What pulls the DA team together is a simple goal
— to “build the best building.”
And what keeps us building the best buildings is having the right people on the right teams.
Mark Ehman
Principal
A 1981 University of Manitoba graduate, Mark joined DA Architects + Planners in 1991, becoming a partner in 2001. As the design lead and Principal-in-Charge, he has been responsible for several of the firm’s educational, institutional and multi-use projects. Mark is an accomplished team leader. His commitment to a quality design process and innovative construction, help achieve the client’s goals. Mark’s understanding of the public, stakeholder and municipal process contribute to his success as team leader on both small and large complex projects.
James Kao
Principal
James joined DA Architects + Planners in 2003 after working on a wide range of projects since graduating in 1994 from UBC. He is an expert in construction documents and the construction process. James is a problem solver and enjoys resolving difficult issues in challenging projects. As Principal-in- Charge and project architect, he has been responsible for the execution of a number of complex projects in the residential, institutional, hospitality and educational sectors. James became an Associate with the firm in 2008 and a Partner in 2017.
Al Johnson
Principal
Al joined DA Architects + Planners in 1993 upon completing design and architecture degrees from the University of Manitoba and UBC; becoming an associate in 2002 and a Principal in 2023. As Principal-in-Charge, Al’s primary role is leading the design for the firm’s master planning, architectural concept and design development phases of numerous projects. Al’s broad interest in urban design issues, and his ability to create high-quality innovative architectural design that responds to the projects context, make him a key member of the firm.
Michael Canak
Senior Associate
Michael graduated from the University of Belgrade in 1991 and moved to Vancouver soon after. He joined DA Architects + Planners in 2002 and became an associate in 2011. Michael has been involved at a senior level on many high profile institutional and educational projects. His technical expertise and experience in project management, quality control implementation, and contract administration complement his interests in integrated design and sustainable architecture.
Ross Komnatskyy
Associate
Ross joined DA Architects + Planners in 2007 after graduating from BCIT. He then went on to obtain his Masters from UBC and became an Associate with the firm in 2021. As a registered architect with international work experience, he provides creativity and design leadership to a wide range of residential and institutional projects. It is Ross’ desire to enhance the urban landscape with his designs.
Matthew Castillo
Associate
Matthew joined DA Architects + Planners in 2011 after graduating from BCIT and became an Associate in 2021. As a project manager, he provides leadership in the development of several multi-use projects from early design to end of construction. With his considerable technical and design experience, Matthew believes a collaborative sharing of construction knowledge between the project team members from the clients to the construction manager is the foundation of a successful project.
Juliana Milbratz
Associate
Juliana graduated in Architecture and Urban Design in Brazil in 2009 and joined DA Architects + Planners in 2015, where she become an Associate at the firm in 2022. As project architect, she has led teams through design and working drawings for the firm’s education, residential and institutional projects. Juliana’s excellent organizational skills lead to the successful completion of her projects.
Our Values
Placemaking
Our firm is inspired by our west coast environment. We use this opportunity to create buildings in harmony with their setting and purpose. To enrich the urban fabric, the spaces in between buildings are as important as the buildings themselves. This placemaking is a central theme in all our work.
Design and Craftsmanship
Our projects are typically designed within a modern architectural vocabulary. This approach naturally blends the west coast environment with sustainability concepts and energy efficient design. It is also important that our buildings are well-crafted by seamlessly integrating durable building materials and systems with sensitive detailing.
Participatory Design and Community Commitment
We approach projects with an openness to a participatory design process involving the client, project stakeholders, and the integrated design team. Many of our projects involve public consultation, which often helps shape the final design response. We work closely with and listen carefully to our clients, the stakeholders and the public, approaching this consultation with an honest effort to understand what the community is feeling about a new project and why they feel that way.
Building Vancouver
DA Architects + Planners (formerly Downs Archambault & Partners) was founded by Barry Downs, CM(2014 Order of Canada) and Richard Archambault in 1969. They shared an inspiration: if architecture responds well to the natural environment, the building occupants will respond well too. The firm helped develop the style of modern architecture based on the casual local lifestyle and respect for natural materials in the relatively spectacular Vancouver setting. Because Vancouver attracted young inspired designers with talent and innovation, the “west coast contemporary” design approach evolved, parallel and connected to other west coast cities, especially Seattle and Portland. DA Architects + Planners still remains a key participant in these exciting times.
We are proud of the role our projects have played and continue to play to shape, influence, and contribute to our community over the years.