Photo courtesy Diamond Schmitt
Last month, Diamond Schmitt Architects announced its Vancouver practice had opened, supporting the Toronto-based firm’s extensive work in Western Canada. The practice’s team will be led by Ana Maria Llanos, a senior associate with 20 years of experience with the firm.
Llanos is scheduled to speak on integrated project delivery (IPD) at the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) Annual Conference May 8 to 10, discussing the factors driving this method’s growing popularity. She is also project architect for the 26,700-m2 (290,000-sf) Emily Carr University of Art and Design, which will open in September.
“Western Canada has always been well-represented in our portfolio, and with current projects and pursuits, now is the right time to open a studio in Vancouver and be closer to our clients in the western regions of Canada and the United States,” says Donald Schmitt, principal with the firm.
Among Diamond Schmitt’s completed projects in this region are:
- Okanagan College Trades Centre;
- the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Medicine, Law School, School of Journalism, and Chemical and Biological Engineering Building;
- North Vancouver Public Library;
- Tommy Douglas Library; and
- Thompson Rivers University’s Law School and University Library (discussed in a previous article for Construction Canada).
The firm also has a number of projects currently underway in Western Canada, including:
- the UBC Undergrad Life Sciences Teaching Laboratories;
- Pacific Health Innovation Exchange;
- Britannia Community Centre renewal;
- Lister 5 Student Residence at the University of Alberta; and
- Calgary Opera facilities.
