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The Tricor Design Group is a diversified residential design firm catering to clientele throughout Southern Alberta. Our projects range from small renovations to large custom acreage homes to multi-story multifamily projects. Regardless of project budget, Tricor is known for successfully working to create the most exciting and unique projects possible. We strive to build designs around our clients' needs and desires to ensure their vision is fully realized.
Enjoy your visit with us!
ABOUT TRICOR DESIGNS
BIO
More than any signature style or particular expression, creative flexibility is fundamental to the Tricor Design Group. Each design springs from blending unique site qualities with careful attention to the personal requirements and dreams of the individual clients. Our philosophy is that the process, itself, is integral to the final design. Through active collaboration with the client, our team balances need, desire, context, concept, and detail. Designing form to creatively follow function, Tricor conceptualizes projects that are creative, dynamic, and sound design solutions for specific clients' needs.
Tricor, established in 1985, has a long history of working with developers, builders, and owners to provide innovative design solutions for specific project requirements. Tricor has designed homes for over 9,000 families, and worked with many of Calgary's top builders such as: Albi, Cardel, Maillot, Lionsworthe, Sandlewood, Morrison, Jayman, Westglen, Intergulf-Cidex, and Truman to name a few. Quality architectural design, superb professional service, and liberal technical expertise are hallmarks of Tricor.
Tricor provides comprehensive services pertaining to custom acreages, inner city developments, recreational properties, multifamily, renovations, commercial projects, site planning, and architectural controls.
We look forward to working with you in creating your unique project.
COMPANY PRINICPALS - MIKE BORKRISTL And PAUL OLSEN
ABOUT MIKE BORKRISTL
Mike's career started at an early age, working with his high school teacher preparing working drawings in the summer of 1975. After graduation, Mike moved on to the architectural program at SAIT, eventually landing his first job at NU-WEST Homes in 1978. After 2 years with NU-WEST, Mike partnered with Tim Luini and a company called Luini and Associates.
By 1980, Mike purchased the company and changed the name to MTB Design-Tech. Many of the early clients included some of the industry leaders of today. Cardel Homes, Mauro Bros which became Albi Homes, Homes by Avi, Sandlewood Developments, Westglen Homes, Maillot Homes, and B&H Homes which became Jayman Homes were just some of the clientele in those days.
By 1985, MTB Design-Tech was purchased by one of the senior partners and Mike once again struck out on his own. The new company, Tricor Designs Ltd, worked exclusively for three corporations, Sandlewood, Westglen and Maillot Homes.
Since 1985, Tricor has produced some of the finest custom homes in the city and has completed over 9000 custom homes, townhomes, villas, multi-family units and renovations since then. As lead designer, many of the projects have been Mike's creations, and some with collaboration from other designers and builders.
Mike is also actively involved in volunteering with CRHBA and the Student House program at the High School and SAIT levels. The program started in the early 70's and Mike participated in both competitions, winning both in consecutive years. In 1978, working with NU-WEST, and now being in the industry, Mike was asked to help judge the competition, which eventually lead to chairing the program, and has since been active continuously for over 31 years and counting.
ABOUT PAUL OLSEN
Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. - Napolean Hill
My memories of growing up in new suburban neighborhoods climbing through newly-framed homes and multifamily projects playing with my friends, and occasionally liberating building materials to build tree houses and forts for our own enjoyment. Somewhere somehow all that must have influenced and ultimately led me to this career.
As a lost soul following my high school sweetheart to SAIT Polytechnic and taking Architectural Technologies after deciding that engineering wasn't going to be my path, I discovered that I really enjoyed working with residential architecture.
I started out working for a small residential design firm, which eventually led to working for one of Western Canada's largest builders for over 10 years. Confidence from upper management in my aspiring abilities eventually led me into the creative design side of this business. Desire met opportunity that day, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I feel very passionate about what we set out to achieve creatively in this industry. We try to balance the needs and requests of individual stakeholders, builders, developers, and municipalities alike who individually combine to make decisions that influence the ongoing evolution of our communities, towns and cities.
We all participate in creating what I would like to refer to as a lasting legacy of our combined ideas and beliefs. I feel privileged to play a small role in contributing to this legacy.
I enjoy interpreting and putting to paper your dreams and desires regarding your future homes; where you are establishing and nurturing your most important legacy - your families.
Thank you for allowing the Tricor Team to play a role in your lasting legacy.
COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY
The Tricor Design Group strives to be a good citizen. We benefit greatly from living and working in Southern Alberta and we try to give a little back now and then. Our Core Values involve being part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem. We aim to be socially responsible through philanthropy, community service and the ways we operate. We commit part of our profits to a variety of community investment programs such as:
Calgary Zoo Animal Projects Sponsorship
In partnership with the Canadian Home Builders Association- Calgary Region, we are facilitators of and volunteers with, the annual Student House Design Competition. This competition has run for over 30 years, and allows students at both the high school and SAIT levels of education the ability to actively participate in a future career-path driven competition to design a home judged by industry members.
TRICOR DESIGNS' SERVICES
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?
- Concept Design and Development
- Development Permit Drawings and Submission
- Construction Documents
- Building Permit Submission
- Subdivision Architectural Controls
We are also happy to assist you in the task of selecting a contractor, trades, other professionals, and suppliers.
HOW MUCH DO YOUR SERVICES COST?
Pricing is determined on an individual project basis and takes into consideration many varied factors such as:
- Size of the project
- Complexity of the project
- Specific challenges of the site
- Unique client requests
Please contact us to set up an initial consultation to discuss your specific needs.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH YOUR SERVICES?
Development Permits
- Site plan
- ARP Analysis/Research Time/By Laws/ Site Photos
- Block Plans
- Streetscapes
- Site Plans
- Landscape Plan
- Lot Grading
- Garage Plans
- Permit Applications
- City Planning Liaison
- Perspectives / Additional Information
Custom Residential Projects
- Design Concept(s)
- Color Boards
- Landscape Plans
- Perspective Drawings
- Architectural Submissions
- Main & Upper Floors
- Lower Level Development
- Cross Sections
- Ceiling Details
- Additional General Details
- Tall Wall Details
- Roof Plan
- Site Analysis (Grades)
- Final site plans
- Blueprinting Services
- Site Inspections
Renovations
- Same as above plus....
- Onsite measurements
- Liaison with trades and suppliers
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. Why Use Tricor Design Group?
A1. One word - Experience.
We have senior designers, with over 100 years of experience, with the ability to provide individual creative input in team design conceptualization. Working together, we can create better envisioned and impassioned designs for our customers.
Our production department features talented architectural technicians trained through a variety of post-secondary technical institutions.
We have designed over 9,000 individual home plans throughout our history. We are constantly researching relevant issues and concepts such as: Green Building, Chemical Sensitivities, Feng Shui, Not So Big House, and Barrier-Free Living to name a few.
We have an organized system-driven approach to our projects from start to finish.
Our drawings feature detailed construction components and best practices.
We have worked with an amazing array of well recognized builders over the years such as: Alanridge, Albi, Avi, Cardel, Jager, Jaymack, Jayman, Kingsmith, Lifestyle, Lindal, Lionsworthe, Maillot, Morrison, Sandlewood, Truman, and Westglen.
Q2. How do we start the design process?
A2. First, we encourage you to pay attention to your existing home where you live right now. Think about what is working for you, and what does not. When visiting friends homes or show homes, pay attention to details you see that feel right to you.
Take a look at our preliminary questionnaire which might help you get started on the process of defining more clearly what you want your home to be. Start compiling your dream file photos, magazine articles, necessary feature lists, pictures, and even your own personal sketches. All these items can help contribute greatly to the final design by giving us clearer guidelines.
Also, we are more than willing to set up a meeting or discuss on the phone about what youre thinking.
We have worked very successfully in long distance relationships with some of our clients.
Email, fax and conference calls allow us to keep our clients informed and involved in the entire design process even from a distance.
Q3. Should we find the builder or the designer first?
A3. Sometimes you are dealing with building in an area where you must purchase a lot from a builder; sometimes you are able to purchase your own lot. Sometimes the builders have their own design team in place and you may only use them; sometimes they are flexible on who designs their customers plans.
If you choose the route of finding the builder (or contractor) first, we can work alongside of them with you to ensure that your home is designed the way that you want it working with their particular standards and procedures. We are generally more systems, standards, and big picture driven in relation to the design itself in this choice.
If you choose the designer first, you will create your new home independent of a particular builders methods and standards and be more focused on the design itself. It may also give you a stronger ability to tender for price comparison with multiple builders as we complete the design process. We are generally more design driven in this choice.
Either way that you go, the Tricor Design Group can assist in designing your new home plan.
Q4. What should we look for in a residential designer or architect?
A4. You should choose your personal home designer as you would choose any other professional.
Their reputation, portfolio and references are of significant importance, but be sure to interview them in person as well. You will be creating a rather close relationship with them for an extended period of time.
Custom home design is a very personal experience and you must be sure that the person you select will listen to your specific needs and requests, and be willing and able to design the home of your dreams, not theirs. You will spend considerable time with your designer and will share important parts of your life with them. Be sure that you like and trust them.
Design experience and technical knowledge is extremely important, but personality and character you can trust and enjoy is also important.
Q5. What qualifying professional background do you have?
A5. Most of team members are registered Architectural Technologists or Certified Residential Designers.
Our architects are graduates of Canadian universities, are licensed in various provinces and states, and members with the Alberta Association of Architects.
Q6. How long does the design process usually take?
A6. This varies based on the size and complexity of your home design, and factors such as community boards and city approval, as well as your ability to make timely decisions.
Usually, from the time we begin design to the time we are ready to submit the finished construction drawings for a residential building permit is about 2-6 months. Most of the homes we design are built in 9-15 months.
Q7. Will our design meet our budget requirements?
A7. We work closely with experienced custom home builders and renovators and we generally consult with them for advice on general construction costing during the design process with our clients.
We are happy to work with the builder of your choice, help you select a qualified builder, or to refer you to a contractor we have worked well with in the past.
Q8. Do you have existing stock plans that we can purchase?
A8. Yes we do.
The Tricor Design Group has produced over 9000 unique plans over the years.
We possess a large portfolio of custom acreage and inner city homes, as well as multi family designs.
Due to risk of copyright infringement we do not post these on our website. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Q9. Do we require other professional services?
A9. Theres definitely a possibility that this can occur.
This is determined by the complexity of the project, and changing building code and local municipality requirements.
We will notify you if a structural engineer provide engineering services on your custom home or extensive renovation project.
As well, it is sometimes necessary to consult with:
mechanical engineers
surveyors
soil engineers
and similar professionals.
Some of the other specialists occasionally brought into the team on a luxury custom home or multi-family project:
Interior designers
Landscape architects
Lighting designers
Pool consultants
Audio/visual consultants
Fitness center consultants
Kitchen designers
This is determined by our clients budget and expectations.
Q10. Can you refer professional contractors and trades?
A10. Yes we can.
We work with a large number of custom home builders, developers, and renovators. We also have formed relationships with many local trades and suppliers through the years.
We would be happy to offer suggestions on your project.
Q11. What organizations do you belong to?
A11. We belong to the Better Business Bureau, and we are members of the Canadian Home Builders Association - Calgary Region.
CONTACT TRICOR DESIGNS
201-4216 12th Street NE
Calgary AB
T2E 6K9
T. 403 203 1970
F. 403 203 1990