Newsletters ─── April 22, 2026
Prime Connection: April 2026
Author: Berry Architecture + Associates
Welcome New Team Members!
Berry Architecture recently welcomed three new team members—Mica Fajardo, Kristina Smith, and Adam Weir. They are all Architectural Technologists joining our production team. Mica and Kristina are based in the Red Deer office and Adam is in the Kelowna office. Mica graduated with an Architectural Technology Diploma from SAIT in 2025 and is currently pursuing an online Bachelor of Interior Design degree from Yorkville University. Kristina received her Architectural Technology Diploma in 2023 from NAIT and also has a Visual Art Diploma from Red Deer College (2008). They bring one and three years of technologist experience to the team respectively. Adam attended SAIT, receiving his Architectural Technology Diploma in 2021. He has worked as a Technologist and Development Coordinator in Kelowna for the past five years. They are all experienced working with Revit, and we are very pleased to be adding their considerable skills to our team. Welcome, everyone!.
New Project: Focal Pointe Eye Care
Focal Pointe Eye Care is a tenant improvement renovation located in Heritage Pointe, just south of Calgary. The existing space is currently vacant and was used previously as a restaurant. The 1,029.2 ft2 space will be renovated into an Optometry Clinic with two exam rooms, optical eye glass sales space, and pre-exam area. The design of the space creates a warm, inviting, and contemporary optometry clinic which will welcome new clients soon. Construction will begin within the next few months.
Project Update: Pioneer Lodge Expansion
Design work is progressing on the Pioneer Lodge Expansion project that we featured in the February newsletter. On April 7th, we made a presentation to the Lloydminster Region Housing Group, including exterior renderings, schematic designs, and design reports from the consultants. Our next step is presentation of interior renderings. Schematic design is wrapping up at the beginning of May, and then the project will be going through a costing exercise while we continue to the design development phase.
Here are some things we’ve been up to:
Tracy G. attended the Central Alberta Business Summit on March 19th in Red Deer.
This summit was designed to help businesses gain insights into IT and workplace innovation, leadership, and HR and culture. Tracy came back with some excellent strategies to implement.
On April 7-17th, George and Laura were in the UK pursuing the creation of the UK branch of Berry Architecture. George met with two potential team members, potential clients, our UK accountant firm, plus a visit to the Canadian Consulate in London to discuss relevant contacts. It was a very worthwhile trip!
The ASCHA Conference took place in Edmonton this year, April 13-14th. Susanne and Avery attended with our new booth. It was great to touch base with many of our former and ongoing clients, plus make contacts with new foundations and management bodies.
BAA hosted a Grade 10 internship student in the Red Deer office April 7-9th. Jann is a student at Ecole Olds High School who is interested in exploring the architectural profession. He spent three days in the office shadowing our team to get a sense of our day to day lifestyle, work, and real-world job applications.
Did you know?
The High Commission of Canada (Canada House) in London, UK was formerly an exclusive gentlemen’s club. The Union Club was built between 1824 and 1827 and occupied the building on Trafalgar Square for 96 years. The Canadian government acquired it in 1923 and opened officially in 1925. Canada House marked its 100-year anniversary in the building last year.
