In a bright, collaborative studio based in Kamloops, two leaders are quietly redefining what a modern architecture practice can look like in B.C.’s Interior.
At Studio 710, President and Managing Principal Blake St. Peter and CEO Jennifer Stites have built more than a firm; they’ve built a way of working that blends design excellence with disciplined project management.
Their ethos is simple – designing spaces that matter.
Blake is deeply rooted in Kamloops, having called it home for most of his life. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary, along with a Bachelor of General Studies in Building Science and an Architectural and Engineering Technology Diploma from Thompson Rivers University.
Throughout his studies, he gained valuable experience both locally and abroad, shaping a well-rounded perspective on design.
This diverse educational background allows Blake to approach projects with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of design and delivery.
Blake and Jennifer share a vision to build a practice where they can influence every aspect of design, operations, and how architecture is shaped across BC.
In addition to Studio 710, Jennifer leads Stites Co., a team of project managers and specialists, with strengths in project delivery, community engagement, properties, Indigenous Relations, and planning and development.
By utilizing the strengths of both companies, Jennifer and Blake are able to provide a more holistic service to their clients and provide additional value beyond what a typical architecture firm can provide.
Together, Jennifer and Blake have shaped Studio 710, an architecture practice that feels both grounded and ambitious.
Blake brings design, construction and building‐science expertise; Jennifer brings a blend of strategic thinking, project delivery, and community‐building experience. The result is a practice with a distinctly Kamloops character and an outlook that reaches far beyond city limits.
Walk into Studio 710’s office and the first thing you notice is a fun, laid back atmosphere with strong creative energy.
Designers gathered around digital and physical models, a project manager talking through phasing with a client, and trace paper covered in quick sketches turning a concept into a living, breathing project.
For Blake, that atmosphere is deliberate. “The best ideas don’t come from one person at the end of the process,” he likes to say.
“They come from many people, early and often, when everyone has a chance to shape what the project becomes.”
The studio leans heavily on modern advanced visualization and parametric design tools, as a way to invite clients into the design process in real time.
“Being able to see and test ideas with our clients in real time” says Blake, “has been remarkable in producing better design for our clients and reducing costly changes throughout the process.”
Blake’s influence is most visible in the firm’s design culture, Jennifer’s is felt in how smoothly projects move from idea to reality.
With decades of experience leading large, complex capital projects, she seamlessly incorporates simple project delivery tools into Studio 710's everyday practice to keep multi-disciplinary design team members on track.
Jennifer's knowledge and experience in project delivery is unparalleled. She holds a master's degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, has led projects and programs valued in the billions, and has received national level recognition for her contribution to Canada's infrastructure sector.
“Every project deserves a clear path from vision to delivery,” she emphasizes. “Our job is to make sure each project is thoughtfully planned and streamlined so that our designers can focus on what they do best for our clients.”
At Studio 710, that philosophy shows up as an integrated model: architects and project managers working as one team from the very first conversation.
Schedules, budgets, risk, and stakeholder needs are anticipated, mitigated, and addressed proactively. For clients, this results in less issues and more transparency. This allows our team and clients to focus on the best possible design.
While Studio 710’s work stretches across British Columbia, its personality remains distinctly local. The team understands the realities of building in the Interior climate, topography, community expectations and treats that local knowledge as an advantage, not a constraint.
“Working from Kamloops gives us a front‐row seat to how communities grow and change,” the leadership team notes. “We see up close what works, what doesn’t, and where thoughtful design can make a real difference.”
The firm’s portfolio reflects that range: institutional projects that support public services, commercial spaces that help businesses thrive, and healthcare facilities which provide care to many families and individuals in our local communities.
In every case, the emphasis is on creating places that feel authentic to their setting and generous to the people who use them.
Ask Blake and Jennifer what excites them most about the future, and the answer comes quickly: the opportunity to help shape the next chapter for communities throughout the Interior.
“Kamloops and the region are at a really interesting moment,” they’ll tell you.
"In an era of tremendous change throughout our Province, we are excited to learn and grow with our clients as we continue and play an important role in shaping our local communities."
Studio 710 stands out as more than just another architecture firm. It is a partnership between a detail‐driven architect and a nationally recognized project leader, rooted in Kamloops yet fully at ease on the broader provincial stage.
Their work is a reminder that when design excellence and disciplined delivery share the same table, communities don’t just get new buildings, they get places that are ready for the future.
📍710 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC
📞778 966 6710
🌐www.studio710.co
📧[email protected]
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