International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the women behind the work—and the persistence it can take to keep moving forward. Mirella Paim emigrated from Brazil to Canada determined to continue her career in design. Since arriving, she’s been navigating the credential pathway here—through CACB assessment, working toward NCIDQ, and progressing through the experience and internship steps required along the way. She’s also had to adapt to a new technical context, learning North American construction systems that differ from the masonry and concrete construction she was used to in Brazil. Mirella often says that when you move, you bring your knowledge—but you also need to learn local processes and legislation. And she’s quick to acknowledge the people who helped make that learning curve feel possible: Erin Schultz (Lead Interior Designer), Tahani Shaaban (Architect), and Sarah MacDonald (Intern Interior Designer), whose guidance and support have been meaningful in her journey. We’re proud to have Mirella on the FBM team as she keeps building toward professional registration—and continues shaping people-first, inclusive spaces. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #WomenInDesign #WomenInArchitecture #InteriorDesign #AEC #WorkplaceDesign #HealthcareDesign #InclusiveDesign #Accessibility #WomenInSTEM #NovaScotia

FBM was awarded The Lieutenant Governor’s Award For Excellence in Architecture 2024 for the work at Cabot Cliffs, an Award of Merit in the Large Building category. Presented to Susan Fitzgerald by the Honourable Mike Savage, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. 📷 @2spacephoto

How can architecture foster care? 📆This May at the 2026 RAIC Conference, Susan Fitzgerald (Design Director, FBM Architecture) and Brian Carter (Professor, Department of Architecture, University at Buffalo) will explore how design informed by lived experience can open new pathways toward a more generous and altruistic architecture. We’re curious — What do you think embodies an architecture of care? Share your thoughts in the comments⤵ #RAIC2026 #ArchitectureOfCare #CanadianArchitecture #DesignResearch #ArchitectureTalk #PeopleDrivenDesign #FBMArchitecture

Using a grid of dots on the exterior glazing along with dark sky compliant lighting, the Halifax Water Burnside Operations Centre is designed to be Bird Friendly, reducing the risk of deadly window strikes. Located adjacent to Juniper Lake’s surrounding forest ecosystem, Halifax Water and their design and construction team demonstrate conservation leadership in action.

Richmond Yards wins a Brownie Award! A big moment for a project that reconnects and reimagines a key part of Halifax’s north end. The Brownie Awards celebrate excellence in the remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites (properties that were once contaminated, under-utilized, or undeveloped), transforming them into productive commercial and residential projects across Canada. This award acknowledges the incredible effort to transform the former Acadian Bus Lines site on Almon Street in Halifax's north end. Encompassing almost five acres, Richmond Yards creates a mosaic of public spaces, residential, commercial, wellness, and recreational uses. Working with the developer Westwood Group, the project tackled a massive challenge, reimagining an industrial ‘superblock’ that fractured the urban fabric. By enhancing pedestrian permeability, improving neighborhood connections, and introducing new housing and public spaces, the project effectively reweaves the community into the city grid. All photos taken by Adam MacKenzie, Sperry Design Inc.

Cunard Street Live / Work / Grow has been honoured with a Halifax Urban Design Award. This project embodies the vision of our studio—to enhance communities through creativity and evidence-based design. The interaction with the surrounding community, study of the materials and tectonics of the architecture, and the work culture that the building supports reflect an ethos of care for the communities and spaces in which we live and work. 🔗 Check out our video feature on this project: /watch?v=pMkcGBMyNmY 🎥: @threesixfive.media 📷: @2spacephoto & @kickstandbim Campbell Comeau Engineering | Aitchison Fitzgerald Builders | Timber Systems Limited | CBCL Limited | SDMM . . . #PeopleDrivenDesign #UrbanDesign #Award #HalifaxUrbanDesign #Halifax

That’s a wrap! Thrilled to once again be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This accolade belongs to an incredible team of people that strive to create a workplace where people thrive. Proud to celebrate this recognition together at FBM!

March 8 is International Women’s Day—a day that marks a call to action for celebrating and accelerating women’s equality. Women are 60% of our practice. We're committed to helping build an industry that doesn't just include women, but empowers them through culture, opportunity, and leadership. . . . #peopledrivendesign #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

Wood breathes life into architecture, connecting nature with human spaces. Our recent project, Cunard Street Live / Work / Grow, has been recognized with a Wood Design & Building Award Citation. Cunard LWG celebrates the intersection of social context, sustainability, and the living environment. . . . Photos: @2spacephoto Campbell Comeau Engineering | Aitchison Fitzgerald Builders | Timber Systems Limited | CBCL Limited | SDMM

Cunard Street Live/Work/Grow embodies ‘people-driven design’ through its interaction with the community, within the materials and tectonics of the architecture, and through the work culture that the building supports. This project is one of the first significant multi-storey mass timber structures in Atlantic Canada and is part of ongoing research on the use of sustainable building materials and embodied carbon in the built environment. A recipient of a Canadian Architect Award of Merit, Cunard Street Live/Work/Grow is an assiduous reflection of FBM’s commitment to people, place, and planet. . . . @2spacephoto Campbell Comeau Engineering | Aitchison Fitzgerald Builders | Timber Systems Limited | CBCL Limited | SDMM

More from our project Cabot Cliffs: Cliffs Residences, Halfway Hut, and Pro Shop. Precise shingled gable forms cluster to create intimate courtyards within this expansive coastal setting. Silver shingled walls and roofs scatter across the sand dunes and fescue grass with each dwelling framing spectacular views of the golf and ocean. 3/3 . . . @2spacephoto BMR Structural Engineering | Strait Engineering Ltd. | CBCL Limited | MCW Consultants Ltd. | MCW Consultants Ltd. | RJ Bartlett Engineering Ltd. | Outside! Planning & Design Studio | Ron Krater Studio | Jill Greaves Design Inc. | Lindsay Construction | D.J. MacLean & Sons Contracting Ltd.

More from our project Cabot Cliffs: Cliffs Residences, Halfway Hut, and Pro Shop. Precise shingled gable forms cluster to create intimate courtyards within this expansive coastal setting. Silver shingled walls and roofs scatter across the sand dunes and fescue grass with each dwelling framing spectacular views of the golf and ocean. 2/3 .. . . @2spacephoto BMR Structural Engineering | Strait Engineering Ltd. | CBCL Limited | MCW Consultants Ltd. | MCW Consultants Ltd. | RJ Bartlett Engineering Ltd. | Outside! Planning & Design Studio | Ron Krater Studio | Jill Greaves Design Inc. | Lindsay Construction | D.J. MacLean & Sons Contracting Ltd.