May 5, 2026
09:00 - 12:00
Vancouver's Olympic Village: Lessons Learned
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Gregory Borowski
Principal/Architect
Merrick Architecture
Principal/Architect
Merrick Architecture
Gregory Borowski is a Principal at Merrick Architecture. His architectural vision is steeped in his unusual life experience. Born in England, as a child his father took him to see many significant contemporary buildings in Europe. These impressions have remained in his mind, alongside a deep feeling for the organic qualities of European townscape. An interest in the poetic potential of contemporary architecture, and a wish to embrace outdoor space have subsequently informed his work.
Mark Zaitsoff
Managing Associate
Merrick Architecture
Managing Associate
Merrick Architecture
Mark Zaitsoff is a Managing Associate at Merrick Architecture. He has been working in the architectural field since the completion of his schooling in 2003. Mark was an early adopter of the LEED Green Building Rating system becoming a LEED Accredited Professional in 2005. He has worked on a variety of LEED Certified Projects as well as on the documentation team for the Platinum Certified LEED ND, Vancouver Olympic Village and continues placing an emphasis on sustainable design on every project he works on. Mark has been working in Merrick Architecture’s Vancouver studio since 2007.
The Tour leads participants through the goals and outcomes of Vancouver's Olympic Village project. Intended as a model sustainable community—showcasing Vancouver's three pillars of social, economic and environmental sustainability—the project has now become a key Vancouver neighbourhood. What worked and what didn't work? Come and find out!
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: maximum 4km
PPE: not required
09:00 - 12:00
837 Beatty St – An Innovative Mass Timber Heritage Rehabilitation and Addition
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Bryan Lemos Beça
Associate Principal
Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers
Associate Principal
Bryan brings diverse professional experience across Canada from complex heritage renovations to large scale urban development and masterplans. His expertise in sustainability combines the technical knowledge required to achieve high-performance buildings and support occupant health and well-being with a commitment to circular construction and low carbon building.
Rocio Huertas Garcia
Senior Project Leader
Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers
Senior Project Leader
Rocio’s professional experience spans a wide range of international and local projects. She has worked in Europe with renowned architectural offices on large scale institutional and mixed-use projects, and in Canada since 2012 on a diverse range of projects with a special interest in complexity and those that require careful attention to detail.
Explore this unique heritage rehabilitation and addition project of a 1911 masonry and heavy timber warehouse that balances densification with full building preservation. Located within the historic "Block 68" of Vancouver’s Yaletown, the tour will demonstrate how mass timber can be used to facilitate the adaptive reuse and preservation of heritage buildings.
For more information on 837 Beatty Street, see here.
Transportation: walking
Walking distance: 1.1km
PPE: not required
Sponsored by:
09:00 - 12:00
Hillcrest Aquatic Centre – Mass Timber in Practice
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Stephanie Kullman
Relationship Manager, Pacific Coast - USA and Canada
Western Archrib
Stephanie Kullman is a Relationship Manager at Western Archrib, supporting architects, engineers, contractors, and developers across the Pacific region. With a background in civil engineering and mass timber delivery, she helps project teams align design intent with constructability, schedule, and performance to support successful outcomes.
Giulia Natalini
Pre-Construction Manager
Western Archrib
Pre-Construction Manager
Giulia Natalini is Pre-Construction Manager at Western Archrib, supporting mass timber projects through detailed cost estimation and cross-team coordination. With a background in civil engineering and a master’s degree in mass timber engineering from UBC, she helps project teams make informed decisions and deliver high-quality, well-executed structures.
Andre Lema
Market Development - USA
Western Archrib
Market Development - USA
Andre Lema has spent his career in the wood business. Early days spent as a carpenter through to today as the Business Development Manager for Western Archrib, a mass timber manufacturer. He sees projects at the early development stages and interfaces with designers to provide the best value for their mass timber designs.
Barbara Murray
Marketing and Communications Manager
Western Archrib
Marketing and Communications Manager
Barbara Murray is Marketing and Communications Manager at Western Archrib, bringing over 15 years of experience in the mass timber sector. With a background spanning industry leadership and the arts, she supports the industry by communicating the value, performance, and design potential of mass timber in the built environment.
The Hillcrest Aquatic Centre tour offers architects a firsthand look at the design and delivery of a completed mass timber public building. Using the project as a real-world case study, the session explores how mass timber differs from conventional structural systems and the importance of engaging early with design and supply teams. Participants will review fundamental mass timber principles for beams, columns, and connections, while discussing fire performance, acoustics, and detailing for a high-humidity pool environment. The tour also examines how mass timber integrates with other structural building components.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: not required
13:45 - 16:45
Skytrain Integrated Developments - Broadway Subway Great Northern Way Station with PCI
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Justin Tompson
Principal Associate
DIALOG
Tim Grant
President
PCI Developments
Jeff Spruston
Project Co Representative
Broadway Subway Project Corporation
President
Tim leads PCI’s Executive Team and is a partner in PCI. He is actively involved in all aspects of PCI’s operations and oversees successful completion of its projects. Tim is also on the Board and actively supports PCI’s affiliate Warrington PCI Property Management (WPM).
Principal Associate
Justin a Principal Associate at DIALOG and is the Project Manager for the DIALOG integrated Design Team and leads the TOD Integration at GNW Station. Justin's 13 years at DIALOG has primarily been in the transit sector.
Explore the new Broadway Subway system and how its being integrated into the city through a visit to Great Northern Way Subway Station including an integrated adjacent development. This tour will take place on an active construction site.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: participants to bring their own boots. Hats and vests will be provided
13:45 - 16:45
Sen̓áḵw - A Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Led Development
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Andrew Boonngum
Project Architect
Kasian
Project Architect
Kasian
Andrew Boonngum was educated at the University of Manitoba and is a Registered AIBC architect with over 10 years of experience in Vancouver and Western Canada. As AOR for Sen̓áḵw, he leads coordination of technical design, infrastructure, and cultural vision to shape one of Vancouver’s most transformative communities.
Jacob Lewis
Director, Community Development
Nchkay, Squamish Nation
Director, Community Development
Nchkay, Squamish Nation
Jacob E. Lewis III (Xayil) is the Director of Community Development at Nch’kay Development Limited Partnership, advancing Indigenous-led real estate and economic development. With experience in governance, finance, and operations, he integrates Squamish Nation values, culture, and long-term community priorities into partnerships, planning, and project delivery.
This tour welcomes participants to Senakw, with a walk between downtown Vancouver and the Squamish Nation’s largest residential project that is transforming the city's skyline. Participants will be able to view active construction from the Burrard Bridge and tour the areas soon to be completed within the site. We’re excited to share the site’s history and how this project is shaping the future for the Squamish Nation and the city.
Transportation: walking
Walking distance: 4km
PPE: not required
13:45 - 16:45
Marpole Community Centre: Construction Site Tour
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Caroline Inglis
Architect
Diamond Schmitt Architects
Architect
Diamond Schmitt Architects
Caroline is a Vancouver based architect with expertise in sustainability and accessibility. She is a certified Passive House Designer, a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction, and is a member of Diamond Schmitt’s Sustainability Committee where she plays a vital role in helping project teams achieve ambitious sustainability targets. Caroline is Diamond Schmitt’s first Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Accredited Professional and shares her knowledge on creating inclusive spaces with the firm.
Amalie Lambert
Project Manager II
City of Vancouver
Project Manager II
City of Vancouver
Amalie Lambert is an accredited learning environment planner, an architect AIBC, and a project manager in civic facilities at the City of Vancouver. She holds architecture degrees from UBC and McGill and has published research with the BC Childrens Hospital, studying children’s health in the built environment. She is currently the project manager for the Marpole Community Centre, a mass timber building targeting Passive House Certification, 40% reduced embodied carbon, and RHFAC Gold certification.
The Marpole Community Centre (opening September 2026) aspires to be Vancouver’s most inclusive, innovative, and high-performance facility. Participants are invited to tour the site with the architect and owner, who will discuss the challenges of designing and constructing a community building that balances ambitious sustainability and accessibility targets.
For more information on Marpole Community Centre, see here.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: participants to bring their own boots. Helmets, vests, and goggles will be provided
Sponsored by:
May 6, 2026
09:00 - 12:00
Langara College: A Living Master Plan
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Wes Wilson
Principal
Teeple Architects Inc.
Principal
Teeple Architects Inc.
Wes Wilson, Principal at Teeple Architects, combines strategic creativity, technical expertise, and international experience in civic and institutional design. A University of Waterloo graduate, he has led major projects across Canada, including the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre, UBCO’s Nechako Housing Commons, Langara College’s Science & Technology Building, and several libraries. Wes views architecture as a public act, balancing ambition with empathy and civic value, and his collaborative approach delivers thoughtful, enduring results.
Avery Guthrie
Principal
Teeple Architects Inc.
Principal
Teeple Architects Inc.
Avery Guthrie holds graduate degrees in architecture and history from the University of Toronto. Since joining Teeple Architects in 2011, she has led major post-secondary and community facility projects with a focus on planning and design. Committed to respectful collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and teams, Avery has been based in Vancouver since 2017, where she serves as the firm’s practice lead for Western Canada and the United States.
Over two decades, Langara College has transformed from a commuter campus into a cohesive, sustainable academic environment. This tour highlights landmark projects shaped by successive master plans, including the Library, Student Union, and Science & Technology Building, while exploring lessons in continuity, adaptation, and institutional identity through design.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: 1km
PPE: not required
09:00 - 12:00
The Great White Way: Granville Street Walking Tour
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Kurt Kraler
Project Manager (Architect)
ERA Architects
Project Manager (Architect)
ERA Architects
Kurt Kraler is a registered Architect (OAA) and project manager at ERA Architects. His work includes a wide variety of projects from hospitality to private residential to institutional. He specializes in the design of new construction for heritage contexts. Kurt is also the co-editor of “The Signs That Define Toronto”, an award-winning book that explores the history, culture, and stories behind some of the city’s most distinctive signs.
John Atkin
Heritage Consultant
Self-employed
Heritage Consultant
Self-employed
John is a civic historian, heritage consultant, author and walking tour guide who brings an insight of urban planning and development, a love of architecture, and the fascination of the curious to his work. He is currently a vice president of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC and the former chair of the City’s Civic Assets Naming Committee. Johns recent projects include guiding the restoration of two locally prominent neon signs.
Known as “the Great White Way,” Vancouver’s Granville Street once boasted the highest concentration of neon signs anywhere in the world. Join us to learn about the rise and fall of this vibrant commercial strip and how new signs, buildings, public art, and housing policy seek to preserve this unique legacy.
Transportation: walking
Walking distance: 4km
PPE: not required
09:00 - 12:00
Vancouver's Olympic Village: Lessons Learned
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Gregory Borowski
Principal/Architect
Merrick Architecture
Principal/Architect
Merrick Architecture
Gregory Borowski is a Principal at Merrick Architecture. His architectural vision is steeped in his unusual life experience. Born in England, as a child his father took him to see many significant contemporary buildings in Europe. These impressions have remained in his mind, alongside a deep feeling for the organic qualities of European townscape. An interest in the poetic potential of contemporary architecture, and a wish to embrace outdoor space have subsequently informed his work.
Mark Zaitsoff
Managing Associate
Merrick Architecture
Managing Associate
Merrick Architecture
Mark Zaitsoff is a Managing Associate at Merrick Architecture. He has been working in the architectural field since the completion of his schooling in 2003. Mark was an early adopter of the LEED Green Building Rating system becoming a LEED Accredited Professional in 2005. He has worked on a variety of LEED Certified Projects as well as on the documentation team for the Platinum Certified LEED ND, Vancouver Olympic Village and continues placing an emphasis on sustainable design on every project he works on. Mark has been working in Merrick Architecture’s Vancouver studio since 2007.
The Tour leads participants through the goals and outcomes of Vancouver's Olympic Village project. Intended as a model sustainable community—showcasing Vancouver's three pillars of social, economic and environmental sustainability—the project has now become a key Vancouver neighbourhood. What worked and what didn't work? Come and find out!
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: maximum 4km
PPE: not required
May 7, 2026
09:30 - 12:30
Vienna House. Making Concepts Reality
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Sean Binns
Project Director
Kindred Construction
Project Director
Kindred Construction
Sean is a results-driven construction leader with over 20 years of experience delivering major residential and commercial projects across the UK and Canada. As Project Director at Kindred Construction, he leads complex builds and champions innovation in mass timber, Passive House, and modular construction.
Brandon Visser
Business Development Manager
Kindred Construction
Business Development Manager
Kindred Construction
Brandon is a Vancouver-based construction professional with 10 years of experience. A graduate of Emily Carr University (Industrial Design) and BCIT’s Construction Management program, he is a Business Development Manager at Kindred. He advanced from carpenter to assistant superintendent, contributing to high-profile mixed-use, multi-family, and institutional projects, including Vienna House.
This groundbreaking pilot project was conceived as a response to both the climate change and housing affordability crises in BC and will showcase innovative materials and processes designed to deliver high energy, multi-family living performance with low greenhouse gas emissions. This tour will cover the wins, the challenges, and what those looking to deliver similarly pioneering projects need to know before committing to such a journey.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE:participants to bring their own boots. Hard hats and vests will be provided
Sponsored by:
09:30 - 12:30
UBC School of Biomedical Engineering Gordon B. Shrum Building & UBC Sauder School of Business Powerhouse Expansion - Under Construction
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Greg Boothroyd
Principal
Patkau Architects
Principal
Patkau Architects
Greg, along with his fellow principals, leads Patkau Architects with broad experience from conceptual design to contract administration. He has led the design of university buildings, cultural buildings, and private residences. Recent highlights include the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering, UBC Sauder Expansion, U of T Academic Wood Tower, and Kiweki Point in Ottawa.
Tom Schroeder
Associate
Patkau Architects
Associate
Patkau Architects
Tom joined Patkau Architects in 2006 and became Associate in 2022. He manages design and construction teams, facilitating collaboration, coordination, negotiation, and consensus among project stakeholders, contributors, and authorities. Tom contributed significantly to the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering, Audain Art Museum, Polygon Gallery, and numerous other projects.
Alex Percy
Principal
Acton Ostry Architects
Principal
Acton Ostry Architects
Alex is involved with business development and promotional endeavours for the practice. A skilled communicator with over 25 years of experience, Alex has expertise in the planning, design and construction of challenging, complex projects with extensive experience in educational design.
This tour highlights two landmark UBC projects. Beginning at the new School of Biomedical Engineering, attendees will view collaborative research and educational spaces interconnected by two atria. The route then continues on a 10-minute walk to the Sauder Powerhouse Expansion construction site for a look at the campus's first academic tower, characterized by unique curvilinear geometry.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: not required
09:30 - 12:30
RandersTegl Danish Bricks Elevate Gibson Art Museum with Bold Design
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Arie Elmaleh
Architectural Consultant
Kreitmaker
Architectural Consultant
Kreitmaker
Arie Elmaleh’s fifteen-year career in the masonry industry began with a focus on procuring and advising on masonry building materials, where he developed a deep understanding of material properties and industry dynamics. This foundational experience set the stage for his evolution into a leading brick, stone, and masonry product expert.
The Gibson Art Museum, master-planned by Arthur Erickson, redefines contemporary architecture through a net-zero vision rooted in nature. Its mass-timber structure meets precision-crafted, specially shaped Randers Tegl clay brick from Denmark, merging traditional masonry artistry with modern performance. The result is a striking, purpose-built composition of material honesty and sculptural intent.
Transportation: shuttle
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: not required
14:15 - 16:00
The Great White Way: Granville Street Sign Tour
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Kurt Kraler
Project Manager (Architect)
ERA Architects
Project Manager (Architect)
ERA Architects
Kurt Kraler is a registered Architect (OAA) and project manager at ERA Architects. His work includes a wide variety of projects from hospitality to private residential to institutional. He specializes in the design of new construction for heritage contexts. Kurt is also the co-editor of “The Signs That Define Toronto”, an award-winning book that explores the history, culture, and stories behind some of the city’s most distinctive signs.
John Atkin
Heritage Consultant
Self-employed
Heritage Consultant
Self-employed
John is a civic historian, heritage consultant, author and walking tour guide who brings an insight of urban planning and development, a love of architecture, and the fascination of the curious to his work. He is currently a vice president of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of BC and the former chair of the City’s Civic Assets Naming Committee. Johns recent projects include guiding the restoration of two locally prominent neon signs.
Known as “the Great White Way,” Vancouver’s Granville Street once boasted the highest concentration of neon signs anywhere in the world. Join us to learn about the rise and fall of this vibrant commercial strip and how new signs, buildings, public art, and housing policy seek to preserve this unique legacy.
Transportation: walking
Walking distance: 4km
PPE: not required
14:15 - 16:00
981 Davie – Design & Construction Tour
Location: Tour Meet-Up Desk, 3rd Floor (near the Registration Desk)
Daniel Wilson
Architect and Project Manager
ZGF Architects
Architect and Project Manager
Daniel Wilson is an Architect and Project Manager at ZGF Architects with over 11 years of experience on complex, high-profile mixed-use projects, particularly multi-family residential developments. He is deeply involved in advancing mass-timber solutions, guided by principles of building craft, environmental stewardship, and design innovation. Daniel has played a central role in several high-performance initiatives, including his work as Project Architect for 981 Davie, where he led mass-timber and construction methodology evaluation. He has also contributed to key studies such as SFU Renewable Cities’ Design Solutions to Prefab Mass Timber Construction and Building Capacity – Local Prefab Mass Timber Solutions, as well as BTY’s Making Mass Timber Work for High-Rise Residential in BC.
Yassine Belkoura
Project Manager
Kindred Construction
Project Manager
With over 15 years of experience in British Columbia and internationally, Yassine Belkoura has delivered numerous large-scale, high-performance projects. His leadership includes overseeing construction of a $90m Passive House–certified tower in Vancouver, a multi-phase residential community on the Sunshine Coast, and a $135m university campus in Morocco. Yassine specializes in sustainable construction practices, value engineering, and high-level design coordination, providing a pragmatic and results-driven perspective on delivering complex developments efficiently and effectively.
"Participants will be guided through 981 Davie, a 17-storey, mixed-use high-performance building utilizing a point-supported CLT hybrid gravity structure and a Passive House–rated prefabricated envelope system. The tour will be led by the project’s design and construction team, who will provide insight into: • The design process and key factors shaping the building’s form and systems • Site constraints, coordination challenges, and major construction logistics • Early-phase integration strategies and risk mitigation approaches • BIM workflows and the use of highly detailed 3D models for envelope, structural, and MEPF coordination • Passive House–specific training initiatives and trade education developed to support the successful delivery of this building type Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the project team is approaching this innovative high-performance development from both design and construction perspectives."
Transportation: walking
Walking distance: less than 1km
PPE: participants to bring their own steel-toe boots. Hard hats and vests will be provided
The Hillcrest Aquatic Centre tour offers architects a firsthand look at the design and delivery of a completed mass timber public building. Using the project as a real-world case study, the session explores how mass timber differs from conventional structural systems and the importance of engaging early with design and supply teams. Participants will review fundamental mass timber principles for beams, columns, and connections, while discussing fire performance, acoustics, and detailing for a high-humidity pool environment. The tour also examines how mass timber integrates with other structural building components.
This tour highlights two landmark UBC projects. Beginning at the new School of Biomedical Engineering, attendees will view collaborative research and educational spaces interconnected by two atria. The route then continues on a 10-minute walk to the Sauder Powerhouse Expansion construction site for a look at the campus's first academic tower, characterized by unique curvilinear geometry.
The Gibson Art Museum, master-planned by Arthur Erickson, redefines contemporary architecture through a net-zero vision rooted in nature. Its mass-timber structure meets precision-crafted, specially shaped Randers Tegl clay brick from Denmark, merging traditional masonry artistry with modern performance. The result is a striking, purpose-built composition of material honesty and sculptural intent.
Take a 2.2 km urban sketching tour of Granville Island along a path that highlights a selection of waterfront transportation and infrastructure conditions. From the False Creek Ferry dock, an active marine transit node connecting Granville Island to the broader False Creek network, to Tap & Barrel, a former industrial structure adapted for public use along the working waterfront, discover three sites that reveal how water, movement, and infrastructure have shaped the island over time. The tour concludes at Sea Village, a residential edge where floating homes meet the working waterfront, offering a third perspective on the evolution of this unique landscape.
Explore the new Broadway Subway system and how its being integrated into the city through a visit to Great Northern Way Subway Station including an integrated adjacent development. This tour will take place on an active construction site.