Davignon built architecture firm from the ground up
In 2001, Richard Davignon launched his own architectural firm in a small office — he was sole employee — in Currie Barracks. In 2008, he was joined by registered interior designer Doris Martin, who became a second principal in 2010 by which time Davignon Martin had moved to larger space on 16th Avenue S.W. east of 14th Street.
They have earned a reputation for creating buildable modern architecture and interiors, and demand for their services meant increasing staff to 12, causing the need to move again.
Its offices were recently relocated to the fourth floor of the historic Burns Building across from city hall, where the 4,000 square feet of interior space has been designed as a wonderful example of their creations.
Unlike their former office that was rather dark and unwelcoming, the new studio environment is open and bright, benefiting from large windows that offer plenty of natural light.
At the outset, the firm specialized in single-family custom homes, then was engaged in interiors for the hospitality industry and small commercial projects.
Today, business development manager Brendan Quigley says the firm has been attracting projects in a wide range of sectors.
Having previously completed the interior lobby and rooms at the popular Hotel Blackfoot, the firm was asked by the ownership group to update the exterior and reskinned the entire facade, highlighting the upper floors. Nearby, across Blackfoot Trail, it is updating and reconfiguring the 10 commercial bays of Phillips Mall for PBA Land to make them more appealing to retailers.
Davignon is especially excited with the opportunity to design a 96-suite assisted-housing project in Kingsland.
The mandate from the owners is to meet the needs for better health and offer residents a welcoming place to live. He says too often projects are very institutional in their design and too much about supervision.
Using their hospitality expertise, the firm has designed the five-storey Kingsland facility, reimagining the needs to also allow for young retirees or downsizers to live there. Amenities for the residents include a gym, spa, salon and sun room, but the design has placed the communal kitchen, barbecue terrace, library, conservatory and dining room on the top floor, rather than being buried on the entrance floor.
Burgeoning demand in medical office building space has led to the design of the Christie Park Medical Clinic & Spa. The twostorey, 4,000-square-foot facility on 17th Avenue S.W. that will house up to four doctors will also include a walkout level spa for private medical treatments.
Despite the young age of the Lamborghini dealership, Davignon Martin has a renovation project there to respond better to its needs and improve traffic flows to underutilized areas of the building.
The staff are also thrilled with the award to design the clubhouse for the Mickelson National Golf Club’s new signature 18-hole championship golf course in the community of Harmony.
Edmonton has provided a highprofile project with the conversion of the 24-storey Enbridge Tower from office to hotel and rental residences. And the City of Edmonton has approved Davignon Martin as one of five architectural companies to provide services to the city for all small infrastructure projects.
The firm has also won its first project in Kelowna.
NOTES
John Gilchrist has been named senior judge at Canada’s Great Kitchen Part, the regional qualifier for the national competition being held Nov. 1 at the Telus Convention Centre. Also on the panel will be Chef Blake Flann of Blake, in Canmore, last year’s gold-award winner. National presenting sponsor for the event is Deloitte. Chris Lee, managing partner of the Prairie region, says, “We’re very excited by the new brand and the changes happening with the project across Canada.” The winner will represent Calgary at the Canadian Culinary Championships in Kelowna, B.C., in February.