Partner Sponsor Feature - Prairie Architects Inc. (PAI)
- beaprairies
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Building Equality in Architecture: Prairies (BEAP) is grateful for the support from our 2024-2025 Partner Sponsor Prairie Architects Inc. (PAI)
Meet the PAI Team here.
About PAI:
Prairie Architects Inc., founded in 1981, brings over 40 years of professional experience in Sustainable Architecture in a diversity of projects and has offices in a heritage warehouse in downtown Winnipeg. The firm is owned and operated by Principals Damien Fenez, Melissa McAlister, Lindsay Oster, and Jamie Kozak. Our staff includes registered Architects, Architecture graduates, designers, sustainability specialists, Interior Designers, plus support staff. We are registered to practice in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. We have developed a reputation for a participatory design process that involves client groups in the design of new buildings, historic restoration projects, projects with Indigenous communities, and in energy conserving green buildings. The firm has a long history with green buildings and incorporates a sustainable approach in all of its projects. Prairie Architects Inc. approaches each new design with sensitivity to the context and the history of the particular situation, and with an awareness of the possibilities of new functions, materials, and construction techniques. We strive for buildings with character, texture, and light to reflect the realities of life and to create environments with wholeness and delight.
BEAP recently reached out to Prairie Architects Inc. to ask them about their Projects, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and the topic of Sustainability: PROJECTS
What recent project(s) are you most proud of and why?
We are extremely proud of all of our projects, most recently we’ve had the opportunity to work on a new medical and dental teaching facility for the University of Manitoba, a new school for the Hanover School Division in Steinbach, Ellen-Ross Community Housing, a variety of new childcare centres, and the addition to the Rankin Airport in Nunavut. One project that has been completed recently that stands out would be the Clan Mothers Healing Village – an indigenous women led land based healing space in Belair, Manitoba. All of these projects are examples of projects that have impact on the communities they are in and help facilitate the values of our clients.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
How does Prairie Architects Inc. demonstrate and advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace?
Intentionally, Prairie Architects is 50% female owned and operated, with 52% female staff. We strive to create opportunities for the BIPOC community and be a welcoming and safe space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
What does equality in design practice mean to you?
Equal opportunity for all regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. We are committed to pay equity for all genders in the same role. We do not discriminate when it comes to responsibilities, tasks and opportunities in the office or on projects.
How do you seek to understand, include, and respond to the diverse needs of the communities that you design for?
We listen. We don’t have egos. We understand our role as the expert when it comes to architecture, sustainability and building science and technology, and responding to government and funding requirements, but we recognize the expertise of our clients when it comes to defining their requirements and needs. We use a tool called the collective design process to draw this information from the varied stakeholders on our projects, which provokes responses to targeted questions, but our job in this process is to listen and record then synthesize what we have heard. We also are proud that we don’t have a Prairie Architects ‘style’. Each project is a unique response to our clients’ program and brief.
As an office that is 50% female owned, what do you believe are the benefits of having a diverse team in the workplace?
Perspective and balance. Having the benefit of a balanced partnership has served us in our projects as well as maintaining a happy and healthy work culture. Our partnership is respectful even if we have differing opinions and we can usually come to an educated response to an issue as we hear each other out and listen to each person's perspective.
Are there barriers to female leadership?
There certainly can be. We’ve been lucky that when an issue that is unique to female leadership in our industry has arisen, because we are a balanced partnership, the solutions are typically fair and reasonable. We count ourselves as incredibly lucky to have the partners we do and recognize this is not always the case.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Speak up about what is important to you. You have a voice. You do not have to limit the role you want. Find comradery in your peers and ask for help when you need it.
SUSTAINABILITY
How do you approach sustainability in your designs?
We approach sustainability as an underlying current in all of our designs. We use tools like Energy modelling, the LEED rating system and Passive House to drive innovation and efficiency, and balance operation and capital costs for our cleints.
How do you incorporate new technologies or materials into your architectural practice?
Through precedent research and continued education. We want to ensure that any new technologies we use have proven track for durability for our clients peace of mind.
Discover more PAI Projects here.
