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
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 17 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.
KAREN SMITH
Principal, Architect AIBC, AAA, RAIC
Karen is a professional Architect, project manager and a business owner with more than 21 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.
CELESTINE EZE
Intern Architect AIBC
Celestine completed his Bachelor of science in Architecture from Nigeria and his master’s degree in architecture from the United Kingdom. Before moving to Vancouver, he worked as an Architectural Designer in Calgary on bespoke single and multi-family homes. He has worked on multiple projects within the architectural field, from designing residential and high-rise hospitality projects to interior design projects. Having gained experience working on architectural projects in other parts of the world, he is working to grow his experience in the North American architectural and construction industry with Engage Architecture. Celestine is very detail-oriented and loves to challenge himself with new and unique projects.
SHARVI CHAVAN
Architectural Graduate
Sharvi is an architectural graduate from Mumbai, India with a master’s degree in urban design from UBC. Having practiced as an architect in India on single and multi-family residential projects, she is now a part of our team at Engage Architecture. Sharvi brings with her passion for making spaces efficient and livable. Being the newest member on the team, she has been gaining experience tackling the nuances of building construction and cultural norms in this part of the world. She enjoys the process of solving spatial issues as if they were a part of an intricate puzzle.
JONATHAN SANTOS
Intermediate Architectural Technologist
Before coming to Canada, Jonathan was a project architect working on high-rise residential towers and hotels in the Philippines. He has seven years of experience designing and detailing factory-built houses for markets across Canada and the US. Having worked and communicated directly with sales/clients, inspectors, carpenters, plumbers, and other trades in a fast-paced environment, he learned the value of communication, teamwork, and technical skills in producing top-quality detailed drawings. His passion for architecture and goal of being registered as an architect brought him to Engage Architecture.
TRISHA DUCUSIN
Junior Technologist
Trisha is a junior technologist and graduated from the Architectural Technology program at NAIT in Edmonton, Alberta. Her education gave her a foundation of technical knowledge for residential and commercial architecture. Since 2021, Trisha has continued to grow and gain experience from being involved in different projects at Engage Architecture. She enjoys the variety and uniqueness of each project in their design and context.
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
July 12, 2023
The public hearing was held for our Jonson Street Townhouse project in Coquitlam earlier this week; the project also received its third reading from the City Council! Along with our client, Trillium Homes, we look forward to seeing this 24-unit multifamily dwelling project move forward to the fourth reading later in the Fall, with a Building Permit application submitted near the end of this year.
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.