If Year Thirteen was about luck, then Year Fourteen was about leaning into the strength of our people, our culture, and our growth. The #PeopleOfRepublic found no shortage of ways to connect, collaborate, and celebrate—proving that sometimes the best ideas and strongest bonds are built outside of the studio.

We kept the team spirit alive with a bowling night that brought out our competitive sides (and a few questionable victory dances). At RAINO, we started noticing more and more evidence of the synchronicity and synergy among our team—not just in project work, but in our wardrobes. “Twinning” became a recurring theme as multiple team members unknowingly showed up in nearly identical outfits. Great minds, great design, great style!

Speaking of style, RAINO once again made a small-screen appearance. In December 2023, our studio was transformed for a Dufresne Furniture commercial, The Future of Sleep—complete with a bed staged on the second floor. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to sleep at the office, this was the closest we’ve come.

Our curiosity also took us beyond the studio. In the brisk chill of a Winnipeg January, a group of Republic adventurers headed to Kleefeld, MB for a Cornerstone Timberframes facility tour. Inspiration was carried back to our Manitoba Hydro Riel Construction Office project, where mass timber played an exciting role. And since Winnipeg winters can feel endless, our social committee gave us a taste of summer with an afternoon of beach volleyball at The Beach. Sand between the toes in February? Yes, please.

In April, we returned to The Forks for an off-site that dove deep into who we are as a firm. Building on years of conversation about identity, the #PeopleOfRepublic collaborated to define our core values: Growth, Well-Being, Integrity, and Connection. These values are not just words on paper—they reflect who we are, how we work, and where we’re headed.

Year Fourteen was also marked by an influx of new talent. Andrew Massie and Jeff Dudley brought versatile skills that were a natural fit as Building Service Specialists. Pam Zyla joined our Project Management Team, later followed by Sumandy Young. Coral Dance (yes, we love the name too) joined the Accounting Team with her financial expertise. The architectural technologist team got a boost from Brendan Wakeman (BTdubs!), while Lauren Ridd added her construction knowledge, mad list making skills, love of pickles, and her pop culture aficionado flair to the MarCom Team. Julia Evancio brought fresh ideas and new perspectives to the Architecture Team, and Braeden Dickinson lowered the mean age of the #PeopleOfRepublic when he joined the Spec Writing Team. Together, this diverse group embodied the growth and direction of Republic’s future.

Beyond project work, Republic continued to share our knowledge and passion. Mélanie and César presented at the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (SSAC) on The Power of Community in Driving Heritage Conservation, reinforcing our belief that protecting our built environment is a shared responsibility—and that community voices have the power to shape preservation efforts.

By the end of Year Fourteen, our team had grown to over 60 #PeopleOfRepublic, new departments and service offerings were in motion, and our portfolio had reached 762 projects. On the brink of a huge milestone, Year Fourteen was a clear signal: our boutique firm was ready for the big stage… Year Fifteen.