Firm grows from humble beginnings to top designer for hospitality industry
There are those who, being greatly disappointed after university graduation and discovering there was no work to be found, fall into a “what do I do now?” state of shock.
Not so for Kate Allen and Kelly Morrison, who earned their master of architecture degrees from the University of Calgary’s environmental design program in 2009, not the ideal time to be looking for a job.
Undeterred, they decided to launch their own business, initially called RAD, and it has become so successful it is recognized as one of the top designers by the hospitality industry.
Soon after they opened their doors, they were fortunate in being introduced to the Concorde Group and owner Victor Choy, who decided to test the waters of RAD with a small design project.
Morrison says they put their heart and soul into the opportunity, and the result was they were given a job to finish interior design work for Concorde to totally renovate the building at the corner of Fifth Street and 17th Avenue S.W. into The National on 17th.
Its North American beer hall concept embedded with Canadian references and design elements was an immediate success, and it led to the firm being contracted to design all of Concorde’s new properties, including two more Nationals on Eight Avenue and in Westhills.
With lots to do, they took on another partner architect in Kristen Lien as principal architect, and in 2016 rebranded the firm as Frank Architecture & Interiors.
Its reputation grew with new design challenges and Frank’s success was noted in media across the country.
Lien says that thanks to a Calgary Herald article they were contacted by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and invited to design a renovation and upgrade to the Glacier Saloon.
The result was Alpine Social, a lounge concept that is rooted in the history of the Swiss guides who settled in the area using subtle details of leather strapping, hooks and pulley systems referenced in lighting rails and millwork details.
Since then Frank has completed other work at the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, and is currently working on the redesign of the main floor of Fairmont Palliser Hotel, which will include the foyer, The Rimrock, Oval and Oak rooms.
The amount of hospitality completions in the Calgary area are such that many restaurants and bars in the city that you admire for their memorable, dramatic interiors are more than likely Frank creations.
Pigeon Hole, Model Milk, Royale, Anju and Bridgette Bar are just a few of the restaurants that Frank staff have designed. But although the hospitality industry has been their focus, their success has meant invitations from other sectors to design office, medical and custom residential projects.
Mayfair Diagnostic contracted Frank to design its new medical imaging clinic in Coventry Hills, where the owner wanted to improve customer experience in visiting a technology space. Frank is now involved with more work for Mayfair’s clinics.
Much of their work has concentrated on interiors, but a client in Banff — where Frank has opened an office to keep up with the work in the Bow Valley corridor — has commissioned the architects to design a twostorey building from the demolition of an existing building to the construction of a new restaurant on Bear Street, one of a number of projects for Banff Hospitality Collective, a multi-concept restaurant group with 12 venues in the town.
Today, Allen, Morrison and Lien run with a busy staff of 22, who work collaboratively with each other. All three business partners are able to be engaged in all of the firm’s projects.
All exciting, inspirational and fun, like the under-construction, Frank-designed brewery and tasting room for Inner City Brewing along 11th Avenue S.W.
NEWS AND NOTES
Go Media is a showcase of what Canada has to offer to international and Canadian travel media. This year, it is being held in Calgary, so we must all be on our best welcoming behaviour when they arrive on Sept. 30.
It will be a great opportunity for our restaurants to show off their menus and local tours, including a pastry crawl and Discover Calgary’s Barley Belt craft beer tour.