What We Do
We are committed to a collaborative and unique approach to design thinking through our integration of disciplines.
We are accomplished in a variety of sectors and project types ranging in size and complexity.
We have a proven track record working in a variety of landscapes, whether it be Provincial and National Parks, Indigenous Lands, or urban settings in municipalities across western Canada.
Featured Project Profiles
Reimagining our communities, streetscapes, and skylines.
Client Testimonials
Our approach to design is inspired by the people we design for. Our clients seem to agree.
"This project quickly became a catalyst for new development in Calgary's westend.
We found METAFOR’s enthusiasm for design and their understanding of the University's goals and objectives for this project, resonated from the initial design concept through to completion”.
Terry Schmitt, Vice President of Development
Northwest Healthcare Properties Corporation
"It has been a pleasure to work with your team on the Grace Village project.
The METAFOR team’s collaborative approach to finding solutions together with all project stakeholders and Synergy has been exceptional and the partnering collaboration has been amazing. Thanks to your team for all the support to make this project a success."
Jared Seida, Manager, Operations
Synergy Builds Ltd.
"Through each and every project, METAFOR was able to satisfy all of the City’s design requirements as well as design a project that retained our
client’s expectations to ensure success metrics were achieved.
Our project staff appreciates working with METAFOR on these projects and finds
each member of the team to be professional, responsive, and solution minded in regards to the consultant required actions. We further commend
METAFOR for their ability to control and take responsibility for their sub-consulting team which I find is a rarity in todays world of consulting."
Chris Monson, Principal
Colliers Project Leaders
"Building a hospice is a new experience for the PCSBV.
We don’t have all the answers and designing a space for the end of life journey needs to consider a variety of needs of the patients and their families. METAFOR to this point, have been willing partners in helping us understand the steps required in coming up with an effective design that incorporates our values of providing comfort, compassion, and dignity to the patients and their families during the palliative journey."
Julie Hamilton, Chair, Board of Director
Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley
"METAFOR is a leading team of talented professionals who understand the importance of creating beautiful and functional living spaces.
We have had the pleasure of working with them on various projects. We have always been impressed with their attention to detail and their ability to bring our vision to life. Their expertise in the industry is impressive and we would recommend METAFOR to anyone looking to create a project that is both inspiring and functional."
George Trutina, President
Truman Homes
"It has been a pleasure working with the group at METAFOR.
Three Sisters Mountain Village (TSMV) strives to provide an exceptional service to its customers and communities and METAFOR is aligned with our vision, and has been consistently providing extraordinary services.”
Sam Sidu, Owner
Three Sisters Mountain Village
“Overall, METAFOR’s approach to holistic project development including a focus of cultural, social, and technical sustainability, has raised the bar
in terms of expectations for consultant performance for Affordable Housing.
We have a great deal of confidence in METAFOR’s ability to work
with a diverse team of stakeholders and address issues with realistic and workable solutions. Their capacity and willingness to work closely with
Affordable Housing has established a high-level of trust in their ability to design, coordinate, and technically execute a project. We look forward to
the next opportunity our two organizations can work together."
Susan Sanderson, Coordinator, Capital Development Affordbale Housing (Retired), City of Calgary
Calgary Housing Company
"As a non-profit working with METAFOR for the past two years, we have had a great team who have been committed, flexible and responsive to
the many challenges inherent in our new build, while keeping the project moving forward.
The architects at METAFOR have designed a beautiful dynamic building that meets the needs of a variety of community families, provides affordable housing for Indigenous families, and is a beautiful mixed use facility that reflects Treaty 7 land and the Blackfoot people. METAFOR promotes a collaborative approach between the development, design, trade, and construction consultants and is very sensitive to the needs of the Closer to Home client group at the same time. Their work with the City of Calgary on our behalf was stellar and those processes were handled smoothly and efficiently. Thank you for making this complex process transparent and manageable!"
Karen Oliver, Chief Executive Officer
Closer to Home
How We Think
We are intentionally curious, humbly confident, purposeful, and loyal stewards motivated by how design can unite people and elevate the human experience.
Media + Publications
2023 Media + Publications
June 2023
Project: Grace Village
Salvation Army Celebrates Opening of Grace Village in North Edmonton
2023 Media + Publications
May 2023
Project: Rundle Park
Rundle Park 98-Unit Visitor Accommodation Project Approved along Bow Valley Trail
2023 Media + Publications
May 2023
Project: CRPS Land Use Redesignation
Direct Control District Approved for Section of Lawrence Grassi Middle School
Have a project to discuss with METAFOR?
It all starts with a purpose and a vision. Tell us about yours.
Let's Talk
Inspiration and Innovation
METAFOR Awards + Recognition
Award winning design comes from the notion that great design is a result of continuing to strive forward with open minds and watchful eyes for inspiration and innovation. And a vigilance to understanding the needs, philosophies, and vision of our clients.
METAFOR has been recognized with a multitude of national, regional, and local awards demonstrating our commitment to making tomorrow better today for our clients, communities, and generations to come.
Year
Awards & Recognition
2022
- ROAM Transit Operations and Training Facility, CAGBC National Zero Carbon Design Award
- “WOWie”, Winter City Design Competition, City of Calgary, The Tula Project
2019
- Stoney Bus Barns, CCPPP National Silver Award for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships
- Great Plains Recreation Facility, Gold Award at the International Olympic Committee
- The PATH, Performing Arts Theatre Hinton, Prairie Wood Design Awards Nominee
2018
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Facilities of Merit Design Award, Athletic Business Architectural Showcase
- The Armature of Edmonton, Prairie Design Award of Merit
2017
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Canadian Interiors, Best of Canadian Design Awards
- Great Plains Recreation Facility, Facilities of Merit Design Award, Athletic Business Architectural Showcase
- Great Plains Recreation Facility, Finalist, Design Excellence Award, Ontario Association of Architects
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Finalist, Design Excellence Award, Ontario Association of Architects
- Great Plains Recreation Facility, Mayor’s Urban Design Award, City Edge Development
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Alberta CISC Alberta Design Award of Excellence, Building Communities Category
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario, Award of Merit
- Emerald Hills Leisure Centre, Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO), Speciality Elements Award
- Great Plains Recreation Facility, Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO), Speciality Elements Award
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Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, METAFOR honours and acknowledges that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land today, and who honour and celebrate this territory. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.
Who We Are
We are committed to communities where we work and live.
Building upon our core values and our commitment to social justice and equity policies and practices, METAFOR is proud to be recognized by the International Living Future Institute as a JUST 2.0 organization. JUST marks the beginning of a new era of transparency and our collective success in creating a world that is socially just and ecologically restorative, that results from establishing mutual trust between us, our clients and the communities we serve. We aspire to continually improve our everyday operations, management, and project work to foster health and vibrant communities.
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