Urban Arts Architecture

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Urban Arts Architecture

Urban Arts Architecture Inc. (UAA) is an award winning Vancouver based architectural firm specializi

(UAA) is an award winning Vancouver based architectural firm specializing in community and cultural projects across BC and the Yukon.

05/22/2026

Congratulations to JV and Marius on becoming AIBC Registered Architects!

JV has been an integral team member of the ALT Housing and Healing Centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside during Contract Administration. The project is wrapping up now and we’re excited to share more soon. Other notable projects include the Welcome Portal and Gathering Place in Chilliwack, and the Lytton First Nation lost community buildings feasibility study.

Marius has contributed significantly to the VPL Central Branch Children’s Library Renewal project from early design through to construction, which is now underway. We look forward to seeing this amazing space complete very soon. Other notable projects include the FRAFCA Indigenous Affordable Housing Project and the bark board for cladding research.

We’re proud to see our team of registered architects growing!

05/06/2026

UAA is participating in the RAIC-IRAC Conference Studio Crawl on Thursday 7th May from 4pm, visit us to see what we’re up to!

04/18/2026

Place, Identity & Community Connection
Coquitlam Innovation Centre – Place, Identity + Community Connection.

UAA worked with the City of Coquitlam to transform a 10,000 sq ft former office facility into a unique community home for Arts and Recreation at Town Centre Park. With a refreshed exterior identity with eye-catching mural, enhance entry experience and clear wayfinding, the design invites the community in and encourages discovery.

This transformation celebrates place, enhances visibility, and showcases civic pride. The open, flexible main floor is centred around the lounge/gallery, and a former loading dock is converted to a vibrant public terrace facing the lake with a new CLT canopy.

PublicSpaceDesign

04/13/2026

Last week our team was on site to tour the nearly completed Aboriginal Land Trust (ALT) Housing + Healing Centre! It was an exciting moment to see this project coming together.

This is an 11‑storey Housing + Healing Centre designed to support the Urban Indigenous community in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside through housing, health services, and spaces for culture, ceremony, and gathering. The building includes supportive and affordable homes, community food and health spaces, outdoor amenity decks, ceremonial spaces, and a Coast Salish–inspired longhouse at the top of the building.

Stay tuned for more!

04/08/2026

Construction has begun! We’re excited to see construction starting on the tiskʷat Coming Home Apartments, bringing 30 new affordable two- and three-bedroom rental homes to the Tla’amin Nation at their historic village site of tiskʷat in Powell River.

This three-storey building represents an important step in supporting community-led housing. The site is the former home of the Powell River General Hospital which will be returned to the Tla’amin Nation after being separated from the village site for seven generations.

This project is especially meaningful to us as it is our second project with the Tla’amin Nation, and we are honoured to continue supporting their vision. We’re proud of this ongoing collaboration and look forward to seeing the tiskʷat “Coming Home” project take shape.

02/10/2026

A day rooted in gratitude, culture, and togetherness.

We’re remembering the recent grand opening of the T’Sou-ke SKÁ¸PEȽ I¸SOT ÁLEṈ that brought Elders, youth, leadership, families, and partners together to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Nation. The building was opened with ceremonies, songs, and communal dining, all guided by tradition, witnesses, and shared memories.

This event was more than just a ribbon-cutting; it brought together vision, legacy, and community spirit. It marked the opening of a place that will welcome people and foster connections for generations to come.

HÍSW̱ḴE to all who helped bring this moment to life.
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📸 Brett Ryan Studio
Contractor: IDL
Structural: Blackwell
Mechanical & Fire Protection: Introba
Electrical: AES
Landscape: PWL
Civil: Chatwin Engineering
Building Envelope: Stantec
Acoustic Consultant: RWDI
Code Consultant: GHL

02/07/2026

Congratulations to Jacob Riehl, who is now an AIBC Registered Architect!

Jacob contributed significantly to the successful completion of the Okanagan Regional Library West Kelowna Branch, helping establish a dynamic environment for community, learning, and exploration. Other notable projects include the BCIT Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion and the Marine & Mass Timber Pavilion which are both under construction and the Centre for Tibetan Buddhism and Culture in Sechelt, currently in design.

Jacob brings a positive attitude and a sociable energy to both our office and project teams!

Image Credit: Okanagan Regional Library West Kelowna Branch, WHM Structural Engineers

08/09/2025

Congratulations to Katie Peruniak, who is now an AIBC Registered Architect!

Katie has played a key role in several completed and ongoing projects at UAA including the Cameron Temporary Library, Tla’amin Housing projects and the Robert Bosa Carpentry Building at BCIT. She has been involved in projects at all stages from feasibility to construction.

Over the past years, Katie has proven herself to be a well-rounded designer capable of jumping into any project quickly and efficiently. Beyond the work, Katie is personable, collaborative and contributes to the social culture of the office.

08/08/2025

We are excited to announce that Gordon Hunt has joined the leadership team as our newest Associate!

Since joining UAA, Gordon has demonstrated an ability to guide complex projects with a deep commitment to our clients and communities. He brings extensive construction knowledge and experience which he continues to share with the office.

Gordon is currently the project architect for the Aboriginal Land Trust (ALT) development! This project is an Indigenous-led mixed-use development - including a healing centre and family housing - serving the needs of Vancouver’s Urban Indigenous community in the Downtown Eastside.

08/01/2025

“Kʷasən, the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word for star, is of particular importance to the people of both xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations…The stars of the night sky provided both wayfinding support and spiritual guidance to the Indigenous nations who, for centuries, navigated across this vast land…”

The collaborative design for the Discovery Centre design emphasizes the connection to land, community, and storytelling. Natural materials, circular gathering forms, and symbolic motifs reflect the Coast Salish worldview.

The lobby greets visitors under a star filled “sky” and at the heart of the space is a cooking fire art piece by & that is grounded by earth like flooring. The sales area showcases the mass timber structure referencing the materiality and construction of traditional Coast Salish longhouses. Expansive glazing and folding doors provide connection to the outdoor gathering area.

Address

111 Water Street # 300
Vancouver, BC
V6B2K4

Telephone

+16046835060

Website

http://www.urban-arts.ca/

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