DESIGNING FOR ENGAGEMENT; ENGAGING WITH DESIGN
At Engage Architecture, we engage in the practice of design. We bring our experience, knowledge and skills to the opportunity and unique potential of every project. We believe that buildings can and should be beautiful, functional, sustainable and durable. Every project is its own education; we learn from our clients and from the solutions that arise in the process of making buildings. We strive through every project to build relationships, community and a better place to live and work.
We design architecture for everyday life.
Cedar Walk at Lelem' Presentation Centre
FIRM
Founded in 2015, Engage Architecture is a full-service architecture firm based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our projects include both market and non-market multi-family housing, commercial new construction, custom homes, mixed-use buildings and office interiors. We also help with assessing sites through master-planning or feasibility studies. At Engage Architecture we combine our deep experience of residential and commercial design with the personal and hands-on approach a small owner-operated firm can offer. We value diversity and collaboration and we strive to foster lasting relationships with our clients.
Engage Architecture offers the direct involvement of Principal Karen Smith through every project. Karen brings to each project a pragmatic and intelligent approach coupled with a genuine passion for improving everyday lives through design. Responsive service and innovative design solutions are hallmarks of our approach, and we are committed to finding the best potential in every project. Every project is an opportunity to grow, to inspire and ultimately to build better relationships and communities. We take our work personally and bring our best to every project.
OUR TEAM
KAREN SMITH
Principal, Architect AIBC, AAA, RAIC
Karen is a professional Architect, project manager and a business owner with more than 18 years experience designing multi-family residential, commercial and mixed-use projects. She is an adept and creative problem-solver who applies these skills across a range of project types and scales. Meticulous, organized and detail-oriented, Karen is designer with an enthusiasm for engaging the complexity of a project, exceeding the expectations of the client and achieving deadlines. She is an engaged leader and dedicated to mentoring and fostering growth within her team. Personable and tactful, Karen is adept at engaging with various stakeholders and managing complex projects from conception to completion.
C. EARL PENG
Designer, Intern Architect AIBC
An Intern Architect, project manager and designer, Earl has a keen focus on providing sound, rational, and creative design solutions for projects. Over the past 14 years, he has brought his design and management skills to a wide range of projects, with an emphasis on multi-residential and mixed-use projects. A detailed-oriented designer, Earl’s strong technical background also gives him a realistic approach to practicing architecture, synthesizing pragmatic design with inspiring built environments.
PROJECTS
COMMERCIAL:
CEDAR CREEK
PRESENTATION CENTRE
Burnaby, B.C.
This West Coast inspired sales centre in south Burnaby was designed for Ledingham McAllister for their Cedar Creek residences. The project site will eventually form part of their Southgate City master-planned community. The project interprets design elements from the Cedar Creek buildings, but it works them into a composition suitable to the scale of this small commercial building.
CONTACT US
400-602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1P2
(604) 428-6259
NEWS & UPDATES
PROJECT UPDATE:
PUBLIC HEARING
April 12, 2021
Following a successful Public Hearing, our Queenston Townhouse received its 2nd and 3rd reading from Coquitlam City Council in mid April. Along with our client, Annesley Homes, we are looking forward to seeing this 23-unit project move forward, with a Building Permit application and final zoning adoption in the near future.
PROJECT UPDATE:
ADVISORY DESIGN PANEL
February 13, 2020
We successfully presented our Marie Place project to the Advisory Design Panel. The project was well-received, and the panel generated some useful feedback for further refining our design. Marie Place is a 2-building multifamily residential project proposed for the Lynn Creek Town Centre in the District of North Vancouver. A big thanks to our entire project team for helping us achieve this important project milestone.
PROJECT UPDATE:
LAND-USE APPLICATION
December 16, 2019
A land-use application has submitted to the City of Calgary, Alberta for this project. The application seeks to re-designate the site from a former industrial zone to its proposed use -- multifamily residential. Working with Hungerford Properties, we propose this new residential development with marketable and live/work residential units in anticipation to the densifying Inglewood neighbourhood and a nearby-planned public transit station.