Our Team
Adrian Lao Partner, Architect Architect, AAA | MRAIC | LEED® AP Calgary

Compassionate, thorough, and committed, Adrian is an architect and project manager in DIALOG’s Calgary studio. A specialist in healthcare, with a sub-specialization in laboratories, he can most often be found as Principal-in-Charge at the clinical planning lead level. Over two decades, Adrian has honed his passion for innovative healthcare architecture on projects across Alberta and British Columbia. His expertise offers excellent insight into how the built environment impacts human health and wellbeing, specifically in the area of senior healthcare.

Adrian was the lead planner on Nova Scotia’s Dartmouth General Hospital and the design team leader, coordinating professional and technical lead for the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. He is currently spearheading the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital project and is Principal-in-Charge for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute Laboratory at the University of Calgary. 

Adrian builds interest, aptitude, passion, and commitment within his teams. Based on an environment of mutual respect, support and learning, he aims to offer team members a home where they can grow personally and professionally. Looking to the future, Adrian dreams of one day building a hospital in Africa to serve communities not just in Canada but around the world.

If you could live a ‘day in the life’ of someone else, who would it be?
I would love to spend one day as an interior designer selecting cool finishes and creating the ambiance of a space!

What’s one hobby you have outside of work?
Cooking! I probably make the best ribs of all the DIALOGers! I would say they are even better than Tony Roma’s ribs, so I call them Adrian Roma’s ribs! Really, I love to BBQ so I can spend time outside drinking scotch!

What do you listen to while you work?
When I am working I listen to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake or one of my three favourite movie soundtracks: Gladiator, Jason Bourne, and La La Land.

I want to leave the world better than I discovered it.
Education

Master of Advanced Studies of Architecture in Nursing, Gerontology & Architecture
University of British Columbia

Bachelor of Architecture
University of Hawaii at Manoa

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