Award

A PR IL 2016 | 9 PHOTOGRAPHY EMA PETERS + NATHAN ELSON/COURTESY SAHURI + PARTNERS SAHURI + Partners Architecture Inc. T here's a message in architecture to inspire our community, to encourage peo- ple to learn about the environment and to be excited about life and live it to its fullest. That's our responsibility as architects." This comment by Tim Sahuri, principal at SAHURI + Partners Architecture Inc., during our recent interview basically lies at the heart of the philosophy that gently weaves its way through every facet of this Calgary-based architecture and design firm. It's no wonder that SAHURI + Partners has attracted some of the country's top talent and resulted in the team working on some of the highest profile projects in Alberta and beyond. They understand architecture's context in the bigger picture and how it influences human behaviour – not just by considering how a building should be constructed for the now but taking in the future picture; and they are not afraid to step outside the box and challenge and motivate creativity in both staff and clients. When Tim Sahuri, Allan Law and Joanne Smith partnered in 2007, they may not have realized it at the time, but they brought together a team that welcomed and fostered new ideas and creative perspectives; people who think differently and care about the built environment. "Our philosophy has evolved since we started in 2007 because we've learned to look at architectural solutions for a living; designing for life and for people, and having a strong commitment to the environment with sustainable design," explains Sahuri. SAHURI + Partners is the successor firm of a 43-year collective firm history and has been established as an Alberta Corporation since 2001. The team is comprised of people with diverse skills who are as passionate as they are creative. Smith's busi- ness acumen, Law's technology expertise and Sahuri's design vision are advantages for the firm as a whole. "We are all very different people and yet we complement one another," explains Smith. "Tim has these great ideas and vision, while Allan and I are a bit more grounded in that we understand we need to get something built," adds Smith. "Yes, they say no to me quite a lot," laughs Sahuri, to which Smith responds, "we balance each other out." Combine these personalities with a team of just under 40 who can be found throwing ideas around in their open-plan office in Southeast Calgary, and you have a firm that stands out from the crowd. "Every voice is listened to and heard. We like to challenge our juniors to find their own voice. While Tim is a very strong designer he is also very receptive to others; he encourages you to step up," says Smith. "There's an infectious enthusiasm amongst our team. Our clients see and appreciate that, they want to work with a team that is co-operative, friendly and professional. We are an approachable group with strong opinions," adds Sahuri. SAHURI + Partners prides itself on being a solution-based company, and no chal- lenge is too large. "We are extremely adaptable. We create concepts, but we also listen to the input of everyone involved to come up with evolving dynamic archi- tectural solutions – and we bring leadership to that process," explains Law. "We challenge our clients to do something that is in many cases better than what they expected. We are not afraid to say let's do something a little bit differently." A recent example of this is the Bow River Seniors Lodge in Canmore, Alberta. Originally conceived as a multi-phase expansion and renovation that would see a new wing added to the existing Lodge, the team conducted a thorough analysis of the 40-year-old building and found that an extension would be more costly than originally realized. As a result, SAHURI + Partners recommended a different course of action; to build a brand new two-storey, 42,635-square-foot residence wing with SAHURI + Partners is taking the future of the built environment seriously by NATALIE BRUCKNER-MENCHELLI " 63 units, a new dining area, kitchen, amenity space in lounges and multi-purpose areas, and a connecting link to the existing facility. The efficiency of the design com- pensated for the minimal increase in construction area, reducing the overall capital cost for the project from $11.8 million to $10.4 million. "What Tim and Joanne did on this project is commendable," says Law. "They led the client to realize the best conclusion. The master planning involved thinking of the future at all times to provide optimal opportunity to maximize the project. It was about bringing leadership through creativity, something we pride ourselves in." Currently SAHURI + Partners is working on 30 projects in the LEED process, and another 20 have already been registered for LEED. Sustainability is always at the forefront for this firm and its staff are constantly breaking new ground in this respect. In fact, the team is currently working on its first net zero project in Calgary. "Joanne and I started off with an environmental design degree and so that has been at the core of both our personal and professional design philosophies," explains Sahuri, who has not only worked across Canada, but also in Finland where some of the largest and most ambitious green housing developments in the world can be found. "There is a strong environmental consciousness over there that started way before we had that opportunity here in Canada, because we are a resource-based economy. But Calgary is changing and it's exciting to be a part of that change and to nurture that," says Sahuri. One example of a SAHURI + Partners sustainable design project in Calgary is 11th Avenue Place. This recently completed $45-million project is said to redefine the Beltline District as it is the first LEED Gold certified building in the area. It is estimated that the building will achieve over 30 per cent savings in comparison with other designs. MRU Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts; + 11th Avenue Place.

• Cover