Shaughnessy Elementary, 1919

Some projects stay with you for a season; others stay with you for a century. Shaughnessy Elementary in Vancouver is one of those rare places where HKM’s story and the city’s history meet. The school first opened its doors in the early 1920s as Prince of Wales Elementary and High School, with His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, laying the foundation stone in 1919 and placing a time capsule inside to mark the moment. What began as a forward-looking public school has since become a heritage landmark and a constant presence for generations of Vancouver families.

HKM was there at the beginning, helping bring this vision to life, and we were honored to be there again a century later when the original time capsule was finally brought back into the light. Standing alongside students, alumni, and community members as the 100‑year‑old bottle was opened revealing newspapers, coins, and documents from 1919. It was a powerful reminder that the work we do outlasts all of us. Our photos, videos, and memories from that day now sit beside the school’s own archives, connecting the craftsmen and builders who started this journey with the young learners who carry it forward.

For HKM, Shaughnessy isn’t just another job site; it’s a living timeline of our commitment to building safely, thoughtfully, and for the long term. To have been part of the original construction, to support the stewardship of the building through its evolution, and to stand witness at the opening of a century-old time capsule is a privilege we don’t take lightly. It’s a reminder that every foundation we pour and every structure we strengthen becomes part of someone else’s story. Sometimes for the next 100 years and beyond.