What Happens Before the First Shovel Hits the Ground? A Civil Engineering Consultant’s Perspective
Below is a high-level outline of common components of our civil engineering services. Bear with us – although a shovel is mentioned in the title, extensive work needs to be done before equipment is mobilized. Proposal We’ve identified an exciting project opportunity! Through private networking, or in response to a public RFP (Request for Proposal) … Continued
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Why Collaboration Between Architects and Engineers Is Essential
Great buildings do not happen because of one discipline working alone. They come to life when different areas of expertise work side by side. One of the most important partnerships in any project is the relationship between architects and engineers. When that connection starts early, the entire process runs more smoothly, and the finished building … Continued
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Our Step-by-Step Process: From Vision to Final Build
How we turn big ideas into beautifully built spaces. 1. Discovery & Visioning We sit down with you to understand your goals, constraints, priorities, and long-term vision. This includes learning about user needs, budget expectations, timelines, and any site-specific conditions. Every project has a starting point which begins with listening. This stage sets the foundation … Continued
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Ask an Architect Anything: Questions We Actually Get All the Time
If you’ve ever talked to someone who works in architecture or engineering, you’ll know this: people love asking questions about what we do. And honestly? We get it. Buildings are big, complicated, and kind of fascinating, so the curiosity makes total sense. So today, we’re answering some of the questions we get constantly, on job … Continued
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A Look Back at the Year: Behind the Scenes at Quartek Group
As the year comes to a close, we’ve been taking time to reflect on what made it meaningful at Quartek Group. Beyond drawings, deadlines, and deliverables, this year was defined by people — the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients, and the relationships built through collaboration. Like much of our industry, we … Continued
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Designing for Healthy Learning – Why Air Quality Matters in School Renovations
Walk into a newly renovated school and you can feel the difference right away—fresh air, comfortable classrooms, and spaces that just feel better to be in. Since COVID-19, families and educators have become much more aware of indoor air quality, but the truth is, building professionals have been following standards to reduce viruses and keep … Continued
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Douglas Heights: A Net Zero Seniors Community Designed for Comfort and Sustainability
At our firm, we believe architecture should make life better for people and for the planet. Our newest seniors living project, Douglas Heights, brings that idea to life. This modern seniors apartment building was designed to be both comfortable and environmentally responsible, achieving a Net Zero Energy Ready while offering residents a warm, welcoming place … Continued
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The Quartek Quadranscentennial
25 Years Later, We’re Just Getting Started At the corner of Queen and St. Paul Streets in downtown St. Catharines, in the banking hall of a former branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, a dedicated team of design professionals are hard at work preparing drawings for a project near you. Since 2012, this has … Continued
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Heritage Building Restoration
The most rewarding part about working on heritage buildings is having the opportunity learning the history of each place. First constructed between 1863 and 1865 by and for the Six Nations Confederacy Council, the Old Council House in Ohsweken, Ontario has been witness to a politically fraught and tumultuous 160 years. The building served as … Continued
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THE INHERITED GATE: A CASE STUDY IN MICRO-CONSERVATION.
Making decisions about heritage buildings is rarely easy – especially when the building is your own. It involves balancing seemingly endless competing factors. A few years ago, a curious adventure in micro-heritage unfolded on me. Dealing with it illuminates, at a very fundamental level, the quandaries that face decision-makers dealing with bigger projects. Through the … Continued
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What About Colour?
What about colour in architecture? Look around, and the long history of muted colours in Canadian architecture becomes apparent. This means that, collectively and individually, we have accepted such buildings as the norm, while, over the decades, we have experimented with interior colours. There is sound logic why this has unfolded in this way, but … Continued
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SUSTAINABILITY – Part 2: SOME BASICS ABOUT BUILDINGS
This is Part Two of a series of articles on Sustainability that will consider how a prudent decision-maker working in the built environment might improve his/her insights and capabilities. They will appear periodically on Quartek’s website and will contain both reflections, and guides to the use of basic analytical tools. Decision-making is a key factor … Continued
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THE FACILITATION OF PROJECTS
This is one of a series of articles exploring and explaining issues in designing, creating and managing projects. The Quartek Group keeps informed on such matters to assist clients in their initiatives to create successful buildings and infrastructure. What do architects and engineers actually do? In the past, it was largely a matter of designing … Continued
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EMBODIED CARBON CONSIDERED
This is one of a series of articles exploring and explaining issues in creating and managing successful and sustainable buildings. The Quartek Group keeps informed on such matters to assist clients in their various initiatives. Embodied carbon is a concept that has emerged over the past couple of decades. “Embodied carbon is, to some extent, … Continued
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SUSTAINABILITY – Part 1: THE QUEST
This is Part One of a series of articles on Sustainability that will consider how a prudent decision-maker working in the built environment might improve his/her insights and capabilities. They will appear periodically on Quartek’s website and will contain both reflections and guides to the use of basic analytical tools. While perhaps the dominant theme … Continued
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Woodland Cultural Centre Restoration
“The Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School operated in Brantford, Ontario from 1828 to 1970. It served as a boarding school for First Nations children from Six Nations, as well as other communities throughout Ontario and Quebec. It served as a key tool in the effort to assimilate First Nations children into European Christian society, and … Continued
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Working with the team at Quartek Group has always been a pleasure. Their excellent organization and attention to detail have contributed to our project successes on staying on budget and schedule. We look forward to working with Quartek Group again.
Carrie Groff
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The team at Quartek is knowledgeable, creative and easy to work with. With any issues we encounter, I know I can always collaborate with them to find a solution and execute it in a timely and professional manner. I recommend the Quartek team.
Cindy Tsang, PMP
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After a meeting with a Quartek representative to discuss the project and Quartek’s reputation and experience with our type of project we were glad to bring Quartek on board to manage the project. We are very pleased with what Quartek has accomplished so far and look forward to working with them in the development of the cottage subdivision.
Jim Nichols Trucking Ltd.
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Meridian Credit Union has a long-standing partnership with Quartek in varying capacities including building design, architectural drawings, and project management. They have brought our visions to life through their high-level of expertise and attention to detail. Their friendly and accommodating staff are always professional and provide expert advice.
Melanie Clement
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Quartek handled my severance application in Niagara-on-the-Lake very proficiently and dealt with the continuous Town demands in a very professional manner, until all issues were satisfactorily resolved.
Mac MacSween (retired P.Eng)