BC TOP 10 ARCHITECTS
Lubor Trubka Associates Architects
recognized internationally as a
leader and innovator in wood design
Tsleil-Waututh Administration and Health Centre North Vancouver, BC. Completion Spring 2018
The CDCR Special Feature
From its start in 1975, Lubor Trubka Associates Archi-
tects (LTA Production Ltd.), has grown into an expert and
internationally recognized leader and innovator in engi-
neered wood design and architecture.
The firm has designed projects for all levels of govern-
ment, private corporations, institutions and First Nations
communities. It has been responsible for the design and
master planning of sites across North America, as well as
in India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Russia and the Czech Re-
public. 22 – Winter 2018 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
Lubor Trubka, principal, says from the beginning of his
career he recognized the need to understand and embrace
local construction technology. “I understood early on that
there were no clay deposits to make bricks, nor steel mills
in the province, so wood had to be the material of choice
for all designs I did.”
Also an engineer by training, his designs from the start
began with that engineer’s perspective of the structure in-
fluencing the architecture. Though this led to quick growth
and success, and recognition for his unconventional wood
structures, by the 80s he had scaled back his team and
now maintains no more than eight chairs in the office.
South Surrey Ice Arena - Surrey, B.C.
“When we got too large, I found I was spending more of
my time running the company than I was being an archi-
tect.” Among the company’s early successes, and real demon-
strations for the capabilities of engineered wood construc-
tion, were the South Surrey Ice Arena where the team
achieved a 50m clear span over an Olympic size rink, and a
similar structure completed for the municipality of Abbots-
ford that covered 60m by 90m.
Trubka’s affinity for and understanding of the capabilities
of wood have led to a great deal of First Nations’ work. The
company is currently pioneering two new large span wood
projects. One will be a 35,000 sq. ft. health and administra-
tive building, for the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in North Van-
couver and the other, a community centre for the Lower
Nicola Indian Band near Merritt, BC. Both will be con-
structed almost completely of wood and engineered wood.
Part of his success with First Nations’ projects may also
be a reflection of his approach. Understanding that his
team is designing buildings intended to serve communities
well into the future, community engagement is a big part
of the design process. “We get the community involved in
contributing ideas and integrate their input. When, at the
opening ceremony, a community member comes in and
compliments us for incorporating their ideas or sugges-
tions, that is very meaningful to us.”
That community connection is evident in other ways.
Trubka recalls the Acwsalcta School project that was con-
structed at a remote wooded location in Bella Coola, B.C.
“We harvested the trees directly from the site, milled the
wood there, and used local band labour to do the construc-
tion so most of the funding for the project stayed in the
community. It was a fully sustainable project.”
The firm has been recognized with numerous awards
over the years including the Prestigious World Architecture
News Award in 2010 for the Tseshaht Tribal Multiplex &
Health Centre in Port Alberni, BC; a gold medal as Project
of the Year for a 69-acre master plan and design of the
Liberec Sport and Recreation Complex in the Czech Repub-
lic; and multiple other local and international awards.
For more information, visit https://www.lubortrubka.com.
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2018 – 23