Permits in Good Hands with Jay Wiwchar

Jay Wiwchar is now Inertia’s Permit Coordinator. He is responsible for the submission and administration of all permits submitted by Gravity, including development permits, building permits, and land use permits.

He brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry to his position at Gravity. 

He began his journey into the construction industry as an electrician in 1998. After obtaining his Red Seal in the electrical trade, he then obtained Master’s certification and introductory training as a safety codes officer. Always looking to gain knowledge, in 2009 Jay returned to school obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Communications Studies from the University of Calgary.

Jay’s previous projects in the electrical trade included roles in management and quality control administration and these roles assisted in his sound knowledge of government policy and legislation related to the construction industry. These roles, along with his lifelong fascination with the aesthetics and process of building design ignited Jay’s desire to oversee the administrative function of a project and added to his pursuit of a technology diploma in architecture.

He completed the Architectural Technologist program at SAIT in 2021, fulfilling his childhood aspiration to work in the field of architecture.

Jay has lived in Calgary for the past 20 years and enjoys the company of his wife and cats, renovating his century home, cycling, skiing, and long drives in the countryside.

We welcome Jay to the team at Inertia!

Trishuda Jain's Anniversary and Promotion

We're pleased to announce that Trishuda Jain as been on our team for ten years. As well, we’re happy to share that Trishuda has been promoted to the role of Project Manager.

Trishuda completed an Architectural Assistantship program in 2000 from India. She started her career with Kalpakriti Consultants where she gained experience in residential planning and interior design. Later, she got an independent opportunity for designing various oil and gas stations in Northern India. In 2005, she joined the municipal urban planning department where she contributed her experience on city wide projects. During this period of time she worked on AutoCAD, ADT and Revit.

After coming to Canada, Trishuda resumed her career as a technologist with Genesis Builders Group where she gained experience in the residential suburban housing market. Trishuda joined Inertia in 2010 as our second employee and has since been an integral team member of Inertia Residential Design.

Trishuda now is a project manager at Gravity Architecture with responsibilities that include managing the firm’s larger scale projects as well as monitoring project performance across all of our projects.

Congratulations on your work anniversary and promotion, Trishuda!

A Message to Our Clients and Community

We’re still working hard on your projects remotely, however we can’t confirm everyone is wearing pants...
Please enjoy this gallery of the team practicing social distancing.

From the entire Gravity Team - Be Safe, Stay Healthy, and Wash Your Hands!

We’re all available by email, phone, and video conference. Appointments are still available at the office, though pants are mandatory!

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Inertia's New Location!

On August 12, 2019, Inertia Residential Design will open at our new studio at 405-999 8 ST SW in Calgary’s Beltline district.

There was lots that we liked about our old location. It was relatively central, easy to get to, had lots of free parking, and it was easy to pop outside for a breath of fresh air. However, on the downside, our studio was split into two spaces which made team communication feel disconnected. Moreover, it only had copper pair for internet services, so we had to rely on a fixed wireless connection to get even modest speeds.

After an extensive search, we chose our new location because it fixes these problems, while creating a lot of new opportunities. We were able to add about 1000 SF, which gives us a larger studio, a second board room, a kitchen large enough to gather in, and a usable storage room. Being in the Beltline gives our staff more transportation options, and puts us close to City Hall and our printer. We were also careful to choose a building that has a good supply of free two-hour visitors stalls for our clients. It also doesn’t hurt for us to be so close to M.E.C., The Holy Grill, Posto, Analog, etc.

We look forward to welcoming visitors to our new space.

Gord Alexander Joins Inertia

Inertia welcomes Gord Alexander to the team!

Upon graduating from SAIT Polytechnic’s Architectural Technologies program in 2003, Gord began his career at Cutforth Technologists where he focused on completing plans for hotels all over rural Alberta as well as custom summer homes at some of our popular lake communities.

Gord then moved into the residential world full time when he started at Albi Homes where he did all aspects of design from custom homes, site construction supervision, and management . As part of the product development team they were the recipients of several local and national SAM awards for design excellence. During his time here, Gord also completed the Lean Construction Program which focuses on customer value, construction and design efficiencies, as well as improved process flow and a minimization of waste. It is these principles that Gord is mindful of when designing any new residential project.

Gord has spent time getting builders like Homes by Dream up and running by helping set up design software and procedures as well as providing several new house models with everything from cozy starter homes to move up models and Estate homes. 

Inertia’s commitment to urbanization through bold and striking architecture is what made Gord most excited about joining the Inertia team.

Welcome Gord!

Inertia Welcomes Marcella Borrelli

We're very happy that Marcella Borrelli has joined our team at Inertia!

Marcella graduated from SAIT Polytechnic in 2011 with a diploma in Architectural Technology. Throughout her education and early career, she has developed many valuable skills including a working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, and best construction practices.

After graduating she worked at a small custom firm PDW Design, gaining knowledge in completing as-builts, and creating construction drawings for both residential and commercial spaces. From there she obtained a position at Excel Homes, where she became a member of the production team. In 2014 she made the move to the custom home world at Phase One Design, where she managed many projects, completing construction drawings, growing her design skills and knowledge of many municipalities Land Use Bylaw in Alberta and BC. In her spare time Marcella enjoys exploring her love of cooking for friends and family as well as indulging in her love for live music by attending many local shows. She enjoys giving back to the community as is actively involved with volunteering and organizing many local charity events.

Welcome Marcella!

Jenson Advocates Diversity in East Village

While most of us know Tom Jenson as the Lead Technologist here at Inertia and Gravity, as well as being a student of architecture at the Faculty of Environmental Design at the University of Calgary, Tom is also the director of the planning committee for the East Village Neighbourhood Association (EVNA).

In a recent article in the Calgary Real Estate Board’s blog, Tom discusses how Calgary’s East Village needs, and is achieving, diversity in its population to attract the services the community requires.

Tom says that the “EVNA wants to ensure there are affordable places to live in our community for everyone, from the retail clerks in our local shops and cafes to the oil executives working in our neighbouring office towers.”

We appreciate the work Tom is doing in all of his roles toward making Calgary a better place to live.

Image from CREB article, originally courtesy Calgary Municipal Land Corp.

Yvette Perot Earns CCCA Designation

Yvette Perot, our Contract and Construction Administrator, has just earned her designation as Certified Construction Contract Administrator.

As prerequisites of this designation, Yvette is a member of Construction Specifications Canada and has successfully completed the Principles of Construction Documentation and Construction Contract Administration course. Yvette also has well over the minimum of five years experience in the administration of construction contracts.

More information about this designation is available here. Congratulations Yvette!

Paul Mowat Joins Inertia and Gravity

Paul Mowat has had a well established career in Calgary as an architectural contractor. We’re happy to announce that he has chosen join the team here at Inertia and Gravity.

Paul has over twenty years of experience on a wide range of projects from multi-family, long term care and independent living facilities, low-to-mid rise buildings, commercial, institutional, correctional and custom house design and detailing. His primary focus is on detailing the sequencing of building materials, the building envelope design and barrier membrane continuity and integrity.

In addition, Paul also has extensive contract administration experience having managed building phases 1, 2 & 3 of a long term care and independent living facility in Evanston, Calgary. During the three years on this site he used his expertise in building design to provide guidance to the site supervisor and sub-trades to successfully execute the contract documentation. This was achieved while maintaining quality control and remaining on budget and on time.

In his spare time Paul likes to build rustic custom furniture, barn doors.

Welcome Paul!

Welcome Aboard Amy Ford

Amy Ford has joined the team at Inertia and Gravity!

Amy started her career working for Omega Partnership in the United Kingdom as an RIBA Architectural Assistant, working on residential projects for many different housing developers. Whilst working at this firm, Amy completed her BA(Hons) degree in Architecture from Kingston University in 2014. Throughout her 14 years at Omega, Amy worked on single family house design, multi-family developments, listed building applications and masterplan design. 

Amy left to gain more construction experience and started work for Thames Design and Build as a Design Manager, taking projects from initial conceptual design, development and building permit application through to on-site project and site management. Here she worked on custom home design, interior design and additions. 

Amy’s passion for skiing and winter sports brought her to Canada in 2016. Her first role was with Home by Avi Urban as an Architectural Designer working for Multi-family projects. Amy then took a position at Envision Custom Renovations where she was responsible for interior design, additions, specifications and selections.

Welcome Amy!

Anthony Pienkos Joins Our Team

We're pleased to inform you that Anthony Pienkos is now on the Inertia and Gravity team.

Anthony Completed his Architectural Technologies diploma in 2016 From SAIT in Calgary. Prior to discovering his love of architecture, Anthony studied Anthropology at MRU and installed modular partitions from suppliers such as DIRTT and Teknion on notable projects including Norman Foster’s Bow Building and the University of Calgary.

Anthony comes to us from DIALOG in Vancouver, where he worked as a contract administrator assistant for the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Westbank and DIALOG Joint Highrise Project known as Vancouver House which was awarded “Future Building of the year 2015” by the World Architecture Festival. During his time at DIALOG, Anthony was also able to become a Canadian BIM Council certified P2 BIM coordinator. 

Not only is Anthony a competent Revit user but he is also well versed in design and visualization Software such as Lumion, Sketchup, Adobe Creative Suite and 3DS Max as well. He also has experience using BIM software such as Navisworks, 360 BIM glue and Revit Live.

Welcome aboard, Anthony!

Welcome Back, Paul.

Inertia is celebrating it's twelfth birthday this month. As we've reported before in this blog, Inertia was founded by Trent Letwiniuk, Stephen Barnecut and Paul Shannon back in aught six. We worked out of our houses at first, then into one basement, and another, and then teamed up to share office space with Casola Koppe Architects. In fact, Paul has spent the last five years with Casola Koppe learning about how to bring large residential projects off the spreadsheet and into reality.

We're very excited to announce that Paul has returned to Inertia, and has taken up the role of Senior Project Manager. Paul is now running Inertia and Gravity's larger and more complex projects.

Paul completed the Architectural Technology program in conjunction with the Co-operative Education Program at Fanshawe College in Ontario in 1999. The Co-operative Education included one semester per year of on-site work experience, which put his theory into practice. Upon graduation, Paul moved to Calgary and soon began at Calbridge Fine Homes as their sole designer/draftsman and product developer, working on mostly custom homes and small multi-family projects. In the Fall of 2003, Paul moved to Jager and AlanRidge Homes as the Senior AlanRidge Designer and member of the product development team. At Jager and AlanRidge, Paul worked one-on-one with clients and was able to further hone his skills in the custom and estate home market. In the Spring of 2006, Paul left Jager and AlanRidge to co-found Inertia Corporation where he managed his own group of clients.

In 2009 Paul took a hiatus from Inertia to work at Robert Pashuk Architecture and pursue the RAIC Syllabus program. After spending a year and a half back at Inertia, Paul then took a role as Senior Architectural Technologist at Casola Koppe Architecture where he continued to work on larger multi-residential projects. He returned to Inertia and Gravity at the beginning of 2018 in the role of Senior Project Manager.

We're happy to have you back, Paul.

Welcome Harvey Hibo

We're happy to announce that Harvey Hibo has joined the team at Inertia and Gravity!

Harvey received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Toronto in 2003. He has since worked with a variety of design firms and developers, closely involved in aspects of architectural service ranging from evaluation, planning and design. Harvey is registered as an Intern Architect with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA).

Harvey brings 15 years of experience in the field of technical, construction drawings and contract administration with strong background in institutional, recreation, commercial and community projects involving master planning design and processing contract documents. Harvey provides value to Gravity and Inertia's clients through his design innovation and process efficiency.

We're happy to have you, Harvey!

Kathryn Thorkildsen Joins the Inertia and Gravity Team

Late last year, Kathryn Thorkildsen joined the team at Inertia and Gravity.

From Frank Lloyd Wright to Frank Gehry, Kathryn has always had an appreciation for all styles and methods of architecture and knew from a young age that she would have a career in the industry. In 2003 she graduated from the Architectural Technologies program at SAIT and has since had a primary focus in Single Family Residential.

Kicking off her career working for Evans 2 Design Group doing architectural controls, Kat moved on to work with Jackson Baker McCormick Design Group. There she managed her projects in all aspects including the creation of detailed construction drawings, product research, permits, and working with each trades to ensure the end result met or exceeded expectations. As a member of the innovative product development team at Albi Homes she honed in on her love for design, and her team was rewarded with multiple Regional and National SAM awards. Bringing both her technical skills and her passion for design, Kat joined Inertia and Gravity in the fall of 2017 and is a welcome addition to our team.

Welcome Kathryn!

Inertia and Gravity Welcome Sadaf Rabbani

Inertia is happy to announce that Sadaf Rabbani has joined our team.

Sadaf received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran, in 2008. During and after graduation, Sadaf worked for three years as an architectural designer in an architectural firm, where she gained design experience in several residential projects ranging from single family to multi-residential buildings. 

After moving to Canada, Sadaf started her Master of Architecture study at the University of Calgary, and received her degree in 2014. Following that, she started working as an intern architect at IBI Group, where she was involved in several projects ranging from commercial to residential buildings. Sadaf has gained experience in different stages of the design process including programming, schematic design, design development, building code review, construction documentation, and construction administration. To extend her knowledge into more detailed aspects of residential buildings, Sadaf joined Inertia Corporation in March 2017. 

Nooshin Esmaeili Joins Inertia and Gravity

We've very happy to have Nooshin Esmaeili with us at Inertia and Gravity.

Nooshin received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Calgary in 2012. Soon after graduation she became registered as an Intern Architect with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA).

Prior to joining Inertia Corporation in 2017, Nooshin was involved in various industrial, commercial and healthcare projects at Amec Foster Wheeler and at Stantec. She gained extensive knowledge in different phases of the architectural process including design, contract administration and project management.

Welcome to the team, Nooshin!

Seeking Architectural Technologist

Inertia is currently undergoing a period of growth. With this expansion and increasing number of projects, we are in need of a team player to who will extend our great reputation for high quality work while maintaining our positive working environment. We are currently searching for an Architectural Technologist that has experience using Autodesk Revit.

As an Architectural Technologist, the successful candidate will be responsible for generating new architectural designs, including plans, elevations, details, perspectives and other views as required. The Technologist will principally be working in Revit, though he or she will also be helping with project management, drafting, administration, interacting with clients and vendors, occasionally going on site, working on a variety of projects, and will be set into an excellent position of growing within this expanding firm.

The successful candidate will be in possession of an Architectural Technologist Diploma and will need to have an understanding of both the Alberta Building Code and the Calgary Land Use Bylaw. The Technologist will also need to have meaningful experience with Revit. Inertia is a firm that is always interested in individuals that have experience working on a variety of projects, but having residential experience is an asset as this is our firm’s specialty. These are the minimal requirements for this position, with all other experience being advantages for the successful candidate.

An excellent opportunity awaits the successful candidate, including a competitive base salary, and a opportunities for growth within the company. If you believe that this could be a perfect fit for you, please send your resume immediately, or if you know the perfect person for this position then feel free to forward this correspondence. All applications will be kept in the strictest of confidence.

To inquire about or apply for the position, please visit the job posting on LinkedIn.

Jason Glasser Joins the Inertia Team

With Inertia's growth, and the creation of Gravity Architecture, we saw the need to bring on a professional project manager to ensure that every job we work on proceeds as smoothly as possible and that very little falls through the cracks. We met Jason in December of 2016 and were able to bring him on board at the beginning of January this year.

Jason brings more than 20 years of industry experience. He started ‘on the tools’ as a framer and HVAC installer while attending Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. After graduation, Jason worked at small architectural firms working on institutional and commercial projects in Ontario, and then transitioned to Calgary as a Senior Architectural Technologist and job captain on large scale institutional projects. More recently, Jason had the role of Project manager and Contract Administrator working for architectural firms such as Kasian Architecture, Sahuri + Partners, and the Calgary Airport Authority. 

We've very happy to have Jason on the Inertia and Gravity teams.