Bo Helliwell, Architect AIBC, FRAIC
Bo has over 40 years of experience as a designer and builder of award-winning buildings. He has received national and international recognition for the development of distinctive timber architecture that is unique to the West Coast. Bo is a forward thinking individual, with a direct and honest approach and a strong commitment to excellent and appropriate design. He has lectured and been published and exhibited internationally, and has taught at the University of British Columbia, and at institutions in Mexico and Panama. Currently, Bo is actively establishing the Architecture 4 Kids program through a joint initiative between Artists4Kids and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and is a founding board member of the Vancouver Urbanarium Society.
Kim Smith, Architect AIBC, FRAIC, LEED A.P.
Kim has over 30 years of experience in developing an architectural approach that is distinct to the West Coast. She is an excellent designer and is committed to innovative and sustainable design strategies, as well as an architecture that is appropriate to place. She is very capable at keeping a project on time and on budget. Kim’s work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally, and reflects a strong understanding of timber design. She has taught at the University of British Columbia, and at institutions in Mexico and Panama. Kim is the current Chair of the Vancouver Urban Design Panel, past Chair of the West Vancouver Design Review Committee, past chair the Design Review Panel in Tofino, and was a director of the Vancouver League for Studies in Architecture and the Environment.
Stefan Gagnier Ruckert, Intern Architect AIBC
Stefan grew up in the interior of BC and came to work at Blue Sky as a student intern while studying at Dalhousie University. After graduating with a Master of Architecture he returned to the firm full-time, and is involved in all stages of the architectural design process. With a passion for the West Coast and its unique environments, climates, and sites, Stefan greatly enjoys crafting design that speaks to place - from schematic planning to individual details.
When not in the office, you can find Stefan out exploring coastal nooks and crannies with a sketchbook, or riding his skateboard.
Abbi Brown, Intern Architect AIBC
Abbi is a creative and thoughtful designer who is inspired by the systems and intricate connectivity of the natural world. After completing the Architectural Technology program at George Brown College, Abbi continued her education at Dalhousie University, where she completed a Master of Architecture.
Abbi’s Master’s thesis centred around using a seagrass (eelgrass) as a carbon-negative building material and a design tool, and her own design sensibility fits perfectly into the organic approach Blue Sky has come to be known for.
In her free time, Abbi enjoys exploring tide pools, hiking in the North Shore mountains, or roasting marshmallows to golden perfection.
Skye Smith, Social Media Manager
Skye has been an energetic member of the Blue Sky team since 2023. His general ability to sense ambulances and firetrucks from great distances has resulted in many howls being completed on time and on budget. Highly food motivated, Skye is a constant presence at lunch and a passionate advocate for ice-machines in any project. Building upon his predecessor Harry’s accomplishments, Skye works to maintain a healthy distribution of hair (as well as dirt) around the studio.
When not meeting with clients and conducting site analysis, Skye can often be found asleep in the closet.
(Remembering) Harry, Landscape Barkitect
Harry was a core member of the Blue Sky team between 2008 and 2023. His positive and energetic disposition made him uniquely qualified as a chief studio receptionist, where he worked hard to keep the studio clear of squirrels. Harry's favourite building materials were sticks, stones, and balls; before his passing, he considered his life’s work (the redistribution of dirt around the studio) to be near-perfect, but never complete.