Responsive design becomes exceptional with collaboration.
By integrating the expertise and creative voice of our clients, industry partners, communities, and team into our services, we amplify the innovative solution. In building these collaborative relationships, we have developed highly-valued repeat clients, forged solid industry partnerships, strengthened our place within communities, and grown the talent within our team.
Our Services
Architectural Design
We imagine and create thoughtful, inspired, and integrated designs vetted across multiple points of review. We employ design charrettes and collaborative stakeholder engagement sessions to seamlessly deliver a holistic approach. We research into precedents and explore all viable opportunities. The end result is a responsive, innovative and value-driven solution, supportive of the client’s community and environment.
Interior Design
We believe that beauty and functionality are at the heart of every successful building's interior design. Our team strives to translate expertise and inspiration into dynamic and meaningful places that enrich the human experience. We are mindful to support the large and small details that culminate in spaces, reflecting who you are, what you do, and how you do it.
Master Planning
Effective project planning must assess future-proofing, growth, and the next phase of development. Independently or as part of a comprehensive design scope, we offer solutions that accommodate long-term site and building expansion. Regardless of whether your overarching vision is already established or still evolving, your investment deserves a comprehensive master plan. This strategic approach ensures the seamless integration of project components, facilitating implementation with minimal waste and disruption to operations.
Feasibility Studies
Preparation is key to the risk management of any project. Making critical decisions amidst increasingly limited resources or under the scrutiny of boards or electorates are just a few of the many factors that must be considered when evaluating a project's feasibility.
Working either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, we review sites, infrastructure, existing physical plants, operations, equipment, and efficiencies to assess their potential. Our thorough analysis provides actionable recommendations, ensuring that aspirations and projections are realistically aligned and informed decisions can be made.
BIM, 3D and Virtual Reality
ACI is recognized as a team of technical experts with impeccable documentation. By leveraging the latest technology, ACI has developed expertise within emerging and exacting areas of practice, including energy-efficient, climate-sensitive, and sustainable design. The integration of virtual and augmented reality, along with BIM modelling, enhances our design process by supporting informed decision-making and fostering efficient collaboration.
Facility Evaluations
We conduct comprehensive physical and functional evaluations for a wide range of building types, assessing both structural integrity and operational efficiency. We then closely collaborate with a network of specialized consultants to address any identified issues from the conditional assessment. Our goal is to develop tailored solutions that enhance performance, improve sustainability, and extend the lifespan of the buildings while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
Integrated Project Delivery
Integrated Project Delivery
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IPD integrates people, systems, business structures, and practices into a cohesive process that collaboratively taps into the expertise and insights of all participants. This approach fosters enhanced communication, alignment, and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that each stakeholder contributes to the shared goal of delivering a successful outcome
IPD is centered around enhancing project outcomes by reducing waste and maximizing efficiency across all phases, from design to fabrication and construction. By fostering collaboration and aligning objectives, IPD increases the overall value delivered to clients, driving improvements in quality, cost-effectiveness, and innovation.
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ACI is an experienced IPD practitioner, having successfully delivered numerous projects utilizing the IPD procurement process. In this integrated delivery model, we serve in various roles, including designer, facilitator, bridging consultant, P3 partner, or Design-Build collaborator.
Our commitment to this innovative approach highlights our flexibility and expertise in delivering highly effective, collaborative project experiences.
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ACI is proud to be a member of the IPDA. This not-for-profit, action-oriented alliance brings together like-minded companies to build strong foundations for collective success. By exploring and supporting emerging practices, the IPDA aims to drive enhanced outcomes across the industry while providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas. Together, we work to create lasting, positive impact through collaboration and shared expertise.
Sustainability
LEED at ACI
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) is a building design approach which uses a sustainable rating system to assess buildings. Energy use, carbon footprint, water management, operating cost reduction, and other sustainability standards are used to measure environmental impact.
At ACI, we have a successful track record with LEED. We design many of our projects, including schools and protective services, utilizing this system and have been doing so since industry adoption in Canada.
On our team, we have eight LEED® and one WELL® accredited employees. LEED and WELL complement each other when implemented together, and we consistently aim to incorporate both standards into our projects. This approach allows us to create buildings that not only minimize environmental impact but also provide healthy indoor environments for occupants. As energy consumption requirements and building codes continue to evolve, our team remains proactive in adapting to these changes.
Climate Resilience
Climate change highlights the vulnerability of architecture to natural disasters and underscores the urgent need for adaptability in design and construction. Building climate resilience goes beyond mere prevention; it demands a comprehensive approach that integrates design, engineering, and environmental measures to both anticipate and mitigate risks.
Through the use of both Climate Risk Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis, ACI works closely with stakeholders to collect and analyze data essential for developing responsive building design solutions. By evaluating the vulnerability of infrastructure to both current and future climate impacts, we ensure that future considerations are integrated into the scope and investment of the project. This collaborative approach allows us to create designs that not only address immediate needs but are also resilient and adaptable to evolving climate conditions over the long term.
Net-Zero: A Case Study
ACI is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the strategic selection of materials and products, as well as monitoring of the carbon footprint associated with manufactured products.
We are currently working on creating an emissions-neutral facility for the Barrhead RCMP. After evaluating various alternatives through life cycle analysis and carbon accounting, we selected a design that incorporates a geothermal system paired with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. This solution not only delivers the lowest life cycle cost but also meets the objective of achieving a net-zero carbon building, ensuring a 100% reduction in GHG emissions when compared to the baseline design, which relies on natural gas. Additional sustainable design features include an 80kW photovoltaic solar array, heat recovery units, a high-performance building envelope, thermally broken iso-clips for cladding, double-pane fiberglass windows, an air-source heat pump for domestic hot water, reduced plug loads, and LED lighting throughout.
Community
Corporate Social Responsibility
We greatly value the communities and the environments in which we work. We believe in the strength of our diverse team and the importance of investing in and supporting employee growth. Our goal is to maximize our positive impact by aligning both social and environmental measures into our approach.
These measures - whether it be sustainable, inclusive, or accessible design, employee training & development, or community charitable support - are ways that we seek to be better.
Giving Back
From volunteering locally to donating time to support the next generation of students, we give back to make our communities stronger. We support numerous Albertan and Canadian charitable causes each year in the hopes of making a positive impact on the lives of others.