Newsletters ─── October 21, 2026
Prime Connection: October 2026
Author: Berry Architecture + Associates
Grand Re-opening: Mt. Boucherie Community Centre and Childcare
The Grand Re-opening ceremony for the Mt. Boucherie Community Centre and Childcare was held on October 8th in West Kelowna, BC. Carlos and Zac attended from Berry Architecture. This project involved the renovation and reconfiguration of an existing building, previously used as the temporary City of West Kelowna administrative centre. The redevelopment accommodates the City’s Facilities and Recreation Department, providing workspace for approximately 15 staff members. Three multi-purpose classrooms support after-school programs and then transition into community spaces during evenings and weekends for events and celebrations. A 1,680 ft² Childcare Centre was integrated into the design, including dedicated nap rooms and kitchenette. The existing full kitchen was upgraded to serve both City staff and community functions. Exterior improvements included a new playground, designated childcare drop-off area, and improved parking to provide safe and convenient access. This vital project, delivered on time and on budget, provides much-needed municipal, community, after-school, and childcare spaces for West Kelowna. Pictured below are the Mayor of West Kelowna and Councillors at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Project Completion: RSM Toronto, Interior Renovation
This project was a three-floor office interior tenant fit-out for RSM Canada’s flagship location in Toronto’s Financial District (Floors 31, 32, 33, TD Bank Tower). The scope included the renovation of existing tenant office interiors across three floors, including the configuration of new workspaces, meeting rooms, collaborative and common areas, and interior finishes to support RSM’s workplace and office operations. The office suite is designed for a total occupant load of 341 people, including 133 enclosed offices and open office areas planned for 207 workstations.
The design created a mix of enclosed offices, open workstations, meeting and conference rooms, consulting rooms, collaboration zones, huddle rooms, a work café, pantry and servery areas, and a reception area. Specialized spaces included a testing lab and assembly areas with flexible seating for training and team gatherings. A highlight of the fit-out was the inclusion of a new interconnecting stair linking Levels 31 to 33. This brings the three floors together as one connected workplace, opens up light and views, and gives teams an easy, natural way to move between floors. The project was a collaboration with Shive-Hattery: Architecture and Engineering. During construction, our team carried out General Review in accordance with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) performance standards, and George was the Architect of Record.
Welcome New Team Members
Two new team members joined us in October. Noureen Dar is a Registered Architect based in Edmonton who is now heading up our Edmonton studio. She has 21 years experience in the industry and has project experience that marries perfectly with our areas of expertise—especially in seniors, affordable, and supportive housing; commercial projects; civic and municipal buildings; modular construction; and First Nation projects. She is adept at fostering a collaborative, creative, and high-performing studio culture.
Tayo Osibote is a Construction Administrator who will be responsible for CA of our projects in Calgary, southern Alberta, and the East Kootenays. He is based in Calgary but will be travelling to monitor projects throughout these regions. Tayo has 10+ years experience in architecture and contract administration. He is also an Architect in Nigeria and thus brings the bonus of his design acumen to the administration of construction projects. Welcome Noureen and Tayo!
What we’ve been up to this month:
September 30th was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day honouring residential school survivors and their families and the children who never came home. Our offices were closed to mark the occasion; we wore our orange shirts on September 29th.
A team from Berry Architecture attended the Red Deer Homeless Foundation Leadership Luncheon on October 2nd. The event featured Joe Roberts, Founder of the Push for Change movement. With a turnout of over 450 people, this was a great opportunity to support the Foundation, Dress for Success Central Alberta, and the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. Pictured L-R: Kristine, Dustin, Angela, and Tracy W.
George, Kristine, and Laura were in Kelowna October 5-8th. Kristine, our new Business Development and Client Relations Director, was making new connections in the community, as well as re-connecting with her many contacts in the Okanagan. Reach out to Kristine at kristineb@berryarchitecture.ca to discuss partnering on your next project.
On October 15th, George took part in a panel discussion at the kick-off breakfast for a middle and high school student conference—10Peaks Innovation Xchange Student Conference. The panel topic was: “Energy and Environment: A Collaborative Path Forward for Central Alberta”. The goal of the yearly conference is to help students understand the vital role they can play in Alberta’s and Canada’s future. We were a major sponsor for the event.
