July 11, 2025
Year One
(re)public architecture’s story began in 2009 with our very first project: a Schematic Plan for a client in The Pas, MB. As work got underway, founder Shane Solomon quickly realized he needed reinforcements. Enter Steve Isfeld—the first and longest-standing hire.
Steve joined Shane in November 2009, and as new projects started rolling in—Project #004 in Igloolik and Project #007 in Grise Fiord, both in Nunavut—the duo became a trio with the addition of Evan Hunter in February 2010.
As the team expanded, it became clear that (re)public architecture had outgrown its humble beginnings in Shane’s River Avenue condo in Winnipeg. A more permanent home was needed. In March 2010, we moved into our first official studio on Donald Street, a space where (re)public architecture would flourish and eventually REbrand to Republic Architecture Inc. (but more on that in a future post).
In these formative years, one thing quickly became clear: cultivating a strong and positive culture would be central to who we are. Team-building and professional development converged with our first retreat—a trip to Montréal in May 2010—that sparked a tradition lasting more than a decade.
As Year One came to a close, we had three team members, a new studio, new traditions, and the first glimpses of the “secret sauce” that would come to define Republic. With 15 projects in our portfolio, we were just getting started—and ready for whatever came next…

Shane, Steve, and Evan circa Year One.