Gravity Architecture Corporation is an architecture firm in Vancouver B.C. and Calgary, Alberta headed by principals Stephen Barnecut, Trent Letwiniuk and Jim Vasto. Gravity specializes in residential architecture with a particular focus on mixed-use and multi-family projects. We have extensive experience with contextual development both in terms of site conditions and stakeholder engagement.Gravity has developed an intimate understanding of the Building Codes, municipal Bylaws, area redevelopment planning, permit processes, developer architectural controls, building science, and design sensibilities. This wide expertise affords us the ability to confidently assist both builders and developers through the design and building processes in any context.

In 2006, Trent Letwiniuk, Paul Shannon and I founded Inertia as a residential design firm that brought the power of 3D design and drafting (Revit) to the preparation of development permit and building permit drawings for Calgary inner-city and suburban builders and owners.• Manage a heavy design workload from a range of builders and developers, including design, drafting, rendering, and negotiations with City officials and community representatives.• Train partners, employees and subcontractors in Revit.• Have developed a range of Revit families for residential construction.• Manage all administration, legal and accounting aspects of the business.

As a member of this committee, I participated in surfacing issues and opportunities specific to Inner City residential design and construction in Calgary.

As a representative of the CHBA - Calgary Region, I advised the Land Use Bylaw Sustainment Team on Land Use Bylaw issues.

• Managed a team of three senior designers and six technologists in the work of developing and maintaining plans, elevations and options for Jaymans three operating divisions.• Developed and populated an in house database for tracking the departments design assets and related tasks.• Completed the implementation of Revit within the Product Development department as well as one of the operating divisions. This included the development of new templates and many new families.• Developed quality assurance workflows for the production of new working drawings and marketing blacklines.• Supervised the creation of marketing renderings using internal and external resources.• Designed new standard model homes and elevations based on the the company’s market, architectural guidelines, and operational requirements.• Acted as an internal consultant regarding Building Code and Land Use Bylaw requirements.• Made recommendations on architectural themes and product types for new areas.• Conducted design research on emerging architectural themes for inclusion in new products.• Worked tightly together with the Marketing and Information Technology teams to improve the delivery of design data to our customers.• Implemented a departmental knowledge base of processes and procedures using the collaborative OneNote platform.• Reorganized the department to balance the number of designers to technologists to increase throughput of work.• Managed the production of new models, elevations and options for each new area the company became engaged in.

In 2008 I helped create a co-working space that continues to provide a collaborative workspace to independent design professionals and small design and architecture firms.• Coordinated the design, bidding and construction management of a recent comprehensive office renovation.• Managed all administration, legal and accounting aspects of the business.

Managed a team of up to seven designers in a production environment, designing and drafting plans from starter product to million dollars plus custom homes.• Prepared the design department for the implementation of Revit through training, family building and one-on-one instruction.• Adapted the Jager design process to AlanRidge’s requirements, continually improved design and drafting standards, and maintained the comprehensive design checklist for ongoing quality assurance.• Implemented a system for the revision and approval of new standard models and standard model changes.• Developed and implemented a complex networked database (built in FileMaker Pro) to manage agreements, purchase agreement addenda and design jobs from sale to field in order to decrease file time in the office.• Aided marketing by creating hand-drawn illustrations of the company’s flagship showhomes.• Designed custom homes to suit client’s needs and desires. • Designed new standard model homes by analyzing the company’s product line relative to its lot inventory. • Prepared the company’s Purchase Guide for customers including writing, editing and layout.

Put a team together to build six suburban homes per year. Built the corporate identity, marketing materials and website. Secured construction financing and managed lot purchases, construction draws and cash flow.

Converted Alloy from a design services company to a home building company. Built the corporate identity, marketing materials and website. Managed corporate finances including invoicing, project cost statements, and cash flow. Administered the office, from writing contracts to stocking office supplies. Acted as designer and account manager, taking each client through both the design and construction phases.