About Us
Kirsten Dow-Pearce heads Dow-Pearce Design as a free-range parent with good grammar, good hair, an intriguing fascination for rusted steel, an uncanny predictor of color trends, a believer in the theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their footwear, and a possessor of oodles of practical (and not so practical!) creativity.
DPd co-ordinates all consultants and contractors (i.e. surveyors, municipal authorities, engineers, consultants, general and sub-contractors, and technicians) to deliver full spectrum design services to our clients.
As a smaller firm working mainly in residential design--both new builds and renovations of existing--clients are assured individualized and personal design services throughout all phases of design, drafting, construction and administration.
DPd offers its clients personal and individual services with principal involvement in all stages of a project. From the initial "big idea" sketch phase through to unlocking the door to a brand new home, DPd is there to support you every step of the way.
Services Provided
Architectural Design Programming Space Planning Interior Design Landscape Design Furniture and Fixture Specifications Construction Drawings Specification Documents Additions, Remodels, and Renovations New Builds Consultant Coordination Contractor Coordination Construction Oversight
Areas Served
Calgary and surrounding areas (although DPd has worked from Calgary on projects in both Vancouver and Ontario)
Awards
University of Calgary--Masters of Architecture University of Calgary--BA (Art History) City of Calgary Heritage Award 2003 Western Living Residential Design Award 2003
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Business Details
Business Name
Dow-Pearce Design
Phone Number
(403) 620-8004
Website
Address
Calgary, Alberta T2E 4C4
Canada
Typical Job Cost
CAD $1500 - $1.5 million
Followers
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Credentials
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7 Ideabooks
Contact Dow-Pearce Design
As you indicate in your review, you were exposed to certain ideas and suggestions outside of your frame of reference, which is likely why you hired a designer. My design experience has led me to find materials, methods and techniques that work better than others and some that I will never recommend based on my own personal preferences or objections, and which were expanded upon whenever they were questioned. Rarely are these preferences and objections overlooked by clients who recognize that they have hired me for my design capability and not simply as someone to implement their vision. Designing a home is a marriage of visions and I always do my best to ensure that my clients are well informed of their choices and options within their preferences while also maintaining what I deem to be the standards and aesthetic of my own practice. It is this quality service which most of my clients seek. In the end however, it is always the client’s home, and the client has the final say in what materials or colors are finally implemented.
Your displeasure with much of the exterior color differences between components was well noted throughout the construction process and every possible effort to meet your eye for exacting color matches was made—including changing minor tint discrepancies noted between disparate materials. Many decisions in a renovation of an existing exterior cannot be made ahead and issues are addressed as they arise and within the budgetary constraints provided. Both the design and construction teams were acutely aware of your budget and all choices, both material and method, were reflective of this.
While all designers endeavour to foresee all ‘as-built’ conditions, the realities of wood frame construction, intermittent site visits and structural changes often preclude this objective. I apologize for any design intentions that did not mesh with ‘as-built’ realities, but this is part of the typical design process. The design principles which I employ to make changes to a paper design (thereby resulting in an improved condition) are sometimes (unfortunately) required to modify an intended architectural design to reflect what the built condition will allow.
I do not ever want a client to be distressed by any aspect of the processes of design and construction and have always, and will always, do my utmost to rectify any situation to their satisfaction, and within the reasonable purview of my profession. I believe that DPd has done so with respect to your project and which has been recognized in your overall rating of your experience. Thank you again for taking the time to review it.