About
Jason Santeford
Licensed Professional Architect
AIBC, NCARB, LEED BD + C
Jason Santeford is a seasoned Architect licensed to work both in Texas (2007) and British Columbia (2013). Jason has completed many diverse projects in the commercial realm, including retail, office, education, and mixed use, as well as residential single- and multi-family projects. He has extensive experience in all project phases from concept design, documentation, bidding and permitting, to construction administration in multiple architectural typologies. Jason’s projects are located on 3 continents, and include some of the most iconic and significant developments to date.
Service Philosophy
In addition to his diverse experience, Jason brings his unique strengths to every project. He is a leader and a synthesizer: he can quickly assemble input from multiple sources, and at multiple project scales, to holistically advance all projects. Additionally, this skill set also applies to Jason’s ability to synthesize design and technical requirements, serving as a bridge to translate and communicate technical aspects of the design intent to the final product.
Jason’s role as a synthesizer stems from his strength as a careful listener. Be it from a client, consultant, or contractor, Jason is impressively attentive and present when receiving input. It is Jason’s belief that this is the best way to serve his clients professionally.
Both traits serve to enhance Jason’s ability to see the bigger picture of his projects and maintain an efficient trajectory towards the finished product. Taking a holistic view of the project Jason understands how the various pieces of design and construction fit together to contribute to, and strengthen, the project as a whole.
Commissioned Works
Exo-
In addition to Jason’s experience with various firms, he has been practicing architecture since 2007 as Exo- Architecture & Development. With Exo- Jason takes on a few projects a year, in order to provide his clients with superb service and attention.
The Conway Residence is one of Exo-‘s most recently completed projects. This high-end single-family residence reflects Jason’s design philosophy regarding a building’s relationship to the site, context, and climate, all while sensitively responding to the needs and desires of his clients.
In 2007 Exo- collaborated with PRY Properties to develop a number of speculative residences in Austin, TX. From this fruitful relationship, significant projects emerged including the 33rd Street Quadplex, the 12th Street Multi-Family Development, and the Fresco Residence Remodel.
Work Experience
Stantec Architecture 2013-Present
Jason has worked as Senior Project Architect for Stantec Architecture Ltd. since 2013 and works out of both the Vancouver and Calgary office locations. The Commercial Architecture group Jason leads projects within is the highest grossing business unit at Stantec. Jason’s leadership experience with Stantec to date includes working on diverse projects such as the Oakridge Centre Redevelopment, the Student Association of MacEwan University Student Building, and the 11th Avenue Mixed Use Tower. Jason has also contributed his experience to technical detailing and project development to Brentwood Town Centre and Edmonton Arena District’s Tower E projects. As Jason increasingly participates in project proposals for new work, and as a client liaison, his ongoing role within the commercial group continues to evolve.
Morris Architects 2010-2013
Recruited by a senior designer and project manager, Jason joined Morris Architects (now part of Huitt Zollars) in 2010. With Morris, Jason worked in roles from construction administration, Project Architect, to Project Manager within the Education studio. His Construction Administration role lead to the successful completion of the University of Texas Law School Remodel and the San Jacinto College Student Success Centers (North and South campuses). Additionally, Jason served as Project Architect for new projects such as the Lone Star College Petroleum Technology Building. Finally, Jason served as Project Architect and Project Manager for the University of Houston Energy Research Park development, where a systematic review, assessment, and remodel of the multiple buildings on the campus were undertaken as a part of the University of Houston. This project played a key role in the University of Houston’s achievement of Tier 1 status as a research institution
HOK 2008-2010
Jason joined HOK in 2008 as a conscious move to expand his experience beyond residential projects. His immediate start on the Design Team on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology allowed him to effectively achieve this goal as he participated in the design and composition of building facades, massing, and cladding systems. As the design process resolved itself, his role continued into the detailing and review of the various exterior components of the buildings, including glazing, metal panel, and terra cotta panels. During this international assignment Jason traveled extensively to Paris, Dubai, and Germany as part of the technical team working directly with suppliers and manufacturers.
A further project under Jason’s belt with HOK is the CMA Tower. This skyscraper in Saudi Arabia will join the list of super tall buildings in the world upon its completion in 2017. Jason started his involvement on this project as part of the Design Team, initially working on the overall massing of the tower. Once this was complete, he took primary responsibility for overseeing the design of the core, structure, mechanical, and vertical transportation systems.
Webber + Studio 2002-2008
Following graduation, Jason’s interest and passion in high-end residential design led him to work for Webber + Hanzlik Architects, (now Webber + Studio Architects). His projects ranged from kitchen remodels, renovations, new home designs, and multifamily developments to commercial fit-outs.
This experience was invaluable as it provided a wealth of opportunities to grow as an architect and designer at all stages of project development through the following stages: 1) client consultation; 2) design documentation (including 2D: drawings and renderings; and 3D: physical and digital models); 3) development of a preferred option; 4) construction documentation; and 5) oversight of construction through site visits and coordination with contractor.
Early Career
During university, Jason amassed a considerable work history within the field. Paying his way through university, Jason worked as a draftsman for a Structural Engineer, an Architect, and a Contractor. Not only did he learn about time management and attention to detail, skills which served Jason well in school and to date, but he also learned the art of drafting and how drawings themselves contribute to a larger composition on the page. He carries this outlook today and recognizes that a good set of drawings tells a story about the building, not just how to assemble its pieces.
Education
As a graduate from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Architecture (an architecture program ranked 2nd in the US by DesignIntelligence in 2012) Jason was at the top of his design studios and technical classes. It was in his design studios that Jason developed a fondness for structural tectonic expression, a style of architecture which prizes the honest expression of a building’s structure and allows the form and details to derive from the structural system.
While in school, Jason was selected for a prestigious internship at the world renowned Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Paris. Jason spent 6 months living in the 5eme arrondisement (the famous Left Bank) in Paris for the first half of 2001. While there, Jason worked as part of the design team on several projects, but most of his time was spent on the New York Times Tower in Manhattan and the London Bridge Tower (known as The Shard) in London. More information on both of these projects can be found under the Commercial heading of this site. Renzo Piano was, and remains to this day, Jason’s favorite Architect.
TESTIMONIALS
“Jason worked in my firm for five years and in that time worked on a range of different projects with different scopes, different uses and different levels of detail and documentation. Jason is one of those rare individuals that always seems to know exactly what level of investment each project requires, can do it excellently, and does it on time, on budget, and with a smile on his face. He is the single most reliable person I have had in my office for just about anything.” David Webber, Webber + Studio Architecture
“Jason’s skill and technical ability to absorb multiple sources of conflicting information and weigh the various competing objectives, before developing an optimal solution that represented a win for all parties involved, was integral to the team maintaining forward momentum on the project and ensuring buy in from all of the project stakeholders.” – Graeme Silvera, Vice President Development, Western Canada, Ivanhoe Cambridge
"Jason worked for me as a Contract Designer/Draftsman for approx. 2 years, while he attended The University of Texas. He was an outstanding CAD draftsman, (very meticulous and very, very fast). He’s very bright and very personable. It was obvious to me at the time that he was going to be a fine Architect." – Bradley C. Patterson, P.E.
