect AIBC, LEED AP, CSP

  • Role

    Senior Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

To learn something new every day, to be challenged on things that I thought were true, and to be able to share my experience with others.

Ted Whitley

Architect AIBC, MArch, BEng

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

I am constantly excited by design and the unique opportunities and expressions that present themselves throughout the process.

Michael Dimock

Architect AIBC, MArch

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2017

I strive to uncover elegant solutions to complex problems.

Maeve Counihan

  • Role

    Project Assistant

  • Year Joined

    2019
I am motivated by being faced with challenges and working to find the most efficient and innovative solutions.

Judy Bau

BA

  • Role

    Communication Design Project Manager

  • Year Joined

    2018

There is nothing quite like being surrounded by positive creative energy to inspire you to do better every day.

Kailey O’Farrell

Intern Architect AIBC, MArch

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2018

The challenge of tricky parameters that provide the opportunity to find creative and elegant solutions is what motivates me at work.

Maria Ferré i Viladés

Registered Architect in Spain

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

I believe that spaces affect people’s emotions. I want to share spaces where people feel excited, free and comfortable. It’s amazing how we, as architects, can change sensations through design.

Sara Eslami

  • Role

    Controller

  • Year Joined

    2019

I get excited about learning the current practices and exploring improvement opportunities.

Corey Grobe

Architectural Technologist AIBC

  • Role

    Architectural Technologist

  • Year Joined

    2017

I am motivated by finding elegant solutions to complex problems.

Mackenzie Sinclair

Intern Architect AIBC

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2017

Architecture has the ability to facilitate change. Change is good.

Alberto Buldon

Registered Architect in Spain

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

I'm motivated knowing that I am solving part of people's life problems by designing the best solutions we can provide them with.

Darin Harding

Architect AAA

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2017

I’m excited by architecture’s role in creating environments that facilitate important events in people’s lives. We have the unique opportunity to make meaningful impact with a humble and motivated design process.

By curating expectations, welcoming people to gather, building excitement, sparking curiosity, or inviting reflection, architecture can positively shape our encounters. Darin believes this contributes to the culture of our communities, and has the potential to enrich our lives.

He is passionate about working closely with clients, user groups, and design teams to discover new ways architecture can improve our experiences. As an Associate, Darin leads diverse teams on public space design and recreation projects in Vancouver and Edmonton, combining his love of sports and architecture.

Darin still diligently logs hours at his local skatepark and stoically nurses the occasional broken ankle after a particularly grueling game on the basketball court. He is happiest with his wife and three young children, and loves to see them experience new adventures.

Key Projects

Maianne Capellan

  • Role

    Construction Administrative Assistant

  • Year Joined

    2016

Helping people is what I do, and I am motivated by the knowledge that I have made someone's day a little bit better.

Rinat De Picciotto

BA (psychology), BDes

  • Role

    Communications + Experiential Designer

  • Year Joined

    2018

I'm driven by creating designs that matter, asking questions that further exploration and being part of a team that truly cares about making a positive impact.

Dominic Yu

Architect AIBC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2016

I'm motivated by the exploration of architecture and the opportunity to design places that inspire engaging experiences.

Jennifer Sparks

Dip. Arch. Tech.

  • Role

    Technologist

  • Year Joined

    2019

I am inspired by the talented team around me and love contributing to projects that improve our communities.

Callum McClure

Intern Architect AIBC, MRAIC

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

Making the built environment a better place to live

Camila Strasdas

BID

  • Role

    Junior Interior Designer

  • Year Joined

    2019

I am motivated by the passionate people I get to work with, my opportunity to improve environmental sustainability, and the anticipation of seeing how the finished project affects the people in my own community.

John Buttery

Intern Architect AIBC, M.Arch

  • Role

    Intern Architect

  • Year Joined

    2019

Creating lasting positive impacts in people's lives through design.

Henry Kitchell

Barch, Architect registered in Denmark

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2017

My motivation comes from seeing great design come to reality.

Kim Winston

ARB UK, MArch

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2016

Why do I do what I do? People. To help create beautiful buildings for people that inspire, engage and adapt to meet the varied needs and desires of communities, both now and in the future.

Kim is interested in creating architecture that helps people imagine and then realize new possibilities for their communities. She enjoys working with clients and communities to understand their various needs and establish a shared vision for a project.

As an Associate, Kim brings over 10 years of experience working on community, educational, residential and commercial and master planning projects. Her work focuses on finding cost-efficient design solutions that inspire and engage the community. Kim was integral to the Granville Island 2040 Land Use Vision & Strategy project as well as a number of feasibility and schematic design studies for community and recreational facilities.

Kim loves being an architect because she can work in a team that continually questions and finds solutions to make better buildings and cities.

Key Projects

Adam Fawkes

Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Senior Associate

  • Year Joined

    2007

Collaborating with thoughtful people to find the right questions and working with them towards the best answer – that’s what motivates me.

Adam’s calm, professional demeanour is key to creating architecturally expressive, cost-effective, and constructible design solutions. His cooperative team approach and past experience in the construction industry have earned him the respect and trust of clients, consultants, and the construction industry.

As the Managing Associate of our Victoria studio, Adam offers our clients 25 years’ experience working on recreation, education, plus mixed-use residential and affordable housing projects. He has developed special expertise in sustainable architecture, having been a leading member of the design team for several LEED® Platinum buildings, and as project architect for multiple Passive House buildings. He is equally interested in projects of all scales, provided they have impact: from updating planning documents to align with high performance building requirements, net zero energy housing and firehalls, to complex mixed-use buildings that contain fire, ambulance, and affordable housing.

When not at work, Adam enjoys spending time with family (children grow up too fast!) and various outdoor sports that involve getting from point A to point B and give him time to think. Over the years he’s taken up rowing, alpine and Nordic ski racing, marathon running, triathlon and, most recently, cyclocross. The most challenging event he’s ever completed was the Knee Knacker ultramarathon trail run from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove via the North Shore mountains.

Key Projects

Alan Tse

BES (Planning), MArch, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

  • Role

    Project Manager

  • Year Joined

    2011

 I love the opportunity to continually learn new things.

Alexandra Kenyon

Architect AIBC, MArch, BDes

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2012

I'm curious about the constant change in our cities and communities. I'm motivated to explore their nooks and crannies to understand what drives their transformation and anticipate where they are headed.

Alexandra is interested in the relationship between buildings, their cultural context, and the spaces that surround them. As such, her projects are anchored in engagement with the community, and include significant outdoor spaces, in connection with interior spaces. She is committed to providing design solutions where activities and ideas mix to catalyze community change, now and in the future.

As an Associate, Alexandra brings experience leading teams and developing designs for public spaces, aquatic & recreation centres, schools, outdoor pools, and development master plans. She enjoys working directly with stakeholders, policy makers, builders, and the local community to arrive at new solutions. Her interdisciplinary background, first in industrial design then architecture, influences the success she has had across project scales – Alley Oop and Ackery’s Alley are a couple of her non-traditional projects that reshape the city’s urban landscape, while the New Westminster Aquatic and Community Centre brings a new top-of-class civic amenity to a challenging site.

She also played a key role in the development of HCMA’s books, POOLS: Aquatic Architecture and PLACES: Public Architecture, and our collaboration with Aeriosa Dance Company. Alexandra is a Steering Committee member for the Downtown Eastside organization Binners’ Project and a member of Surrey Advisory Design Panel.

A resident of Vancouver’s West End, Alexandra values and is inspired by the diversity of dense urban living. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, her ideal Saturday night would have ended with karaoke; however, she has more recently developed a ravenous appetite for books.

Key Projects

Bonnie Retief

  • Role

    Creative Lead

  • Year Joined

    2015

As humans, everything we design, create, publish or build, is done so for people to engage with on some level. It's this moment of engagement—whether active or passive—that truly fascinates me.

Key Projects

Carl-Jan Rupp

Architect AIBC, SAA, OAA, MRAIC, Dipl-Ing, LEED AP

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    2000

I look for innovative and creative solutions to the design challenges we face because I want to leave the world a better place for my children.

Carl-Jan's passion for understanding human behaviour and interaction motivates him to find creative, cost-effective ways to integrate social gathering and casual learning spaces into projects — a special way that he adds value for our clients and our community.

Since 2005, he has been managing our growing HCMA Victoria studio and has expertise in recreation, community, aquatic, institutional and educational design. His close attention to detail and conscientious approach to project and team management ensures the success of complex projects. His extensive experience includes master plans and renovations to aquatic and sports facilities in excess of $70 M.

Carl-Jan is a member of the Esquimalt Design Panel and was previously Vice-Chair of the Saanich Advisory Design Panel. He holds a Masters degree in Architecture and Urban Planning with a specialization in green technology.

Key Projects

Craig Lane

Architect AIBC, MRAIC

  • Role

    Senior Associate

  • Year Joined

    2005

I love making cities better places to live. By helping to build social networks, my architectural work satisfies a big part of this passion.

Craig thrives on teams that share the common goal of creating strong public buildings that are truly civic-minded amenities.

A Senior Associate and Technical Director at HCMA, Craig’s mandate is to provide high quality design and the consistent, thorough construction documentation needed to support it. He oversees the quality control and technical review processes across our practice with a detail-oriented and rigorous approach.

Craig is a member of the AIBC Envelope Committee and an intern mentor for the AIBC. He has previously served as a Program Officer for Construction Specifications Canada, and a sessional instructor and studio critic of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada's Syllabus Program.

With more than 25 years of experience, he is a creative and versatile architect proficient in all phases of design spanning project types from educational (including post-secondary) to recreational facilities.

Craig’s curiosity has taken him exploring across the globe. He also makes fantastic cakes and Halloween costumes.

Key Projects

Federica Piccone

Architect AIBC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2012

The creative and investigative nature of the architecture design process is what excites me about work. The constant learning and discovery with every project keeps things fun and interesting!

Daniel Philippot

Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Senior Associate

  • Year Joined

    2005

I'm at my creative best when I'm engaged in helping people solve problems.

Daniel enjoys the delight in people's eyes when they experience things he’s helped create. He thrives when teams pull together to realize a collective vision and is driven by a perpetual desire to find a better way for communities to grow.

As a Senior Associate at HCMA, Daniel has expertise in recreation, civic and institutional projects, with a focus on post-secondary education and student residences. He loves how the simplicity and tactile expression of a building’s form, material, and interplay of light, helping to bring joy and meaningful experience to our everyday.

With a background in journalism, Daniel has always been curious in the stories of how people live, work and play. He possesses strong communication skills that are invaluable on projects with complex stakeholder groups. His study of architecture has taken him across the globe, including studios in Chile and Korea, and earned him a travel scholarship to research sustainable practices in northern Europe.

Key Projects

Eli Harris

  • Role

    Head of Strategy

  • Year Joined

    2015

I like to think expansively about the future, and believe pretty much anything is possible when you design the right journey to get there.

As Head of Strategy, Eli plans HCMA's road ahead. She helps make our big dreams for positive impact a reality, with a keen eye on future trends in design, social behaviour, business, and technology. She ensures HCMA is relevant, responsive, and constantly evolving to understand, and solve, the most pressing issues of our time.

Eli brings years of experience in design across multiple disciplines. She studied Fashion Design in the UK, where she honed her skills in forecasting trends for large international retailers, premium brands and start-up studios. In 2015, she joined HCMA with a fresh perspective and a mandate to streamline our studio processes.

A proper Londoner at heart, Eli enjoys a pint and a bustling city. Equally at home in Vancouver, she is always on the lookout for whales and can be found skiing down mountains, combing beaches, and exploring remote locations around the globe.

Key Projects

Elise Woestyn

Architect AIBC, CPHD

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2012

I love solving problems, seeing the client happy, and seeing what was designed built.

Eric Tinlup Ng

Architect AIBC, AIA

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2015

I love the opportunity to help people imagine better futures together and helping make those a reality.

For Eric, architecture is an opportunity to help people imagine better futures together and transform their visions into a reality. He is passionate about creating spaces that are sustainable and just through rigorous research, close collaboration and cross-disciplinary creativity.

As an Associate, Eric has led design teams on institutional and educational projects from schematics through to completion, including the Surrey RCMP Expansion and the Museum of Surrey addition. With over ten years’ experience, he is recognized in the industry for his keen eye to detail and his composure, which puts clients and colleagues at ease in complex situations.

Eric received his Master of Architecture degree at Columbia University where he graduated with the school’s top honours, including the American Institute of Architects Award, William Kinne Memorial Traveling Prize, and the school’s nomination for the SOM Foundation Traveling Fellowship.

Outside of HCMA, Eric has taught at Columbia University and maintains his academic interests by serving as a guest critic for design studios.

Key Projects

Ian McLean

Architect AIBC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2007

I appreciate how HCMA values each of our contributions to a greater goal and gives us freedom to contribute in our own way.

Jay Lin

Architect AIBC, MRAIC

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2005

I love that the work we do engages people in so many different and profound ways — physically, spatially, socially and spiritually.

Detail-oriented and precise, Jay is a conscientious project manager, who has delivered facilities with some of the most strict technical and operational requirements. A creative and versatile architect, his designs strike the balance for public spaces that perform and delight.

Jay is experienced in all phases of design and construction for institutional, residential and commercial projects. He was Project Architect for the Steveston Fire Hall, recognized with a Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award of Excellence in 2015, as well as the UniverCity Childcare Centre, which is seeking Living Building Challenge status and referred to as ‘possibly the greenest childcare centre on the planet’.

Other notable projects includes Hillcrest Centre and Vancouver Fire Hall No. 17, currently under construction, which is targeting Passive House, LEED Gold, Net Zero Carbon (CaGBC) and Net Zero Energy (as defined by FCM).

He was awarded a RAIC Design Medal for his design thesis at Carleton University and worked in New York, Ottawa and Toronto before returning to Vancouver.

Jay has an enviable Hot Wheels collection and credits his three boys for keeping him at his mental and physical best.

 

 

Key Projects

Jessika MacDonald

Architect AIBC, MArch

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2014

Living in Vancouver provides incredible opportunities for my two greatest passions, running and drawing. In my spare time I am often found somewhere along the seawall, either in my runners or with a set of paints.

Juenessa Collins

Architectural Technologist AIBC, LEED AP BD+C, CPHD

  • Role

    Architectural Technologist

  • Year Joined

    2015

I love the "aha” moment after finding the impossible answer to a difficult problem. My motivation is at its best when I'm heading to a new challenge and working with a team and client who are passionate about the design of the project.

Melissa Higgs

Architect AIBC, FRAIC

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    2005

Spaces that support, encourage, and foster a range of social interactions have the power to improve the world and build human connections in ways that are small but can have profound and lasting positive impact.

Melissa is passionate about creating innovative public buildings where communities come together, and is a believer in the power of architecture and design as a catalyst for positive change in the world.

As a Principal, she enjoys working closely with clients to find creative solutions to their unique design challenges. Her focus has been designing recreation facilities and arts and culture projects, including the award-winning West Vancouver Community Centre, Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre in Surrey, BC, and the Clayton Community Centre — the first Passive House pre-certified community centre in North America. She is also experienced with long-range vision plans that help to shape our cities, including Granville Island 2040, OnWater, Vancouver’s non-motorized boating strategy, and VanSplash, the City’s aquatic strategy.

Melissa also plays a key role in managing and developing our Communication Design and Interior Design services. She believes true collaboration and cross-disciplinary design has the power to improve creative outcomes across all project types and scales. The influence of this work can be seen in her Clayton Community Centre project, which includes the #ConnectingClayton engagement strategy and a customized wayfinding and signage system.

In 2014, Melissa co-taught the Social Sustainability in Practice course at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), and has taught three architectural design studios at SALA. She is a past member of AIBC’s Diverse Membership Group and the City of Surrey’s Advisory Design Panel, and currently sits as the Chair of the University of British Columbia Advisory Urban Design Panel and Vice-Chair of Board of Directors for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA).

Melissa loves being an architect because of the opportunities it provides to innovate, be curious, and give back to her community.

Read Melissa's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Michael Henderson

Architect AIBC, MRAIC

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    2000

I smile at work because I get to create engaging and relevant buildings with inspired colleagues and clients. I get to learn from others and share what I’ve learned — it’s the best combo going.

For Michael, it’s all about creating an engaged and empowered team where personal strengths can grow and flourish. Driven by connections with ambitious and engaged individuals, Michael promotes community building in both the facilities we design as well as in our studio environment. He has acted as Project Architect for some of our largest aquatic and recreation projects, both in BC and across Canada.

A skilled leader, Michael oversaw the design and construction of the award-winning Hillcrest Centre, which was voted Best Community Centre by locals in the Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver for three consecutive years (2012-2015). He also led the Complexe Aquatique de Laval, a design competition won by HCMA and NFOE in joint venture. Most recently, Michael has led the team for the City of Richmond’s Minoru Centre for Active living – a new wellness-focused community and aquatic centre that represents our most current thinking on aquatic accessibility.

Beyond sports and recreation, he is leading HCMA’s effort on the development of a high rise office and entertainment complex in downtown Vancouver. Michael has also served on the City of Vancouver's City Planning Commission and is currently the Chair of the Vancouver Urban Design Panel. Both are advisory bodies to the City of Vancouver Mayor and Council.

Outside our studio, Michael finds inspiration trading time between the city and wilderness. He can often be found on the soccer sidelines, browsing vintage furniture stores, or planning his next trip.

Read Mike's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Paul Fast

Architect AIBC, MRAIC

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    2009

Architecture is inherently philosophical and yet relentlessly pragmatic. Somewhere in the middle, it defines how we work, play and find delight in this world. That’s the good stuff.

Paul is interested in creating architecture that helps to extract and define a strong regional identity. His work is focused on reconnecting people to their environments through the considered use of material, form, space, and light.

As a Principal, Paul enjoys the initial stages of concept design when site, user and program are defined. His careful consideration of these critical decisions helps shape the outcome of the design and building process. Paul believes transformative change can happen at any scale, and has led projects ranging from a children’s playhouse to a complex, $160 M community recreation centre. Paul finds particular delight in discovering and working in new communities throughout the province (big and small).

He has led several of our TILT Curiosity Labs initiatives including the 2015 IDSwest stage design, Coal Harbour Deck concept and the #MoreAwesomeNow Laneway Activation.

Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Masters of Architecture from the University of British Columbia and gained experience abroad in Switzerland and Russia, where he designed an orphanage for a non-profit group. When not architecting, he can be found exploring the remotest regions of British Columbia, or hanging out at the cabin with his wife and three boys.

Read Paul's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Rachel Wilson

BTech (Arch Sci)

  • Role

    Technologist

  • Year Joined

    2010

I love the great projects at HCMA, my teammates and the extracurricular activities like our softball team.

Rance Mok

Architect AIBC

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2011

In a time of complex social and ecological problems requiring urgent action, every person must reflect on the role they play, and the impact they have in their communities. Architects and designers are no different. Our work needs to be sharpened by hope and by responsibility for the future of our cities and the people around us.

As an Associate with 10 years of experience at HCMA, Rance enjoys collaborating with people who are looking to improve their built environments and bring their visions to life. She values developing and sustaining long-term relationships with communities and people, and ensuring that her work is respectful and reciprocal. She also frames her practice through a lens of barrier reduction, both physically and socially, moving ever forward towards more inclusive and accessible spaces.

Rance’s key skill is her rigorous and comprehensive project management, which favours open communication and trust between clients, design teams, and construction teams. She has experience in a range of sectors in public buildings (including recreational and municipal projects), but is currently focused on the K-12 education sector. She has worked on Oak Bay High School, Royal Bay Secondary Expansion, Royal Roads University’s Sherman Jen Building, and the PEXSISEN Elementary and CENTRE MOUNTAIN LELLUM Middle Schools.

In her spare time, Rance likes to cook, but more importantly, she likes to eat. She believes the humble pickle is the cornerstone of every great cuisine.

Read Rance's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Rob Wilson

Dip Arch Tech, BSc

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2014

I enjoy the ever changing challenges and the reward of seeing something evolve from a concept to a real place.

Karen Marler

Architect AIBC, SAA, OAA, FRAIC, LEED® AP

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    1984

To quote one of my former professors of architectural theory, ‘Design is a wicked problem – there is no right or wrong answer, but there is a best solution.'

Karen’s work strives to enhance quality of life, strengthen community, and minimize environmental impact, predominantly through the design of learning environments. With more than 30 years’ experience, she is motivated by the artful and appropriate integration of context, form, and function. She challenges traditional design thinking by posing the question, “What’s possible?”

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada appointed Karen as a Fellow in 2010 and the Cascadia Green Building Council honoured her with a Fellowship in 2014. She is a frequent guest critic and thesis advisor for the UBC School of Architecture and has presented hcma’s work to numerous educational institutions and associations.

Adept at understanding each project’s unique issues, Karen leads multi-disciplinary teams in the design and development of sustainable public buildings. Her attention to detail and rigorous management of the design and construction process creates true value for money within schedule and budget constraints.

Key Projects

Darryl Condon

Architect AIBC, AAA, SAA, OAA, FRAIC, LEED® AP

  • Role

    Managing Principal

  • Year Joined

    1994

Our team at HCMA has a tremendously powerful alignment of intention and purpose — this creates magic.

Darryl Condon is interested in design that acts as a catalyst for positive social change. As Managing Principal at HCMA, his leadership has led to highly-innovative public spaces including community centres, pools, recreation facilities, fire halls and libraries across Canada.

After 30 years of creating these dynamic, engaging and effective spaces, Darryl is seeking to break away from preconceptions of conventional practice at every scale, to maximize the impact and potential of projects and collaborations. These efforts are focused on transforming the firm to provide creative solutions to an increasingly wider range of challenges facing our communities.

Darryl is a registered Architect and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He is a Past-President of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, a frequent speaker internationally and has been an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Read Darryl's perspective on life at HCMA.

Key Projects

Roger Hughes

Architect AIBC, AAA, SAA, OAA, FRAIC, LEED® AP

  • Role

    Founding Partner

  • Year Joined

    1975

I love the excitement of solving problems with design. Creating architecture that resonates beyond its boundaries gives greater meaning to our lives.

As a leader practicing in the field of public and institutional work, Roger has focused his 45-year career on leveraging the power of design to contribute to a strong, healthy and socially diverse society.

In 1976, he formed Roger Hughes Architects, a firm that has evolved over four decades to become HCMA. As founding partner of HCMA's predecessor firms and former Principal, he has continued involvement in projects and contributes to design leadership and staff mentorship.

Roger was a past member and chair of the Vancouver Urban Design Panel on three separate tenures, and a past member of the Shaughnessy Design Panel. He has also served as a Guest Critic at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. In 1995, Roger was made a fellow of the RAIC for his contribution to design excellence; he was recognized with an AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

During his career, Roger has led post-secondary, residential, civic, public, recreation, commercial and urban design projects. His work has adapted to changing contexts and needs while consistently being recognized for its design excellence receiving several CHDC and RAIC Governor General’s Medals in Architecture.

Key Projects

Steve DiPasquale

Architect AIBC

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2010

I love the field of design because it offers both an immense latitude of application and a focused sense of purpose—it allows me to leverage my social, intellectual, and aesthetic interests to shape cultural change. It gives me the opportunity to not only theorize the anatomy of better public institutions, but to help realize them as built realities.

Read Steve's perspective on life at HCMA.

Stuart Rothnie

Architect AIBC, SAA, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Principal

  • Year Joined

    2000

Architecture has no boundaries to possibility. At a time when the complexity of issues facing us feels overwhelming, solutions call for knowledge sharing and cross-pollination. It’s a time to break the silos and blur the borders. It’s a time for openness and inclusivity. This broader horizon drives how we work and how we engage with those around us.

One of Stuart’s most striking skills is his approachable and receptive nature, which puts clients and user groups at ease even in the most complex circumstances. A tremendous listener and respected facilitator, he can quickly summarize and present a vision that encourages dialogue and ignites potential.

Practicing for more than 30 years, Stuart has gained a diverse range of experience in the community recreation, institutional, healthcare, and commercial sectors. He has been a Chair of the West Vancouver Advisory Design Panel, North Vancouver Public Art Advisory Committee, and is currently serving as Vice-President of the Architectural Institute of BC.

His leadership skills have contributed to large-scale design-build, P3 projects and master plans, complex institutional projects, and numerous renovations within operational facilities. In addition to his vast design experience, Stuart offers significant expertise in the management of large consultant teams and facilitating high value outcomes for his clients.

Key Projects

Susan Ockwell

Architect AIBC, LEED AP

  • Role

    Senior Associate

  • Year Joined

    2015

Working collaboratively with the goal of creating dynamic places that connect and inspire people is what I enjoy most about our profession. It’s hugely motivating to explore and push the boundaries of what socially sustainable learning institutions can be and can give to the broader community.

Practicing for more than 20 years, Susan has extensive experience designing educational facilities at all levels from elementary to post-secondary, and has recently served on the City of Vancouver Urban Design Panel.

As a Senior Associate at HCMA, she enjoys working collaboratively with clients to realize their vision. She takes inspiration from the details and diversities in our landscape, cities, systems, and people to contribute to innovative sustainable solutions.

Proudly British Columbian, Susan is curious by nature and will never quite finish exploring our region and beyond – preferably on two wheels.

Key Projects

Vanessa Konn

Architect AIBC, MArch, BFA

  • Role

    Associate

  • Year Joined

    2015

I’m motivated by the “Make-It-Happen” moments.

Zubin Shroff

Architect AIBC, LEED AP BD+C

  • Role

    Architect

  • Year Joined

    2015

I love producing simple design solutions that address multiple issues.

Creative Culture

Creative Culture

What's it like to be part of our team?

We do cool things. All the time. Shaping cities and communities through meaningful architecture and design requires compassion, thoughtfulness, professionalism and inspiration. Those assets are as central to our practice as laptops and hardhats, so we invest in them.

Check out TILT Curiosity Labs. TILT is to HCMA what a phone booth is to Clark Kent – essential and transformational.

Take a virtual tour of our Vancouver studio.

Watch what happens when our Vancouver, Victoria + Edmonton studios get together for HCMA day, an intensive exploration away from client work to test, question and create.

Are you an intern architect?

As part of our commitment to developing our team and our industry, we set up the HCMA intern support program to remove barriers to registration. Since 2006, approximately 10% of all architects registered through internship in British Columbia have benefitted from our program.

Are you active in your community?

We support pro bono work and volunteerism. We have a matching donation program, and through our corporate donations and sponsorships we support arts and culture, community service, human rights and civic action groups.

Do you want to join our quest to discover what’s possible?

The team at HCMA lives and breathes creativity, engagement and excellence. If your pulse picked up a little as you read this, if you feel you can contribute to our quest – if you can see yourself here – join our mailing list to get notified of news, events and new opportunities.

Careers

Careers

Careers at HCMA
Internships at HCMA

Work With Us

We love meeting passionate, talented people who value a collaborative environment and a flexible, professional culture.

We offer opportunities to take part in a variety of interesting civic projects; encouragement to take part in socially and environmentally engaged activities outside of the office; responsible workplace practices, including end-of-trip facilities; and an intern architect program that supports an accelerated architectural registration process.

Current Opportunities at HCMA

Architect

Architect

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  • Location
    Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton

Are you curious about the city you live in? If we asked you “What’s possible?” would you look for an answer? At HCMA, we’re serious about improving our world through architecture that puts people and the planet first, while being engaging in the civic issues that affect our communities. We bring together passionate, intelligent and engaged individuals who want to make a significant impact. We’re now looking to add a number of Architects to our team. If you enjoy weaving curiosity and social impact into the future of architectural thinking, we want to hear from you.

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You’re well-suited for this Architect position if you:
  • Are passionate about architecture and design’s role in solving complex societal challenges
  • Have a progressive understanding of architecture, the design of public spaces, and future technology trends
  • Appreciate high-quality architectural design and the ability to apply rigour and design intent to all levels of detailing
  • Have one to five years as a registered Architect in designing public buildings and community spaces, as well as experience in planning or designing urban space
  • Are experienced in developing projects from start to finish with minimum supervision, including conceptualizing, designing, construction, contract documents and liaising with contractors, specialist sub-consultants and clients
  • Are proficient in SketchUp, Revit, and Adobe InDesign Suite
  • Have strong technical, graphic, organizational, and communication skills
  • Are committed to professionalism and can either self-direct your work or collaborate as a team
  • Direct site supervision and construction administration experience an asset
We are looking for people who:
  • Believe in design excellence and have a strong portfolio to back it up
  • Are committed to developing their technical abilities and understanding of how buildings are realized
  • Have strong communication skills (written and verbal / interpersonal) and a positive attitude
If this new opportunity excites you and you want to express your interest, please prepare a submission to us: include your resume, portfolio and most importantly we want to know what you are passionate about and why HCMA is right for you. Send this along to careers@hcma.ca Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.
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Intern Architect

Intern Architect

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  • Location
    Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton

Are you curious about the city you live in? If we asked you “What’s possible?” would you look for an answer? HCMA is serious about improving our world through architecture, social sustainability, and being engaged in a broad spectrum of civic issues. To do this, we bring together passionate, intelligent and engaged individuals who want to make a significant impact. We are looking to add an Intermediate to Senior Intern Architect to our team. We are interested in individuals who are excited by the future of architectural thinking, who are committed to community and city building.

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Our Intern Architects can expect to:
  • Participate in all aspects of office life
  • Be exposed to and engage in critical design thinking
  • Participate as team members in real architectural projects of various scales and complexity, including conceptualizing, designing, construction and contract documents
  • Research products, sites, and construction methods as part of a project team
  • Develop their design skills through application to real architecture and design projects
  • Produce strong graphics to support presentations, proposals, reports, engagement, and project presentations
  • Work independently and through collaboration and co-creation
  • Bring their own particular interests to us and enhance our office culture
We are looking for people who:
  • Work with their hands and their minds
  • Bring a positive attitude to a wide variety of tasks
  • Contribute eagerly and learn from others
  • Believe in design excellence and have a strong portfolio to back it up
  • Apply rigour and design intent to all aspects of their work
  • Are committed to developing their technical abilities and understanding of how buildings are realized
  • Have strong graphic, organizational and communication skills
  • Minimum of three years post-graduation relevant work experience
  • Have strong working knowledge of Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe InDesign Suite
  • Are committed to the profession and are actively pursuing professional registration
  • Have the ability to work independently and through collaboration and co-creation
  If this new opportunity excites you and you want to express your interest, please prepare a submission to us: include your resume, portfolio and most importantly we want to know what you are passionate about and why HCMA is right for you.  Send this along to careers@hcma.ca and please note “Intern Architect Opportunity” in the subject line.
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Marketing Proposal Coordinator

Marketing Proposal Coordinator

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  • Location
    Vancouver

Are you driven by best practices? We are looking for a fearless and highly driven Marketing Coordinator to join our growing team. If you’re looking to make a positive impact on society, we want to hear from you. This role requires an organized and proactive doer, who has the confidence and tenacity to bring a fresh perspective to our team. We are an interdisciplinary firm; our architects, designers, and other specialists work collaboratively on projects from conception to completion without the traditional silos. This adds a great deal to the quality of the work that we produce but requires strong communication and collaborative skills.

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Responsibilities:  Proposals (80% of the role)
  • Understand and utilize best practices for creating persuasive proposals
  • Receive and evaluate incoming RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, EOIs
  • Be responsible for coordinating the activities associated with the proposal process by ensuring that the highest quality of service is provided while remaining consistent with our policies, procedures and philosophies
  • Develop and maintain written responses, ensuring they are engaging and appropriate for each project
  • Engage with both the internal team and sub-consultants to ensure high-quality submissions
  • Write compelling content and edit text provided by team members to ensure consistent message and tone
  • Take responsibility for content, design layout, production and timely delivery of proposal submissions
  • Track submission outcomes, coordinate debrief sessions and ensure feedback influences future pursuits
  • Maintain a record of proposal templates and a written content library
  • Work in a highly collaborative environment with a team looking to streamline processes while increasing impact
Marketing + Communications (20% of the role)
  • Assist with managing digital content for use in proposals and other marketing collateral.
  • Assist with professional photography and videography coordination for finished architectural projects and events
  • Research and develop communications for brochures, award programs, advertisements, speaking engagements and publication submissions
  • Schedule regular check-ins with team members across the firm to update marketing and proposal resources including resumes, project sheets and databases
Knowledge + Skills: Interpersonal
  • Strong listening and communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Team player and highly adaptable, demonstrates initiative and positive attitude, ability to thrive in a team environment
  • Able to work independently; seeks input and asks for help from team members when needed
  • Effective project manager; self-motivated and confident coordinating and motivating multiple team members and deadlines
Professional
  • Responsive, assertive and resourceful
  • Detail-oriented and precise
  • A creative and innovative thinker, who embraces change
  • Demonstrated multitasking abilities, can work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
  • Strong organizational, planning, time management and prioritization skills
  • Ability to perform and deliver multiple projects on time
  • Represents hcma in the best possible light to internal and external clients
Technical
  • Strong writing and editing ability
  • Experienced in proposal writing and coordination
  • Advanced user of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign
  • Experience with website platforms such as WordPress and social media channels
Experience:
  • Minimum 2-5 years in a marketing role with strong proposal knowledge
  • Experience coordinating proposals for design, engineering or construction industries
Education:
  • Diploma or degree in marketing, business, communications or similar an asset
Our HCMA team lives and breathes creativity, engagement and excellence. If your pulse picked up a little as you read this; if you can see yourself here – get in touch. Email careers@hcma.ca with a statement on why you are right for our team. Get creative and convince us you’re the kind of person who wants to question the status quo, and that we’d be foolish not to hire you.  
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Accountant

Accountant

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  • Location
    Vancouver

At HCMA, we use design and social sustainability to change the lives of our communities. To do this, we hire compassionate, intelligent, original people who want to make a difference.

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You are well-suited for this Accountant position if you have:
  • An Accounting degree.
  • Strong technical Accounting knowledge – registration in the CPA program minimum at PEP level is a must.
  • Project Accounting experience and a minimum of 3 years of experience in full-cycle accounting.
  • A high level of accuracy working with numbers.
  • Experience working with Deltek Ajera is considered an asset.
If this describes you, the following tasks can be expected:
  • Project Accounting/Billing – Review and post consultant invoices, review labour WIP, prepare monthly final invoice package for billable projects, set up new projects and make transfers of billable hours and/or expenses, effectively communicate with project managers and principals regarding contract documents, change orders and other modification approvals, assess opportunities to maximize billing per contracted amounts, work closely with clients/project managers/partners to ensure invoices are submitted correctly, reconcile projects and prepare monthly accruals for consultant invoices not yet received.
  • Fixed assets/Amortization – Maintain fixed asset and amortization schedules. Record amortization expense and reconcile accounts.
  • Leases – Determine operating vs capital lease, prepare schedules, maintain records of lease documents, make entries, and reconcile accounts.
  • Budgeting – Coordinate the firm’s budgeting process, prepare pre-populated budget templates for department budget owners, assist with developing the budget, provide budget vs actual and trend analysis, compile budgets to a master budget, maintain revisions as updates are made throughout the year and update amounts in Ajera system.
  • Bank reconciliation – Review bank transactions daily, record bank entries such as pre-authorized payments, transfers between accounts and bank charges, and update the status of invoices to paid once EFT payments are transmitted. Reconcile all bank accounts monthly.
  • Expense reports & Timesheets – Process staff’s expense reports for monthly reimbursements. Review timesheets and follow up on any missing/in-complete timesheets.
  • Assist with month-end/year-end reporting package and preparation of documents and notes for annual review engagement by external accounting firm.
  • Act as backup for other team members.
We are looking for a collaborative team player, with exceptional communication skills to join our Accounting team. We need someone who enjoys the rigor of consistent performance and takes pride in staying on top of tasks with accuracy. We are seeking a passionate team player; someone whose drive exceeds a defined set of relevant qualifications.                               Email careers@hcma.ca with a resume and a cover letter. We offer a fantastic work environment, interesting work, and opportunities to develop your skills. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Full disclosure of any restrictions must be disclosed at the time of expressing interest and supporting evidence provided prior to any potential offer of employment. We appreciate your interest and thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity. We will be in touch with individuals whose profiles most closely match what is needed to be successful in this role. No phone calls or agencies, please.  
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Director of Marketing

Director of Marketing

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  • Location
    Vancouver

If we asked you “What’s possible?” would you look for an answer? HCMA is an interdisciplinary design firm, driven by the desire to help create happier, healthier, more connected communities. We're looking for a brand ambassador, a Director of Marketing, who will provide strategic oversight and operational delivery for HCMA's marketing function, with a core focus on business development through successful proposal planning and submissions execution, effective external communication, and strong team leadership.

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Key Responsibilities will include: Marketing Leadership:
  • Represent the voice of the firm consistently with our values and vision
  • In close collaboration with Partners, Senior Leaders, Marketing Manager, and Marketing team, develop strategic business development and marketing plan for HCMA’s interdisciplinary design work, supporting our firm’s goal of healthy growth
  • Support partners and senior staff with information and tools for business development, and for pursuing project opportunities. This includes seeking out networking, speaking, and conference opportunities.
Proposal and Opportunity tracking:
  • Oversee the bid-site monitoring and the GO/NO GO process, ensuring appropriate opportunities are captured, evaluated, and acted on in a timely fashion. This includes maintaining an active opportunity pipeline that supports strategic planning, financial forecasting, and monthly updates;
  • Manage proposal resources, including proposal assignments, with accountability for both strategic and active delivery to maximize opportunities and wins;
  • Accountable for implementing and maintaining our CRM platform, ensuring the data is accurate while encouraging the wider office to engage with the platform.
  Communication including social media, storytelling, and asset management:
  • Collaborate, manage and support interdisciplinary marketing activities on an ongoing basis i.e. our upcoming rebrand;
  • Broad oversight on the development and execution of social/digital media, storytelling, photography, videography production, asset management, published works, event planning and communication of all kinds. May help manage agency providers, consultants, freelancers, and other suppliers, including contract negotiation and management;
  • Oversee the operation of the company’s website and online marketing programs; provide analytics for review.
  People Leadership:
  • Accountable for the overall performance of the team;
  • Effectively and inspirationally engage, grow, retain and attract a strong, healthy, cohesive team with adaptable skills;
  • Keep up to date with the latest trends and best practices in marketing and business development. Ensure we have a high level of market awareness and understand how we are perceived as a firm, strategizing on course correction and realignment when needed.
  Skills and experience:
  • Excellent research, writing, and editing skills;
  • Proven experience in supporting the bid management process;
  • Strong experience and skills in leadership, planning & process improvement;
  • A firm grasp of marketing theory, copywriting principles, SEO principles, and social media;
  • Marketing and content writing/creation experience, preferably in the AEC industry;
  • Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, people management skills;
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
  • Excellent project management and facilitation skills;
  • Evidenced ability to succinctly communicate relevant information to diverse audiences;
  • Ability to develop relationships and partnerships and to work collaboratively at all levels and areas within the organization;
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, tact, initiative, and discretion;
  • Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment with multiple, competing deadlines, and time and resource constraints;
  • Understand different software and data management platforms needed to support these core functions i.e. CRM, Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress CMS, Excel;
  • Creativity, a collaborative spirit, easy to work with, reliable, and organized.
  Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications or Design;
  • Minimum 10 years of experience working in a marketing, business development, proposal management function in a professional services firm environment;
  • Possess the ability to collaborate with others who do not directly report to you and also the ability to collaborate, lead and negotiate with other leaders;
  • Self-motivated and able to work autonomously and as a team member.
Tell us about you: We want to understand your way of thinking, your way of writing, and why HCMA is the place for you. With that in mind, please send relevant examples of your work along with your resume, and cover letter to careers@hcma.ca.             Working at HCMA, we offer an open environment with the opportunity to grow your skills and socialize with your colleagues. You must be legally eligible to work in Canada and provide supporting evidence prior to any potential offer of employment. Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to consider this opportunity. No phone calls or agencies.
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Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

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  • Location
    Vancouver, Victoria or Edmonton

Are you driven by impact? We are HCMA, an interdisciplinary design firm driven by the desire to create happier, healthier, more connected communities. The work we do in the Communication Design studio reflects this commitment. We design brands that instill trust, inspire confidence, and forge lasting relationships with communities. From a new identity for the Squamish Nation to a ground-breaking (and award-winning) book that helps municipal staff create community buildings with impact. Our Communication Design team is growing – and we need a designer with the ambition, enthusiasm, and talent to help us. Is that you?

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We’re looking for a designer (intermediate to senior) to:
  • bring creative flair, technical ability, and collaborative nature to every brief
  • act as the lead designer on external and internal briefs, across brand identity, wayfinding and signage, print and digital, with support from our Creative Lead
  • work directly with clients, from initial briefing and concepts through to key presentations and execution, with support from our Client Lead
  • responsibly deliver projects on time, on budget, with support from our Services Lead
What you will do:
  • Work across a range of internal and external projects, including:
    • Brand identity design, brand applications, and brand guidelines development
    • Publications and presentations
    • Wayfinding and signage concepts and designs
    • Supergraphics for the built environment
    • Colour and material strategies for architectural projects
  • Collaborate with architects, interior designers, and other specialists on projects from conception to completion without the traditional silos
Ideally, you bring:
  • 5+ years' experience of design and production, in both print and digital, on a variety of briefs, either working at an agency or in-house
  • creative vision and flexibility: you can offer a variety of design solutions to a brief while upholding identity guidelines
  • proven experience delivering and executing creative concepts, and a high-level sense of design, layout, and typography
  • a related degree and professional membership of GDC, SEGD, or another design-related advocacy organization
  • strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills
  • expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
  • experience in HTML and motion graphics a plus
What we offer
  • Colleagues working across architecture, social impact, and sustainability
  • A diverse range of briefs working with purpose-driven clients who share HCMA’s values
  • The opportunity to help a small, friendly, and ambitious design team grow
  • The stability and resources of an established but forward-thinking firm committed to pushing the social impact of design
Curious? Get in touch. Email careers@hcma.ca with your resume, portfolio, and a statement on why you’re excited by the opportunity and feel you’d be the right for our team. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Full disclosure of any restrictions must be disclosed at the time of expressing interest and supporting evidence provided prior to any potential offer of employment.
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Environmental Graphic Designer

Environmental Graphic Designer

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  • Location
    Vancouver, Victoria or Edmonton

Are you driven by impact? We are HCMA, an interdisciplinary design firm driven by the desire to create happier, healthier, more connected communities. We’re a fast-growing, purpose-driven team. And we need an environmental designer with the ambition, enthusiasm, and talent to help drive this aspect of the business. Where will you take it?

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We’re looking for an environmental designer (intermediate to senior) to:
  • act as the lead designer on all facets of environmental design, signage, and wayfinding for built environment projects, with support from our Creative Lead
  • own projects and act as a key client contact, from initial briefing and concepts through presentations and execution, with support from architectural and communication design teams
What you will do:
  • work across a range of built projects, including recreation centres, libraries, fire halls, schools and museums
  • develop concepts and design wayfinding, signage systems and placemaking identities, with a sound understanding of costing, materials and fabrication techniques
  • design graphics such as pictograms, supergraphics, graphic patterns, and hoardings
  • conduct needs assessment, research and interviews; audit existing sites; create graphic standards and style guides; write technical fabrications and installation specifications; deliver production documents for tender and implementation; produce fabrication-ready artwork files; conduct site/shop visits; review shop drawings
  • communicate with vendors to determine the best fabrication techniques, and obtain costings
Ideally, you bring:
  • 5+ years’ experience in graphic design, including environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding, and user-experience based environments, taking projects from schematic design through to construction intent documentation
  • a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Architecture or similar
  • exceptional creative flair alongside a high level of technical proficiency
  • expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, with knowledge of Revit and/or 3D software knowledge a plus
  • up-to-date awareness and knowledge of best practices in signage design
  • professional membership of GDC, SEGD, or another design-related advocacy organization
  • a creative, curious, and collaborative nature, with demonstrated initiative and multitasking abilities
  • excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
What we offer
  • an opportunity to grow this area of the business, with support from the architectural and communication design teams
  • the stability and resources of an established but forward-thinking firm committed to pushing the social impact of design
  • the opportunity to collaborate with architects, communication designers, interior designers and other specialists, without the traditional silos
Curious? Get in touch. Email careers@hcma.ca with your portfolio and a statement on why you’re excited by the opportunity and feel you’d be the right for our team. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Full disclosure of any restrictions must be disclosed at the time of expressing interest and supporting evidence provided prior to any potential offer of employment.
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General Applications

Interested in connecting with us, but don’t see an opening that suits your career goals? Send your submission for a future opportunity and include your area/position of interest, and which of our studios (Vancouver, Victoria or Edmonton) you are interested in to careers@hcma.ca. Get creative and show us why you are right for our team; why we'd be foolish not to hire you.

Publications

  • PROCESS: How to Create Community Buildings with Impact

    Book

  • PLACES: Public Architecture

    Book

  • POOLS: Aquatic Architecture

    Book

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Book

PROCESS: How to Create Community Buildings with Impact

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  • Edited by

    Oli Lewis

  • Design by

    Bonnie Retief / HCMA
  • Buy your copy

For over 40 years, HCMA has helped local governments across Canada deliver extraordinary public buildings. Buildings that put people and the planet first.

In our latest book, we guide you through the whole process, from your initial vision, to measuring success when your project is complete.

Underpinning each step are the principles we believe will maximize your project's impact, and dotted throughout are lessons we’ve learned along the way—things we wish we’d known then, but definitely know now. Most of all, we hope to encourage you to ask 'what's possible?' when creating a place for people to come together to socialize, relax, play, learn, and share.

  • Publication Date

    Jan 2021

  • Page Count

    208
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Book

PLACES: Public Architecture

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  • Edited By

    Alexandra Kenyon

  • Foreword By

    Christopher Macdonald
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PLACES: Public Architecture explores a selection of key projects by HCMA which offer insight into the firm’s specific approach to community building through public architecture. Featured projects typologies, many of which have been challenged by contemporary advancements in technology, include schools, libraries, fire halls, childcare centres, and more. Through the practice of architecture, HCMA asks “what is the future of the library, of education, and of public space in an increasingly online age?"

PLACES showcases six of HCMA’s recent civic facilities which seek to strengthen and enrich the communities, businesses and people they serve. The book features critical text by accomplished writer, Jim Taggart, professional photography, lucid architectural drawings and details, as well as a look at the firm’s design process of iterative modeling/diagramming and research on contemporary topics. It also features a window into HCMA's office culture and community building initiatives including HCMA Days, the Canfor Playhouse Challenge and a course taught by the firm on Social Sustainability at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA).

  • Publication Date

    Fall 2015

  • Page Count

    144

  • ISBN

    978-1-941806-44-9
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POOLS: Aquatic Architecture

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POOLS: Aquatic Architecture is the definitive book on the design of public swimming pools. Ranging from small neighbourhood facilities to destination multi-sports complexes for the Olympic Games, the nine aquatic buildings shown within document the evolution of contemporary design thinking for this building type.

Illustrated with 268 photographs, drawings, diagrams and construction details, the 180-page book is an unrivaled source for information on pool design, from their social ambitions to their construction features. Each example of aquatic architecture is explained in non-technical language, and with its inspiring photography and lucid drawings. The book will be of interest to casual swimmers, as well as recreation officials, parks managers, architects, engineers and fans of leading edge design. Read our POOLS Manifesto, just one of the essays in this publication.

  • Publication Date

    Fall 2013

  • Page Count

    180

  • ISBN

    978-1-935935-95-7