Our Work
ZAS Architects is one of Canada’s leading designers of architecture, interior space and sustainable urban places. Our work is notable for solving complex program challenges with results that are innovative, user-friendly and enduring. It’s our ability to take on multi-scale, multi-stakeholder projects that has resulted in our growth and a significant portfolio of award-winning projects across all sectors.
Established in 1994, our firm services Canada coast to coast from our Toronto and Vancouver offices, while international projects are typically managed from our office in Dubai. All three offices work together on a range of projects so that staff expertise can be optimally assigned to produce the best results. Our quarter-century of success has been rooted in a studio culture that emphasizes entrepreneurial energy, accessible project leadership and a thorough understanding of each client. Our key performance metric is client loyalty.
Architecture
We believe design is an important strategic asset – it affects how people think, feel and act; it reinforces each organization’s unique positioning, values and brand, and; it expresses each client’s unique vision, values and priorities. ZAS’s strategic thinking helps connect them all with a bespoke design solution for each problem. This approach is applied to all of our projects, whether it be an office environment or an international airport. Achieving this requires a multi-disciplinary, collaborative attitude to be applied and that’s where we believe inventive and technical thinking begins on a project. This results in creating places where people want to be, not have to be.
Interiors
We view our interior design work as a seamless extension of our architectural approach, to ensure that the best possible and humane environments are created. We consistently create spaces that reflect the essence of the organization, and for the people who work, live or play within those spaces. This begins with a respect and interest in simple, functional, and versatile design. Special attention to light, texture, pattern and colour dominate our design ethos, along with a desire to experiment and challenge the boundaries of what may have been done before. This allows our team to employ a complete strategy that embraces all design elements including furniture, branding and wayfinding solutions.
Place Making
Our design and planning work is firmly rooted in a belief that each element, building, neighbourhood, or precinct is a critical part of the urban fabric and effective city building. Typically, our urban design and architectural projects begin with an effort to create great places in and around our buildings. In all cases, our design team will diligently look at the pedestrian experience to make places that are comfortable, inventive, and respective of context. Achieving successful, popular and sustainable places is a collaborative effort requiring the collective efforts of architecture, landscape and engineering specialists. Whether it be the public street realm or a private courtyard, our work is distinguished by an interest in creating humane and accessible environments.