February 2015
| Business World
21
Tim adds that the variety of the work and
constant learning curve in the industry
makes for an enjoyable workplace. "I think
that's how we keep our staff engaged and in-
terested, they're not constantly working on
one building typology or one component
of a building. They're always being exposed
to fresh ideas and fresh parts of the build-
ing and new project typologies. I think that
keeps them focused and interested in their
work."
AWARD RECOGNITION
In 2014, AMA (with Gair Williamson Ar-
chitects) had their hard work recognized by
the Vancouver Urban Design Awards, taking
home the Innovation Award for their work
on The Paris Block . For the firm, the award
signifies the uniqueness of the project, and
the dedication required to complete it. The
Paris Block is an ambitious refurbishment
project which involved the heritage conver-
sion of 29 incumbent luxury lofts plus street
level retail within a 100-year-old commercial
building.
The project included upgrading the infra-
structure, refurbishing the facade and retro-
fitting a new function. Exposed steel beams,
high ceilings, original brickwork and exterior
signage were preserved to retain the historic
feeling of the old shoe factory.
"It's nice to be recognized," says Tim. "We
do a lot of heritage work, and it demands an
awful lot of attention to detail just to restore
these things back to their former glory and
get innovated with how you replicate pieces
that were hand-carved 100 years ago."
"It's a real art to try and recreate a lot of
