From their bold beginnings in 2008 to their current reputation as innovators in tackling some of Vancouver’s most challenging urban design projects. Their story is one of experimentation, relentless problem-solving, and a commitment to building lasting relationships through every phase of design and construction. Their journey began when founding partners Henning Knoetzele and Peeroj Thakre were both working under established firms. Yet, driven by a shared vision and a desire to reimagine urban spaces, they started taking on small, self-initiated projects. “We had been doing some small installations on our own, and then we decided we’d really like to start a firm,” Henning recalls. These early projects were not grand in scale, but they laid the foundation for a practice that would soon embrace the full complexity of architectural design. In those formative years, the duo experimented with installations around Gastown in Vancouver, exploring the potential of the public realm to create dynamic, interactive spaces. Henning and Peeroj’s initial forays were fueled by a desire to understand how people move through and interact with their surroundings. Their work was speculative by nature—an exploration of how design could transform urban life. “We organized an international competition from our kitchen table to activate a laneway in Vancouver,” Peeroj says. “I always felt like I wanted to be the winner of the competition, not just the organizer. We learned a lot from that process.” This spirit of curiosity and experimentation laid the groundwork for an approach that is as analytical as it is intuitive. APRIL 2025
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