Introducing the winning team from the Fast + Epp x Perkins&Will Design Hive: Markus Fast (Fast + Epp), Babak Manavi (Perkins&Will), Kiana Youssefian (Fast + Epp), and Yalda Amin-Shahidi (Perkins&Will).
Their concept reimagines the helipad as a multi-level community hub, placing entrance, ticketing, and viewing spaces below the waterline for an immersive marine experience, while a central core elevator connects to three elevated landing platforms arranged in a petal-like formation. The design allows for multiple take-off and landing points for eVTOLs while embedding public experience and program into the structure.
The judges selected this concept for its clear vision of the future, both bold and transformative, yet challenging how vertiport infrastructure can evolve beyond what exists today.
Thank you to all participants, organizers, judges, and advisors who contributed to making the Design Hive such a thoughtful and inspiring exploration of future aircraft mobility and design.
Swipe through to explore the winning concept and visit the link in bio for the full Design Hive recap.
@perkinswill_van | @perkinswill | @_concept_lab
#DesignHive #PerkinsWillVancouver #Architecture #StructuralEngineers
The təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster is Canada's first completed Zero Carbon Building - Design certified aquatic facility. The all‑electric, mass‑timber‑hybrid building is crowned by a sculptural sawtooth roof that brings soft daylight deep into the pools below.
Built with locally sourced CLT and glulam, the centre combines a 50‑metre lap pool, leisure pool, fitness spaces, and community amenities—designed for accessibility, wellness, and long‑term sustainability.
Photo credit: Nic Lehoux
@hcma.ca@new_westminster@fastepp@heatherbraebuilders@kalesnikoff_
Designing a vertiport that stays connected to nature while using technology.
Introducing team three from the Fast + Epp x Perkins&Will Design Hive: Jenna Louie (Fast + Epp), Kent Pretorius (Fast + Epp), Glenn Veigas (Perkins&Will), and Emily Chee (Perkins&Will).
Their concept is a movable platform that adapts with tides and rising sea levels through vertical anchor points. Modular pods extend into the water and can grow over time, connected by walkways that enhance engagement with marine life. Marine screens attached to anchor blocks shift with tidal conditions, creating an experience that changes with the environment.
Swipe to explore their design process and access the full Design Hive recap through the link in our bio.
@perkinswill_van | @perkinswill | @_concept_lab
#DesignHive #PerkinsWillVancouver #Architecture #StructuralEngineers
A vertiport experience inspired by the rhythm of the water.
Introducing team two from the Fast + Epp x Perkins&Will Design Hive: Fargol Moshiri (Perkins&Will), Caolan McCaughley (Perkins&Will), Carson Baker (Fast + Epp), and Arnold Meiners (Fast + Epp).
The concept places a vertiport on a wave isolator system, with a pontoon base designed to respond to tides and platform movement. The design focuses on introducing new mobility technology into communities by shaping the journey from land to air as a sculptural, experiential connection between both environments.
Swipe through to explore their design process and head to the in bio for the full Design Hive recap.
@perkinswill_van | @perkinswill | @_concept_lab
#DesignHive #PerkinsWillVancouver #Architecture #StructuralEngineers
What if a vertiport became part of the community experience?
Introducing team one from the Fast + Epp x Perkins&Will Design Hive: Michael Dowhaniuk (Fast + Epp), Ivonne Voelkel (Perkins&Will), Eric Bohn (Fast + Epp) and Kevin Casey (Perskin&Will).
Their concept proposes a flexible vertiport where helicopter landing pads can detach and relocate to nearby piers and ferry points, extending service across the water network. With organic forms and stepped spaces for people and marine life, it creates a connected waterfront system that engages the wider community rather than functioning as an isolated station.
Swipe through to see their design process and head to the link in bio for the full Design Hive recap.
@perkinswill_van | @perkinswill | @_concept_lab
#DesignHive #PerkinsWillVancouver #Architecture #StructuralEngineers
Located in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats at the corner of the iconic East Van Cross, The Hive is a pioneering project that stands as North America’s tallest timber braced frame and CLT shear wall building.
Fast + Epp worked closely with DIALOG to develop a mass timber lateral system, which is articulated through the honeycomb-shaped façade. The 10-storey office building combines perimeter timber braced frames, with internal CLT shear walls and Tectonus dampers to create a resilient workplace that is engineered to re-centre itself after seismic activity.
The use of locally sourced mass timber supports low-carbon goals, while a prefabricated kit-of-parts system enables an efficient construction process. The result is a high-performance, highly sustainable building that advances the potential of mass timber in seismic regions.
To learn more, visit the link in our bio.
@dialogdesign | @ventanaconstructioncorp | @kalesnikoff_ | @ame_group | @aes_engr | @exp_global_inc | GHL Consultants | RWDI | Creus Engineering | Geopacific Consultants | @georgethirdson | @apexstructura | @islenineering | @supremesteel
#MassTimber #StructuralDesign #StructuralEngineering #SeismicEngineering #EngineeringDesign
Thanks to everyone who popped by and joined us for a conversation on Mass Timber with Partner, Robert Jackson, during the ‘Ask an Expert’ session at Design Victoria Festival earlier this month.
Both Robert Jackson, and Director of Business Development & Marketing, Krystal Yee, were over on the island to celebrate the design community at this year’s festival. It was great to connect with so many industry peers, and we already can’t wait for next years!
Behind the scenes at the nearly complete Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre in North Vancouver.
Designed by hcma, the centre includes over 188,450 square feet of program space and will be the largest public facility in North Vancouver. It features an aquatic centre, 500-spectator ice rink, seniors’ activity centre, full gymnasium, and indoor and outdoor fitness spaces.
With envelope completed in January, interior work is rapidly underway as the building prepares to open this summer. Distinct but integrated building massing for the different programming requirements include both timber and steel structures, with a feature coffered mass timber roof in the atrium that brings light and openness into the space.
Learn more via the link in bio.
@cityofnorthvancouver | @hcma.ca | Smith Bros. & Wilson | @makeprojectsltd | @westernarchrib
#StructuralEngineers #EngineeringDesign #ConstructionProgress
Check out the highlights from last week’s Design Hive with Perkins&Will + Fast + Epp—a one day multi-disciplinary design sprint.
The challenge was to design a Marine Vertiport. In a single afternoon, teams developed concepts that addressed accessibility, resilience, and complex coastal conditions, then built models and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges.
Huge thanks to all the participants from both firms, organizers, @_concept_lab for hosting, and our incredible advisors + judges. And a special thank you to our client judges, JR Hammond (Executive Director & Founder, @canadianaam ) and Daniel Sitnam (President & CEO, @helijet ), for sharing valuable real-world insight and feedback.
Stay tuned for the individual team designs dropping next week 👀
#DesignHive #CrossDisciplinaryWorkshop #Architecture #StructuralEngineers
Fast + Epp is pleased to share that our Senior Engineer, Rohan Schneider, will be serving as a member of the jury for this year’s Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF BC) Embodied Carbon Awards.
As part of our internal Sustainability Technical Group, he leads the measurement of embodied carbon performance at the firm, assessing and finding reduction strategies for early project designs. Rohan will serve as a judge for two of this year’s award categories—Strengthening the Practice, and Commitment to Circularity—bringing his expertise to support projects and initiatives that push forward meaningful progress in carbon responsibility.
Debuting in 2023, this event is the first awards program of its kind in North America, highlighting firms and individuals who drive embodied carbon reduction forward. This year, CLF BC is introducing the Embodied Carbon Symposium, featuring project showcases, panels with previous award winners, and an interactive workshop for attendees.
Learn more at the link in our bio.
#EmbodiedCarbon #StructuralEngineers #SustainableDesign #SustainableConstruction
Timber is flying in at the new BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity in Vancouver!
Following completion of the concrete substructure—as well as stair and elevator cores—the hybrid mass timber structure is taking shape above. CLT floor panels and glulam purlins are going in quickly, adding warmth to the building, while concrete shear walls and steel frames provide strength and flexibility.
As Canada’s first facility of its kind, the centre for health complexity will provide in-person and virtual care for children and youth with complex medical conditions, plus training for families, caregivers, and professionals. The accessible design features an open, light-filled atrium structured around a ramp to promote independence in movement. Upon completion, it will include 16 suites where children and caregivers can come for short, planned stays to receive in-person services.
To learn more, visit the link in our bio.
Images courtesy of Seagate Mass Timber
@phsa.bc | @bcchildrens | @diamondschmittarchitects | @ledcorgroup | @smithandandersen | @kalesnikoff_ | @seagatemasstimber
#MassTimber #HybridTimber #StructuralEngineers #EngineeringDesign #Architecture #Construction
We’re honoured to be shortlisted for the Canada Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Our proposal, Timber Futures, explores a return to the expressive intelligence of wood through Indigenous knowledge, contemporary practice, and emerging fabrication technologies.
Led by Heather Dubbeldam (Dubbeldam Architecture + Design), the team includes Matthew Hickey (Two Row Architect), Carla Dickof (Fast + Epp), AnnaLisa Meyboom (UBC), and David Correa (University of Waterloo), bringing together complementary perspectives in architectural practice, structural engineering, advanced fabrication, material research, and Indigenous knowledge.
Grateful to be shortlisted alongside such strong teams, and to the Canada Council for the Arts for the opportunity to be part of this process. We look forward to the next stage!
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@venice.architecture.biennale@labiennale@canada.council@tworowarchitect@mpjhickey@fastepp@annalisa.meyboom@ubcsala@materialsyntax@waterloo_architecture
#Dubbeldam #VeniceArchitectureBiennale #CanadaPavilion #biennalearchitettura #venicearchitecturebiennale2027
