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I have been a self employed designer and technician in the building design industry and with architectural firms for 35 years.

James Matthew Design Ltd. is an architectural design and building design service based in Courtenay, British Columbia, serving the Comox Valley, the Gulf Islands, and mid Vancouver Island. With more than 35 years of experience in architectural and building design, I provide professional design services for residential, commercial, resort, industrial, and institutional projects throughout the region.

As a self-employed building designer and architectural technician, I have worked both independently and in collaboration with architectural firms on private and public sector projects, including complex developments with construction values of up to $34 million. While design is at the core of my practice, I am experienced in every stage of the design and construction process, from early planning and feasibility studies through to construction documentation and administration.

I studied architecture at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture, and throughout my career I have contributed to the design of a wide range of buildings — from custom homes and small commercial projects to large, multi-disciplinary developments. I have worked on contract with many respected architects, including Lea Mathews, Carsten Jensen, Angela Quek, John Chislett, Phillipa Atwood, Martin Hagarty, Maris MacDonald, and Graham Coleman of Iredale Architecture, gaining experience that extends well beyond typical small-building design practice.

Collaborating with architects on larger and more complex projects has broadened my expertise and strengthened my ability to manage design challenges at every scale. I am highly proficient in planning, zoning and code compliance, design development, construction detailing, and construction administration, and I bring this depth of knowledge to every project, regardless of size.

My greatest strength as a building designer is problem solving. Strong architectural design is driven by thoughtful solutions that balance creativity, functionality, and constructability. With decades of experience designing buildings in coastal and island environments, I approach each project with a practical understanding of site conditions, regulatory requirements, and client goals — always aiming to create clear, buildable, and well-considered design solutions.

I first developed drawing skills on the drawing board just before the industry became digital. Since then I have kept up with all the latest developments in architectural software including the latest Building Information Modeling*. I use REVIT design software – the highest industry standard – to produce 3 dimensional models of all my designs.

* Please note I am primarily a building designer and while that includes providing all forms of drawings and documentation, I do not provide just drafting services.