1950

Joseph Pettick served in the merchant marine in WWII and upon his return to Regina resumed his post as a senior draftsman in a storied Regina architectural practice. Joseph opened his own practice - Joseph Pettick Architect Ltd (JPAL) - and after completing numerous small projects he was awarded the contract to design the new SaskPower Headquarters in downtown Regina. His research led him to New York where he met Frank Lloyd Wright and Mendell Glickman, Wright's structural engineer on the Guggenhiem Museum. It was Glickman who provided structural engineering consultancy for the SaskPower office building.

1960

The SaskPower Head Office was completed in 1963, cementing Joseph as a preeminent Saskatchewan architect. Joseph embraced the societal change underway and his work drew upon historical precedent and contemporary movements in a unique synthesis. The result was an architectural expression that was organic and yet highly functional. Architecture as a tool of social change was imbedded in his approach to design.

1970

During the 1970s, the firm embraced energy efficiency and highly efficient floor plans and construction techniques. Precast concrete panels, high performing glazing, and high usable net floor space ratios mark this era of the firm's development. Aided by Senior Draftsman Luigi Mazzotti, the small practice continued to produce some of the most significant work in Regina including the new City Hall.

1980

The 1980s saw the skyline of Regina evolve in large part thanks to JPAL. The iconic gold glass clad SGI Head Office - the C.M. Fines Building - was completed in 1979. The Hill Family, owners of Harvard Developments, engaged Joseph to design a new office building on the corner of Scarth Street and 11th Avenue. This building, now the Bank of Montreal Building, was a dramatic addition to downtown and featured a high net usable floor area with exceptionally efficient floor plates. The design furthered sustainable technology of the time.

1990

he 1990s Joseph was entering his 4th decade of practice as a sole practioner and his 5th in the industry. The social changes of the 1960s and 1970s had given way to a technological revolution. The widespread adoption of the fax machine had transformed how projects were managed during construction. Towards the middle of the decade the introduction of Computer Aided Drafting became more prevalent. JPAL amalgamated with Colin Phillips Architect Ltd. The new firm of Pettick Phillips Architects Ltd. was formed with Principals Joseph Pettick, Colin Phillips, and Luigi Mazzotti. Notable commissions included the renovation of the Centre of the Arts (now the Conexus Arts Centre) and the signature building for Innovation Place, a new research park adjacent to the University of Regina. James Youck and Patrick Kelly joined the firm in 1998 and Rob Beug in 1999. A pattern of growth began with a new approach to design and project delivery.

2000

This period of time was both revolutionary and evolutionary for the firm. James Youck became a partner in 2000, followed by Patrick Kelly and Rob Beug in 2001. During this time, the post-war philosophy of the architect as a lone creative genius, popularized in Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead, began to shift. Instead, the firm embraced the view of the architect as a facilitator and collaborative partner, working closely with clients and project teams throughout the development process. This new holistic approach also emphasized improving the sustainability of projects from energy, societal, and economic perspectives. Recognizing the importance of integrated design, the firm’s principals expanded the capacity of its interior design practice. P3A undertook several significant projects during this period, including the Treaty Four Governance Centre and Payepot School, which marked the firm’s first collaborations with First Nations communities. Other major projects included the RCMP Heritage Centre, designed in collaboration with Arthur Erickson and Nick Milkovich Architects; the Research and Innovation Centre, a landmark addition to the University of Regina campus; the Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory, the Regina Correctional Centre, and the Alvin Hamilton Building were other notable projects. The firm relocated to Scarth Street to accommodate a team of more than 15 people. During this time, future partners Chris Roszell and Wyatt Eckert joined the practice.

2010

The next decade marked a period of significant transition for Pettick Phillips Partners Architects Ltd. This era included the retirement of Colin Phillips, the passing of Joseph Pettick in 2010, and the introduction of new partner David Brown. The firm underwent a rebrand, becoming known simply as P3A. During this time, the firm continued to grow, expanding to more than 20 staff and welcoming future partner Jocelyn Tanner to the practice. By 2011, P3A had outgrown its Scarth Street office and relocated to a historic warehouse on Dewdney Avenue. Growth continued throughout the decade, with the team eventually reaching 40 staff. P3A became known for its innovation and community-first approach to design. The firm’s portfolio expanded to include nearly every project type, ranging from small office renovations to health care facilities, post-secondary and elementary schools, historic restoration and preservation projects, as well as commercial, retail, and correctional facilities. Notable projects from this period included the Lyric Theatre in Swift Current, the firm’s compliance role on the new Mosaic Stadium, the award-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders fit-out, and the internationally recognized mamaweyatitān centre. During this time, partners David Brown and Rob Beug retired, and Chris Roszell and Wyatt Eckert were elevated to partnership.

2020

The first half of the 2020s has been marked by continued evolution for the firm. As part of a joint venture team, the firm contributed to the largest acute care project in the province’s recent history: the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital. During this period, Jocelyn Tanner joined the partnership as the first woman to hold that role in the firm’s history. The firm also welcomed three new associates — Meghan Campbell, Landon Lucyk, and Piper New.

The revitalization of Darke Hall marked the culmination of the firm’s long-standing work for the University of Regina on College Avenue, which had included a major renovation, addition, and revitalization of the original historic campus.Steady growth continued, and in 2022 the firm relocated to 2222 13th Avenue. With a team now exceeding 50 staff, the firm’s portfolio extends beyond Saskatchewan. Current work includes elementary and high schools across Alberta, health care and major industrial projects in Manitoba, and multi-family residential developments in Ontario.

Projects with Saskatchewan First Nations have also expanded significantly, including child and family services facilities and cultural healing centres.

2030

Even as our staff and leadership group continue to expand and evolve, P3A’s core philosophy remains unchanged: to give back to our community and our profession, and to build a better future for generations to come through our work. While change is constant, our foundation remains the same—delivering excellence in client service and quality of design, embracing new technological advancements, and fostering a positive workplace that values family, wellbeing, and a healthy life–work balance.