MG Architects Inc. is a small firm specializing in primary school renovations and new builds. My involvement was in all phases of institutional and residential projects. Responsibilities ranged from schematic design (while coordinating with client and other stakeholders), creating construction documentation sets (migrating entire firm from CAD to BIM, creating standard families and details, schedules and specifications), contract admin (site meetings, contractor coordination, issuing CNs, COs, SIs, etc), firm prequalification for services & RFPs, rendering and other promotional materials.

Caledon East Public School

The existing Caledon East Public School is a single storey building constructed in 1971 with 1988 additions and few interior alterations and site improvements. With the Caledon area growth, the registration predictions and needs assessment analysis resulted in Peel District School Board decision to build a new school for 660 students, with a childcare centre for 73 children on the site of the current school, replacing the existing facility.

Some of my responsibilities included: creating the drawings and documents for schematic design to the full construction drawing set, adhering to building codes and ministry space templates, managing the BIM resources, creating renderings and presentations, and coordinating with consultants. Construction is expected to start 2025.

WG Davis STAC Room + Other Renovations

7 renovation projects for different PDSB schools. The renovations included conversions to a science/tech/art room, additions of Ortho/Universal washrooms, additions of ramps, additions of elevators, changes in program, or a combination of any of these. I was involved and had responsibilities at every phase of the project: from initial consultation and site analysis; to creation of construction documentation; to project close-out. Each project was a unique challenge in working within the confines of the existing school building conditions, and working with the schools’ schedules for occupancy.

Lakefield College School Chapel Extension

The chapel building was constructed and rededicated in 1998. MG Architects Inc. were tasked by Lakefield College School for a study of options to accommodate more students in support of their ambitions and growth expectations. The discussion started again with the statement: we like our chapel; “we just wanted it to be bigger.” The studied options would range from a 460- to 600-person capacity. The challenges for the design was retaining the character of the original building, and redesigning the wooden roof structure to accommodate the new floor area. My responsibilities included recreating the original building in 3D, modeling and presenting design options (including VR renders), and writing reports that ranged from historical context to structural considerations.