News | Arno Matis Architecture
01.2024

AMA PARTNERS TO LAUNCH INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

To address the increasing demand for highly integrated development and design services in the mid-scale residential and commercial market sectors, AMA has partnered to launch Integrated Development Services (IDS). This development services company will focus on the “missing middle”: mid-scale residential rental, hotel, and commercial projects to deliver increased efficiency and affordability. See Company Website >

12.2023

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FOR OLYMPIC OVAL PROJECT

Together with Landa Global Development, AMA’s Oval Village Hotel/Residential Complex received unanimous approval from Richmond’s Advisory Design Panel. See Project >

12.2023

AMA UPDATES BRANDING TO REFLECT LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT EXPERTISE

AMA now includes Urbanism in its logo to reflect its latest work on large-scale projects, including master planning and feasibility reviews of significant transit-oriented developments.

12.2023

WASHINGTON STATE MID-RISE

AMA proposes a unique, Pacific Northwest-inspired design on this sloped, forest-edge site. See Project >

12.2023

AMA LAUNCHES OFFICE IN SEATTLE, WA

To address the increasing demand for AMA services in the USA, we have launched our first USA office in Bellevue, WA. We are thrilled to be already working on projects along the US West Coast and look forward to expanding our presence.

11.2023

AMA IN THE VANCOUVER SUN

Principal Arno Matis had an insightful conversation with the Vancouver Sun regarding BC's potential to build homes faster and more efficiently. Read the full story here >

09.2023

THE OASIS - OFFICE/INDUSTRIAL

Designed as a Next-Generation Industrial/Office Space in the heart of Vancouver’s growing BIO/Tech District. See Project >

07.2023

C2B RENTAL BUILDING HEADS TO DP

This C2B site maximizes its zoning next to the Granville Bridge southern offramp through an innovative mix: veterinary clinic & rental housing. See Project >

07.2023

ARMOURY DISTRICT PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

AMA moves forward with the design of its own office/industrial project in the Armoury District! See Project >

07.2023

UNANIMOUS REZONING APPROVAL

This concrete mid-rise at 27th & Cambie received unanimous approval from City Council at its Public Hearing in Vancouver. See Project >.

07.2023

AMA + TERA DEVELOPMENTS

AMA is thrilled to work with Tera Developments on the build-out of Slate Block, a project located a stone's throw from Queen Elizabeth Park. See Project >

05.2023

67th & OAK SUBMITTED FOR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT

This 200,000 SF Market Residential, Office, and CRU building along the Oak Street arterial is headed for a Development Permit! Showroom to launch soon. See Project >

03.2023

AMA’S INTERVIEW WITH HOTELIER MAGAZINE

AMA discusses hotel health and wellness trends with Hotelier Magazine. Read the full story here >

01.2023

AMA ON GOOD TALKS PODCAST

Arno Matis talks with Key Marketing Founder Cam Good about the affordable housing crisis and more in Vancouver. Listen to the Podcast here >

01.2023

OKU CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY!

This three-block 6-storey, 200,000 SF multi-family project is set for completion in Summer 2025! .See Project >

06.2022

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM VANCOUVER’S HERITAGE COMMISSION

852-872 Seymour St received unanimous approval from Vancouver’s Heritage Commission on July 11th. See Project >

06.2022

NEW MICRO-INFILL PROJECT DOWNTOWN

This 25’ downtown Vancouver lot provides a number of architectural challenges in order to maximize development potential. Sign-up to our Newsletter for updates!

06.2022

MEETING WITH GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

AMA recently briefed students and faculty from Georgetown University researching the trans-pacific practices associated with housing production. Led by Prof. Uwe Brandes, the delegation is funded by the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, an interdisciplinary research project exploring how cities are responding to new forces of globalization and how they are strategically positioned to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. AMA's approach to housing design, which explicitly integrates housing production with the advancement of social and environmental sustainability, was of keen interest to the research team.

06.2022

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AT CITY COUNCIL: ARBUTUS RENTAL BUILDING

“Arbutus” AMA’s latest rental project at 809 W41st Ave in Oakridge received unanimous approval from the City of Vancouver City Council on June 21, 2022! See Project >

03.2022

CASCADE CITY COMPLETE!

Cascade City is officially completed, and residents have moved in! See images of the finished building Here >

03.2022

BIOFRAME IN THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Jean Sorensen “Vancouver architect Arno Matis sees BioFrame, a building system he devised that can revitalize existing buildings, as a means of circumventing many of the concerns that plague the construction industry today such as rising construction costs, labour shortages, congested city sites and greenhouse gas emissions.” See Article >

03.2022

27TH & CAMBIE HEADS TO REZONING

AMA’s latest Market Residential project at 4261 Cambie St + 503 W27th Ave has headed to rezoning. See Project >

02.2022

CASCADE CITY RIBBON-CUTTING

AMA, together with Mayor Malcom Brodie, councilors and the Landa Global team celebrated the Cascade City Ribbon-cutting. See Project >

02.2022

AMA OFFICE EXPANSION

AMA is excited to announce an upcoming office expansion! The new industrial space designed by AMA and located in the Armory District will triple their office capacity. Sign-up to our Newsletter for updates!

01.2022

RICHMOND OVAL COMPLEX HEADS TO DP

AMA is pleased to announce their three-tower mixed-use hotel, residential and commercial project in Richmond has been submitted for development permit. See full project >

01.2021

E-WASTE MASS TIMBER OFFICE

This concept, originally slated as a tech office in Mt Pleasant, looks at incorporating e-waste into the façade of their mass timber building. See full project >

01.2021

ARNO SPEAKS ON DESIGN & BUSINESS FLUENCY

Check out his discussion with Enoch Sears on the Business of Architecture podcast Here >

01.2022

BIOFRAME WINS FIRST-RUNNER-UP

AMA’s BIOFRAME win’s first runner-up in John Hardy Group’s Radical Innovation Awards 2022! See Project >

12.2021

NEW CAMBIE REZONING

AMA looks forward to a collaboration Aria Pacific Development, will work to rezoning a site at W 27th Ave & Cambie St., near the King Edward Skytrain Station. Sign-up to our Newsletter for updates!

12.2021

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM URBAN DESIGN PANEL

AMA’s latest CRU, Office & Market Residential project received unanimous approval from the Urban Design Panel on Wednesday. See Project >

11.2021

NEW MIXED-USE PROJECT ON MAIN ST

AMA is excited to be working on a new mixed-use project on Main Street in Vancouver. Sign-up to our Newsletter for updates!

11.2021

OKU GRAND OPENING

AMA’s latest residential project "OKU" on Oak Street opened their showroom this November.

See News Article >

See Project >

Showroom Details >

11.2021

WIND-SHAPED TOWER RECEIVES HONOURABLE MENTION

AMA’s most recently completed building: WIND-SHAPED TOWER in White Rock received an honourable mention from Architectural Masterprize See Project >

08.2021

180,000 SF OFFICE + 347 LIVE/WORK UNITS: AMA’S LA PROJECT IN THE NEWS >

FROM THE REGISTRYSOCIAL.COM “A new mixed-use development will soon take shape in the Los Angeles Arts District, bringing residents 347 live-work units and approximately 187,374 square feet of office space.” See Article >

08.2021

NEW BOUTIQUE HERITAGE OFFICE SITE

AMA is excited to be working with Bene Group on a boutique Vancouver office building & Heritage Building at 852-872 Seymour St. Sign-up to our Newsletter for updates!

08.2021

NEW THREE-TOWER HOTEL + RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX WITH LANDA GLOBAL

AMA is excited to be working with Landa Group again on a three-tower, 5-star hotel and residential complex on their newly-acquired, 3.5 acre site near the Olympic Oval in Richmond. Building on the prinicpals of their Cascade City project, AMA is eager to bring thoughtful, evolved design to the Olympic Oval community. See Project >

08.2021

WIND-SHAPED TOWER COMPLETE

AMA is excited to mark the completion of their Wind-shaped tower in Whiterock, BC. See final project photos Here >

06.2021

NEW PROJECT ON OAK ST HEADS TO REZONING

AMA, together with Enrich Properties, is excited to submit for rezoning their second, four-building commercial and residential project at Oak and 64th Avenue. See Project >

04.2021

LOS ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION VOTES TO SUPPORT AMA’S OFFICE & RESIDENTIAL TOWER ARTS DISTRICT PROJECT >

AMA’s Los Angeles live/work rental tower and office building receives support from planning commission hearing! See Project >

03.2021

CASCADE CITY’S SECOND TOWER TOPS UP

Cascade City’s northern tower has now risen on Richmond’s skyline. See Project >

02.2021

FLOATING HOUSE IN NUVO MAGAZINE

BEN DREITH - “In Vancouver, where the social fabric represents one of the most explicit interfaces of European and East Asian culture, this cycle of influence and fusion reconnects in Floating House.” See full article HERE >

06.2020

BROADWAY HOTEL RECEIVES UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM URBAN DESIGN PANEL

Unanimous support for the Development Permit of 888 W Broadway Hotel Project at Vancouver’s VIRTUAL Urban Design Panel. See Project >

09.2020

WIND-SHAPED TOWER APPROACHES COMPLETION

AMA is excited to see this unique concrete residential tower approach completion in Whiterock! See Progress Photos >

08.2020

CASCADE CITY PHASE ONE TOPS UP

Cascade City’s southern tower has now risen on Richmond’s skyline. See Progress Photos >

02.2020

AMA LISTED AMONG BEST RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTS IN VANCOUVER

FROM HOMEBUILDERDIGEST.COM "The firm’s residential projects are some of the most discussed commissions in the design scene." See Article >

12.2019

PODCAST: VANCOUVER OVERCAST, CITY LEADERS AND INNOVATORS

Arno joins host Mike Klassen to discuss Vancouver as a design Mecca and its "missed opportunities" See Podcast >

07.2019

AMA IN SAB MAGAZINE

Multi-residential LEED Gold infill scaled to young and empty nesters alike. See Article >

07.2019

AMA NAMED FINALIST IN ARTHUR ERICKSON MEMORIAL AWARD

FROM WESTERNLIVING.CA “Each year, Western Living celebrates the best in Western Canadian design with our Designers of the Year September issue..” See Award >

12.2018

APERTURE WINS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY AWARD IN LONDON

The project was also named a 5-star regional winner for the Americas, receiving the award in London, United Kingdom! See Award >

07.2018

DEZEEN AWARDS 2018 LONGLIST: APERTURE AMONG TOP 218 OF 3,695 ENTRIES

FROM DEZEEN.COM “Dezeen Awards will identify the world's best architecture, interiors and design, and designers producing the most outstanding work." See Award >

04.2018

HEALTH DISTRICT HOTEL IN THE NEWS

“New major hotel with 438 rooms proposed for West Broadway near VGH"URBANIZED >
“Simply Beautiful West Broadway Hotel Fits the Rhythm of the Neighbourhood"CITYDUD >
“Architect submits...to replace Park Inn with hospital-oriented project"THE STRAIGHT >
“New hotel proposed for Fairview Pub/Park Inn site on W Broadway"THE COURIER >

04.2018

APERTURE IN THE NEWS

Aperture in Building Magazine See Article >
Aperture in Arch Daily See Article >
Aperture in Concept Magazine See Article >

05.2018

WIND-SHAPED TOWER BREAKS GROUND

AMA’s wind-shaped tower broke ground in White Rock last Thursday. Follow ourFacebook orInstagramfeeds for future updates on construction progress.SEE PROJECT >

03.2018

LIGHT FOREST HAIR STUDIO IN CANADIAN INTERIORS MAGAZINE

FROM CANADIANINTERIORS.COM “The ‘Light Forest’ salon — Yusaf Hair Studio — is among Vancouver’s premiere salons, serving a growing list of local and international clientele… ”
See Article >

07.2018

AMA NAMED FINALIST IN ARTHUR ERICKSON MEMORIAL AWARD

FROM WESTERNLIVING.CA “Each year, Western Living celebrates the best in Western Canadian design with our Designers of the Year September issue..” See Award >

10.2018

ARNO TO JOIN WEST VANCOUVER’S DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE IN 2019

FROM WEBSITE “The Committee Provides recommendations to Council on policies and regulations affecting buildings, site development and urban design...” Learn More >

11.2017

AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE PRIZE AWARDS APERTURE HONOURABLE MENTION

The American Architecture Prize celebrates creativity and innovation in the fields of architectural design, with the goal of advancing the appreciation of architecture worldwide. See Award >

11.2017

CASCADE CITY HEADS TO MARKETING

“The building rises up and creates these really fantastic south-facing decks over a large, landscaped podium. The building form is a boomerang shape which has a kind of smoothness that evokes the flow of the Fraser river,” says Mr. Matis. “It all connects, at least to me, in my mind, to the idea of living in a lush landscape on the river’s edge. That’s the creative inspiration for the project.” SEE VIDEO>

10.2017

AMA UPGRADES INCLUDE VIRTUAL REALITY, ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Recent upgrades to AMA’s design process include virtual reality and climate simulation. Computer-generated simulations of three-dimensional images allow clients to immerse themselves in the building, providing a better understanding of volumetrics and opportunities to make more contextualized design decisions. Digital analysis of environmental factors result in buildings that more accurately respond to the unique conditions of each site.

09.2017

DESIGNING THE RENTAL HOUSING RENAISSANCE

CHRISTOPHER CHEUNG, THETYEE.CA Two Vancouver architects, Arno Matis and James Cheng, offer their observations about the challenges of building rental housing. SEE VIDEO >

06.2017

VERTICAL MICROCLIMATE RESORT IN CNN STYLE

Elizabeth Stamp, CNN— Chosen from over 65 entries, this year's finalists represent the latest in hotel design and offer a glimpse at the future of travel. See Article >

ADDITIONAL MEDIA

Business Insider See Article > Business in Vancouver See Article > Lodging Magazine See Article > Victoria CitifiedSee Article > Daily Hive See Article >

06.2017

AMA IN NEW YORK AS FINALIST OF RADICAL INNOVATION HOTEL COMPETITION

Arno Matis Architecture’s Vertical Micro-Climate Resort (VMR) Concept has been named one of three finalists in the New York Radical Innovation Design competition put on by a global leader in hospitality development, The John Hardy Group, and will travel to New York City to present to an esteemed group of industry professionals. The award aims to discover concepts that have the power to change the hotel industry See Award > SEE PROJECT >

06.2017

AMA NAMED FINALIST IN THE ARTHUR ERIKSON MEMORIAL AWARD 2017

Arno Matis named Arthur Erickson Emerging Architect Award Finalist. WL MAGAZINE—Western Living celebrates the best in Western Canadian design with the annual Designers of the Year awards... SEE FINALISTS >

03.2017

ROGERS ARENA CAMPUS DESIGN

AMA is thrilled to announce their partnership with Aquilini Developments to design Rogers Arena’s north and south plazas, repurposing the soon-to-be demolished viaducts into an exciting campus of mixed-use and public amenity

02.2017

DOWNSIZERS CASH IN – DRIVING THE UPSCALE CONDO MARKET

KERRY GOLD – SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL “Arno Matis talks about designing for upscale downsizers in the Globe and Mail..” See Article >

01.2017

LIGHT FOREST HAIR STUDIO COMPLETE!

AMA is delighted to announce the completion of Vancouver’s premiere hair salon: Yusaf Hair Studio SEE PROJECT >

01.2017

THE FUTURE OF VANCOUVER'S RENTAL MARKET

KERRY GOLD – SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL - Now that many young people are expecting to rent for life – if they want to live in Vancouver – developers have woken up to the formerly neglected rental market. See Article >

06.2016

FLOATING HOUSE IN THE NATIONAL POST

MARTHA UNIAKE BREEN, NATIONAL POST TORONTO - ‘The staggered pattern of the slats creates a sense of movement. It’s more natural, less predictably geometric; they look random, but viewed together it has a natural pattern, almost like branches’ – Architect, Arno Matis
See Article > SEE PROJECT >

05.2016

ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SPECIAL JURY AWARD WINNER

AMA's 2211 Cambie Building has won AIBC's Special Jury Award for Contextual Innovation. “This is a unique building form for Vancouver on a prominent and difficult site. The building makes me happy. It’s a pleasure. Every time I drive down Cambie I admire it.” – Frances Bula, Journalist, Juror See Award >

06.2016

ARNO MATIS FEATURED IN DESIGN QUARTERLY MAGAZINE

CHERYL MAH - “Born and Raised in South Vancouver by German Immigrant Parents, Arno Matis knew at a young age Architecture would be is career path. SEE ARTICLE>

06.2016

MID-RISE INNOVATION HITS HEIGHTS - 2211 CAMBIE IN THE VANCOUVER SUN

JOHN MACKIE, VANCOUVER SUN - “It’s kind of a well-kept secret – for a city known for its tall towers, and unfortunately in many cases, (for) the monotony of its tall towers, we’ve been doing pretty good mid-rise buildings,” says Brent Toderian, Vancouver’s former head city planner. Case in point: South Creek Landing, a six-storey building at Sixth and Cambie. See Article >

03.2016

ARNO ON UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA’S ADVISORY URBAN DESIGN PANEL

The panel acts as an advisor to the Board of Governors and Development Permit board, reviewing building and landscape proposals with respect to the design and impact to UBC campus land and community MORE ABOUT THE PANEL >

05.2015

2211 Cambie named Top 15 Best Buildings in Vancouver by Planning Director

THE VANCOUVER SUN, JEFF LEE "So what is it that Jackson, a planner for more than 35 years in places from Toronto to California to Nevada to British Columbia, thinks makes up good and bad architecture? Jackson agreed to show The Vancouver Sun what he considers the city’s best and worst." (Read full article HERE) Watch the video for Jackson's tour and comments on AMA’s design WATCH TOUR >

02.2015

独具慧眼 拥抱竞争 专访建筑师 阿尔诺·马蒂斯Arno Matis

阿尔诺·马蒂斯(Arno Matis)曾任知名建筑公司Bing Thom Architects 的高级总监,并在华盛顿的 Arena Stage、素里的Central City和温哥华的Sunset Community Centre等众多获奖地标建筑的建 案中担任设计、管理要职。 See Article >

05.2015

APERTURE NAMED 1 OF 6 EXCITING BC CONDOS TO WATCH' BY HUFFINGTON POST

ALEXANDRE LÉVESQUE-LAVOIE - This magnificent small project obviously caught our attention right away. The building exteriors, designed by architect Arno Matis, are inspired by iconic images of stacked timber and respond to the play of light, creating a unique and subtly changing look depending on season, time of day and weather. See Article >

04.2015

AMA LISTED A TOP FORTY FIRMS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

For second year in a row, Arno Matis Architecture has been long listed in the top forty up-and-coming firms that WAN believes could be the ‘leading lights’ of the 21st century. Cited by World Architecture News as “Outstanding, forward-thinking people and organizations who have the demonstrable potential to be the next big thing in the architectural world.”

03.2014

2211 CAMBIE - COMPLETE! BUILDING FEATURED IN ARTHITECTURAL, VANCOUVER SUN

South Creek Landing featured in Arthitectural, Vancouver Sun, Vancity buzz. Congratulations to the entire South Creek Landing team on getting residency permit, and to South Creek Landing residents for their beautiful new home. Read about the project on the following Media Outlets: VANCOUVER SUN > ARTHITECTURAL >

03.2014

ARNO TO SPEAK AT ULI ON: ‘USING CIVIC SPACE TO INCREASE VALUE’

Arno as panelist at Urban Land Institute’s spring conference, to speak on: ‘Tying Cities Together: Using Civic Space to Increase Value and Build Community’, April 10th, 2014 at the Vancouver convention centre.

03.2014

'A NEW VISION FOR THE DENSIFYING CAMBIE CORRIDOR' APERTURE IN THE GLOBE

HADANI DITMARS - Vancouver-born architect Arno Matis has a lot invested in his newest project, a six-storey development of 78 residential units near Oakridge Mall called Aperture: Not only is it the result of an extensive neighbourhood review, recently approved by the Urban Design Panel, it’s also the area where he grew up. See Article >

03.2014

APERTURE WINS RAVE REVIEWS FROM VANCOUVER URBAN DESIGN PANEL

VANCOUVER COURIER, NAOIBH O’CONNOR - It’s a “cool building.” “Bold expression.” It will be like “living in an idea.” Those are some of the effusive comments members of the city’s Urban Design Panel made recently about buildings planned for West 41st Ave. between Willow and Baillie streets near Oakridge Centre. See Article >

02.2014

AMA WORK IN AN UPCOMING TV MOVIE ‘MOTHERS DAY OFF’

Look for Arno Matis Architecture’s work filling an architectural studio in an eOne TV movie ‘Mother’s Day off’. Movie slated to air in May. Stay tuned for details.

03.2014

'FINALLY A BUILDING AS GOOD AS ITS VIEW.' AMA IN THE GLOBE

GLOBE AND MAIL – NOV 15, 2013, HADANI DITMARS - The convergence of Main Street and Kingsway is one of Vancouver’s most important intersections. Main Street follows the pathway of an old salmon stream named Brewery Creek and Kingsway was once the gold rush-spawned New Westminster trail. See Article >

02.2014

AMA IN URBAN LAND MAGAZINE: ‘HOW VANCOUVER INVENTED ITSELF’

PATRICK KIGER - Vancouver’s view corridors are just one of the strictures in what is arguably the most heavily regulated development space in North America. But while there have been periodic complaints that the process has slowed Vancouver’s growth, it doesn’t necessarily stifle creativity. Case in point: architect Arno Matis’ Vertical Forest building… See Article >