IREDALE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Technologist
- Junior Technologist
A recent graduate, Aida Voshtani enjoys collaborating with a team where she can bring her organizational and creative skills to develop innovative and uncompromising design solutions. Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Suite, Aida has experience working on commercial projects and preparing architectural drawings for Schematic Design through Construction Documents. She also writes reports and assists with contract administration.
Aida welcomes the challenge of creating within the boundaries of limitations such as codes, site, program budget, and energy and environmental conditions. She believes that an architect's greatest skill is to use their creativity to design and create spaces that enhance the living quality of the public.
Job Titles:
- Technologist
- Architectural Technologist AIBC, LEED Green Associate Technologist
Albert Lam's experience ranges from sustainability to modelling, detailing and hands-on carpentry. Clients, engineers, and contractors appreciate his detailed knowledge of construction methods and his practical approach to resolving on-site issues. Albert is often the first to explore new techniques and incorporate them to achieve the project's goals. His project experience includes a variety of commercial and residential buildings for private and public sector clients.
Recently, Albert has worked with Scius Advisory to interview, shadow and collaborate with project teams deploying IPD or IPD-like collaborative methods to deliver design-build type projects. Some of the projects he was involved with include a BC Housing-commissioned project exploring IPD and other similar collaborative project delivery methods and a 4-storey office with VDC and off-site construction methods. He is currently working with Naikoon Contracting on a BC Housing-funded project to develop IPD-like practices for VDC targeting high-end passive house homes in Vancouver.
Passionate about global stewardship, Albert has presented several times on sustainability, including an invitation from the Union Internationale Des Architectes (UIA). He is studying in the UBC MBA program and plans to use his gained knowledge to promote sustainable prosperity within the building industry.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Coordinator for Our Victoria
- Marketing Coordinator, Victoria
Anna Kahn is the Marketing Coordinator for our Victoria office. She primarily contributes to the preparation of proposals and grant applications, and is the creative voice behind our social media. She also collaborates with our Vancouver office to develop award entries, coordinate firm events, and assist with the day-to-day marketing tasks of the Firm.
Before joining Iredale Architecture, Anna worked in a hybrid position as the Assistant Marketing Manager + Chief Copywriter for an e-commerce company, where she specialized in e-mail marketing and SEO. She recently completed a master's degree in English Literature, with a focus on environmental philosophy and poetics. Her background as a researcher has sharpened her critical thinking and refined her acumen for written communication and copyediting.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Azi Alma has over 15 years of industry experience specializing in residential and commercial projects. She earned a Master of Architecture from Azad University in Iran, where she spent two years teaching Architectural Design and Revit skills. As an Architectural Graduate, Azi works on drawings preparation, construction administration, design development, and project management for commercial projects.
Skilled at Revit and AutoCAD, she uses her creativity and problem-solving acumen to turn her technical skills and design development experience into meaningful results for clients. Inspired by the high-modernist, deconstructive style of Peter Eisenman, Azi aims to explore different ideas for creating spaces that are not only aesthetic but also functional for various people's needs.
Job Titles:
- Intermediate Technologist
An experienced Technologist, Barry Sheils has been working in the industry for over 10 years, with expertise in light industrial, commercial, educational, and housing retrofit projects. A recent addition to the IA team, Barry works alongside Graham Coleman to manage the firm's Facilities & Building Systems studio. He excels at architectural design, code compliance, project management, and client and consultant coordination. He is also adept at Revit and employs critical design decision making along with excellent self-motivation to get projects done. As a designer, Barry finds excitement in architecture's ability to create spaces that will be to benefit of people and local services.
Job Titles:
- Environmental Education Centre, Royal Roads University, Victoria
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Intern Architect AIBC Project Manager
Bryce Lao has been working in the industry for over 14 years and is an experienced Intern Architect who excels in various aspects of architecture, including drawing production and project management. While working for Vista Construction in the Philippines, he directed six projects, oversaw more than 100 workers, and maintained cost and quality control.
Bryce specializes in design conceptualization, architectural drafting, site management, and project estimation. He is a practical thinker, a strong collaborator, and an expert in AutoCad, SketchUp, and Revit.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Architect AIBC, LEED Green Associate, MRAIC Associate
With over 14 years of experience in the architectural field, Christine Wang has overseen the completion of a wide variety of civic, retail, and commercial projects differing in scale and complexity. She excels in project management and has strong communication skills that allow her to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders. She uses her knowledge to ensure that projects come in on budget, on time, and meet the client's goals. Christine currently manages the firm's ongoing TD Bank portfolio and has completed over a dozen successful tenant fit-outs throughout British Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Architect AIBC, NYS, MRAIC, NCARB Principal
Working from our Victoria office, David Bootsman oversees commercial, institutional, and residential projects. Also a registered Architect in New York State, David has worked on a wide variety of projects in the high-end residential, retail, and commercial sectors of New York City. Notable projects have included work for Louis Vuitton, the New York Times Building and the Suffolk County 911 Memorial, as well as many complex interior renovations for lofts and repurposed heritage buildings.
Prior to his career in architecture, David worked in branding and graphic and product design. His work in Japan included promotion of new developments such as the Nankai Railway and South Tower Hotel (Suisse Hotel), affiliated with the Kansai International Airport.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Principal
- Architectural Technologist AIBC Associate Principal
Denis Gautier has over fifteen years of experience in the architectural industry, which follows twenty years working in exhibition design, curation, public programming, and senior administration for public art galleries across Western Canada. His breadth of understanding of cultural work marries with his architectural practice to transform conceptual goals into community spaces. Denis contributes to large-scale institutional, heritage, cultural, multi-family residential, educational, hospitality, and commercial projects.
Denis is highly proficient in 3D modeling, which provides visualizations and working drawings while leveraging the data embodied in the computer models to schedule material and assembly requirements for projects.
Job Titles:
- Office Coordinator
- Office Coordinator for Our Vancouver
- Office Coordinator, Vancouver
Elena Vrobel is the Office Coordinator for our Vancouver office. She is primarily responsible for the overall coordination of a broad range of services/resources that allow the firm to operate efficiently. She undertakes a variety of day-to-day office and clerical tasks, communicates with vendors for catering events, and assists team members. As a people person, she enjoys socializing, and communication. Elena is the first point of contact for our clients, guests, and staff.
With over 8 years of experience in the architectural field, Esther is skilled at managing a diverse portfolio of education, high-end and multi-family residential, commercial, institutional, first nations, and civic projects from conception to completion. A registered Architect with a high degree of organizational skills, strong problem solving, creativity, and empathy, she is motivated by civically important projects that increase the quality of life for individuals and enrich communities through thoughtfully designed spaces. After completing her Master of Architecture at UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design, Esther returned to her hometown of Vancouver.
Since joining Iredale Architecture in 2023, Esther has brought her expertise in project management and project coordination to the firm's Education + Childcare studio, working alongside Partners Graham Coleman and Michael van Bakel, and Team Lead/Associate, Gustavo Matoso. Driven by a desire to understand how we each experience the world and bring meaning to the places we inhabit, Esther seeks to use her architectural skillset to act as a translator between the clients needs and goals, and the complexities of building the spaces that lead to better, more connected communities.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
With 5 years of experience, Farwa is a skilled project manager and designer who leverages her acumen for spatial organization, drawing production, and problem solving to work across a variety of typologies including commercial tenant improvements and building renovations, as well as mixed-use and residential buildings. Since joining Iredale Architecture, she has applied her organizational expertise and clear communication skills to our firm's Education studio, working with a variety of school districts and First Nations on new builds, building additions, and modular additions.
As a designer, Farwa looks to nature for inspiration. Her work is guided by the hope of contributing to the everyday well-being of communities by building meaningful spaces that are grounded in the culture, tradition, and landscape in which they are built. Within these spaces, she aspires to create moments of joy, play, and imagination, transforming seemingly ordinary spaces into realms of personal significance for their inhabitants.
Job Titles:
- Technologist
- Junior Technologist
A recent graduate from BCIT, Felix Lui's architectural career involves providing concept drawings, renderings and contract documents, as well as contract administration services. His project experience includes commercial retail tenant improvement, mixed-use and educational projects. Felix is highly proficient in AutoCAD and Revit, which allows him to complete complex tasks efficiently and effectively. Inspired by Bjarke Ingels, Felix believes in the importance of incorporating functional spaces that relate to the building's program.
An Architect in Brazil with more than 16 years of experience, Fernando comes to the Firm with significant design and coordination experience. His expertise spans a diverse range of areas and scales from residential and real estate to cultural, commercial, and master planning projects. His time in Brazil further afforded him the opportunity to work in the coordination of corporate interior projects, bank branch flagship stores, and commercial projects. Since arriving at the Firm in 2022, Fernando's communication skills have been instrumental in coordinating the Building Permit application for the 189-unit multi-residential development in New Westminster.
Fernando is skilled in producing traditional drawings, renderings, and 3D models using Revit, AutoCAD, and SketchUp. He brings his expertise in BIM to manage and coordinate models for various projects and provide mentorship on best practices.
Job Titles:
- Contractor Housing, Fraser / Government of Canada Building Door Hardware Upgrade, Steveston
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Architect AIBC, LEED AP, MRAIC Principal
Graham Coleman has extensive experience leading complex commercial, community and educational projects. The three pillars of his architectural ethos are design excellence, environmental ethics and client satisfaction.
Graham was the Principal in Charge of more than a dozen facilities and educational projects in the past five years. His integrated cost control approach led these projects to be tendered on budget, and his effective methods of bi-weekly project meetings and document control logs provided Contractors with timely information and Owners with ongoing insight.
Graham was also the Principal in Charge and the Architect of Record for the recently completed Exchange Tower - an award-winning LEED® Platinum heritage restoration and new office project in downtown Vancouver.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Architect AIBC Associate
Gregory Bernardini joined Iredale Architecture as an Architectural Graduate in 2016. Over the past 8 years, he has worked on a diverse range of project typologies including commercial, civic, cultural, and light industrial. A registered Architect and firm Associate since 2022, Gregory now works alongside Peter Hildebrand as the Team Lead for our First Nations + Cultural studio.
Highly organized and skilled at multitasking, Gregory excels at coordinating multi-disciplinary teams through complex new builds, renovations, and additions. His expertise in project management is bolstered by comprehensive technical knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Photoshop, and several other graphic programs. As an Architect and designer, he is particularly interested in the initial stages of a project such as feasibility studies and concept designs.
Gustavo Matoso is a reliable project manager with the vision, commitment and leadership skills required to deliver consistent results for his clients. With over 10 years of experience in the architecture and construction industry, he is exceptional at reviewing documents and drawings, and clash detection. In his role as Project Manager, Gustavo works efficiently and effectively when collaborating and interacting with his colleagues, engineers, consultants, and owners to adhere to the project schedule and requirements. His project portfolio comprises a wide range of project types including tenant fit-outs, multi- and single-family housing projects, and commercial retail malls over 400,000ft2.
Job Titles:
- Conceptual Master Plan Residential Towers, Dartmouth
- Conceptual Master Plan, Dartmouth
With over five years in the industry, Hayley Robbins has garnered experience completing commercial, institutional, and residential projects. Since joining Iredale Architecture, she has demonstrated the ability to produce clear, detailed drawings in a fast-paced environment, efficiently coordinate consultants on complex projects, and adapt to new challenges in a timely manner. Influenced by Todd Saunders, Hayley enjoys seeing her projects begin to take shape, followed by watching her clients faces when they see their projects come together.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Architect AIBC, P. Eng., LEED AP, MRAIC Principal
James Emery joined Iredale Architecture in 1997 and became a Principal in 2000. He provides consulting services for all levels of government and private organizations, encompassing a diverse body of work. He has demonstrated expertise in infrastructure design and urban planning; commercial buildings and tenant improvements; heritage restoration and rehabilitation projects; and civic and cultural projects. He is also skilled at multi-stakeholder consultation, issue identification and problem solving.
James strongly believes in the collaborative process and through his experience, understands that stakeholder buy-in is critical to a project's success. James is an effective listener, an engaged participant, and a clear communicator of Client intent. He takes responsibility to not only meet Stakeholder needs, but to exceed expectations within the typical life safety and budget constraints of any project.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Multi - Family Residential Studio Leader, Project Manager, and Designer
Jason Letkeman, a Multi-family residential Studio Leader, Project Manager, and Designer at Iredale Architecture, concentrates on multi-family housing, seniors housing, affordable housing, and master planning projects. He is involved in overall project management, feasibility studies, and design. Although among the mentioned categories, his 30 years of expertise covers mixed-use developments, hospitality, mountain resort development, resort and residential community master planning, institutional faculty, staff, and student housing. Jason is a great empathetic listener who moves design forward and stays on track while coordinating a diverse group of project participants through the long project duration. While designing, he draws from a diverse knowledge of architectural design and project precedents that he transforms into creative solutions.
His work was influenced by the collective work of Nordic architects and designers such as Alvar Aalto, Jorn Utzon, Henning Larsen, Hans Wegner, et al, and the legacy of designers that have followed in their footsteps whose designs advocate that design should start with the users rather than the designers themselves.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Before becoming an Intern Architect, John worked in British Columbia's wood products industry. It was his time at Japan's Okayama University that inspired him to enter the field of architecture, after meeting a Japanese architect who changed his perception of the field.
Adept in AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, and Adobe Suite, John has experience working on capital projects, field studies, and construction sites. As a designer, he uses his intimate knowledge of wood products to uniquely understand the flow of material at larger scales. His organizational and independent decision-making skills allow him to strategize results-driven outcomes and make sensible decisions to preserve for future generations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Architect AIBC, MRAIC, BEP, CAHP, ALEP Senior Associate
- Registered Architect
Kendall Jessiman is a registered architect with over thirty years of experience. In addition to providing architectural and coordinating registered professional services, Kendall specializes in building envelope science. He consults with other architects and clients to ensure buildings are technically sound and constructed to withstand the harshest of climatic conditions.
Kendall is skilled in client liaison, project management, and consultant team coordination. His comprehensive portfolio includes work for municipalities, provincial and federal government agencies, school boards, and private corporations. He has completed over twenty-five projects for the City of Vancouver, BC Housing, Abbotsford School District, and Regina Public Schools, and continues to strengthen those relationships. He is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner, one of only a few in the province, and is registered with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals.
A recent addition to the firm, Lissandra began working in the architectural and construction field in 2018. Since then, she has worked on a diverse range of commercial and single-family residential projects. Honing her professional creativity, she uses an array of designing software to create drawings that meet the exacting standards of building codes and by-laws, without sacrificing aesthetics. From the schematic and construction phases to intricate 3D modelling for renders and client presentations, her attention to detail enables her to bring concepts to life.
Her work as an architectural technologist is informed by that of Lina Bo Bardi. Like Bo Bardi, Lissandra believes that built spaces are made to be experienced by their users. Applying this ethos to her own projects, she sees her work as an opportunity to improve the client's quality of life and be an enduring part of their community by delivering spaces that different generations will share.
Mark joined Iredale Architecture in fall 2023, bringing over 19 years of experience in the architectural industry. His expertise spans a variety of typologies from commercial office & retail, industrial, single and multi-family residential, and daycare facilities. As a Senior Project Manager, Mark excels at facilitating organized consultant coordination and site inspections, as well as drawing production. His additional experience in code and life safety consulting are evidenced through the stable problem-solving skills he brings to complex and collaborative environments, enabling him to see projects through successful and timely completion.
As a professional, Mark jumps at the chance to help create tangible places and spaces where communities can gather, work, play, develop, and thrive. His work is informed by a rich set of best practices learned throughout his nearly two decades of experience, and by a diverse body of architectural influences who use form and light disbursement to evoke narrative experiences in built environments.
Job Titles:
- Policy Research - Phase 2, SFU, Burnaby
- Policy Research for SFU
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Principal
- Intern Architect AIBC, MRAIC Associate Principal
Michael van Bakel largely focuses on educational, civic and institutional projects. With over 20 years of experience in the architectural industry, his expertise encompasses all project phases, with an emphasis on project management, technical coordination, and construction administration.
Since joining Iredale Architecture in 2012, Michael has led projects ranging from $5M to $25M, including numerous renovations and seismic upgrades to occupied facilities requiring fast-track design services and phased construction. His broad skillset is particularly valuable in assessing the constructability of buildings and finding practical solutions for successful project delivery.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Project Manager
- Architect AIBC Project Manager
Nico has over six years of industry experience working across commercial, residential, and light industrial sectors. As an Intern Architect, Nico lends his organizational prowess and drafting precision to the production of drawings, consultant team coordination, and project management.
His work draws inspiration from the artist, James Turrell, whose use of art to create moments in space drives Nico to better understand the spaces he is designing. As a designer, he aims to create architecture that evokes emotion, that connects people to their spaces, and that allows users to stop and witness, if only for an instant.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Pauline Mansey joined Iredale Architecture from Paris, France, where she spent the last five years working as a Project Architect and Manager on a variety of commercial, industrial and building envelope projects. As an Intern Architect AIBC, Pauline is involved in all project phases from Schematic Design to Construction Documents. She works with multi-disciplinary teams to coordinate and prepare drawings and specifications for Building Permit and Development Permit applications.
Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit, Pauline is eager to learn and discover new and innovative sustainable building materials. She believes innovation lives within the understanding and celebration of that which tethers us to the earth. This harmonious relationship inspires Pauline and fuels her unceasing desire to learn.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Architect AIBC, LEED AP, MRAIC Principal
Peter Hildebrand provides architectural services for several different public and private building types including commercial, residential, civic, cultural and educational. Primarily engaged with conceptual design work utilizing computer modeling, photo imaging and rendering, Peter also leads the preparation of public presentation materials, construction documents and material specifications.
Peter recognizes each community is distinct and that each structure should reflect that uniqueness. To accomplish this, Peter continuously rethinks the way buildings are designed and executed. He has been privileged to collaborate with several First Nations on the design and development of multiuse community facilities throughout British Columbia, including the award-winning Snxastwilxtn Centre and Outma Sqilx'w Cultural School for Penticton Indian Band.
Job Titles:
- Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Rashmi Rajpal has over seven years of experience in the architectural sector working on urban design and planning for commercial, residential, hospitality, and institutional projects. Since working at Iredale Architecture, Rashmi has honed her design and consultant coordination skills. She prides herself in understanding the client's needs and designing accordingly while considering style, safety, and sustainability.
Rashmi is creative, adaptable, and collaborative. She is constantly learning new design techniques for the built environment. She believes architecture is the art of creating not only the built form but also the surroundings. She is interested in creating spaces that elicit emotion, provide comfort, and endure through time.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Sahar Bahrami has been in the architectural industry for over fourteen years. She received her master's degree in Architectural Engineering in Iran, where she worked as an Intern Architect before immigrating to Canada. Motivated by her love of learning, she also pursued an MBA at University Canada West.
Sahar specializes in residential, cultural, commercial, and office projects, as well as design and contract documentation development. She is an enthusiastic team player who brings flexibility, resilience, and a strong sense of communication to both her individual and collaborative work. As an Architectural Graduate, she is passionate about using sustainable design as a tool to have a positive impact on society and improve people's quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Intermediate Technologist
Sean's Kao portfolio includes residential, commercial, and industrial projects. In his work, Sean uses all the skills gained in his Technologist career (6 years) and construction (2 years). Therefore, at Iredale Architecture, Sean manages contract document production, contract administration, and assists the project architect with achieving the projects' milestones. Sean was influenced by Marco Ciriello, and he is excited about the architectural field, knowing people who share the same vision and building better communities together.
Job Titles:
- Intern Architect
- Intern Architect AIBC
Sean works alongside senior staff to manage and execute an array of project types including architectural project management, construction administration, TD projects, feasibility studies, and occupancy assessments for independent reports. During his 21 years of practice (with 8 years of local B.C. experience), Sean has been involved in K-12 School design, multi-family residential (high-rise, mid-rise), single family residential, office and commercial buildings etc.
He contributes to architecture through gathered knowledge, an extraverted personality, and willingness to be teachable. He constantly strives to learn more about the practice of architecture and is excited about "The process of making Architecture"; Taking a sketch on a napkin, developing the design, producing the drawings, and watching a concept become a real physical building or place that impacts the built environment. His admiration comes from Frank Lloyd Wright.
Stephanie Scott is the Director of Marketing + Human Resources and works out of our Vancouver office. As the leader of our Marketing Department, she is responsible for developing marketing strategies to grow the firm and providing the tools to enable the department to function effectively. Using her exceptional organizational skills and close attention to detail, Stephanie primarily leads the preparation of proposals, contributes to the creation of brochure content, coordinates events, and collaborates to develop award entries.
Stephanie has over fifteen years of experience in marketing and office administration. A natural multi-tasker, she gravitates toward positions that involve varied responsibilities. Before joining Iredale Architecture, she worked in a hybrid role at a law office where she provided administrative, human resources, and marketing support.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Architect AIBC, BEP, LEED AP Associate
- Registered Architect
Susanna is a registered Architect and Building Envelope Consultant with over 20 years of local experience. She primarily provides architectural and building envelope consulting services for existing buildings, including renovations, building envelope rehabilitation, or heritage preservation. Susanna also provides in-house envelope reviews of our wood-frame construction projects. Her work often involves conducting building assessment reports, reviewing regulatory requirements, and facilitating approval of new work to existing non-conforming conditions. Susanna supervises the production of permit and contract drawings, performs construction phase field reviews, and provides contract administration.
Tom Kennedy has over 25 years' experience in the architectural sector as both a designer and teacher. His project portfolio includes educational, institutional, commercial, residential and transportation projects domestically and globally. He taught 3D modelling and AutoCAD courses at Sheridan College in Oakville, Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto, and Teacher's College in Islamabad, Pakistan for the Canadian International Development Agency. As a Senior Technologist at Iredale Architecture, Tom is responsible for creating 3D renderings for schematic designs and overseeing the design and construction documentation phases for educational and institutional projects.
Job Titles:
- Intermediate Technologist
Tong has been in architecture for 11 years. During this period, she had been involved in commercial and residential projects. Currently, she has been working with TD and SFU, and focuses mainly on technical work, construction involvement, and early-stage design.
Architecture has always been her passion; Tong sees architecture as something that is new and yet to be touched previously per her experience would be exciting. She brings to the job organizational skills, logic, and ratio. As an influencer she would list Peter Pran and Norman Foster.