Our Story

A History of Excellence

For over 60 years, we’ve designed places—schools, hospitals, offices—that inspire learning, connection, and growth. We are proud of our long history, but what’s more important than where we’ve been is where we’re going.

The places where we work and learn shape who we are. They impact creativity, make or break collaboration, and act as springboards for opportunity. At KMBR, we continually search for ways to improve the human experience and help people realize their potential.

1958
Firm is founded in Dawson Creek by George Killick and Norm Metz
1967
Development of Steel Construction System for schools that helped to change the face of schools from Ministry of Education Stock Wood Framed Designs
1972
Tom Bowen named KMBR Principal
1974
Jim Rose named KMBR Principal
1989
Heritage Canada Award – Northern Alberta Railway, Train Station and Grain Elevator
1990
Design Excellence Award – Maplewood House care Home
1991
5 new principals named: Witmar Abele, George Boorman, Gregg Brown, Cristina Marghetti, Wallace Winkler
1993
Honoured BC Hydro Powersmart Award for Design Excellence – Two Schools
1994
Leader in Resource Conservation and Fast-Tracking with Roy Stibbs School Fire Replacement in Coquitlam built in only 7 months. Praised by the Minister of Education as ‘The fastest built school in the history of the Province’
1995
First Concrete Tilt-up school designed and constructed in Canada
1996
City of Surrey Design Awards – Good Shepard Star of the Sea Parish and Cindrich Elementary
Design-Build competition winner – Kinnikinnik Elementary
2000
Design Excellence Award – Terry Fox Secondary School
2002
P3 Excellence Award – Chilliwack 5 Corners Project
2003
Revit Integration
2006
Heritage Woods Secondary School – the first LEED Silver certified school in Canada and first LEED certified school in BC
BC Wood Award – Architect of the Year + AIBC Lieutenant Governor General Award for Moricetown Gas Bar
2008
BC Wood Award for use of Western Red Cedar in UBC Walter C. Koerner Forestry Centre at Loon Lake
Design Excellence Award – Ladysmith RCMP
Killick Metz Bowen Rose Architects Planners Inc. becomes KMBR Architects Planners Inc. with the retirement of all the firm’s original Principals + milestone of being in business for 50 years
2009
CEFPI Pinnacle Award of Merit – Sutherland Secondary School
Introduction of KMBR’s Holistic Project Delivery process
First LEED Gold project completed: Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary School
Fortis BC PowerSense Conservation Excellence + SAB Canadian Green Building Award: Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary
2010
BC Wood Award – Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary
Design-Build Competition winner – Rosedale Traditional Community School & Yarrow Elementary School
2011
Design-Build Competition winner – Westview Elementary
Selected by PartnershipsBC to participate on the Wood First Advisory Committee to provide strategic guidance to Forestry Innovation and Investment
2012
Development of Workshop on 21st Century Learning: “21st Century Learning; Personalizing Learning In the Built Environment”
Mark Hamilton named KMBR Principal
Fortis BC PowerSense Conservation Excellence Awards for Southern Okanagan Secondary and Summerland RCMP
Design-Build Competition winner – Mission Complex Care & Community Health Clinic
2013
Design-Build Competition winner – Gibsons Elementary School
Design-Build Competition winner – Kitsilano Secondary School
Bassem Tawfik named KMBR Principal
Crocus Ridge, Whitehorse Hospital Staff Residence and Medical Facility – LEED Silver Certified
College of the Rockies: Kootenay Centre Expansion – LEED Certified
Adams Road Elementary – LEED Silver Certified
2014
Wood WORKS! BC Community Recognition Award for Summerland RCMP
Westview Elementary – LEED Gold Certified
Southern Okanagan Secondary School – SICA Commercial Building – Judges Choice-Award of Excellence for Community Facilities
2015
FRASER VALLEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING AWARDS
CATEGORY 1: COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONAL AWARD: AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
CATEGORY 2: JUDGE’S CHOICE AWARD: BEST OVERALL ENTRY
SURREY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL PRIMARY WING ADDITION
CEFPI PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE = PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD FOR MOST INNOVATIVE
ENERGETIC LEARNING CAMPUS
WOOD WORKS! BC INTERIOR BEAUTY DESIGN AWARD
SOUTHERN OKANAGAN SECONDARY SCHOOL
2017
Principal Mark Hamilton retires
Design-Build Competition Winner – New Westminster Secondary School
2019
Kate Lemon is named KMBR Principal
2020
Design-Build Competition Winner – Eric Hamber Secondary School