Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo Architects & Engineer: company of the year (1-15 employees).

John Stephenson describes architectural design as an interactive "process of discovery."

Breaking down the complexities of building design for clients has been one of the core values behind the success of Kuch Stephenson Gibson Malo Architects & Engineer. The progressive Thunder Bay firm has developed a track record for bringing an energized passion and commitment to their projects, combined with a unique element of environmental responsibility and conservation to meet client needs.

By engaging clients early and often in project design, from the early schematics to the final drawings, "we break down the process much more and do more dialogue with them about their options every step of the way," says Stephenson. Stephenson is one of the senior partners in the firm that includes Walter Kuch, Michelle Gibson, Jim Malo and Ian McEachern.

"It's a greater degree of involvement with the client throughout all the stages and transparency in the process.

"The end result is a better building and a more educated client."

The firm, formed in January 2002 with the merger of two well-established Thunder Bay firms--Kuch Stephenson Architects and GBW Plus Architect & Engineer - has participated in some high-profile projects in northwestern Ontario. Two of those projects include Confederation College's $8.4-million state-of-the-art Aviation Centre of Excellence and the $220-million Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.

The merger has brought a diversified mix of youth and depth of experience to the 13-member team, which includes architects, a structural engineer, an interior designer and technicians, and has opened doors to more substantial projects in the Thunder Bay area.

A key area of focus is designing buildings that are not only functional for clients, but stand as a healthy workplace.

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"We take our responsibility as good environmental stewards pretty seriously," says Stephenson.

Building construction and operation represent about a 30 per cent proportion of all energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission in the overall economy, he says.

In light of the Kyoto Accord and the need to treat the environment in a more sensitive manner, "by showing leadership in this area, we believe we can have a big impact.

"It has marketing benefits, but we also think it's the right thing to do."

As a member of the Canada Green Building Council, the firm has demonstrated a keen interest in implementing sustainable approaches to building design.

"We look at all material selections very carefully to ensure they are as benign as possible in terms of environmental impact and use the least amount of energy."

One of their current projects, Thunder Bay's Ecole secondaire catholique de La Verendrye, an all-wood construction project, embodies many aspects of energy conservation.

The building's mechanical ventilation is energy efficient and the building envelope is highly insulated, and makes extensive use of natural ventilation instead of artificial cooling during seasonal times of the year, which helps to downsize fans and the building's energy consumption.

With billings of between $1 million to $2 million annually, depending on swings in the construction economy, the company covers a broad-based range of commercial, residential, institutional projects from small back porch additions on houses to multimillion-dollar institutional projects.

The company also worked on numerous interpretative centres, museums, art galleries, park visitor centres in the North, including the Old Fort William Visitor Information Centre, Terry Fox Lookout Visitor Centre and the Elk Lake Eco-Resource Centre, the latter project garnering the firm a 2003 WoodWORKS! Award.

One heart warming project for the firm was their design of the Healing Gardens for St. Joseph's Care Group in 1999, a seniors' chronic care hospital in Thunder Bay's north-end, a project that won the City of Thunder Bay Mayor's Beautification Award.

Another specialty is preservation of historic buildings.

In an effort to keep top-notch talent in the North, the firm makes it a practice to support employee academic advancement by being open to paying tuition costs for upgrading.

The company has supported several graduate architects through the years through the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Syllabus Program. Partner Walter Kuch runs an informal Thunder Bay design studio to mentor employees through the program to become licensed and qualified as an architect.

On a community level, they are active in local charitable events and fundraisers, often donating free design services to community-based projects such as Shelter House, or involving staff in causes such as Habitat for Humanity.

Though much of their work is focused in northwestern Ontario, the company is anxious to promote work abroad.

They are working with a southern Ontario landscape architect on a resort residential development in China, having completed the preliminary design work and are awaiting approvals to proceed.

One focus is resort-recreational property development, and they are also developing a marketing campaign to showcase their developing expertise in health-care-type buildings and interpretative centres across North America.

By Ian Ross

Northern Ontario Business