Cathryn John
Intern Architect, AIBC, MRAIC
M.Arch. B.Des, S.P.A.C.E. Minor
Cathryn is a part of Reimagine's West Coast team, and lives in the City of North Vancouver (on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations).
Cathryn was born and raised in Vancouver. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an artist or an architect - and she tried being an artist first! As an artist, she designed and illustrated children's books, undertaking varied commissions along the way. She realized that she wanted to belong to a team, and pivoted toward architecture. She remembers the moment of clarity: "My family and I were playing a card game that asks questions and the question that came up for me was: "What would you do if you could do anything and money wasn't a problem?" and I replied "architecture!"
Cathryn studied Industrial Design at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design (with a minor in Social Practices and Community Engagement) and she followed this up with a Masters at the University of Calgary.
Cathryn references her experience as an artist and uses the associated skills to help communicate ideas through the course of her architectural practice. She loves working with people. "I love the engagement sessions we have and bringing people's visions to life, and how architecture really puts you in the mindset of the people you are designing for: imagining the needs, wants and movements of each person as they move through the building," she says.
Outside of the office, Cathryn paints (mostly in acrylic), creates ceramics, hikes, runs, and bikes. She is interested in social justice, environmentalism and curling up with a great book.