André has served as a key member of the DIALOG mechanical team since 2013. At the core of his work is a dedication to designing sustainable spaces that people will love and enjoy for years to come. André’s experience spans a variety of project types, including mixed-use, institutional, and commercial projects. Every project he takes on is with the intention to advance the capabilities of the built environment to respond to the climate crisis.
André’s work has shaped campus communities across North America including the University of Victoria Engineering Precinct Expansion, the Tilsonburg District Memorial Hospital, Dartmouth General Hospital, Ramsay Wright Laboratories, and the Student Commons at the University of Toronto. André is also committed to designing spaces that serve our most vulnerable. His modular housing initiatives—Meares St. Youth Supportive Housing in Victoria, BC, and Nanaimo Supportive Housing in Naniamo, BC—are designed to give a home to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Within DIALOG, André is the leader of the National Mechanical BIM Team, and has played a critical role in the development of firmwide mechanical BIM strategies. He is also an active member of DIALOG’s National Mechanical Production Team, primarily developing working and design standards to enhance project outcomes.
What’s your favourite DIALOG project? Why?
My favourite DIALOG project is Rainbow Park; it was a truly collaborative effort across our entire firm for a very unique and challenging site. There were many collaborative discussions, many head scratching moments, and many late nights, but in the end there’s a beautiful park that brings so much joy to our community. There’s nothing like seeing the smile on a child’s face after conquering the big slide, or running through the water feature, or jumping on the trampoline.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in problems. Wherever I encounter a problem that I believe can be solved by giving it a little attention it takes over my mind almost entirely until I’ve come up with a solution or 100 related problems. This drives how I approach projects and unique challenges in my job; DIALOG builds an environment that will stand for years to come and it’s imperative that we solve those problems.
What’s one thing about you that would surprise people?
DIALOG was my first (…and only) indoor job. In my past life I worked in outdoor education through many outdoor camps located in Ontario as a camp counsellor, canoe trip guide, and camp chef serving meals for 300 people a day. These experiences helped to form my respect for our environment and others as well as taught me how to effectively work as part of a team in high pace environment.
What’s one ‘Pro Tip’ you live by?
There’s always time to make time. Consulting life has a lot of demands both professionally and personally, but there’s always going to be time to make time for what’s important. Whether that’s making it home on time to cook dinner, or staying late to finish a deadline, or having a beer with your colleagues, or figuring out a solution to that last problem on a project, there’s always time to make time.
Bachelor of Applied Science
Queen’s University