About
SRA Architect Inc. — Soren Rasmussen Architects — was an award-winning architecture studio recognized internationally for its creativity and originality in architectural design, planning and interior design.
Founded and led by Søren Rasmussen — MAIBC, MAAA, MRAIC — the Vancouver practice provided comprehensive architectural, planning and interior design services on office, residential and commercial developments throughout British Columbia and Alberta, particularly in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island, with work reaching into the western United States. In the firm's own words, its projects were "often unique in nature and highly demanding throughout the design and approvals process" — met with creativity and originality, cost-effective solutions, and strict attention to detail.
The practice left a lasting mark on Vancouver's heritage fabric. In 1986 Søren designed the rehabilitation of the Sam Kee Building — the narrowest commercial building in the world — for Jack Chow in Chinatown. In 1988–89 he converted the landmark Gastown warehouse at 375 Water Street into The Landing, kept his own award-winning studio inside it, and in 1995 returned to its foot as architect and co-founder of Steamworks Brew Pub. Alongside this civic work ran schools and colleges, hotels in the Rockies, seniors' communities, film studios — and a lifetime of houses, from a family retreat on the Sunshine Coast to a Spanish Revival villa in San Diego. The studio remained active until Søren's passing in December 2022.
LEED Certified
Fully certified to design buildings for a green future.
Simplicity
A simple ideology: focusing on better design without unnecessary frills.
Worldwide
Projects all around the world, adapting to different geographies.
Awards
- The Landing
BC Heritage Award 1989 · Interior Design Institute of BC Silver Award 1989 · Vancouver Heritage Award 1988 - Sam Kee Building
BC Heritage Award 1988 · Vancouver Heritage Award 1988 - Soren Rasmussen Architects Office
Interior Design Institute of BC Award 1989 - Tsatsu Shores
Georgie Award 1997 - Rasmussen Residence
Georgie Award 1999 - Longwood Pub
City of Nanaimo Design Award 2000
The Studio
Over the years the studio worked from #450 – 375 Water Street in Gastown (inside The Landing), #120 – 1412 W 7th Avenue in Fairview, and finally 1550 Rand Avenue.
The office is now closed following the passing of Søren Rasmussen on December 13th, 2022. This site is maintained by his family as a record of his work.
