A Vancouver architecture studio that spends most of its time designing mass timber buildings has, unsurprisingly, set up shop in one.
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That’s the case with Stephane Laroye Architect (SLA), a Mount Pleasant–based firm focused on sustainable, low-carbon design and mass timber buildings across B.C. Founded in 2016 by urban planner and architect Stephane Laroye, the studio works across everything from master planning and infrastructure to multi-family, mixed-use and single-family housing. A throughline across the portfolio: engineered wood. Think a mass timber supplier’s head office in B.C., district energy plants across Metro Vancouver—and, on the more conceptual side, a string of backcountry huts along the Howe Sound Crest Trail for hikers making the trek between Cypress Mountain and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
SLA’s own office—located inside Vancouver’s On5 building—uses timber panels throughout and is designed to Passive House standards by Vancouver-based Timber Engineering. Much of the structure was prefabricated off-site, allowing for faster installation than conventional construction methods.
“We’re so proud to be working in a mass timber building,” says Laroye. “The vast majority of our projects are mass timber.”
Inside, the office is informal and functional. The layout is organized around a shared table where the team develops concepts together, alongside a sample library and model-building area used for ongoing project work. The space is dog-friendly, and a small snack and kitchen area supports day-to-day use.
Two enclosed meeting rooms—one larger space for presentations and one smaller room for internal discussions—support more formal work. For calls and focused tasks, staff use two acoustic booths, colloquially referred to as “inbox.” These booths feature ventilated doors by VanAir Design, allowing airflow while maintaining sound separation.
A large bike room within the building encourages low-carbon commuting. Interiors are kept minimal, with exposed wood surfaces and furniture from Spanish manufacturer Andreu World.
The office also includes a north-facing patio with views of the North Shore mountains, used informally by staff, particularly in the summer.
