Paul Fast

As founder of Fast + Epp, Paul Fast is passionate about design excellence. He has emerged a leader in architecturally-exposed structures and is recognized for his unconventional use of materials, including hybrids of timber, concrete and steel.

Following graduation with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering in 1981 from the University of British Columbia, Paul worked for four years with two prominent Vancouver consulting firms, including Bogue Babicki Associates Inc., where he gained valuable experience working on the Expo ‘86 Modular Pavilion System and the Expo ‘86 geodesic dome (now Science World), which would have a lasting impact on his career.

In 1985, Paul decided to establish his own company, Paul Fast Associates Ltd.; four years later the corporate partnership of Fast + Epp was born.

For over three decades, Paul has been the design lead for many of the firm’s most significant award winning projects, including the Richmond Olympic Oval, the Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre, the Kingsway Pedestrian Bridge, and the 18-storey Tallwood House at UBC.

He delights in work-life balance, spending much time with his wife, 9 children and many grandchildren. He derives special joy from many years of involvement working with orphaned children in Russia, with his wife, Ruth.

In the spring of 2010, he was named an honorary member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers in the U.K. In 2013, the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia accorded Paul their highest honour, the R.A. McLachlan Memorial award. In September 2021, Paul Fast was awarded the 2021 Gold Medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers for his exceptional contributions to the advancement of structural engineering, and his world leadership in the design of architecturally expressive structures that incorporate unconventional use of materials, including hybrids of wood, steel and concrete.

Paul sits on advisory boards with the Structural Engineers Association of British Columbia, and the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. He is a frequent lecturer in both English and German and enjoys mentoring young engineers in the office. Paul is a Clinical Professor at the College of Fine + Applied Arts, University of Illinois.