A short Profile and History of our Firm

Our firm has a broad range of experience in institutional, commercial, industrial and residential projects. We have worked for the federal and provincial governments, the Simcoe County public and separate school boards, corporate and private clients, as well as commercial and residential developers.

The firm is a medium-sized architectural pratice located in Barrie since May of 1986. The principals of the firm, Michael McKnight (16 years of experience) and Robert Laurin (14 years of experience), started the practice and are personally involved in all aspects of all of our projects. We are small enough to allow direct principal control of all projects, yet big enough to complete multi-million dollar projects on strict time schedules. We have been told by our clients that they like the directness of dealing with the principals of a firm, and that our success reflect the focus and extensive design experience that only the principals can bring to a project.

Michael McKnight has previous experience working for architects in Calgary, Kingston, Toronto and Barrie. Robert Laurin has worked in Ottawa for Bell Northern Research and for several architectural firms in Barrie.

We put considerable emphasis on design quality and work hard to get our projects under budget. We believe in working as a team comprised of client, engineers and user groups.

Design Philosophy

We make it a priority to give the client exactly what they want. To do this we interpret, discuss and re-evaluate client needs in an interactive process which results in a building which we and the client feel is creative, appropriate, on time, on budget and in accordance with applicable codes and by-laws.

We work directly with our structural, mechanical, electrical and landscape consultants at the very earliest stages of concept design so that we all know what is expected and can all contribute to develop the most straightforward and effective set of construction documents possible.

We offer a fresh and energetic approach to design, and we have the knowledge, experience, personnel and technological support systems to meet your requirements and exceed your expectations.

Cost Control

From our first feed-back meeting we either proceed or alter our conceptual design to stay on approved budget. If we are under budget we discuss the options with the client; reduce the budget, expand the program, add extras which originally had been cut from the client's programme, up-grade finishes, or increase the life-cycle of specific systems.

If we are over budget we discuss other options with the client; keep the program but re-configure the concept design to make the building simpler or smaller, downgrade systems with the understanding that operating costs will increase, reduce the program or increase the budget.

In order to monitor costs, we set up a rigorous and regular cost checking system. Our firm uses the latest computer and communications technologies, allowing us to design quickly and accurately, and to give multiple design options at the concept stage of the project. We do all of our designing and working drawings on six independent computer stations.

While computers allow us to communicate better and faster, good Architecture & design is a product of good listening skills.

Time Control Methodology

We set a schedule by first discussing with the client, the cost consultant (and sometimes local builders) the time required for construction. We then work backwards from the Occupancy Date allowing time for award of contract, tendering, client approvals at specific stages, working drawings, revisions, design development, concept design and start-up meetings. If time permits we try to start sooner than absolutely necessary. We also allow some contingency time in our schedules. We correct deviations by putting extra people and extra time on the project. The size of our office allows most staff to have a working knowledge of all significant projects.

The following links will provide more indepth information about our Firm

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