David Parker: Around town with METAFOR

Article content

Well organized leadership transition is vital to a company’s stability and growth. While that can be a challenge for some, Calgary architectural firm METAFOR has made changes in leadership that reflect a celebration of the past and excitement for the future. Claudia Schaaf has been at the helm for the past 10 years but says the time has come for her to undertake a change of pace and she is handing over her role as managing principal to David Leonard.

Article content

It’s won’t occur quickly, thus giving Schaaf time to structure the changes within the partnerships and hand over her current projects in an orderly manner to provide clients a fluid changeover.

This includes her work with the Stoney Nakoda Nation on an extension to the women’s shelter and a new seniors’ centre.

A seasoned senior architect, Schaaf has 28 years experience in designing and implementing building assignments for clients ranging from local businesses to global corporations, non-profits and agencies. She joined METAFOR in 2014 when it was known as Marshall Tittemore Architects, but with founders Tom Tittemore retiring two years later and Bill Marshall five years ago a name change was required. Schaaf and her team came up with the name of METAFOR, which was registered last year.

Leonard, who joined the firm in 2022, is an engineer with over 15 years experience in building construction and engineering. He has contributed across multiple areas of the firm, playing a pivotal role in business development, marketing and sales leadership. In 2023 he took over operations leadership where he further honed his skills and understanding of the firm’s inner workings.

Article content

Article content

When Schaaf joined the company, it had a staff of 30 but at the time of her retirement it has doubled, including seven people in its Edmonton office. The five shareholders remain the same during this period of transition. Besides Leonard, the shareholders are Chris Sparrow, Jeff Lyness, and Azim Mazhar in the Calgary office and Mike Woodland who runs the Edmonton office.

METAFOR has grown in size to accommodate an increase in business – much of it in the Bow Valley Corridor. Building on long-term relationships and understanding the needs of Canmore and area by Marshall and Tittemore, Chris Sparrow has developed a passion for design in mountain locations.

He knows Canmore, its residents and town hall staff, and helps developers by understanding the town’s expectations.

Building on the firm’s master plan for Spring Creek community, METAFOR designed the attractive Malcolm Hotel and has applied for a development permit for its adjacent Alexander Hotel & Spa.

Just to the south of Spring Creek on three acres of a 40-acre parcel, the firm has designed a much-needed 24,000 square foot Centre for Palliative Care and Hospice for the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley. It will include eight beds, a grand hall, and spaces to support families in their journey with loved ones.

Article content

Three other Canmore projects are currently under construction.

The firm’s interior design studio has also been busy in the area with a renovation of the former Holiday Inn, renamed MTN By Base Camp, that includes the new Rhythm and Howl restaurant.

In Calgary, the firm’s role as bridging architect for the new Arthur J. E. Child Cancer Centre has almost wound down, but at one time it required a team of five of its people to fulfil the responsibility.

METAFOR is currently converting two office buildings into residential towers. Petro Fina Building on the corner of 8^th Avenue and 7^th Street S.W. is being converted into 130 units and Place 800, a 17-storey tower at 6^th Avenue and 7^th Street S.W. is a 205,000 square foot building that will house another 204 suites.

The Edmonton office is also busy and has enjoyed a long relationship with Jasper, where it is looking to assist the town and area with disaster recovery.

The leadership transition will be smooth and bring fresh perspectives and new opportunities for growth.

****

Jessica Moran relocated to Toronto and is now lead of Brookline PR’s office there to support the agency’s Eastern footprint. Calgary staff are currently working with FIM World Supercross Championship, an international freestyle motocross championship being held in Vancouver. Brookline is providing media relations and on-site support in advance of and during the October event.

*****

David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.

Article content