"Creating community through purposeful
design and inspired collaboration"
In 2007, our co-founders, Danny Estephan and Jason Leblanc, ignited the spark to become Planworks Architecture In., with their relentless pursuit of architectural excellence in and around the Edmonton community. It was from this passion that Planworks Design Studio and Planworks Design & Planning were conceived.
Fast forward to 2012, Planworks Architecture Inc. emerged with a dedicated mission: to perpetuate our unwavering commitment to design excellence, push the boundaries of creativity, and guarantee the success of our projects.
Our strength lies in the seasoned team we have assembled, a team that boasts a notable history of successful collaborations and projects of various scales and magnitudes under its belt. As a collective, we have strived to foster an atmosphere of mutual support and collaboration within our ranks.
We thrive in our camaraderie and delight in sharing our collective experiences and explorations. The diverse viewpoints within our leadership team not only widen our perspective but also serve as a source of nourishment for our individual strengths.
Our ultimate aspiration is to design spaces and buildings that reflect and shape the cultures of our clients and the broader community. We believe in architecture as an instrument of change and empowerment, and this belief propels us forward.
Creative Thinking
Insightful Innovation
Collaborative Culture
Passionate People
Residential
We create residential environments that merge community ideals and convenience, informed by lifestyle trends and local aspirations. People thrive when their homes are just right for them.
Commercial + Office
Office buildings, corporate headquarters and operations centers must be suited for today’s changing cities and business models as the nature of work is continually evolving.
Workplace
We design personalized and sustainable spaces that improve collaboration and flexibility, support new ways of working and promote health and wellness.
Hospitality
Businesses or leisure destinations, the successful hotel ignites the imagination and elevates the typical stay to one that is unexpected.
Civic & Cultural
We see our civic and cultural clients leveraging sustainable design to reflect community values, and our design teams find innovative ways to express each venue’s community.
“ The art and science of ensuring that buildings and places fit with how people want to live their
lives. ”
" Architectural excellence is achieved when the spaces resonate with the rhythm of human lives. "
“Creating community through purposeful design and inspired collaboration."
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
Danny Estephan
Danny Estephan's unwavering passion and determination have fostered enduring relationships with numerous major corporate clients for over three decades. His vast experience spans implementing many projects, including restaurants, commercial retail spaces, industrial sites, offices, and multi-family residences across Western Canada. With a discerning eye for design and expertise in developing contract documents and contract administration, Danny embodies the leadership and judgment essential for the success of his projects.
Specializing in managing our technical team on complex building endeavours, Danny is extensively engaged in field reviews to ensure compliance with our drawings and details. His deep-seated understanding of the unique requisites of the Canadian Building codes and the technical demands of construction has been cultivated over years of hands-on involvement.
Recognized for his adeptness in leading and mentoring project team members, Danny ensures a seamless transition from design to completion. His ability to guide and nurture the team not only enhances the coherence and efficiency of the project but also significantly contributes to its eventual success.
Jason Leblanc
Jason LeBlanc, the Principal of Planworks Architecture Inc., boasts a robust career spanning over 20 years in the architectural domain. Early on, Jason showcased remarkable design acumen and project management capabilities, complemented by strong communication skills and a fervent passion for design. He has always been adept at conceptualizing buildings that cater to the needs of our clients and the broader community.
With a solid foundation in industrial, light industrial, commercial, and multifamily projects across Western Canada, Jason has been instrumental from the early planning and concept development through to the design phase. His comprehensive involvement ensures a seamless progression of projects, embodying the envisioned ideas while adhering to stipulated timelines and quality benchmarks.
Jason's proven leadership abilities are a cornerstone of our client-centric approach, ensuring a complete and fully collaborative experience that successfully fulfills the objectives and mission of each project. As a natural leader, Jason has the knack for bringing out the best in all team members involved in a design project, fostering an environment of innovation, teamwork, and excellence that propels the project toward its envisioned success.
Melody Erickson
With a rich experience spanning over 25 years in the architectural domain, Melody has been a pivotal part of numerous projects encompassing commercial, retail, mixed-use, restaurant, multi-family residential, and industrial realms. She has a strong acumen in commercial retail/mixed-use site and building design, honed through varied and hands-on project involvements.
Melody's leadership extends beyond the design phase, providing valuable mentorship during the crucial stages of construction documents and contract administration. Her commitment to remaining actively involved from the schematic design phase to substantial completion ensures that client needs are meticulously catered to, fostering enduring relationships.
Her adeptness in problem-solving and devising apt solutions to design challenges and unforeseen conditions during construction stands as a testament to her expertise. This proficiency ensures that her projects navigate smoothly through potential hurdles, staying on schedule and aligning with the envisioned outcomes. Through a blend of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills, Melody contributes significantly to her projects' seamless progression and successful fruition.
J. Louis Baillargeon
As a registered Architect and esteemed Alberta Association of Architects member, Louis brings knowledge, trustworthiness, practicality, and respectfulness honed over more than 30 years of architectural practice. His past experiences as a team leader and project manager have furnished him with invaluable and diverse insights that significantly contribute to his prowess in the field.
Engaging in various commercial/retail, institutional, and residential sector building projects, Louis has navigated the architectural process from conceptual design to contract document preparation and through to permitting and construction/site administration. This extensive involvement has endowed him with a holistic and balanced architectural perspective, which he adeptly applies to all his undertakings.
Louis's modus operandi revolves around a measured, balanced, practical approach to fostering successful projects. By engaging clients, consultants, and team members in a collaborative spirit at appropriate junctures, he cultivates a conducive environment for fruitful interactions and decision-making. Furthermore, Louis strongly emphasizes sound design, budget adherence, and maintaining desired project schedules throughout all service phases, marking these factors as essential trademarks of overall project success.
Natalie Lima
Renowned for her meticulous attention to detail, Natalie thrives in space planning, where she diligently transforms each client's vision into a perfectly assembled puzzle. Her organized enthusiasm for integrating architectural features and custom design enables her to craft spaces that are not only unique to each client's desires but also finely attuned to their needs. With a substantial tenure of over 15 years in Interior Design, Natalie has emerged as an industry stalwart, particularly in Dental and Medical Design.
Her pragmatic approach to design has garnered her numerous accolades and fostered enduring relationships within the industry. This ethos stems from her innate desire to impart her accumulated knowledge, experience, and fervour to budding designers within her organization through dedicated mentorship and coaching. Nothing is more rewarding for Natalie than kindling a similar passion in those she mentors.
Having cultivated multiple robust relationships within the industry, Natalie stands out as an all-rounded professional. Her prowess comes to the fore during contract administration phases, where she collaboratively engages with the construction team, wielding her designer's eye to ensure that the client remains at the forefront, uncompromised throughout the project.
Loan Ky
Loan has been an integral part of our team for over 10 years.
As Office Manager, she oversees, maintains and organizes the office, managing the day-to-day operations and procedures. With a background in business and accounting, she also supports the financial side of the business. She has enjoyed being part of the development of Planworks Architecture and continues to further advance her professional designations.
A natural leader and dedicated professional, Loan is a valuable leadership team member.
Marc Proulx
Marc has 17+ years of experience in the Architectural field; his expertise ranges from commercial, Multi-Family, Assisted Living, High-rise, Recreation, Institutional, Hospitality and Industrial. He is highly skilled in project management and Contract Administration, with exemplary problem-solving and leadership skills. Marc is able to Manage and facilitate multiple projects simultaneously and is keen to keep them all on budget and delivered on time. This attribute has contributed to many long-lasting client relationships within the industry throughout his career, making him an integral addition to the team.
Marc emulates professionalism and is well-respected among his peers and colleagues. He is a natural leader, and his positive attitude around the office greatly reflects how he works with a team. Marc makes a point to mentor and promote the growth of fellow peers wherever the opportunity arises and is always someone who can be counted on to provide support.
Peter Howard
Zena Mah
Andrew Dusdy
Sidney Nallack
Yanel Belravaj
Robert Bahmen
Gabrielle Moot
Luka Morris
Our Culture
At Planworks Architecture, we're more than just a team; we're a dynamic and diverse community bound by a shared passion for innovation, creativity, and sustainability in design. Our culture thrives on collaboration and respect, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
The best designs are born from an open exchange of ideas and perspectives. We encourage every team member to bring their unique experiences and insights to the table. This blend of diverse ideas allows us to deliver exceptional architectural solutions that resonate with communities and individuals alike.
Sustainability is more than just a concept for us - it's a principle we live by. We're dedicated to creating designs that not only look good and function well but also minimize impact on the environment. We're proud to contribute to a greener future through our work.
Learning and development form the backbone of our culture. We invest in our people, providing opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement. We celebrate achievements, value perseverance, and embrace the lessons learned from failure.
At Planworks Architecture, we're not just building structures; we're building the future – a future where design and sustainability co-exist harmoniously.