With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/325830
P r o m o t e d C o n t e n t Centre in Courtenay are among the best retail projects out there for that type of product." Banich is quick to emphasize that despite the prevalence of e-shopping, retail has more creative brick and mortar facets than ever, from lifestyle malls to intimate retail design settings. "We're careful to stay up-to- date on all the latest trends affecting the retail sector," he says. "In particular mixed-use is a big consideration for most urban retail projects these days." Weih and Banich have broadened the irm's geographic focus beyond the Lower Mainland. In 2006 they opened an ofice on Vancouver Island, in part due to the demand for new residential buildings in the area. The WA team has completed over 15 multi-family buildings on the island in recent years, as well as residential projects throughout the Lower Mainland, BC, and in Edmonton. "We have a great team with a lot of experience in all types of residential design, from single-family to high- rise", says Weih. We often work with residential developers who operate on a 'design- build model', where the developer is also the builder." He cites some noteworthy projects such as The Granderson in Langford, and VIA in New Westminster, both of which were nominated for design awards, and the upcoming Cap West project in North Vancouver. The digital environment makes it easier to work beyond our immediate geographical area, and allows our Vancouver and Victoria ofices to collaborate on projects," notes Weih. Though he acknowledges the importance of staying current with technological developments such as BIM, Weih points out that, "at the end of the day these are only tools. There's no substitute for effective dialogue with a client, or the creative process that happens when a designer synthesizes a client's ideas into an artistic building expression." The dramatic growth in West Coast cities continues to create areas of opportunity for WA. "Langford just outside of Victoria is a case in point," says Weih. "It's a major growth hub, like Surrey and many other communities. We ind that most municipalities encourage new business, and policy-makers actively seek ways to create great projects. Collaborating with people who are so motivated is very rewarding." Weih and Banich credit their company's founder, B. James Wensley, with providing the inspiration behind the irm. 'B. James' was one of the foremost architects in Western Canada from the 1960s through the 1980s, a pioneer in modern shopping Crown Isle Shopping Centre is a high-quality neighbourhood shopping centre in Courtenay, anchored by Thrifty Foods. The project was a finalist in this year's Vancouver Island Real Estate Board ( VIREB) Commercial Building Awards. Client: Sobeys Development HOWARD WAISMAN HOWARD WAISMAN Focus Advantage.indd 1 14-05-16 10:46 AM p156-161- Wensley.indd 159 2014-05-29 3:24 PM