As we turn the page to 2026, the Gravity Architecture team finds itself in a moment of profound reflection and renewed hope. To say that 2025 was a challenging year would be an understatement. The loss of our Principal, partner, and dear friend, Trent Letwiniuk, in August left an enduring mark on our studio. Trent was more than a leader; he held our client relationships and cared deeply for the success of their projects. Navigating the last few months without his guidance, concern, and wry spark has been the most difficult test in our firm’s history.
However, in the wake of this tragedy, something remarkable happened. The culture that Trent helped build—one of excellence, resilience, and camaraderie—did not falter. Instead, it grew stronger. We came together not just as colleagues, but as a team, to support one another and ensure that the vision we established continues to thrive. As we look toward 2026, we do so with optimism. We are busy, we are learning, and we are evolving. Stephen Barnecut and Jim Vasto remain at the helm as Principals, but they do not lead alone. The strength of Gravity has always been its people, and today, we are thrilled to announce the next generation of leadership within our firm.
To recognize their unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and the vital role they have played in steering us through this transition, we are proud to announce the promotions of the following team members to the role of Associate.
Meet Our New Associates
Anine Eschberger Wortmann, Business Development Lead
Since joining Gravity in early 2025, Anine has been a beacon of thoughtful, community-driven design. With over 15 years of experience spanning South Africa to Montreal to Calgary, she brings a global perspective to our local context. Her passion for social impact and environmental stewardship is evident in her work on educational, retail, and commercial buildings. As an Associate, Anine will lead our business development efforts, continuing to support the relationships we have built and exploring opportunities for collaboration and the pursuit of new markets.
Richard Anderson, Client Relations Lead
Since joining us in 2022, Richard has become a cornerstone of our technical excellence. With a penchant for "dense minimalism" inspired by David Chipperfield, Richard brings a rigour to our work that is second to none. His experience with complex multi-family and affordable housing projects demonstrates his commitment to architecture that serves the community. We are excited to see him elevate our practice further as an Associate. Richard will be focusing on Gravity’s client relationships, ensuring that our focus is always on client satisfaction.
Paul joined the Calgary team in April 2024 and made an immediate impact with his productivity and breadth of experience. As an award-winning designer, Paul has a unique talent for creating community-focused spaces that bring people together. His energy and fresh perspective are exactly what we need as we embark on this new chapter. Paul will be responsible for design excellence at Gravity, ensuring that our work consistently reflects our values and responds to our clients’ needs.
Chris has been a driving force behind Gravity’s success since the very beginning, having joined our sister company, Inertia, in 2014. As our Lead Technologist, he has not only mastered the technical intricacies of townhouse and middle housing design, but has also been a mentor and guide to our entire production team. As an Associate, Chris will continue to oversee our technical standards and ensure our BIM environment remains at the cutting edge.
Kathryn Thorkildsen, Production Lead
As our Production Lead, Kathryn has long been the steady hand guiding our projects to completion since her arrival in 2017. Her promotion to Associate is a testament to her technical mastery and her ability to manage the intricate details of production. She ensures that the vision we promise our clients is the reality we deliver. With her exceptional organizational discipline, she brings clarity, structure, and momentum to every project she touches.
Kayla has been a driving force behind Gravity’s operations since joining in 2022. With extensive experience in architectural administration and corporate management, she thrives in our fast-paced environment, overseeing key business functions with clarity and efficiency. Her responsibilities include everything from human resources and financial processes to office management, business development support, and oversight of legal and insurance needs. Promoting Kayla to Associate recognizes that management excellence is just as vital to the firm’s success as the architectural work itself.
Moving Forward
2026 is a year of new beginnings. We carry Trent’s legacy with us in every building we design and every project we help guide to completion. But we also look forward with excitement, bolstered by a leadership team that is talented, passionate, and ready to take on the future.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and friends for standing by us. Here’s to a bright and busy year ahead.
Stephen Barnecut, Architect AAA AIBC MRAIC
Principal