Woodford Architecture is a design studio located in St.John’s, Newfoundland. The practice works primarily on community, commercial and residential projects across the island and Labrador. Our practice is directed by a focus on creating buildings in context that enhance experience of the natural landscape, and provide effective, useful spaces for our clients and their communities.
Since 2013 the firm has built varied portfolio of innovative context based design work with featured projects in a growing number of local and international publications. Our work includes community centres, private residences, commercial and retail establishments, heritage restoration and adaptive reuse projects, as well as institutional park and recreational facilities. We provide a full range of architectural and interior design services from concept to construction, from initial renderings to final finishes.
Our design work is rooted in the culture and economy of materials in an island condition. As a group, we are committed to using design and research as a tool to celebrate and enhance our communities – framed by context. We are working towards building a body of knowledge about historical and traditional uses of local materials to help inform all of our projects. We see this as a fundamental element of our practice.
Our office does not seek to fixate on the remoteness of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Instead it strives to create spaces and works of all scales that service their communities well. This ultimately entails an appreciation for the varied culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, and an earnest understanding of the complexity of life both on the island and the mainland.
To help form such spaces, and to further resolve the ideas driving their design, we continually seek to find opportunity for experimentation and aesthetic exploration. Ultimately hoping to endorse our vision of balancing social, economic and environmental concerns.
After working on several projects on the island, he headed west to Vancouver BC in 2006 to focus on design, sustainable building, and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. In 2007, Chris began working at the small but recognized firm of Gair Williamson Architects. In 2011, he joined the team at Saunders Architecture in Bergen, Norway working on projects both locally and in Newfoundland.
Chris’s priority in design is to ensure the physical realization of design through craft. He has focused on maintaining a strong working relationship with contractors and builders through a frequent presence on site. Chris has designed and has overseen the completion of several award winning built works.
After studying Visual Art and Art History at Memorial University – Grenfell Campus, Kathy worked for two years as an artist and arts administrator before heading to Vancouver to enter the Master of Architecture program at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 2015.
Kathy’s interests lay in the study of spatial heritage on the island of Newfoundland, examining the ways in which space has been occupied and defined throughout the history of this place. She is interested in the processes of making and object-based improvisational problem-solving exhibited throughout the province.
Born in Steady Brook, Newfoundland, Devan studied Visual Arts at Memorial University – Grenfell Campus, followed by a year-long artist residency in St. John’s where his art explored concepts of the built form through the layers of printmaking. In 2011 he moved to Vancouver BC to complete his Master of Architecture at the University of British Columbia and spent the subsequent years working for award winning firms Mcleod Bovell Modern Houses and Office of Mcfarlane Biggar Architects + Designers. He moved home to the province in 2021 and joined Woodford Architecture shortly after.
He believes the most complex problems often have the simplest solutions and appreciates the experiential quality of a well-designed space. His work experience ranges in scale and typology from small retail fit-out, luxury homes, multi-family residential, institutional, community spaces, and transportation.
Emma, a St. John’s native, has a deep appreciation for the people, history, and landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador. She brings this connection to the region into her work, considering its cultural and environmental context in every project.
After earning her diploma in Architectural Engineering Technology from the College of the North Atlantic in 2020, Emma gained valuable experience as a Project Manager for two years. This foundation in problem solving, collaboration, and time management was instrumental in her ability to return to architecture in 2022 and join Chris’ team. With her diverse background in both architecture and project management, Emma brings innovative solutions, efficiency, and a unique perspective to her work as a Building Technologist.
Keita immigrated from Tokyo, Japan to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2002. During his education, Keita received an opportunity to work under an established General Contractor where he gained direct on-site experience assisting in day-to-day construction management of multiple large-scale projects.
After graduating from The College of the North Atlantic’s Architectural Engineering Technology program in the spring of 2020, Keita received a position at a global leader in Cost Consulting, as a Cost analyst. During this time, he received extensive experience estimating construction costs and assisting/overseeing construction budgets, and financial agreements for numerous large-scale projects. In late 2021, Keita moved away from cost management, set his sights back on the design field and became a part of Woodford Architecture. Keita is now able to use the knowledge gained in project management and construction financials to produce high level construction documents with keen attention to buildability and cost effectiveness.
