Public City Architecture

What Public City Architecture does

Public City Architecture is a privately held Canadian architecture and landscape architecture firm founded in 2008 by co-founders Peter Sampson (Principal Architect) and Liz Wreford (Principal Landscape Architect). The firm operates studios in Winnipeg (headquarters), Toronto, and Edmonton with a team of approximately 11-15 members, and specializes in small to medium-sized public commissions for complex social infrastructure — cultural facilities, educational campuses, recreational sites, libraries, and public realm projects. Its portfolio spans high-profile commissions including Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument (Thunderhead) in Ottawa, the 154,000 sq ft Gordon Bell High School deep energy retrofit in Winnipeg, the 77-hectare Northeast River Valley Park strategic plan in Edmonton, and the Forest Pavilion (winner of the 2022 Governor General's Medal in Architecture).\n\nThe firm's core technical expertise combines architecture and landscape architecture in a transdisciplinary model, with recognized specialization in inclusive and universally accessible design, sustainable and climate-resilient building envelopes (FEMA flood protection standards, deep energy retrofits), winter urbanism, and Indigenous community co-design. Notable non-traditional outputs include the Crokicurl outdoor game (a curling-crokinole hybrid adopted across North America) and 3D-printed architectural modeling workflows across all project stages. The firm has accumulated a deep award record including the Governor General's Medal, CSLA Awards of Excellence, AZ Awards, IOC/IPC international awards, and the RAIC International Prize.\n\nPublic City operates as a professional services firm generating project-based fees for architectural design, landscape architecture, and urban planning services. Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, with projects acquired through direct engagement with government and institutional clients, public RFPs, and design competitions. The customer base is concentrated in the public sector — municipal, provincial, and federal governments (City of Winnipeg, City of Edmonton, City of Calgary, Government of Canada/Canadian Heritage), educational institutions (Winnipeg School Division, Southeast Collegiate, University of Winnipeg), cultural institutions (Cornish Library, St. John's Library, Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation), and Indigenous communities (Fox Lake Cree Nation). The firm is independently owned by its founding principals with no disclosed external investment, parent company, or funding rounds.

Name

Public City Architecture

Legal name

Public City Architecture

Website

https://publiccityarchitecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public City Architecture is a Canadian architecture and landscape architecture firm operating in Winnipeg, Toronto, and Edmonton, specializing in public realm projects — cultural, educational, recreational, and community facilities — for government, institutional, and Indigenous clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

akta.pro primary industry

Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM)

Keywords

• Public realm architecture
• Landscape architecture design
• Cultural facilities design
• Inclusive universal design
• Sustainable building design

Headquarters

HQ city

Winnipeg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Professional architecture and landscape architecture services for public realm projects including cultural, educational, recreational facilities, and public spaces. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for design, planning, and consulting services.
2. Landscape Architecture Services: Landscape architecture design services for public parks, urban plazas, streetscapes, and outdoor public spaces
3. Urban Planning and Design: Urban planning services including master plans, strategic plans, and design framework documents for public developments

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Public City Architecture is a Canadian architecture and landscape architecture firm that designs public realm projects including cultural facilities, educational institutions, recreational spaces, libraries, parks, urban plazas, streetscapes, and neighborhood developments. The firm offers professional design, planning, and consulting services for complex social infrastructure projects, combining architecture and landscape architecture in a transdisciplinary practice. Projects are delivered for public sector clients including municipal, provincial, and federal government agencies, educational institutions, and cultural organizations across Canada.

Product overview

Public City Architecture is an architecture and landscape architecture firm that does not offer a software product or platform. The firm specializes in public realm projects including cultural facilities, recreational spaces, educational institutions, and neighbourhood developments. Their portfolio is organized into four project categories: Cultural Work (including Thunderhead 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument, Cornish Library, Hygge House), Recreational Work (Forest Pavilion, Manitoboggan, Crokicurl, High Park, PARK PARK), Educational Work (Gordon Bell High School, Southeast Collegiate, Sheila Sweatman Gymnasium), and Neighbourhood Work (Queen Ashbridge Development, Gillam Town Centre, Market Lands). These are architectural/landscape architecture services and projects, not software products or modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Design Services Professional architecture design services for public realm projects including cultural facilities, educational institutions, recreational facilities, libraries, and community buildings. Delivered for government, institutional, and cultural clients across Canada.
• Landscape Architecture Design Services Landscape architecture design services for public parks, urban plazas, streetscapes, recreational facilities, and outdoor public spaces. Includes expertise in winter urbanism, prairie landscapes, and inclusive design.
• Urban Planning and Design Urban planning services including master plans, strategic plans, and design framework documents for public developments. Examples include the Northeast River Valley Park strategic plan for City of Edmonton (77-hectare site) and Market Lands Urban Design Framework Plan.
• Heritage Renovation and Adaptive Reuse Heritage renovation and adaptive reuse services for historic buildings including century-old Carnegie library buildings, combining heritage preservation with modern functionality and accessibility.
• Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Design Consulting Consulting and design services for sustainable public buildings and sites, including deep energy retrofits (e.g., Gordon Bell High School), FEMA flood protection standards, and climate-resilient public infrastructure.
• Inclusive and Universal Design Services Design services for barrier-free, universally accessible public spaces including wheelchair-accessible recreational facilities, community buildings, and public infrastructure.
• 3D Printing and Architectural Modeling Services 3D printing and modeling services for all project stages including site models, massing models, section models, and detailed construction prototypes. Used as an integral part of the firm's design process.
• Crokicurl Game Design An innovative outdoor game design that fuses curling with crokinole, creating a playful communal experience with an octagonal rink combining curling and crokinole elements. Now adopted by communities across North America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Winner of Governor General's Medal in Architecture 2022 for Forest Pavilion
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shawna Dempsey & Lorri MillancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated as artists on Thunderhead - Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument project in Ottawa. Dempsey and Millan contributed artistic vision to the memorial design recognizing LGBT Purge victims.
• Albert McLeodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServed as collaborator on Thunderhead monument bringing Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ perspective to the national memorial project.
• Sook-Yin LeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with broadcaster/artist Sook-Yin Lee on Waasamoo-Mitigoog/Electric Forest project creating public ground for understanding urban nature.
• Seán Carson KinsellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous Placekeeper collaborator on Electric Forest project responding to Anishinaabe teachings about pine and cedar's role in vitality and healing.
• Wolfrom EngineeringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing engineering consultancy partner on multiple projects including Manitoboggan, St. John's Library, and other public infrastructure projects.
• Nova 3 EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering partner on Manitoboggan project for structural engineering services.
• Michael DumontierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaborator on Cornish Library project contributing to glass reading room design through collaboration.
• Fox Lake Cree NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partner on Railway Avenue Housing and Gillam Town Centre projects through deep engagement and collaborative design process.
• Manitoba HydrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfrastructure partner on Railway Avenue Housing project demonstrating how infrastructure investment can bridge cultural territory with mutual benefit.
• Calnitsky Associates ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture partner on Gillam Town Centre Master Plan project.
• Teeple ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture partner on Queen Ashbridge Development and Argus Development projects.
• Context DevelopmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner on Queen Ashbridge Development in Toronto's Beaches area integrating condos, rentals, and Toronto Community Housing.
• The Sneath GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner on The Eddy project for Brandon University affordable and market-value housing development.
• Blueprint Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner on Market Lands Urban Design Framework Plan project in Winnipeg's Exchange District.
• Wood AnchorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign/build partner on Ghana micro-economics campus project near Wli Waterfalls.
• Canadians! / Communities across North AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network for Crokicurl - innovative outdoor game now adopted by communities across North America including Melfort SK, Manitou Beach, Toronto, Bowness Park Calgary, Maple Grove Minnesota, and Altoona Wisconsin.
• The ForksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient partner on Boxcar Alley conceptual design transforming space under CN rail line near The Forks in Winnipeg.
• Manitoba Centennial Centre CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient partner on multiple projects including Steinkopf Atrium, Music Hall, and Arts Plaza as part of MCCC Master Plan.
• Winnipeg Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary tenant partner on new Music Hall design supporting WSO, visiting orchestras, and educational programs.
• Royal Manitoba Theatre CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient partner on Black Box Theatre project seeking 14,000-sf experimental theatre space.
• City of WinnipegcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner on Assiniboine Forest Wayfinding project working with Charleswood Rotary Club.
• Charleswood Rotary ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner on Assiniboine Forest Wayfinding Masterplan and Strategy.
• City of EdmontoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner on Northeast River Valley Park strategic plan for 77-hectare former summer camp site.
• EntuitiveminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering partner on The Open East Village project and PARK PARK.
• Aplin MartinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering partner on The Open East Village Washroom and Pickleball Court project.
• Urban InkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic art consultant on Hygge House project with Pike Projects.
• Wood AnchorminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuild partner on FLATPARK outdoor public living unit - fabricated off-site and shipped to address.
• Student Works PaintingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner on Stephen Avenue Wayfinding mural project in Calgary.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PFS Studio: Vancouver-based landscape architecture firm serving public parks, urban plazas, and institutional clients across British Columbia; directly comparable to Public City's combined landscape architecture practice serving municipalities.
• MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA): Toronto architecture firm focused on recreation, sports, and educational facilities; directly comparable to Public City's recreational and educational institutional portfolio (e.g., Forest Pavilion, Manitoboggan, Cornwall Alternative School).
• Diamond Schmitt Architects: Canadian architecture firm with extensive cultural and institutional portfolio (performing arts, civic, healthcare); directly comparable to Public City in delivering complex social infrastructure programs on behalf of public sector clients.
• 5468796 Architecture: Winnipeg-based contemporary architecture firm explicitly featured in Public City's Smorgasbord event series; operates in the same Winnipeg market with overlapping focus on innovative small-to-medium public commissions.
• Moriyama & Teshima Architects: Toronto institutional and cultural architecture firm designing libraries, museums, and civic structures across Canada; highly comparable to Public City in public sector cultural building typology and approach.
• NAK Design Strategies: Western Canadian landscape architecture firm with expertise in parks, urban design, and public realm; comparable to Public City's landscape architecture practice serving municipal and Indigenous clients.
• KPMB Architects: Toronto-based architecture firm with deep cultural, educational, and civic institutional practice across Canada; directly comparable to Public City in designing libraries, museums, and academic buildings for public sector clients.
• Patkau Architects: Vancouver-based architecture firm recognized for cultural and educational institutional work; comparable to Public City in delivering award-winning public and cultural building design across Canada.
• Revery Architecture: Vancouver architecture firm (formerly Bing Thom Architects) with cultural, civic, and educational focus, including notable Indigenous community projects; comparable to Public City in signature public buildings and Indigenous partnership commissions.

Broad incumbents

• DIALOG: Canadian multi-disciplinary design firm providing architecture, urban design, and engineering across multiple sectors including civic and institutional; larger-scale incumbent that overlaps with Public City's public sector work but operates across a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DW70PedDMRs
• Xx.com/publiccityarch
• Facebookfacebook.com/publiccityarchitecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/public-city-architecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Public City Architecture