Community Design Strategies Inc. (CDS Inc.) offers a diverse range of consulting services in heritage resource management, main street revitalization, public engagement, illustration and design.
Our services are based on a hands-on, collaborative, creative, and systematic approach to assist the public and private sector in celebrating the diversity of historic resources as community assets that speak to the past, the present, and the future.
We take pride in our exceptional and dedicated service to our clients, and our commitment to the conservation and protection of our cultural and heritage resources. CDS Inc.’s clients have included municipal and provincial organizations, public programs, heritage organizations, architects, developers, builders and private citizens.
The ongoing respect we carry for our clients, and that which our clients give in return, is a testament to our exceptional skills and professionalism that build the foundation for our success.
Community Design Strategies Inc. offers a diverse range of consulting services in heritage resource management, main street revitalization, public engagement, illustration and design. Read more
Merinda Conley is president and owner of Community Design Strategies Inc. She holds a Master of Environmental Design in Architecture, an Honours’ Diploma in Architectural Technology, as well as a Certificate in Management Development from The University of Alberta’s School of Business. She is a certified member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, a Certified Engineering Technologist, certified under the National Charrette Institute, and is a member of the Alberta Association of Architects.
Merinda is a recipient of over sixteen awards, including a Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects and two Alberta Premier’s Awards of Excellence for the professional contributions, delivery and management of the Alberta Main Street Program. Merinda is passionate about heritage and its contribution to the urban and rural environment. She is also equally passionate about public engagement, has been an associate with Stanley King’s Co-Design Group for over 35 years, and undertakes what she considers as play…graphic illustration and design.
Robert Earley has a background in heritage, arts, management, and communications. Robert has considerable experience with heritage surveys, site evaluation and integrity assessments, Statements of Significance and Heritage Management Plans. Robert coordinated the Camrose Main Street Project while, at the same time, the manager of City Centre Camrose.
During his nine years in this combined role, Robert gained considerable Main Street experience and insight into the value of architectural heritage, character-defining elements, streetscape characteristics and in-depth research skills. He has worked successfully with dozens of building owners on building rehabilitations, and has completed hundreds of heritage building surveys, nearly 300 Statements of Significance, and has excellent research skills in the development of thematic context papers.
Carrie Hubka obtained a Graphic Media Design Diploma from the Pacific Design Academy in Victoria, BC., and is a graphic designer with strong values and cultivated passions. Her objective as a visual communicator is to facilitate connection between people, products, communities, concepts and ideas.
Her previous employment with a consulting firm gained her 3+ years experience producing community consultation work that include: project branding and logo design, graphic reports, advertisements, brochures, handouts, diagrams, infographics, presentation boards for open houses, event banners, posters, questionnaires, social media content, email templates, interactive PDFs, project websites, and much more.
Her passion for organization and visual communication comes through via transforming technical data into visually comprehensible pieces that are appealing and easy to digest.
Jim Goud has many years of client care and hands on experience in the construction industry, bringing practical and creative solutions with ultimate respect for the goals of the client. Currently enrolled in the RAIC Centre for Architecture program at Athabasca University, he is responsible for the digitized production of detailed drawings.
Jim has years of experience in design consultation services to homeowners and contractors for a wide array of projects ranging from commercial and residential design to millwork, cabinetry, and interior spatial reconfigurations.
Jim is trained in AutoCad, Sketchup, Chief Architect, Decotech and Reviit, all of which affords the opportunity to communicate ideas effectively. He is also very familiar and well-versed with the National and Alberta Building Code, and the City of Calgary Land-Use Bylaws.
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