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Studio History

The firm’s philosophy is based on providing contextual regional design, through a socially conscious and environmentally sensitive approach to the profession of architecture for people and communities. We believe in architecture and interior design with a sense of purpose, crafted in layers, a design statement in motion. BFA Studio Architects is an inclusive boutique firm, committed to innovative & economical design solutions, including the application of sound technical expertise during all phases of the communication, regulatory, management, design, and construction processes.

Our team members are diverse with both local and international experience, servicing clients in eight languages. Over the last 27 years, with numerous repeat and loyal clients, BFA has delivered projects that have increased our client’s social, cultural, and economical assets, grown brand awareness and improved their live / work environments, contributing to the success of our clients’ buildings, operation, and lifestyle.

Principals

Helen

Helen Avini Besharat

Architect AIBC I FRAIC I RID I LEED AP I Principal

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Daniel

Daniel Au

Architect AIBC I LEED AP BD+C I Principal

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David

David Leung

Architect AIBC I M.Arch I Principal

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Jamie

Jamie Richardson

Intern Architect AIBC I B.Arch I Principal

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TEAM

Ashique

Ashique Zaman

Intern Architect AIBC I Associate Principal

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Megan

Megan Chan

Architectural Technologist I Associate Principal

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Mahfuzul

MAHFUZUL MANNAN

B.Arch

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Shane

shane friars

Architect AIBC | Retired Principal

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Philosophy & Process

Discover

Conceptual Design

Establishes clients’ goals, aspirations and requirements for the project and identifies the general size and shape of the building. Analyzes & evaluates program and spatial relationships. Evaluates local context and urban fabric.

Create

Schematic Design

Transformation of goals from a brief into a physical architectural form. Value added to client’s asset through creativity and synthesis of various and competing requirements, including municipal zoning obligations. Generation of architectural character and vocabulary. Project philosophy is defined.

Refine

Design Development

Distills the project from what, into how. Operation and design of building becomes more fully developed and integrated with input from engineers & consultants. Materials, systems, building code compliance and project conditions are articulated and documented.

Detail

Construction Documentation

Project principles and design objectives are developed and presented for construction. Timelines, schedules, sustainability & durability requirements, lifecycle, and materiality are fully resolved and co-ordinated. Clarity in flow of information from design team to constructor.

Assert

Construction Tender / Procurement / Bidding

Assisting the client in calling bids and awarding construction contracts. Integrity and transparency are key for an efficient and fair process. Adherence to legal obligations and industry standards. Value sought through rigorous examination.

Review

Contract Documentation & Administration / Field review

Ensures that the construction documents are executed in accordance with the terms of the contract. Observes conformity to the building contract documents as well as the quality of the product. Co-ordinates flow of information to and from client, constructor, and municipality.

Deliver

Post Construction Occupancy & PROJECT COMPLETION

Identification and remediation of deficiencies. Records project information for future use. Certification of systems and completed development. Warranty review and post occupancy evaluations.

Process

sectors

BFA Studio Architects provides personalized services to public, private and development industry client groups. We take pride in meeting our clients' project timelines, budgets, and signature design needs.

BFA services encompass the following market sectors:

Commercial Developments

Hotels

Multi-family Residential

Restaurants and Bars

Health and Fitness

Industrial Buildings

Offices and Workplace

Retail, Marketing Centres

Heritage Restoration AND Rehabilitation

Interior Design

Private Residences

Seniors Buildings

Highrise Residential

Mixed Use Developments

Renovations

Tenant Improvements

Awards

SENIOR HOUSING NEWS ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AWARDS 2020
Winner–Independent Living Oceana PARC Retirement Living

INTERIOR DESIGNERS INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 2014
Award of Merit, Healthcare & Private Services Facilities The Westerleigh

REAL ESTATE BOARD OF
GREATER VANCOUVER
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
AWARDS 2011
Industrial Excellence Award
Parissa Labs

PUBLIC ART AWARDS,
DISTRICT OF
NORTH VANCOUVER, 2011
The “NEST” by Douglas Senft
at Dollarton Business Park

HONORABLE MENTION,
CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER
ADVISORY DESIGN PANEL
AWARDS 2005
”For its enhancement of the built
environment in the City of
North Vancouver”
West 5th Townhouses

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT,
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTE 2002
Sustainable Master-Planned
Community Harbour Green
Neighbourhood, Coal Harbour

CITY OF COQUITLAM
ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
2002, INDUSTRIAL
BUILDINGS
”In Recognition of the Initiative
in Building Design
Incorporating Features that
Ensure Accessibility for
Citizens with Disabilities”
Factors Group, 1550 United Blvd.

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT,
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTE 2002
”Senior Housing”
The Summerhill Residences

GEORGIE SILVER AWARD,
THE CANADIAN HOME
BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION
OF BC 2001
”Best High-Rise Development”
The Summerhill Residences

GEORGIE SILVER AWARD,
THE CANADIAN HOME
BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION
OF BC 1999
”Best Low-Rise Development”
Hawthorn Apartments & Villas

HONORABLE MENTION,
CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER
ADVISORY DESIGN PANEL
AWARDS 1998
”For a Significant Contribution
to the Built Environment of
the City of North Vancouver”
East 6th Street Townhouses

GEORGIE SILVER AWARD,
THE CANADIAN HOME
BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION
OF BC 1997
”Best Townhouse Development
under 1,400 SF”
East 10th Street Townhouses

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BFA STUDIO ARCHITECTS
The Marine Building
Suite 600 – 355 Burrard Street
Vancouver | BC
Canada V6C 2G8

info@bfastudioarchitects.com
T 604 662 8544

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Helen

Helene Besharat

Architect AIBC I FRAIC I RID I LEED BD+C I Principal

Helen is the lead designer, managing director and founder of BFA Studio Architects (formally Besharat Friars Architects) with Shane Friars in 1995. Her practice is focused on the excellence of design and integrated holistic nature of buildings in a local, social, and environmental context with passion and commitment. With over 35 years of experience, she brings innovative solutions to a broad range of inspiring design and management knowledge on complex stakeholder and program requirements. Her practice is focused on listen, learn, understand, collaborate, mentor and design of signature mixed use, residential, commercial, industrial, and integrated seniors’ buildings shaping our communities and peoples’ wellbeing.

Helen is an elected fellow of the College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in recognition of outstanding achievement and distinguished service to the profession. She served four terms on the Urban Design Panel at the City of Vancouver including member of Advisory Design Panel for the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and the West Vancouver Heritage Committee. Her extensive community and professional volunteer experience includes serving Kiwanis North Shore Housing Society and North Vancouver Pollygon Gallery Board of directors and pro-Bueno work for the Pals Autism Society school program.

Daniel

Daniel Au

Architect AIBC I LEED AP BD+C I Principal

Daniel is a principal and has provided excellent leadership and expertise on a broad range of complex mixed use, multi-occupancy residential, and commercial projects in various jurisdictions within the lower mainland. His precise execution and pragmatic approach of projects stems from education in both Architecture and Engineering, keen interest, and solid technical skills in building envelope performance and sustainability. Daniel leads technical and construction phases of projects with strong understanding of all phases of services from start to construction completion. At BFA Studio, Daniel has a long standing and a broad range of experience with major roles in comprehensive residential developments on many projects including Simon Fraser University Campus from schematic design to construction completion. Calm, thoughtful and articulate, Daniel keeps pushing all aspects of projects and mentors team members with enthusiasm and full commitment.

David

David Leung

Architect AIBC I M.Arch I Principal

David is a principal with BFA Studio Architects, genuine, calm and collaborative and brings leadership and resiliency to every project. Prior to coming to Canada David was a practicing engineer at Motorola Semiconductors where he honed his interests in the relationship between human interface and technology. After a career shift to architecture, David has acquired broad reaching knowledge of institutional, commercial, and industrial projects with complex programing and technical requirements, and the applications of 3D modelling as a development and design tool.  Typologies range from community centers, elementary schools, hospital renovations and first nations community development. At BFA David has work on schematic design, working drawings, and onsite review through the construction process of numerous commercial and industrial projects.

David completed his Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from Simon Fraser University and his Master of Architecture for Dalhousie University and is the recipient of a School of Architecture Thesis Award.

Jamie

Jamie Richardson

Intern Architect AIBC I B.Arch I Principal

Jamie is a principal at BFA and prior to moving to Canada worked for several years with UK based firms where he gained a broad understanding of residential, retail, and mixed-use projects as well as government and security specific institutional facilities. Since joining BFA Studio he has been involved with and has worked on numerous seniors residential and mixed-use projects from conceptual schematic design, through formal submissions and on to working drawing phases including contract documentation and field reviews. Jamie’s work is focused on design, implementation and navigating the municipal approval process with an open mind and full collaboration. Jamie has developed a full understanding of projects and has been instrumental in both architecture and interior design projects at BFA Studio.

Jamie graduated with honors from the University of Manchester, UK, for both his Bachelor of Architecture and Master’s degree in Architecture bringing European understanding of communities and design process to BFA.

Ashique

Ashique Zaman

Intern Architect AIBC I Senior Associate

Ashique joined BFA Studio Architects in April 2019. Before moving to Canada, Ashique worked in a large-scale US based hospitality design firm in Singapore for more than six years. In his previous office, he worked on several luxury hotel and resort projects and was involved from conceptual to design development phases. He completed his internship under Pritzker winning architect B.V.Doshi in Ahmedabad, India. Ashique is interested in computational design and likes to experiment with virtual and augmented reality tools. Ashique is currently involved in three major seniors and residential care buildings with BFA

Ashique completed his Master of Arts in Urban Design (MAUD) from National University of Singapore and Bachelor of Architecture with highest distinction from BRAC University, Bangladesh.

Megan

Megan Chan

Architectural Technologist I Associate

Megan received her Diplomas in Civil Engineering and Building Technology (ABT) at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Through the ABT program, she specialized in Building Science and graduated with distinction. Megan then quickly transitioned to BFA, joining the team after graduation in 2019. Megan is the recipient of The Vancouver Regional Construction’s Association Award in Economics and Construction Operations for the year of 2018 and the BC Building Envelope Council Education Foundation Award for the year of 2019. Megan has worked on technical aspects of several mixed use and residential projects including interior design documentation at BFA.

Mahfuzul

Mahfuzul Mannan

B.Arch

Mahfuzul has over 12 years of experience in architecture and master planning projects across South Asia and Southeast Asia region. Before joining BFA Studio Architects he worked in Swan and Maclaren Architects, Singapore for over six years where he gained experience in large scale commercial hub, mixed-use and residential projects, from Concept design to Design development stage. He also prepared detail drawings and tender documentation for several projects. In those six years his role evolved from Intermediate architectural to Senior architectural designer to Senior Associate, during which he actively participated in business development. Prior to that he became a licensed architect in Bangladesh while working in DWm4 Architects. There he was project architect for multiple residential and commercial projects, from concept to construction stage. Mahfuzul also gained internship experience on fire safety design with Buro Happold, London.

Mahfuzul completed his Bachelor of Architecture from University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh.

Shane

Shane Friars

Architect AIBC I Retired Principal

Shane was a principal and founder of Besharat Friars Architects with Helen Besharat in 1995. His practice was focused on comprehensive detailing, management and strategic organization of contract documentation, specifications, and working drawings that lead to an efficient and effective building and construction process. He believes this is achieved through comprehensive detailing, sensible resolution and coordination of consultants, clear verbal, written and drawn communication and a positive relationship with the general contractor and client. Shane’s legacy, attention to detail and leadership standards remain a foundation of the firm, demonstrated in many major built projects in the Lower Mainland for 25 years. Shane’s outstanding contribution to the profession of Architecture is notable.

Shane is past Chair and member of the City of North Vancouver Advisory Design Panel and has served as a member of the Communications Board of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.

Jennifer

Jennifer Tsai

CPA | CGA | MSc

Jennifer is BFAs accountant and has played a vital role in the everyday operation of the firm since joining in 2020. Jennifer is a chartered professional accountant with over 15 years of experience. Jennifer has a proven track record of diligence, efficiency and delivering high quality work. She has strong analytical skills and consistently demonstrates the ability to problem solve. Before starting her own accountancy business, Jennifer worked at Grant Thornton LLP, Vancouver for 7 years.

Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Technology in accounting from BCIT in 2001 and an MSc in Finance & Investment from the University of Aston, UK in 2008.