Patkau Architects is a Vancouver-based architecture practice internationally recognized for its innovative and poetic approach to design. Founded in 1978 by John and Patricia Patkau, the studio has become one of Canada’s most celebrated firms, with a portfolio spanning cultural institutions, residences, educational buildings, and groundbreaking research projects.
From landmark works like the Audain Art Museum and Thunder Bay Art Gallery, to experimental projects such as the Winnipeg Skating Shelters, Patkau’s designs blend craftsmanship, material exploration, and a deep connection to place. Their work consistently pushes the boundaries of construction, creating spaces that are at once rigorous, expressive, and human-centered.
Over the years, Patkau has received some of the world’s highest architectural honors, including the RAIC Architectural Practice Award, nineteen Governor General’s Medals in Architecture, and international recognition from the RIBA and AIA. The firm’s research-driven practice also extends into publications and teaching, shaping both the built environment and the discipline of architecture itself.
Based in Vancouver’s Fairview neighborhood, Patkau operates both an architectural studio and a design lab that explore architecture at every scale from major cultural institutions to experimental furniture and fabrication.
