As an Associate and Architect at GEC, Ellen brings a thoughtful balance of big-picture vision and human-centred detail to every project she touches. With over five years at GEC, she has played a central role in shaping Calgary’s transit and transportation systems, from LRT stations to aviation and accessibility upgrades. Her work is guided by a simple but powerful question: how can design make daily life easier, enjoyable, and more equitable for the people who use it?
Ellen’s path to architecture was anything but straightforward. She began her studies in psychology before discovering a deeper pull toward Environmental Design and later completing her Master of Architecture at Dalhousie University. That early interest in how people think and behave still informs her design approach today—especially her commitment to accessibility in public spaces. For her, good design is never just about the form of a building, but about how people move through it, interact with it, and feel within it.
Colleagues describe Ellen as collaborative and steady, someone who makes space for different voices and ideas at the table. She thrives in the early stages of design—researching, sketching, and opening up possibilities before the focus narrows. Clients and teammates alike appreciate her ability to bring complex projects to life in a way that feels both approachable and inspiring.
Outside of work, Ellen is happiest surrounded by family or heading outdoors to play soccer, volleyball, or golf. She loves hiking, practicing yoga, and has a creative side that shows up in unexpected ways: she once designed and sewed her own wedding dress with her mom.
If she weren’t an architect, Ellen imagines she might be running a small farm somewhere, raising animals and living close to the land. But for now, she’s deeply committed to helping shape a city where people can move easily, connect meaningfully, and enjoy the spaces that surround them every day.