MT-ARCH HAS DESIGNS ON BRIGHT FUTURE
Architectural firm keeps it local with creative, hands-on relationships
Max Tayefi enjoyed drawing while growing up in Iran, and at a young age made up his mind that he wanted to design buildings. Unfortunately, the National University in Tehran was shut down for almost three years after that country’s revolution, but as soon as it reopened he enrolled in the architectural class.
Upon graduation he was determined to have his own practice, but needed to first gain experience with a larger firm to fully understand the practicality of running a business.
Tayefi took the same course of action when he moved to Canada in 1998. He was offered a job in Toronto but, on the urging of a cousin, made a three-week visit to Calgary and decided to stay here. Soon after, he joined Nick Mehta Architecture where he gained invaluable experience. But Mehta — still a good friend and supporter — suggested he move to a bigger firm to better understand the culture of running projects on a larger scale.
As soon as he earned his Alberta-registered architect designation in 2001, Tayefi took the plunge and started his own business — working primarily as a contract architect for others, including Mehta.
He travelled many kilometres as he designed a hotel in Fort Mcmurray that was one of the first modular buildings in the province, with the units assembled in a Lethbridge plant.
Mt-arch has since completed several projects in Fort Mcmurray, including Rio Verde Plaza, a mixed-use building with restaurant and reception on the main floor below 100 apartment and 100 hotel suites, and three levels of underground parking.
Hotel and residential has also made up many of the firm’s projects in Calgary. On airport lands off Deerfoot Trail, Mt-arch designed two adjacent hotels — Clique and Applause — with a common Topic Kitchen & Bar and business centre centrally located between them at ground level.
In the newer district of Skyview in the northeast, development permits have been received for a mixed-use building of 80 apartments above commercial, 124 townhouse units, and another 22 units designed in four blocks around a central courtyard.
The community of Bridgeland is going through an exciting era of new development and Tayefi and his team are helping ensure it grows with good design.
On the northeast corner of Edmonton Trail and Meredith Road, ALPS is a 33-room, six-storey boutique hotel with a fashionable bistro on the top floor, and ALVARO is a three-storey townhouse and condominium project to be built on the Rise in Bridgeland, along 3rd Avenue N.E.
Out of town, design has been completed on an 80-room hotel along the highway in Harvie Heights.
Mt-arch has also spread out over the border to Vancouver, where it is working on the renovation and large expansion of a car dealership.
Much of the success of Mt-arch is due to the friendly, hands-on relationships that Tayefi excels at cultivating. A good example is his handling of the House of David, a multicultural and non-denominational church planned along Highway 566 in Balzac. When he was asked to take over the project, some hard feelings had developed between church leadership and Rocky View County. A trust relationship was developed, everyone is now happy and the church has been approved with a creative design that will see Phase 1 as a large lobby area that will hold 200 worshippers. Phase 2 will enlarge the church to accommodate about 450 people.
Mt-arch currently has eight in-office staff in Elveden House, with room to expand.
NOTES
■ Some exciting weekend TV golf, and thoughts of warmer weather and green surfaces replacing another too-long winter, means it’s time to do those stretching exercises and bring the clubs back up from the basement. Good to see that Bearspaw Golf Club will be up and running again this season, and new owners are offering a 2020 trial membership to enjoy the course and all of its privileges.
■ Also good to see that the HKCBA has confirmed a new date for its Spring Gala. Previously postponed, the celebration will now take place April 3 at Regency Palace Restaurant.