The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Valley Line LRT
[CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT] PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADRIAN OZIMEK; SHADOW BOX STUDIOS; CHRISTOPHE BENARD; JAMES BRITTAIN
Centennial College A-Building Expansion
This perspective has influenced Dialog’s business model: while service remains foundational, work is now centred on purpose and impact. Their understanding of impact has layers. First, individual growth: staff must develop as people and professionals. Second, share ideas and elevate understanding of complex problems. Third, design spaces that positively affect those who inhabit them. And finally, the ripple effect: “If others learn from, or are inspired by these projects, the firm raises the bar across the industry. Our research and intellectual property are shared openly to benefit others,” he says. As a result, unexpected opportunities have emerged. Dialog is now a B Corp-certified company and was invited to become a full member of the World Economic Forum. “Attending meetings with the World Bank and UNESCO, it was clear we were seen as a small but highly purposeful player in shaping the built environment. We were described metaphorically as ‘tug boats’ helping to bring larger ships safely to port.” Countless project examples illustrate this approach. The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, for example, showcases how Dialog focused on the full continuum of care, from prevention and recovery to the experience during treatment. “For many people, this is one of the most dire and extreme moments in their lives. These environments can be extremely stressful, so we designed the whole thing from the perspective of giving hope,” Gomez-Palacio says. Another project is an addition to Centennial College’s Scarborough campus that serves students at a critical moment of self-discovery and preparation for societal integration. The building is designed with inspiration and inclusivity in mind. And in Vancouver, The Hive, a 10-storey, mass timber office building, is a great example as it pushes innovation. “We took the opportunity not just to push the envelope on sustainability from an environmental perspective, but also from a cultural and social perspective, which are often left aside in much DIALOG
kinistinâw Park
of the sustainability conversation,” Gomez-Palacio says. The design required full collaboration among architects, engineers, and specialists from the outset, resulting in a building that performs highly on environmental, structural, and social fronts, while providing a stimulating workspace. Other projects, like kinistinâw Park, became an exercise in reconciliation and healing, and transit projects such as the Valley Line LRT incorporated sustainable urban integration. “For the LRT we developed a standards document for the City that ensures design quality. It’s now used industry-wide and presented at conferences, showing how one project can influence broader practice,” he notes. Today, Dialog employs 700 people across six studios – Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and San Francisco – and is a multi-disciplinary design firm specializing in architecture, engineering (structural, mechanical, electrical), interior design, planning, and landscape architecture. That scale and skillset enable them to take on all manner of projects and forge ahead with continued learning, as well as sharing findings with the greater industry. Interestingly, the firm is structured as a partnership with no equity; each partner holds one share worth $1. “If the firm is ever sold, 100 percent of the proceeds go to charity,” explains Gomez-Palacio. “No one is here to build equity. We are stewards of the firm, tasked with carrying forward its legacy responsibly. There’s no cult of personality here, just a collective commitment to meaningful, impactful work that elevates communities, the environment, and the industry.” So what does the future hold for Dialog, now? Gomez-Palacio explains that Dialog measures growth not by size but by maturity and understanding. “We focus on how we contribute to solving the big world problems. Our approach balances idealism with humility. It takes audacity to think we can impact climate change or social issues, but also humility to know no one can do it alone. Success depends on collaboration across the firm, the industry, and society.” A J U N E 2026
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