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From left, Seppo Vuorela, Kayhan Nadji and Gaurav Sharma of Nadji Architects converse in their office in Behchoko, recently opened to facilitate face-to-face contact with clients in the Tlicho region. - photo courtesy of Gaurav Sharma

BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO - An NWT architectural firm has opened a small office in Behchoko to facilitate face-to-face contact with its clients.

Yellowknife-based Nadji Architects, which has several ongoing projects in the Tlicho region, held the grand opening of its new office in Behchoko Wednesday "to have the community's blessing," said founder Kayhan Nadji.

"It's an appreciation of the community, that they allow us to be there, because we have a deep respect for aboriginal culture and First Nations people."

Nadji, who was born in Iran but came to Canada 30 years ago to upgrade his degree in architectural design, said being rooted in the community where he designs projects is crucial to the success of his business and the integrity of each design.

"Architecture is (something) that arises from people's life, because culture is people's way of living," he said. "There are many things that, by talking to people, you understand, 'Yeah, this is a factor that could be implemented into the design and make it a nicer design.'"

Nadji said he and his two employees travelled as often as twice a week to Behchoko to work on projects like the renovation of a youth centre in Gameti and the design of another youth centre in Wekweeti.

The new office is both more professional and convenient, he said.

"Our goal is clear: for any project we do, we want to have a close relationship with people, even on small projects."

The office is not large, just a room inside an existing building. But a gradual shift in how architects operate means it's big enough for the firm's needs

"Almost all of our design is done by computer now," said Nadji. "Before, we used to have lots of drafting tables and it required big areas. Now with one computer you can really do all the things and it doesn't need that much of a space. So I think it's good enough for us."

Seppo Vuorela, an architectural technologist at Nadji, said meeting face to face with clients has an obvious advantage over exchanging emails and talking on the phone, measures the firm often used prior to opening the Behchoko office.

"The speed of information is one thing, but to get a better understanding of the problems and the beat of the community, you have to be there," said Vuorela.

"Face-to-face communication is much more expressive than reading an email. It will improve the quality of our work."