Guest Architects

By Evan Acheson
Grade 8-9 Humanites and Options Teacher

On April 15, 2026, our SW Junior High Architectural Technologies classes welcomed three architects who generously shared their passion and professional experiences with students.

Each guest described how they approach design challenges, beginning with an exploration phase that involves clearly framing the problem, conducting research, and engaging with users through interviews and observations. This process helps them better understand the context and determine effective paths forward and mirrors our own STEM Innovation Academy Design Process.

Students also learned about the City of Calgary’s 4th Street Underpass enhancement project. Our guest architect Trevor explained how he and his team collaborated with the city through public consultation to define the problem and identify key constraints. The final design—an interactive installation—responds to the diverse needs of stakeholders while enhancing the space with light and art.

Zoe, a landscape architect, shared how her passion for the outdoors guided her career path. She explained that her projects often begin with extensive research and ecological surveys before moving into brainstorming and design. She highlighted an example project from the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, where upstream human interventions along the Bow River disrupted the natural dispersal of poplar seeds, limiting forest regeneration. This example demonstrated a systems thinking approach, emphasizing how interconnected elements within an environment can influence one another.

Our third guest, Spencer, spoke about his journey to becoming a registered architect and showcased work from his master’s program. His experience in the field has since led him to pursue a entrepreneurial venture called Haven Works, designing and building innovative backyard suites that respond to both community needs and client goals.

It was fascinating for students to learn about such a wide range of local projects, including the Sunalta Community Centre, the new BMO Centre, and Calgary City Hall. Most importantly, hearing from three passionate professionals provided valuable insight into the field of architecture and inspired students to consider it as a future career path.te architects who love their work and inspired our students to consider this as a possible career.