About CAI

Since its founding as TCA | Thier + Curran Architects in 2005, our firm led by Bill Curran, has been a design-focused, full-service architectural firm that creates buildings that transcend the ordinary. We have now evolved from TCA to CGS and now to CAI Architects.

We have always sought out intentionally diverse work for clients who want more than basic shelter, and we have always used a highly collaborative design process that heavily involves our clients.

Our work is always very contemporary, yet we are always respectful of context and history since we work with many sensitive buildings and contexts. Our buildings are always thoughtful and engaging, and carefully landscaped, include the work of artists and artisans, and we have deep respect for making environments that enhance peoples’ lives.

  • “The mark of a highly competent architectural firm is more than the built form and the ability to translate function into design. Buildings elicit emotions from their users, and, in this area, Bill Curran excels.”

    — Kevin Sulewski, Chief Operating Officer, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

  • “CGS’s commitment goes way beyond meeting client needs. Their customer services, extensive knowledge of quality and sustainable building design, budget control and contract administration is exceptional. There is no doubt that CGS’s work will have lasting positive impacts for the residents of Haldimand County that include efficient government, community vibrancy and improved customer service.”

    — Philip Mete, General Manager, Public Works Operations, Haldimand County

  • “Our experience with Bill Curran and the team at TCA has been nothing short of excellent. They have been extremely flexible and innovative in their approach to designing what will be of the most value to our organization and the people in the community that it touches and those it surrounds."

    — Carl Joosse, Chair, The John & Ellie Voortman Charitable Foundation

Work With Us

Experience

Our diverse portfolio or work demonstrates our versatile capabilities, and how this diversity inspires us with cross-pollinated ideas. Our work is across a broad spectrum of public buildings, housing, education facilities, cultural facilities, interiors, commercial and mixed-use buildings, healthcare projects and industrial buildings. We focus on finding expected solutions that our clients could not imagine.

Our skill set has always included paying detailed attention to lighting design, interior design and urban design, and we have worked across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Community Responsibility

Since the practice was founded, a strong desire to give back to the community I live in has driven us to making charitable donations of a significant percentage of our earnings. Since 2005 we have contributed over $750,000 to over 40 organizations in our community. We regularly undertake pro-bono and reduced-fee projects each year to support non-profit organizations that strive to make Hamilton better. We encourage our staff to volunteer their time, skills and energy in order to help better our community.

Modern multi-story building with a combination of stone, glass, and metal exterior, illuminated by interior lighting during dusk, with designated handicap parking spots in the foreground.
Interior view of an office building with a reception area labeled 'Development Services,' wooden and glass railing, staircases, and large windows letting in natural light.
Modern architectural building with a striking sloped roof, extensive glass windows, and a mix of metal and wooden exterior elements. Several people are outside, and cars are parked along the street in front of the building during sunset or sunrise.
A modern multi-story building with a restaurant on the ground floor, decorated with Christmas lights and signs, surrounded by snow, with people dining outside and in a snowy street scene at dusk.
Modern building with large glass windows, illuminated interior, surrounded by vineyard, during sunset.
Interior of a modern restaurant or wine bar with a decorative wine display and a fireplace.
Multi-story modern residential building on a city street with trees and cars parked nearby under a clear blue sky.
Modern indoor hallway with colorful walls, artwork, decorative lighting, and a potted plant on a bench.
Interior of a modern lounge or common room with couches, coffee tables, and a television.
Modern apartment building with a mix of brick and blue panels, large windows, and a landscaped walkway in the foreground during sunset.
Spacious modern office with exposed brick walls and dark wood floors, featuring a seating area with a sofa and chairs near large windows, a decorative fireplace, and an open-plan workspace with multiple desks and computers.

Development Experience and Knowledge

In addition to our architectural practice, we also act as small-scale real estate developers in a sister company. Development projects have given us a unique valued-added skill that other architects do not have: a deep understanding of feasibility, project financial performance needs, marketing realities, and how to understand what makes project really work.

CARMA — Our Development Philosophy

Community— Enhancing community through high-quality, crafted developments with appropriate contextual scale and fit, quality landscape, and quality architecture.

Architecture —High quality architecture enhances the lives of those within and the community around a high-quality project.

Reasonable Money — Making money is good, but earning a reasonable versus maximum profit is a measure of a high-quality project. Avoiding cheap, soulless, bleak, uninspired architecture is a moral obligation to us. Likewise, we believe our clients have a moral obligation to hire good architects, to listen to them, and to build high-quality, well-designed developments. The buyer, seller, investor, and architect can all benefit greatly from this approach.

Art — We make it a priority to integrate art of various types by local and international artists in our developments in acknowledgement that Art + Culture = Joy.

CAI Team at work

Let’s Work Together

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