Kelowna Office

Overview

Meiklejohn Architects Inc. is a Kelowna based architectural office with sector expertise in both post secondary and K-12 education, office, housing, hospitality, health care and animal facilities. The office has taken the strategic approach of maintaining our work flow on these types of projects but not excluding other sectors such as industrial and infrastructure works as well as parking structures. As generalists with exposure to multiple building types we thrive on the knowledge base we are continually creating and look for opportunities to deploy our design intelligence gained from one project type to another.

While we strive for excellence in all areas, we are centered on three core values in our practice:
1) Client-Centered Decision-Making
2) Design Excellence within Budget Realities
3) Healthy Buildings, Healthy Occupants

Penticton Library

1963 – Penticton, BC

Peach Bowl

1965 – Penticton, BC

Summerland Hospital

1968 – Summerland, BC

Vernon Centre

1971 – Vernon, BC

Parkinson Rec Centre

1973 – Kelowna, BC

History

Meiklejohn Architects Inc. is a second-generation firm and has been in continuous practice since 1953.  The firm was founded in Penticton by Roy Meiklejohn, one of the first registered architects in the Okanagan, and has operated as a limited company since 1994.  Jim Meiklejohn and Shirley Ng opened the doors of the Bernard Avenue office Kelowna in 2000 while Cal Meiklejohn continued to operate the Penticton office.  Recently the 2 offices became separate corporations and Meiklejohn Architects continues to practice in Kelowna under Jim’s leadership while Cal owns and operates Meiklejohn Architectural Design Studio.

Sustainability

Meiklejohn Architects has been the leader in sustainable architectural practice in the Okanagan for over 60 years. Jim Meiklejohn became the first LEED accredited Architect in the Okanagan in 2004 and the office has completed numerous commercial and residential LEED certified, Silver, and Gold projects over the last 15 years. Collin Crabbe was the first Architect to become a Certified Passive House Designer in Kelowna in 2017. The BC Step Code energy regulations are evolving at a rapid pace, and we look forward to working with clients who value the long-term health and financial rewards of pursuing local leadership in sustainable design.

Key Staff

The firm has three registered architects as well as several technologists with experience from around BC and Canada as well as Europe and Asia and typically oversees an annual project volume of well over $100 million in local construction value. Jim Meiklejohn and Shirley Ng opened the Kelowna office have led the office’s success in many sectors working with many public and private organizations.  Stoke Tonne joined the office in 2011 after relocating from Vancouver and has played a key role in the design leadership of several key downtown projects the office has recently completed.  Stoke became a co-owner and partner in 2016.  Collin Crabbe joined the office in 2013 after working in Vancouver and New Zealand and holds degrees in Architecture and Mechanical Engineering. Collin’s current main areas of practice are building envelope, educational and winery facilities.  Collin became a co-owner and partner in 2019.

Jim Meiklejohn

Jim opened the Kelowna branch of Meiklejohn Architects in 2000 after taking over his family architectural practice in Penticton in 1992 and has seen it grow to one of the largest local practices in the Okanagan.  Jim has been involved in the Okanagan business community with a passion for Architectural and Urban Design issues for several years. Jim was the First LEED Certified Architect in the Okanagan and is currently working on several LEED and green building projects.  Jim received his Bachelor of Architecture at Washington State University, Cum Laude.

Jim believes in creating an authentic and regionally based architecture to the Okanagan that is both modern and sustainable.  Together with a talented staff, the firm has helped create a renaissance of urban life in Kelowna downtown and helped to define a new Okanagan style.  Through the use of simple materials such as wood, concrete and glass, often regionally sourced, their architecture has created memorable landmarks through the Okanagan such as the Kelowna Visitor Centre and Kelowna Yacht Club Clubhouse, the Landmark District office towers as well as the Centre for Excellence in Aviation at the Kelowna Airport and the Okanagan Centre for Innovation in downtown Kelowna.

Stoke Tonne

Stoke joined Meiklejohn Architects in 2011 after relocating to Kelowna while working on the UBC Okanagan Health Sciences Centre, a joint venture project between Meiklejohn Architects and Stantec Architecture.  In his 10 years at Stantec Architecture, and its predecessor firm Architectura, Stoke built a solid level of experience working on a diverse range of large scale commercial and institutional projects and as a member of Stantec’s Young Leader’s group.

Over the last 10 years in Kelowna Stoke has been the design lead and project architect for such key Kelowna projects as Kelowna Yacht Club Clubhouse, Landmark 7, JoeAnna’s House and the Okanagan Centre for Innovation.  With these projects, and several others, he has focused on using natural materials and light in a modern design language that focuses on bringing the inside out to create warm and unique gathering spaces that embrace the Okanagan’s natural beauty and climate.

Shirley Ng

Shirley received her Diploma of Architectural Technology from Singapore Polytechnic in 1984 with Certificate of Merit. During her studies she was awarded (in 1981) the Singapore Polytechnic Olivetti Prize and (in 1982) the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce Prize. With 8 years of overseas experience in Singapore followed up with over 30 years of Canadian experience in Vancouver and the Okanagan, she has truly attained a wide range of experience in the architectural field.

Shirley has diversified skills including preparing design/working drawings, building code, zoning bylaw research, architectural details, construction co-ordination & managing office/solving most issues that arise.  Shirley has demonstrated great ability in building lasting client relationships and her combination of professionalism with a warm manner creates a knowledgeable and sincere atmosphere which places clients at ease in discussions.  Shirley has good understanding of client needs and consistently exceeds her client’s expectations.

Collin Crabbe

Collin joined Meiklejohn Architects in 2013 when he relocated to Kelowna. Prior to moving to Kelowna Collin worked in Vancouver at an Architectural and Building Envelope firm working on several educational, recreational, First Nations and multi-unit residential projects specializing in existing building envelope condition assessments and renovations. Collin has worked and studied in Canada, US, Cambodia and New Zealand where he worked on several Maori and private educational projects.

His design approach involves a thorough client engagement and site evaluation to produce highly detailed and energy efficient buildings maximizing sustainability through durability and low maintenance buildings, using natural materials whenever possible. He brings an extensive knowledge of building materials, building envelope design and a passion for site influenced, holistic design to insure every part of a building’s design is carefully studied to produce beautiful buildings and comfortable spaces.

Awards

2007

Canadian Wood Council
(BC Wood Design)

Best Residential

2010

Urban Development Institute (UDI)

Best of the Okanagan Award

City of Kelowna

Mayor’s Award for Most Sustainable Development

Canadian Home Builders Association Central Okanagan (CHBA)

Gold Tommie Award – Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Consideration

2010

Commercial Mainline Real Estate Awards

Award of Excellence – Commercial Office

2011

Heritage BC

Award of Honour

2012

Heritage Canada Foundation

Achievement Award

2013

Canadian Home Builders Association Central Okanagan (CHBA)

Tommie Award – Best Outside of the Box

2015

Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC)

Gold Award – Small Commercial

Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC)

Jack Sigurdson Award For Excellence in Design of Architectural Woodwork

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Judges Choice – Overall Winner

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Award of Excellence – Tourism & Hospitality

Canadian Home Builders Association Central Okanagan (CHBA)

Tommie Award – Best Urban Infill

2017

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Award of Excellence – Office

2017

Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards

Award of Excellence – Institutional

2018

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Merit Award – Tourism & Hospitality

2018

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Award of Excellence – Mixed Use

2018

American Institute of Architects

National Honor Award

2023

Canadian Wood Council (CWC)

The Wood Design & Building Awards – Sansin Sponsorship Award

2023

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Award of Excellence – Tourism & Hospitality

2023

Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards

Judge’s Choice – Overall Winner

2023

Chicago Athenaeum

International Architecture Award