John Stephenson

OAA, MRAIC
Partner, FORM Architecture Engineering

John has over 33 years experience in the practice of Architecture. Prior to this partnership, he was an architect with Kuch Stephenson Architects for 15 years and with Graham Bacon Welter Architects & Consulting Engineer six years. Before relocating to Thunder Bay in 1980, he focused on urban design, non-profit and cooperative housing projects in Toronto.

John has extensive experience with housing, care and treatment projects which cross the full continuum of care for seniors. His experience includes the design, development and ownership of independent living, retirement living, supportive housing, long term care and mental health rehabilitation projects. Additionally, his project experience and expertise also includes individual research and training including a portfolio of projects in restoration, adaptive re-use of heritage buildings and an extensive portfolio of educational and commercial building projects.

Overall, John's experience with large publicly funded institutional projects in Northwestern Ontario has given him the ability to effectively manage the process of design, decision making and approvals by a wide variety of public and regulatory agencies. His experience with public sector/private sector partnerships and real estate development has made him particularly well attuned to the challenges of reconciling the sometimes conflicting needs of both cultures.

Current and Recent projects

St. Joseph's Care Group Sister Margaret Smith Centre (Thunder Bay, ON)
Lead Architect responsible for designing a 2 storey, 51,433 sf addiction treatment centre. Skilful design accommodated the facility's inpatient and outpatient programming. The residential area consists of one - 10 bed youth and two - 15 bed adult resident areas, each containing private bedrooms, dining, living and kitchen facilities. The outpatient component consists of counselling offices, group rooms and sacred/spiritual space, as well as administration support areas. The design includes outdoor courtyards enhancing the therapeutic natural link to the surrounding green space, while providing privacy and security to the clientele. The centre received LEED® Canada for New Construction Gold Certification for its performance as a sustainable building.

St. Joseph's Care Group Centre of Excellence for Integrated Seniors' Services (CEISS) Supportive Housing and Long Term Care (Thunder Bay, ON)
Lead Architect responsible for the campus development plan to accommodate a supportive housing and long term care facility. Careful and sensitive design maintains a home-like residential atmosphere, maximizing daylighting and views to natural landscapes in the 114,000 sf supportive housing apartments. The building is adjacent to the 261,350 sf long term care facility, supporting an “Aging in Place concept.

St. Joseph's Care Group Specialised Mental Health Rehabilitation Programme
(Thunder Bay, ON)
Lead Architect responsible for designing a 89,372 sf, 2 storey addition to St. Joseph's Care Group hospital to accommodate a 38 bed mental health program. The design accommodates the functional needs associated with clinical and non-clinical programs for both inpatient and outpatient services.

Isabella Retirement Living (Thunder Bay, ON)
Lead Architect responsible for designing a 2 storey assisted living residence with 94 units - 72 independent and 22 assisted living suites in studio, one and two bedroom designs. The facility's community atmosphere offers numerous common areas, relaxing lounges and bright sunrooms. The building received the City of Thunder Bay's Clean Green Beautiful Gold Level Award.

Other Representative Projects

  • Marina Park Place Condominium Development (Thunder Bay, ON)
  • St. Joseph's Care Groups Hogarth Riverview Manor Long Term Care Facility (Thunder Bay, ON)
  • Hilldale Gardens Retirement Living (Thunder Bay, ON)
  • Hilldale Garden Condominiums (Thunder Bay, ON)