Every project starts with imagination, says Revery Architecture’s design principal Venelin Kokalov whose work connects people and nature. He starts each project by drawing “a person, then another person” before surrounding them with walls—a sign of his human-centred approach to architecture.

The West Vancouver Art Museum (WVAM) presents Dreamers: The Art of Revery Architecture now until July 18. The exhibit approaches Revery Architecture’s imaginative designs as art. 

“I was more interested in zooming in on the artistic essence of certain projects,” says guest curator Adele Weder, drawing attention to the firm’s curvilinear forms. “Venelin and his team are artisans and artists more than what we think of as formulaic building makers.”

 “[The exhibit] highlights our belief that architecture should shape human experiences—how people connect, gather and move through the space,” adds Kokalov.

The art in architecture

For Weder, the exhibit is unlike a traditional architectural showcase. She intentionally curated images reflecting the beauty of the firm’s work. Parts of the exhibit also invite viewer interaction.

“When I first visited Venelin’s studio, he was in the middle of sketching,” the curator shares the inspiration behind one of Dreamers’ interactive elements. “He scribbles up ideas that flow into his heads, little circles, shapes and forms…and then I saw him rip them up and crumble it onto his desk.”

These sketches would be stored in Kokalov’s desk drawers and recycled at the end of the week. Weder recreated this scene with a dresser from Facebook Marketplace, placing weeks-worth of Kokalov’s crumbled-up sketches in its drawers.

“I want [visitors] to take out some sketches—one, twenty, however many you want—[and] look at them,” Weder encourages people to open the sketches, then crumble them again before placing them inside the drawers. “They can actually touch and feel these real sketches from the architect, directly from his mind.”

Weder also took a prototype of the balustrade developed for Vancouver’s The Butterfly building (1033 Nelson St.), placing it in front of an image showcasing the building itself.

“People can run their hands along this smooth curving balustrade; it’s a very sensorial experience,” Weder shares. “Whenever I’m passing the balustrade, I have to touch it; it’s like a compulsion.”

Kokalov sees the exhibit as showcasing the “deeply human” nature of architecture—one that is connected to art. For him, architecture is more than just places of shelter; it is also a feeling. 

Building a legacy

Kokalov was born and raised in Bulgaria, where his architectural career began. In 2002, he immigrated to Canada with his partner Stani Kokalova who is now the managing principal of Revery Architecture.

In Vancouver, Venelin joined Bing Thom Architects, eventually stepping into the role of principal-in-charge following Thom’s death in 2016. The firm’s name was then changed to Revery Architecture.

Venelin sees the exhibit as reflecting this lineage while also showcasing Revery Architecture’s own philosophy.

“I never want to create buildings that are just sitting next to nature,” he adds. “I’m interested in creating buildings that invite nature, for example, The Butterfly building is sliced in the middle, with nature inside.”

“People often are disappointed or complain that Vancouver architecture looks alike,” Weder says many people criticize the city’s predictable use of glass and steel. “Revery Architecture is one of a small number of firms that’s really challenging that formula.”

Venelin and Revery Architecture, along with collaborator Donald Luxton + Associates, won a 2026 BC Heritage Award in the conservation category. The award recognizes their revitalization of First Baptist Church on Burrard St.

“We restored many of the defining elements, including the stained-glass windows,” Venelin shares. Seismic and accessibility upgrades were also undertaken. “Beyond the heritage restoration, we developed and introduced new community facilities.”

The Dreamers exhibit came together as a collaboration between Weder and WVAM’s administrator/curator Pantea Haghighi. Weder hopes it brings awareness to the complexity of architectural design and the value of hand drawing.

“It’s a very exciting time for the firm because they just completed and been commissioned a number of pivotal, new and major projects here and elsewhere,” Weder adds. “We both agreed that Revery Architecture is the perfect subject right now.”

Venelin will be in conversation with Haghighi at a West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Big Ideas event on June 12. The evening will include reflections on his personal and professional journey as well as insights into the firm’s creative process.

For more information on Dreamers, see https://westvancouverartmuseum.ca/exhibitions/dreamers-art-revery-architecture.

For more information on Revery Architecture, see https://reveryarchitecture.com/.

For more information on the Big Ideas event, see https://westvanlibrary.ca/event/big-ideas-venelin-kokalov-of-revery-architects-in-conversation-with-pantea-haghighi/.