ASPECT Structural Engineers Announces Five New Associates
ASPECT is proud to announce the promotion of five team members to the position of Associate.
Since our firm was founded eight years ago, the definition of what it means to be an Associate at ASPECT has evolved. Today, the promotion of these five individuals signals increased momentum in the overall growth of the firm, and points to the proven commitment of our teams to deliver quality work for our clients in a way that is unique to ASPECT.
ASPECT was established with a mission to approach structural engineering in a new and different way. We appreciate and apply rigorous, traditional engineering practices, but through a new lens that prioritizes varied viewpoints and the exploration of newer approaches. Many members of the ASPECT team started their careers in other disciplines, pulling from their experience working with carpenters, contractors, suppliers, or architects to contribute to a wider understanding of the value that structural engineers can bring to a project. This team-based approach focuses on better design, improved constructability, and unwavering accountability.
Each of our new Associates personifies this approach, with project experience that is as varied as it is comprehensive. Several of these individuals joined ASPECT when the firm was just getting started (or shortly thereafter), and their growth has mirrored (and bolstered) the firm’s own growth.
Please join us in congratulating this group of professionals as the current and future leaders of ASPECT.
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Ornagh Higgins, M.Eng., P.Eng., C.Eng., MIStructE, MIEI
YEAR STARTED WITH ASPECT: 2020
Ornagh joined ASPECT at the beginning of 2020 – right after she had just moved to Canada, and right before a global pandemic. In spite of this turbulent time, Ornagh performed exceptionally from her first days with the firm, and it was immediately apparent what a tremendous asset she was to the team.
Ornagh is a graduate of Trinity College in Dublin, where she earned her Bachelor’s and her Master’s degrees in Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering. She worked in London, UK for seven years after graduation, developing her skillset by contributing to commercial, residential, and refurbishment projects. While her prior experience largely focused on steel-framed leisure and retail projects, when she joined ASPECT Ornagh became involved in designing both mass timber and concrete structures, and directly contributed to some of ASPECT’s largest and most complex work. Developments such as Tallwood 1 at District 56 are a testament to Ornagh’s ability to push herself technically, particularly in the face of becoming familiar with Canadian codes and standards. She has also directly contributed to numerous projects in the United States, including the Highline X Moynihan Connector Bridge in New York (now complete), and the Via Emma residential development in Arkansas (currently underway).
Due to her growing expertise, grit, and grounded engineering approach, Ornagh is regularly called upon to speak at industry conferences. She presented in June of last year at the World Conference on Timber Engineering in Oslo, Norway, and will be presenting on tall timber design strategies at this year’s Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon.
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Keelan Hegarty, M.Eng., C.Eng., MIStructE
YEAR STARTED WITH ASPECT: 2018
Keelan studied at University College Dublin in Ireland, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Structural Engineering with Architecture. After graduation, Keelan moved to London in the UK, where he contributed to significant, architecture-forward developments. His experience included modular construction, heritage buildings, and everything in between.
Keelan joined ASPECT’s Vancouver team when he moved to British Columbia in 2018, immediately sharing his international knowledge and experience with the team, while simultaneously picking up on Canadian codes and standards. After three years of contributing to local Vancouver developments – including numerous multi-unit residential buildings – Keelan made the move back to the UK but continued to be a vital and contributing member of the ASPECT team. While working remotely, Keelan contributed to some of ASPECT’s largest and most exciting new projects to date, including the 1925 Victoria Park development in Toronto, Ontario (recent winner of the Holcim Award), and the UnderArmour Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland (currently under construction).
Consistently, Keelan is the consummate multi-tool team leader, combining his former experience with his ASPECT-driven understanding of mass timber design practices, applying either approach to North American and European markets as needed.
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Evan Peatt, B.A.Sc., P.Eng.
YEAR STARTED WITH ASPECT: 2016
Evan graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, and began his career with ASPECT Structural Engineers shortly after. At that time, the firm was just starting out, and looked very different. Evan immediately rolled up his sleeves to help wherever he could. His passion for exceptional design, and affinity for working with talented architectural teams, was clear, and he regularly demonstrated his ability to determine the best structural solutions to achieve the overall design intent. Due to this aptitude, Evan worked closely with Andrew Chad to build up the custom homes portfolio of the firm, and has played a critical role in developing ASPECT’s exceptional reputation in this BC market. The homes to which Evan contributes are regularly celebrated in industry publications and recognized with design awards, including projects like “Camera House ” in Pemberton, “Dooley Residence” in Whistler, and “Colwood House” in North Vancouver. Evan’s “get it done” approach regularly benefits the projects that he leads, as contractors continually reference the ability to call up Evan and get a quick answer to important questions that arise on site.
This passion for a job well done also extends beyond site and has regularly benefited ASPECT operations, including playing a pivotal role in finding, and managing the design and renovation of, ASPECT’s current Vancouver office location. Since our earliest days, Evan has played a big role in what our firm has become and, as Associate, will continue to shape what the firm will be.
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Jackson Pelling, B.A.Sc., P.Eng.
YEAR STARTED WITH ASPECT: 2016
A brilliant engineer with nearly ten years of experience, Jackson’s path to ASPECT was unconventional, but no less impressive. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Civil Engineering, Jackson began his career journey in the insurance industry. There, he spent several years gaining intimate familiarity with high-end custom homes and multi-unit residential buildings, as well as a rare perspective on the design and construction process. In 2016, Jackson attended a SEABC Mass Timber class that was taught by ASPECT Principal Bernhard Gafner, where Jackson’s intelligence and curiosity caught Bernhard’s attention. Shortly after, in December of 2016, Jackson joined ASPECT.
Since that time, Jackson has become a technical leader for ASPECT. Clients and colleagues alike trust Jackson because of his unsurpassed structural knowledge – if they have a question, Jackson very likely has the answer. Over the past eight years, Jackson has contributed to the design of developments across Canada, including custom homes, commercial and mixed-use developments, industrial facilities, and institutional buildings. His knowledge of seismic considerations is proven through his work on projects such as District 56 Tallwood 1 – a twelve-storey mass timber multi-unit residential tower that was the second tallest wood building in Canada at the time of construction. His knowledge extends across North America, with project experience that stretches from Toronto (such as the Quayside development), to Boston (the Harvard Treehouse Conference Center), to British Columbia (such as the Lauwelnew School Expansion in Brentwood Bay).
Jackson’s encyclopedic knowledge, combined with his seemingly infinite patience and passion for the industry, has raised the bar for quality engineering at ASPECT and beyond.
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Jamie Connolly, P.Eng., M.Eng.
YEAR STARTED WITH ASPECT: 2018
Jamie graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, before going on to complete his Master’s of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design, at the University of Northern British Columbia. Mirroring his education, Jamie’s experience, as well as his time with ASPECT, has taken him across the country.
Jamie joined ASPECT’s Vancouver office in 2018 (shortly after graduating from his Master’s program), and immediately charmed the entire team with his fun-loving, easy-going attitude. In addition to his approachable demeanor, Jamie was also technically gifted, with an inherently practical nature that clients immediately appreciated. Over his time with our firm, he has been a key contributor to some of our most ambitious and challenging projects, including the Malahat Skywalk and Viewing Tower in British Columbia, and the new UnderArmour Headquarters in Baltimore. On the Malahat Skywalk project, Jamie meticulously designed and detailed connections to maximize pre-fabrication and simplify installation – an effort that helped enable fast and easy on-site construction. Due to his growing expertise, Jamie has played a critical role as a member of both our local structural engineering teams and our global fabrication design team.
Over the past five years, Jamie relocated from Vancouver to Toronto, playing a significant role in building our local Toronto office. Beyond ASPECT, Jamie has also earned a reputation as a respected speaker, and has been called upon to present at industry conferences, such as the Cecobois Conference and the Wood Solutions Conference, as well as numerous industry webinars and design workshops.
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Meet the Associates – Thomas Brotschi
We are thrilled to announce that Thomas Brotschi (B.Sc.BFH) has been promoted to Associate in our Bern office! As a specialist timber engineer, Thomas has a unique skill set, along with valuable knowledge of the supply chain, and the timber industry as a whole. He began his career as an on-site licensed carpenter, then went on to study timber engineering at Bern University of Applied Science, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Wood Engineering. He spent his internship in Canada, and during this time gained experience in steel and concrete design, rounding off his skill set.
His portfolio of delivered mass timber structures ranges from high-end single-family homes, to sports and multi-purpose halls, to large-scale educational and multi-storey residential buildings. As part of his leadership role, he is spearheading our shop drawing and specialty timber engineering services.
Thomas has worked on several high-profile and award-winning projects including the Shaare Zedek Cancer Center in Jerusalem, Israel; B&B Guimarães in Guimarães, Portugal; Brunel Center in Bristol, UK; Northstowe Education Campus in Cambridge, UK; and Press House in London, UK.
Thomas is passionate about Mass Timber, and his thesis focused on NLT design and implementation in Canada, part of which formed the basis for the US and Canadian NLT Design & Construction Guides.
SELECTED PROJECTS
Shaare Zedek Medical Centre is one of Israel’s most prominent health sciences organizations. Aspect is engaged to help develop the roof / lobby area of the new expansion, which is a mass timber structure with a large atrium skylight resembling a “butterfly”. Along with concept development, Aspect facilitated the RFQ and RFP process to help find the right partner for execution of the timber structure. Learn more…
Farrow Partners | Jerusalem, Israel
A new B&B facility comprised of two base levels of reinforced concrete and two 4-storey CREE buildings overtop, with a total floor area of 77,500 sq.ft. Aspect provided complete structural engineering for the system, the complete shop drawing package for the prefabricated timber-concrete-hybrid slabs and prefabricated light wood frame panels, as well installation drawings. Learn more…
Grupo Casais | Guimarães, Portugal
Part of a larger masterplan development, this project involved a number of buildings including a secondary school, special needs school, and sports facilities. The entire structural frame above ground for the buildings is formed from CLT and glulam comprising over 3000m3 timber. A special challenge was the requirement for a future extension of the sports hall, solved with a state-of-the-art glulam truss connected with glued in rods. Learn more…
Frank Shaw Associates | Cambridge, UK
An affordable mixed-use residential development in Neasden, London, comprised of four blocks of varying heights, between 2 to 8 storeys. The CLT and glulam frame sits on top of a concrete podium, which forms the parking space and an elevated courtyard. CLT shear walls and floor plates create an efficient structure featuring hanging steel balconies attached to the main frame. Learn More…
Eurban | London, UK
*Work performed prior to joining Aspect
ASPECT couldn’t be happier to have Thomas as a key member of our team. Our Associates are some of the best in the structural engineering business, learn more about our Associates.
Meet the Associates – Eva Chau
We are thrilled to announce that Eva Chau (P.Eng., M.Eng.) has been promoted to Associate in our Toronto office! Eva has a wealth of experience in designing with all major building materials on projects ranging from small house renovations to large institutional, commercial, and civic projects. In her leadership role, Eva provides mentorship to our younger engineers and supports business development in Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Masters degree in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
Eva has worked on several high-profile and award-winning projects including St. Luke’s United Church Redevelopment in Toronto; Oakville Fire Station No.8; Humber River Regional Hospital in North York, ON; Royal Canadian Electrical & Mechanical Engineering School in Borden, ON; and Pioneer Village Subway Station in Toronto.
Eva is passionate about structural engineering and always strives to help clients realize their unique visions. She believes that expressive and ambitious architecture does not have to come at the expense of rational and efficient structural systems.
SELECTED PROJECTS
A new 12 storey residential building that will be constructed directly adjacent to the heritage St. Luke’s United Church. A portion of the new building will project overtop of the existing church. The project also includes demolition of some of the more recent additions around the main Sanctuary, and repurposing the existing main sanctuary building for new programming. Learn more…
KPMB Architects | Toronto, ON
Oakville Fire Station No. 8 is a hybrid structure – a combination of mass timber and structural steel. Aspect was the specialty mass timber engineer working under Element 5 who was responsible for the supply of the mass timber package. The building is designed with a high performing building enclosure resulting in better thermal performance and reduced energy costs. Learn More…
Lett Architects, Element5 | Oakville, ON
This 140,000 sq.ft building serves as the central training facility for all Canadian Armed Forces mechanical and electrical engineers. Built to accommodate modern military vehicles and specialized training equipment, the building includes storage areas, administration and office spaces, classrooms, and six high-bay shop spaces for equipment maintenance training.
RDHA Architects | Borden, ON
One of the 6 new subway stations on the TTC’s York-Spadina subway extension, this 175,000 sq.ft. station is a distinct, whimsical architectural landmark incorporating a unique subway entrance hall clad in weathered steel and red porcelain enamel. The adjacent bus terminal features a cantilevered Corten canopy.
IBI Group, aLL Design | Toronto, ON
*Work performed prior to joining Aspect
ASPECT couldn’t be happier to have Eva as a key member of our team. Our Associates are some of the best in the structural engineering business, learn more about our Associates.
Meet the Associates – Shawn Kennedy
We are thrilled to announce that Shawn Kennedy (P.Eng., PE, M.A.Sc.) has joined the ASPECT team as an Associate in our Toronto office. Shawn graduated from the University of Sherbrooke in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering, and began his career in Vancouver working mainly on Institutional, Commercial, Residential and Mass Timber projects. He completed his Master’s in Civil Engineering in 2014 from the University of Laval in Quebec City, where his research focused on connections for Mass Timber products.
Shawn has worked on several high-profile and award-winning projects in Canada and Internationally, including the Ashram Temple of Light in Kootenay Bay, BC; NLC Heavy Mechanical Trade Building in Dawson Creek, BC; Terrace House in Vancouver, BC; OSU Forest Science Complex in Corvallis, OR; and Créteil Office Building in Paris, France.
Shawn is passionate about Mass Timber, and his Master’s research focused on fastener capacity in timber engineered products, which served as the basis for the development of design equations on the latest CSA 086 standard.
SELECTED PROJECTS
This remote temple for the Yasodhara Ashram is on the forest’s edge overlooking Kootenay Lake. The structure consists of 8 large glulam arches connected by an innovative ring moment connection. Prefab light frame panels are laid across the arches to create the 3D flower shape of the temple. Learn more…
Patkau Architects | Kootenay Bay, BC
This building at the Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek provides workshops for carpentry, welding, plumbing, millwright, wind turbine technology, as well as student commons, classrooms, and offices. The building includes several skylights and long perimeter clerestories. The efficient mass timber structure includes prefabricated edge laminated veneer lumber (LVL) roof panels, LVL posts & beams, and cross laminated timber (CLT) walls. Learn More…
McFarland Marceau Architects | Dawson Creek, BC
A training facility for the students of heavy machinery, this building includes a large multifunctional workshop and several dedicated technology laboratories. Designed to offer much natural light, this two storey facility aims for an industrial yet elegant look, with structure including concrete, steel, masonry, and mass timber. Learn more…
OMB Architects | Dawson Creek, BC
An exceptional private home in Whistler, perched above Alta Lake. The finished product demonstrates a distinct attention to detail. Steel framing was utilized to achieve impressive cantilevers and wood construction was opted for at the upper levels. The residence is Passivhaus intent using specialized connectors to minimize the effect of heat bridges.
Gort Scott Architect | Whistler, BC
*Work performed prior to joining Aspect
PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
Aside from engineering many state-of-the-art buildings, Shawn is also engaged with the engineering community through publications and talks such as:
| ISM & SCGC Montreal & Quebec City | Oregon State University Peavy Hall Project | 2020 |
| Cecobois (Montreal & Quebec City) | Innovations in Mass Timber Design | 2018 |
| Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) | Mass Timber Structural Innovations | 2017 |
| WCTE Quebec City | Design Equations for Dowel Embedment Strength and Withdrawal Resistance for Threaded Fasteners in CLT | 2014 |
| Publication (WCTE) | Design Equations for Embedment Strength of Wood for Threaded Fasteners in the Canadian Timber Design Code | 2014 |
| Publication (WCTE) | Design Equation for Withdrawal Resistance of Threaded Fasteners in the Canadian Timber Design Code | 2014 |
| Publication (WCTE) | Design Equations for Dowel Embedment Strength and Withdrawal Resistance for Threaded Fasteners in CLT | 2014 |
ASPECT couldn’t be happier to have Shawn as a key member of our team. Our Associates are some of the best in the structural engineering business, learn more about our Associates.
Meet the Associates – Ilana Danzig
We are proud to announce that Ilana Danzig (P.Eng., M.Eng., PE, SE) has joined the ASPECT team as an associate in our Vancouver office. Ilana graduated from the University of Alberta in 2008 with a Bachelor's of Science in Civil Engineering, and began her career in Vancouver, BC working mainly on institutional projects, recreation facilities, and seismic retrofits. In 2012, Ilana attended the University of British Columbia for a Master's in Structural Engineering studying dynamics, seismic design, and mass timber structures. Her research focused on mass timber engineering in high-seismic zones, particularly connections for CLT diaphragms and shearwalls.
With over a decade of structural engineering experience, Ilana has worked on a wide range of projects in Canada and the US including the UBC Aquatic Centre, the Audain Art Museum, and the Oregon State University College of Forestry.
Experienced in all materials, she is passionate in structural mass timber design and seismic engineering. In her role as Associate at ASPECT, Ilana contributes to the continual improvement of the firm's technical and quality standards, and enthusiastically provides mentorship to our up-and-coming engineers.
SELECTED PROJECTS
The design of two mass timber buildings located in Langford, BC is currently underway: Terminus (5 stories, office) and Tallwood (12 stories, residential). The structural systems have been carefully chosen for each building to balance cost, functionality, and performance. Learn more…
Jack James Architect | Langford, BC
A sectional split brings light deep into the center of the natatorium plan, where it is reflected or diffused to provide required natural lighting condition. Fully accessible and inclusive, while visually symbolizing the eminent venue of international competition. Designed to LEED Gold standards, the project focuses on daylighting, innovative water re-use and air quality strategies that are precedent-setting for North American aquatic facilities. Learn More…
Acton Ostry Architects / MJMA | Vancouver, BC
The Radium Hot Springs Community Hall and Library was built using an innovative DLT roof structure supported by glue laminated timber (glulam) beams and columns. Local sourcing was integrally important to the project. This project as featured on naturally:wood
Urban Arts Architecture | Radium, BC
The Oregon Forest Science Complex uses advanced wood products including cross-laminated timber made in Oregon. The complex showcases Oregon State’s premier forestry and wood science initiatives and devotion to improving our forest landscapes and ecosystems. Learn More.
Michael Green Architecture | Corvallis, OR
A beautiful, dynamic project that literally wraps users around nature, blurring the boundaries between man-made and natural. It creates a cultural magnet to help educate not only art, but eco-friendly design. Featured in Architect Magazine.
Patkau Architects | Whistler, BC
*Work performed prior to joining Aspect
PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS
Ilana not only has engineered many state of the art building she also gives back to the engineering community through her publications and talks such as:
| Tallwood Cost Comparison Study | Canadian Wood Council | Not Yet Published |
| Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada. Contributor and Peer Reviewer | Published by FPInnovations | 2013 and second edition in 2022 |
| Terminus, Vancouver Island: Solving a Mass Timber Challenge in a Seismic Region | The Structural Engineer (IStructE publication) | April 2022 |
| Terminus: Innovative Seismic Design For Mass Timber | Published in New Zealand Timber Design Journal, Volume 29, Issue 4 | November 2021 |
| Speaker | Future of Prefabrication Symposium, UBC | March 2022 |
| Mass Timber in High Seismic | Structural Engineering Podcast, Episode 59 | May 2021 |
| Terminus: Innovative Seismic Design | Published in Construction Business | April/May 2021 |
| Speaker | Future of Prefabrication Symposium, UBC | March 2021 |
| Demystifying Tall Wood Buildings | Published in Construction Business | September/October 2020 |
| Tall Wood Buildings | Conferences in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, and Edmonton with WoodWORKS! BC | 2019 |
| Mass Timber + Prefab Housing | Mass Timber Meetup | September 2021 |
ASPECT couldn't be happier to have Ilana as a key member of our team. Our Associates are some of the best in the structural engineering business, learn more about our Associates.
