DNA’s experience with a wide variety of building types is substantial. We have designed a number of school projects including elementary, secondary, post-secondary and other education buildings. Our projects have included new construction as well as upgrades and additions to existing school facilities and office, administration complexes, and community centres.

We work with our clients to determine how the design can address their educational requirements. Our talented Architectural Team has accommodated language classrooms, traditional dance spaces, cultural arts classrooms,  bright colours and more to define warm, inviting and appropriate learning environments that best suit each client’s unique needs.

Our team has significant experience with wood frame, steel frame, and heavy timber construction. Our schools and other education building projects are designed and built to high sustainability standards, including geothermal heat recovery systems, radiant hydronic floors, natural light and conducive window orientation, natural ventilation, and generous overhangs protecting the main entrances.

DNA has significant experience in the design and construction of over a dozen First Nation administration and government buildings. We are deeply committed to active listening and engagement of our clients and their communities.  We are proud of the level of First Nation capacity building, training and employment that are a core part of our design and contract administration services.

We are inspired by design, but never lose sight of the owner’s objectives. We are active listeners and understand the importance of creative collaboration. Our team is built on the shared ambition of providing excellent service to our clients. Our administration facilities are designed and constructed to meet the governance and administrative functions of each client.

DNA has a long history of excellence in the design of community-based facilities and proven successful working relationships with the full spectrum of municipal, provincial, and federal government agencies, in addition to commercial, institutional, and private sector clientele. We have designed and constructed a number of cultural longhouses, municipal libraries, multi-purpose community halls, and more. We find our experience designing culturally appropriate community facilities that incorporate modern sustainable technologies to be a unique skillset.

We have extensive project management and design experience gained on museums, cultural and interpretative centre projects. Additionally, our project development expertise includes working with stakeholders to help define the appropriate structure of the project as well as identify and develop funding strategies and scenarios.

We understand cultural spaces need to be flexible in their design to accommodate many activities undertaken by many different groups in the community. We design facilities to be used by youth, children, adults, and elders and are made available for use at all times of the day, if needed.

We are strong believers in the iterative, Interactive Design Process approach to design which includes stakeholders in an intense process to encourage active participation of all parties.  We have found that this is the best way to achieve a successful, sustainable project which responds to and meets our client’s objectives. Our community and recreation buildings are designed to bring people together, celebrate traditions and improve access to recreational activities.

We produce the traditional architecture and engineering design deliverables cost-effectively while allowing more time and resources to be allocated to community services planning, careful review of existing site conditions, placement of building on site, and development of a concept design that is truly reflective of the community.

We have worked with many Indigenous and non-First Nation communities to develop health facilities. Our firm has established long-term working relationships with many clients based on a partnership approach to community projects. We incorporate capacity building and respect for culture and traditions into the work we do, integrating the spiritual, mental, and physical aspects of health and wellbeing into the designs when possible.

As an architectural firm pre-qualified by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and registered with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, we bring a powerful combination of hands-on knowledge and extensive experience to provide clients with outstanding expertise, unrivalled services and an award-winning product. DNA has planned, negotiated and designed more than 80 First Nation Health Facilities.

Our proposed focus on community consultation with regards to health centre and community space programming, functionality, financial stability, and environmental sustainability reflects our commitment to adhering to all seven of the FNHA Health Directives to guide our work.

We are knowledgeable in all aspects of what will make a mixed-use project a success, bringing a wide range of applicable experience on similar projects. Our experience has been gained in all project phases; pre-design, detailed design, design and construction. We offer a strong combination of technical expertise and a reputation for providing effective project management skills. Our mixed-use projects showcase our ability to collaborate with many stakeholders and our passion for our work. We encourage our team to find unique and creative ways to help our clients achieve their goals and objectives.

We have design and constructed various infrastructure projects, including firehalls, water system improvements, and more.

As an interdisciplinary firm, DNA’s architects work closely with in-house engineers and planners on many projects. We are team-spirited and passionate and feel our communicative and open style enhances the success of our infrastructure projects. We also work closely with our clients, ensuring we respond effectively and follow directions. It has been our experience that good design is the result of effective management and communication among all stakeholders.

Since the firm’s early beginnings, we have worked with clients to develop both market and non-market housing. Our firm has established long-term working relationships with many clients based on a partnership approach to projects. Our team has successfully completed a number of residential projects ranging in size from single family homes to 200-unit developments.