Low Hammond Rowe Architects is a Victoria-based partnership working throughout British Columbia since 1985.

The collective experience of firm leaders Jackson Low, Paul Hammond, and Christopher Rowe is diverse and encompasses urban design and large site planning projects, university buildings & renovations, libraries, multi-family market and non-market housing, seniors housing and care facilities, sports, recreation and community facilities, retail and office buildings.

The practice’s design philosophy places a high value on imaginative place-making, sensitive response to site and context, an integrated approach to sustainability and energy conservation, and a creative engagement with client objectives. With our long history and stable continuous leadership, we’ve built an energetic and experienced team of associates and staff.

Firm History
First established in 1985 by partners Sid Chow and Gary Fleischauer, the firm became Chow Fleischauer Low Architects Inc when Jackson Low became a full partner in 1996. With the retirement of founder Gary Fleischauer and the addition of partner Paul Hammond in 2006, the firm became Chow Low Hammond Architects Inc. In March 2014, the firm name changed to Low Hammond Rowe Architects Inc following the retirement of founder Sid Chow and the introduction of new partner Christopher Rowe.

Our clients and collaborators can continue to count on the partners’ enthusiastic hands-on involvement with every project, and our entire team’s focus on providing imaginative, versatile and responsive design, thorough technical execution, and personal service dedicated to our clients’ success.

Over 1000 completed projects
Low Hammond Rowe Architects maintains a wide-ranging portfolio, with significant experience in institutional, educational, commercial, and urban design projects. Currently, the firm’s largest sector of work is multi-family housing, non-market/affordable housing, and seniors’ living facilities. This focus highlights their dedication to responsive and sustainable community development.

Awards

2023 Canadian Architect Awards, Award of Excellence: National Centre for Indigenous Laws, University of Victoria

2022 SABMAG Canadian Green Building Awards, Residential (Large): Fort St. John Passive House Apartment

2021 International Passive House Award, Siga Airtightness Award: Fort St John Passive House Apartment

2021 VREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Institutional: Glenlyon Norfolk School Junior Campus

2021 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Merit, Affordable Housing: VIMHS Rosehill

2015 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Community Institutional, Renovation: Vancouver Island Regional Library: Nanaimo North Branch

2015 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Community Institutional: Uplands Walk Supportive Housing

2015 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Multi-Family: Berwick By The Sea, Campbell River

2015 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Retail: Island Optimal Health & Performance & Moksha Yoga Centre

2014 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence and Judge’s Choice Award: Nanaimo Golf Clubhouse

2014 VIREB Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Community/Institutional: Vancouver Island Regional Library Cowichan Lake branch & Cumberland branch

2013 CARE Award for Best Multi-Family/Townhouse Project Development: 408 Dallas Road Townhouses, Victoria, BC

2013 BC Library Association Building Project Merit Award, Best Library Design: Vancouver Island Regional Library Cowichan Lake branch & Cumberland branch

2012 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Community Housing: Vergo Affordable Family Townhouses

2012 Canadian Wood Council BC Wood Design Awards, Multi-Family Residential: Camas Gardens Supportive Housing

2011 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Camas Gardens Supportive Housing

2011 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Merit: 351 Cook Street/1101 Oscar Street Mixed Use Development

2011 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Merit: L’Ecole Doncaster Elementary School Addition

2011 British Columbia Library Association Merit Award
, Best Library Design: Camosun College Library and Learning Commons, Lansdowne Campus

2011 British Columbia Library Association Merit Award
, Best Library Design: Camosun College Library, Interurban Campus

2010 Planning Institute of British Columbia Award of Excellence, Physical Plans & Design: Greater Victoria Public Library Facilities Plan ‘Making Space for the Future’ (in association with CitySpaces Consulting)

2009 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Merit: Cherry Bank Condominium

2010 City of Nanaimo Design Awards
, Commercial: 125 Wallace Street

2009 AWMAC BC Excellence of Quality Award, Silver: Nelles Block Dining Hall & Servery, CFB Esquimalt BC (with CHF Contracting Ltd)

2009 City of Nanaimo Design Awards
, Commercial: Shenton Road Offices

2008 Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Housing: Berwick Royal Oak

2008 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award of Excellence, Housing: Berwick Comox Valley, Comox BC

2008 City of Nanaimo Design Awards, Institutional: Faculty of Management Centre, Vancouver Island University

2004 City of Nanaimo Design Awards, Residential: Berwick on the Lake

1997 City of Nanaimo Design Awards, Institutional: Nanaimo Harbourfront Library

1996 City of Nanaimo Design Awards, Residential: Winchelsea at Rocky Point

1993 Victoria Real Estate Board IC&I Division Building Award: The Brittany