Archie MontroseThe 6 Best Architects in Vancouver
The human mind is an amazing creative tool. It’s able to conjure up a ton of unique ideas at a moment’s notice.
When you’re trying to design your living space, this ability can sometimes be a blessing and a curse… unless you have an architect helping you organize all of your thoughts, that is!
To help you put your ideas in order, we’ve gathered a list of the best architects in Vancouver. On this list, we’ll help you get acquainted with each firm.
Along with this, we’ll also give you other essential info to help you pick your next project partner.
How Much Does an Architect Cost in Vancouver?
The design fees for a project can vary widely based on the design area, complexity, and skill level of the architect.
Thankfully, our entries were kind enough to provide us with a rough estimate of their rates. We’ve taken the liberty of organizing everything into this handy cost guide:
| Firm | Minimum design fee | Maximum design fee |
| BLA Design Group | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Living Radius Architecture & Interior Design | $5,000 | $200,000 |
| ZED Studio | $100,000 | $500,000 |
| John Henshaw Architect Inc. | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Matthew T. Hansen Architect | $10,000 | $100,000 |
You may be wondering, “Why is the range of design fees so wide?”
The short answer is because these architects work on everything from small homes to modern mansions and even commercial buildings.
With this wide range of projects comes long design times and complex elements, which result in variable costs based on the varying factors that go into a project.
The Best Architects in Vancouver
Now that you’re armed with our handy cost guide, it’s time to meet some of the best architects in Vancouver.
1. Jesse Basran & Jerry Liu – BLA Design Group
| SERVICES | Custom home design Renovations Interior design 3D rendering Kitchen remodels Sustainable design Tiny house construction |
| WEBSITE | https://bla-design.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 8889 Laurel Street #101 Vancouver, British Columbia V6P3V9, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (778) 719-6087 Email: admin@bla-design.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Thursday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Friday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
BLA Design group is a firm that specializes in modern residential homes. They have found tons of success in designing houses all around Vancouver.
This group brings a uniquely modern aesthetic that goes beyond the typical monotone shades and geometric shapes. Many of their designs go so far as to incorporate wooden elements and green architecture.
You could even say the folks at BLA are sort of the millennials of the architecture industry. They are young, creative, and unafraid to defy tradition to redefine what “normal” means.
This is to be expected of Jesse Basran and Jerry Liu, BLA’s co-owners. These two fresh graduates have a knack for unconventional modernism.
They have proven this with their many awards and recognitions. As further proof, Jesse and Jerry even won the 2019 Bee Breeders Architecture Competition in the micro home segment.
It is for these reasons that BLA is a prime choice for clients who enjoy modern design aesthetics.
Pros
- Small, closely-knit team
- Highly skilled with modern design
- Winners of an international architecture competition
Cons
- Not ideal for clients who prefer traditional designs
Customer Reviews
Here’s what clients had to say about Jerry & Jesse’s amazing designs:
“This year I decided to tear down my house and build a new property for my family. I hired Bla Design Group Ltd. to be our architect for this project and couldnt be happier. Ive never built a house so this is my first experience starting from scratch. The great part about working with Jerry (my contact) and the Bla Design team (Jesse/ Ryan) is how deep their team is and able to field a lot of ideas/ opinions to put the best ones on paper. The most important part is that my wife is happy as she was an integral part of the planning process. I highly recommend them and their work/ ethics are best in class.” – Michael L.
“Jerry and Jesse are incredibly talented architects who understood my exact needs and delivered to my highest expectation. They are prompt with scheduling and informs me immediately if any issues should arise, allowing me ample time to find resolutions and keep my project on schedule. Their comprehensive knowledge of local zoning regulations helps with feasibility studies before potential acquisitions!” – Jimmy C.
2. Brian Uhryniuk & Kelly Griffiths – Living Radius Architecture & Interior Design
| SERVICES | Custom home design Interior design 3D rendering Home renovations Floor plans Green buildings Bathroom renovations Kitchen remodels |
| WEBSITE | https://www.livingradius.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 2046 Keith Rd W, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1Z3, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (604) 373-4764 Email: kelly@livingradius.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 5 pm Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm Friday: 9 am – 5 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
Living Radius is a two-person firm that specializes in condo renovations and custom home designs.
Their projects show a healthy mix of both traditional and modern influences. They have also served in areas ranging from North Vancouver all the way to Salt Spring Island.
This wide design coverage shows the firm’s ability to adapt to different clients and environments… a handy ability, especially in the diverse architecture industry.
Living Radius is headed by Brian Uhryniuk and Kelly Griffiths, two highly capable architects in their own right. Together, this pair works with the belief that a home should be an extension of the family dwelling inside.
It is this belief that drives Brian and Kelly to produce their designs in a way that captures each client’s unique tastes and personality. If you’ve got a rough concept of your dream home already, you can trust in these folks to do your dream justice.
Pros
- Wide design capability
- Serves a wide area in British Columbia
- Highly skilled with personalized home designs
Cons
- The two-person design team can result in longer completion times
Customer Reviews
Living Radius has produced some amazingly personalized designs that have left their clients absolutely thrilled:
“Working with Kelly and Brian of Living Radius was such a great experience. We came to them with a vision of what we wanted for our home renovation, and they turned into a beautiful design. They are both so professional and knowledgeable that we felt 100% confident during the entire process. The only downside was that the job obviously had to come to an end, thus ending our meetings with them. They are a fantastic team, and we are looking forward to putting their design to work in our home.” – Karen L.
“We expected that building a house would be very stressful so we were quite apprehensive. Brian and Kelly were so wonderful in helping us to define and refine our dream home with their vast experience, professionalism,insight, patience and sensitivity that we actually enjoyed the experience and would be ready to do it again! We definitely would hire them again!” – Sylvie C.
3. JHA™ Architecture + Interior
| SERVICES | Custom Home Design, Renovations, Interior Design |
| WEBSITE | https://www.jhainc.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1666 W 75th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 6G2, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: 604 264 1072 Email: info@jhainc.ca |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 5 pm Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm Friday: 9 am – 5 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
JHA™ Architecture + Interior is a multi-award-winning architect with a penchant for using energy-efficient features in his designs. Along with this, his firm also specializes in blending western and eastern designs to produce a unique aesthetic.
Put simply, John’s designs are easy on the eyes and on the wallet. This is all thanks to his integrated energy-efficient features which reduce the cost of artificial heating and cooling.
This firm is well aware that a home is only as good as its interior. That’s why John also employs highly talented interior designers to make a project beautiful both inside and out.
Take note that their minimum design fee is at least $20,000, while their maximum design fee is $100,000 and over.
Taking all of this into account, this firm is an excellent choice for clients who would like to have a unique, energy-efficient home.
Pros
- A multilingual firm that speaks Cantonese & Chinese
- Highly skilled with energy-efficient designs
- Their designs are proven to reduce heating & cooling costs
Cons
- The firm’s unique taste may not sit well with some clients
Customer Reviews
With such innovative designs, it’s easy to see why this firm has so many rave reviews:
“I’ve worked with the design team at JHA for years now and it’s an absolute pleasure being able to be part of their creative direction. They put together stunning designs and manage to reflect the clients style and personality in their work. 100% love working with them!” – Alex L.
“I had the pleasure of working with the John Henshaw Architect Inc team on a recent extensive renovation, addition & house lift project. Their creative design sculpted a luxurious space for modern west coast living, while still showing compassion to the original home. Their attention to detail was impeccable, proving they are truly passionate about the work they do. I would not hesitate to recommend JHA, or to work with them again.” – Gareth J.
4. DAE Design Architecture Everyday
| SERVICES | Design |
| WEBSITE | https://everydaydesign.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1828 Powell Street Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y9 Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | T. 778-244-7710 (Vancouver & Toronto) hello@daestudio.ca |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact for more information |
DAE Design Architecture Everyday is a dynamic, full-service architecture firm that’s based in Vancouver.
They focus on designing spaces that have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of everyone who makes use of such space. We like this concept and we think it’s what makes them unique.
They don’t choose the scale of projects—they can work with any scale or type of project and still create positive spaces.
Their founders have had ample experience in the field and, without a doubt, know exactly what they’re doing.
What we like about their team is their ability to deliver exceptional architectural work that’s within the schedule and budget of their client.
What’s more is that this boutique architecture firm offers a comprehensive architecture and design skill set to the table. They mainly focus on small and mid-sized projects in order to give each project proper attention.
We think it’s great that they also offer tailored solutions for their clients.
The approach they use is a rigorous, organized, and communicative one all throughout the design and construction process. This way they can always stay on track and deliver the best quality of work.
Without a doubt, they’re incredible and we highly recommend!
Pros
- Full-service architecture firm
- Focuses on designing spaces with positive impact
- Experienced team
- Focuses on small and mid-sized projects
- Tailored solutions
Cons
- Doesn’t focus on big projects
- Operating hours unavailable
Customer Reviews
“My partner and I were extraordinarily fortunate to have been able to work with DAE to turn our first house (a Victorian duplex) into a single family home. They are an extremely thoughtful, hardworking and creative team.
From beginning to end, they showed care and consideration to make sure that our daily lives -present and future- would be reflected in the design. The facade and backbone of the home were preserved while the interior was renovated to be friendly, modern, clean, and incredibly functional. An addition was designed for the rear of the home which visually contrasts playfully with the character of the older structure, and was designed with sensitivity to original building; minimizing construction cost and reflecting a respect for the exiting design. As a team, they balanced management of the ‘big picture’ with the required granularity to ensure no detail was missed. Ours was a large scale project— a complete gut from underpinning the basement to a secret little loft space featuring a pitched roof and double height volume. Looking back on all the communication DAE maintained with our GC, tradespeople, and with us, I am so impressed and grateful for their project management and commitment.. We have many memories of discussIng plans and choices, surely driving them mad, though they never let it on and were always available. Even then we’d still sometimes change our minds(!!) and they remained pleasant and gracious while politely explaining the ramifications on budget and timelines :). While we feel the credit they received for the project in several publications is of course well deserved, what is not often enough represented is how deeply and truly an owner loves their home! We could not be more grateful and appreciative for their hard work and lightness of spirit with which they undertook it.”
5. Matthew “Matt” T. Hansen – Matthew T. Hansen Architect
| SERVICES | Custom home design Kitchen remodels Earthquake retrofitting Historic building conservation 3D rendering Bathroom design Floor plans Energy-efficient homes Sustainable design |
| WEBSITE | https://mtharchitect.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 1572 Kilmer Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7K 1R4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (604) 983-3723 Email: mhansen@mtharchitect.ca |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 9 am – 6 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 6 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 6 pm Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm Friday: 9 am – 6 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
Out of all our entries, this is the only one-man architecture firm. While this may seem like a serious drawback, this firm has still built a great reputation as a reliable residential designer.
Having graduated architecture in 1989, Matt Hansen has gathered over 25 years of experience in designing single-family living spaces. All of his designs are practical and functional, resulting in a “new traditional aesthetic”
What truly separates this firm from others is Matt’s adherence to old-fashioned values and a genuine love for his craft. To give credence to his beliefs, Matt regularly helps with designing structures all around his community.
Much like a traditional craftsman, Matt builds lasting connections with each of his clients. This results in very direct communication and high accountability.
These are things that you sometimes just don’t get when you work with larger firms.
Pros
- High level of transparency throughout the design process
- Lower design costs compared to larger firms
- Highly-skilled in residential design
Cons
- Most of the firm’s projects are limited to Vancouver’s North Shore
Customer Reviews
Matt’s personable approach and excellent designs have resulted in a ton of rave reviews:
“We hired Matt to do a reno on an old rancher that we had just purchased. Our goal was to have an “aging in place” home that would also fit the needs of frequent house guests and entertaining large numbers. Matt took great care in listening to our needs, and coming up with solutions and plans that were just right for us. When obstacles arose, they would always be presented along with the solution. He was always available to talk with us and worked very well with our contractor, Schultz Construction. He is creative, a pleasure to work with and we would highly recommend his services. – Sue M.
“Matt did an amazing job of taking our wishes and making them reality. He delivered a plan that exceeded our expectations in every way. We had fairly tight space requirements and he delivered a plan that met all our needs and much more. Matt was easy to work with and delivered everything he said he would. He maintained an interest in our project and was supportive to the end of the project.” – Marie W.
Other Residential Designers in Vancouver:
If you’d rather go with a residential designer in Vancouver, however, here are a few people you can turn to:
6. Zane Erickson – ZED Studio
| SERVICES | 3D rendering Architectural design Architectural drawings Bathroom design Building design Drafting Energy-efficient homes Floor Plans Kitchen design Sustainable design Custom home design Interior design |
| WEBSITE | https://www.zedstudio.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 109 – 2632 Pauline St Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 3S2, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (778) 402-9481 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 9 am – 4 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 4 pm Wednesday: 8 am – 4 pm Thursday: 8 am – 4 pm Friday: 8 am – 4 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed |
Among our list, Zane Erickson boasts some of the largest projects by far. His firm, ZED Studio, regularly builds luxury homes with average areas in the range of 10,000 to 50,000 sq ft.
Designing large homes comes with its own challenges such as building structure, layout, flow, and client perspectives, among other things. But Mr. Erickson has proven time and time again that he is more than up to the challenge.
He manages this by relying on his 22 years of experience. To make sure his designs never run dry, he also draws inspiration by studying under award-winning architects and traveling frequently.
To see the full extent of Mr. Erickson’s capabilities, clients can simply visit his firm’s website. From top to bottom, his portfolio is studded with luxury homes, decked-out cabins, and modern masterpieces.
For clients willing to invest a significant amount into their home, ZED studio is an ideal firm to get your money’s worth.
Pros
- Highly skilled with large luxury homes
- Partnered with capable construction firms
- Tons of experience building in geographically challenging areas
Cons
- The firm’s designs carry a hefty price tag
Customer Reviews
This firm’s amazing projects have also resulted in equally amazing reviews:
“Zane has been amazing to work with. Our project was a very complicated executive home on the side of a hill but Zane made it look easy. He used 3D and virtual reality to bring the design to life. It would have been impossible to pick up on the changes we wanted without the use of that technology. Zane would make changes on the fly and came up with fantastic ideas to many of the changes we wanted. I’d highly recommend working with Zed Studios.” – John M.
“An exceptional experience. It was great to work with someone who could understand our needs and apply them to our custom home design. Very accommodating and easy to work with. We were so impressed with how quickly everything was completed and the few alteration requests we had in the end were also done so quickly. We’ve recommended ZED to friends who are also very happy that they used ZED. Client services are top notch.” – Anna
FAQs About Architecture
That wraps up our list of the best architects in Vancouver. Now that you’ve seen what the city has to offer, all that’s left is to pick your architect and call up their firm.
If you’ve already got your dream home, but you’re looking for a touch of color, we can certainly help. Our list of the best painters in Vancouver has all the info you need to pick a painter that can breathe life into your living space
