GBL Welcomes New Associates

Date

03 Apr 2024

GBL is pleased to welcome four new Associates to join our leadership team.

Roberto Podda grew up and studied architecture in Italy, where he graduated with a Master of Architecture from Università degli Studi di Cagliari. Roberto’s exceptional architectural design and graphic communication skills brought him to join the GBL team in 2013.

His portfolio with GBL embraces a multitude of projects, contributing to the architectural design as well as the coordination with clients, authorities, and consultants, through Rezoning Enquiries, Rezoning, and Development Permit phases.

He is currently working on the design and coordination for the building permit issuance for Block, a mixed-use tower in Downtown Vancouver which includes a heritage conservation, a hotel and a residential component, as well as the design development for Heather Lands – Parcel A, in Vancouver, and 108 Ave. & King George Blvd, in Surrey.

Emily Brett received her Master of Architecture degree from Carleton University in 2015 and joined GBL in 2016. Emily has worked on a wide range of mixed-use and residential projects including Richmond Centre Phase 1 in Richmond, a large-scale mixed-use project with complex programmatic requirements and a number of different stakeholders.

Emily is also the Project Architect for The Standard, a 43-storey tower, townhomes, and rental building at 6444 Willingdon Ave in Burnaby. She was responsible for design development and successfully facilitated the issuance of the suitable plan of development, preliminary plan of approval, and building permit for the project.

Emily is currently working on several rental housing projects, including 546 W13th Ave, 1045 Burnaby Street, and 2175 W7th Ave in Vancouver and 5491 No 2 Rd in Richmond. These projects often come with additional design requirements from funding providers, as well as the client’s requirements.

Doug Wood joined the GBL team in 2017.  He brings a multi-faceted approach to his role as an Architectural Technologist. He has worked on a variety of projects including schools, recreation buildings, protective services, libraries, churches, commercial and industrial buildings as well as single and multi-family developments. He is responsible for production and coordination of design development and working drawings and is actively involved with his projects through to final occupancy.

Douglas also acts as the BIM manager of GBL Architects and is responsible for implementing efficient and effective use of technologies within the office. He coordinates the BIM processes for small to large teams and across multiple software platforms. He also utilizes his skills to help streamline efficiency and reliability in the model data.

Daniel Dirscherl joined the GBL team in 2021, bringing over 18 years of professional experience ranging from single family homes to complex, mixed-use community developments and retail commercial buildings, in addition to leading design teams for municipal and regional infrastructure projects.

Possessing a wide range of experience as a project and design lead, Daniel applies a broad spectrum of creative software suites coupled with an in-depth understanding of technical aspects of building performance and construction methodology. He is responsible for design development, production, and oversight of permitting and working drawings, as well as project administration.

Daniel is currently the Project Architect for Metric, a residential development in Burnaby. Metric consists of a 4-storey wood-frame low rise and a 34-storey tower, housing over 223,000 SF and encompassing 218 market strata, 47 market rental and 41 subsidized rental units. Daniel is a LEED accredited professional, as well as an accredited BC Housing Post Disaster Building Assessor. He currently serves on the City of Pitt Meadows Advisory Design Panel and is an acting AIBC mentor.

Congratulations to Roberto, Emily, Doug, and Daniel, we look forward to their continued success as new leaders at GBL!