dysarchitecture is a professional consulting firm established 1982, for the practice of Architecture, Physical Planning, and Research in associated areas. The firm is led by three senior principals and four partners who share responsibility for business development, technical standards, and firm performance.

more

Our practice includes both public and private sector work. As a result, we are fully aware of the responsibility of architects to their community as well as the importance of time and budget commitments. Our work has been recognised for innovation in accessibility and sustainable design, and community contribution through awards from the Architectural Institute of BC, the Urban Development Institute of BC, the Province of BC, Municipalities, and non-profit agencies.

At dysarchitecture, we see ourselves as facilitators of the planning, design, and construction process on behalf of our clients; and as stewards of the natural and built environment for the community-at-large. We strive to make our work contextual, and responsive to the quality of place. As designers, we seek the opinion and creative input of the broadest possible range of stakeholders. Our search for solutions is intense, and demands the consistent involvement of the project team from concept to conclusion. Our urban design and architecture is informed by the vision of our clients, reflects the culture of the users, and presents itself in timeless, enduring forms and materials.

more

We recognize the effective life of buildings through the use of durable materials, straight forward planning, and design flexibility to adapt to new needs and uses over time. Before it became fashionable, sustainability was part of our approach to site planning, building design, and material selection. We continue to seek common sense, practical solutions which are responsive to the existing natural and built environment.

dysarchitecture is founded, organized and managed on the key principle of service to clients. We seek to carry out only those projects for which we are particularly suited by experience, training and staff availability. In this way our skills can be applied where they are most effective. We have a high ratio of principals and associate partners to technical and support staff consistent with our wish to work in teams of experienced senior individuals. It is our firm objective and commitment to assign a core team to each project undertaken. The core team of senior personnel remain with the project from initiation to completion to ensure that design ideas are realized in the finished product.

more

We seek to involve clients fully with the development of projects in order to better understand their needs and also to obtain the benefits of their knowledgeable and creative input. We extend the breadth of our search for solutions to a wide range of stakeholders including user groups, community associations, neighbours, and related research resources. Central among the design methodologies that we utilize is a participatory process called “gaming”. Modelling the accommodation program using scaled card pieces, coloured to represent related functional areas or departments, and clear site-sized layers representing potential building floors, stakeholders can quickly “design” several building options. Each “game” is subject to a set of rules which may be based on site constraints, number of storeys, basic functional relationships, or any other criteria. The games are produced quickly, following the rules, and there are no inappropriate suggestions or design ideas. At the end of the session, the games are assessed by the group. The “table talk” that is part of the process informs the architects of the client goals and beliefs; and the consensus that is derived from the assessment is key to moving the project ahead effectively. Importantly the participants in the process understand completely the reasons for the preferred approach and take ownership of the design. We believe this is essential to design success since it is the client and user group who will ultimately inhabit the building, understand its components, and take pleasure in its environment.