June 18, 2025 – Partner Content, featured in Les Affaires Journal
Widely known for delivering large-scale, complex institutional projects, BPA also brings a breadth of experience to buildings of every size. BPA’s advanced, multidisciplinary expertise—unique in Québec—serves as a valuable asset to both public and private sector clients.
A Company True to Its Heritage
Since it was founded in 1956, BPA has experienced remarkable growth. From a team of approximately 70 employees in the 1980s and 1990s, the firm has grown to over 1,200 employees today. While BPA’s operations have expanded and diversified over the decades, the key to its enduring success remains straightforward. “We have always stayed in the field of building design. We don’t design bridges or highways; we focus on our core expertise because that’s where we excel,” explains Julien Allard, Director of Private Markets and Transportation at BPA.
The sustained commitment to this vision has enabled the firm to broaden its capabilities across all building design disciplines, facilitating its ability to deliver projects of varying scales and complexities. “Our presence in multiple markets, such as industrial, commercial and transportation, demonstrates our highly specialized and recognized expertise. If we continue to grow today, it is because building engineering has consistently been our focus since the very beginning,” adds Jean-François Arbour, Vice President of Private Projects.
A Lesser-Known Fact About the Firm
Thanks to the rigorous methods developed through technically challenging assignments, BPA can now complete smaller-scale projects with improved efficiency, meeting the needs of clients whose projects are more limited in scale. There is no need to build a university hospital to benefit from its expert services. “We serve all types of clients, from small local shops to those building downtown skyscrapers,” notes Mr. Allard.
The same approach applies in the real estate sector, where BPA supports owners and developers on projects ranging from several thousand units to just a few dozen. What sets BPA apart, as Canada’s largest building engineering firm, is how its team tackles the most challenging problems. “The many complications that require creativity and innovation aren’t exclusive to large-scale projects,” adds Jean-François Arbour. “One project began as a standard multi-residential mandate, but the building’s mixed-use design required an advanced commercial cooling system. We were able to deliver this additional expertise, and that’s what sets us apart.”
Remarkable Team Synergy
At BPA, maintaining momentum is a core value. Their teams are accustomed to meeting tight deadlines while maintaining a high degree of commitment. The firm’s flat organizational structure is instrumental in this approach.
“Even though we are a large firm, our decision-making process remains organic. There aren’t 28 levels of approval between the CEO and our employees. This streamlined structure ensures faster execution and clearer communication among teams working on the same project,” explains Jean-François Arbour. Direct access to this wealth of expertise is a defining aspect of the client experience at BPA.
Over the course of numerous contracts with government agencies and major private-sector clients, this strong team cohesion has helped establish BPA’s reputation for excellence. As a result, a growing number of owners, developers, and contractors—both general and specialized—have chosen to leverage the firm’s expertise. “The more complex elements that can significantly extend a project’s timeline are among our strengths. For example, when existing infrastructure must be preserved or a facility integrated into a renewable energy loop, we excel at delivering innovative, effective solutions,” adds Mr. Allard.
A Focus on Customer Satisfaction
BPA’s capacity to tackle unique challenges is rooted in its mission to provide high-quality support and respond to each client’s specific needs. Are you a property developer, architect, plant manager, or builder seeking specialized expertise to bring their projects to life? Learn more about BPA’s services today!