D'Arcy Jones

D’Arcy Jones is a Canadian architect and the founding principal of D’Arcy Jones Architects (DJA) (formerly known as D’Arcy Jones Architecture), a studio practice based out of Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. DJA's portfolio consists of completed and ongoing projects focusing greatly within their local area of British Columbia while some reside as far as Ontario, Washington, California, and Switzerland. D’Arcy Jones Architects focuses mainly on small scale boutique residential homes, many of which have brought national and international recognition for the practice.

Early life and career Although born in Fort St. John, British Columbia Jones spent his early life growing up in Abbotsford. From early on, Jones developed both an artistic interest in drawing and the physical act of building. Jones’ interest in physical design continued to grow during highschool grade 11 when he was enrolled in a class that taught drafting. Shortly after, he returned to the University of Manitoba where he completed his master's in Architecture in 1999. During this time, Jones claims that the project made him appreciate and “fall in love” with factors that were not taught in architecture school, such as the practical and technical characteristics of architecture. The siting of the house takes place on a rocky hilltop that overlooks the topography of the surrounding Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. This meant a design integrated within nature that responded to their lifestyle surrounding heavily on outdoor activities. This unique living condition was determined by the local zoning in Victoria BC that prevented the development of a duplex on the site, but instead allowed for a main building accompanied with a secondary suite. The house is sited on top a clifftop in Deep Cove where ultimately this multi-functioning form and program came to realization. The exterior of the house is designed with contrasting facades: the public street-facing one being completely closed off with no glazing versus the backside with extensive wrap-around windows.

The practice has received awards through the firm itself as well as the projects they have done. These include:

RAIC Emerging Architectural Practice Award (2017) - A highly regarded award that recognizes firm principles and their representation of distinguished architectural projects. Criteria for such recognition includes project and design quality, innovations, public recognition and client service quality. AIBC Emerging Firm Award (2017) Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Awards in Architecture (2017) - local award given to BC architects that recognizes design excellence in recently completed projects. In the case of this award, the Friesen Wong House was recognized. Arthur Erickson Memorial Award (2010) - the first year of this award conception, Jones won the award that honours Arthur Erickson who was a Canadian architect integral in Canadian architecture and someone who inspired many. Given to designers who are just emerging in recognition. Canadian Architect Award of Merit (2015) - award for the 'Ha-Ha House' project. Canadian Architect Award of Merit (2009) - award for 'The Cowboy' project.