Firm
Checkwitch Poiron Architects
Checkwitch Poiron Architects is an award-winning, principal-led architectural firm with offices in Vancouver and Nanaimo. Since 2012, we have delivered complex projects for communities throughout coastal British Columbia.
CPA was formed through the merger of Ben Checkwitch Design in New York and David Poiron Architect in Nanaimo, combining experience in technically demanding cultural and institutional work with a deeply regional understanding of coastal architecture, community building, and construction.
Today, CPA is a full-service practice providing architecture, interior design, and master planning services, with expertise in sustainable design, prefabrication, and technically complex project delivery. As a ten-person firm, we remain closely involved in every project, bringing focused leadership, rigorous coordination, and hands-on execution from conception through completion.
Our clients include business owners, public institutions, transportation authorities, Indigenous communities, real-estate developers, healthcare providers, housing societies, schools, and homeowners.
Team
Awards
Discover Montessori
2023 CLF British Columbia: Embodied Carbon Award—Large Buildings
Commercial Street Modular
2022 Modular Building Institute: Award of Distinction—Modular Building Design
Nanaimo Airport Terminal Expansion
2021 Architecture Foundation of British Columbia: Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Award
St. Paul’s Centre For Ministry And Community Service
2017 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board: Judge’s Choice Award—Best Overall Project
2017 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board: Award of Excellence—Institutional Renovation
Nanaimo Cruise Ship Terminal Building
2013 North American Wood Design Awards—Citation
2012 Shaw Contract Design Is… Award
2012 Canadian Wood Works! Award: British Columbia—Best Commercial Wood Design
2012 World Architecture News Awards—Transport Long List
2012 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board—Best Office
2012 Glass Magazine—Most Innovative Curtain Wall
Edgewater Apartments
2008 City of Nanaimo Award for Design Excellence—Multi-Family Residential
Publications
Discover Montessori School
Canadian Architect—December 2023
Double High House
YAM Magazine—Issue 47, January/February 2017, Cover, pp. 30-39
Harbour Road Sail Loft And Residences
Boulevard Magazine—March 2015, pp. 66-71
Nanaimo Cruise Ship Terminal Building
Canadian Architect—March 2016, p. 18
Award Magazine—April 2016, p. 7
2012-2013 North America Wood Design Award Winners, pp. 6-7, pp. 54-59.
2011-2012 North America Wood Design Award Winners, pp. 108-113.
Shaw Contract Group Design Is 2012, p.86.
Svenskt Trä! (Swedish Wood) 2012 #4, pp. 27-29
Award Magazine—June 2011
Cabin On Secret Island
Young Architects 5, Inhabiting Identity, pp. 126-131
The Globe and Mail, “Mercurial designs for a material world,” May 2003
Careers
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic and creative individuals to join the CPA team. Please forward your resume or CV and portfolio to careers@cparch.ca with the type of work you are looking for in the subject line. No mail, drop-in, or telephone enquiries, please.