Vancouver, BC – The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), in collaboration with Bomber Brewing, is pleased to announce Paya Salem, Intern Architect AIBC and Alireza Danesh, Architect AIBC, from Vancouver, BC, as the winners of the national beer label design contest created to celebrate architecture, creativity, and community ahead of the 2026 RAIC Conference on Architecture in Vancouver.
The contest invited designers, architects, and creatives from across Canada to submit original label concepts for a limited-edition conference beer produced with Bomber Brewing. The initiative was conceived as a playful but meaningful way to explore how architecture connects people, place, and culture.
The selected design uses the universal language of music as a metaphor for architecture. Sound-bar graphics form a symbolic skyline and urban silhouette that incorporates the plan of Downtown Vancouver. The bars mirror vertically to evoke both the rhythm of sound and Vancouver’s relationship to the ocean. When multiple cans are placed together, the design expands into a larger collective composition, reflecting how architecture brings diverse voices together into a unified whole.
The selection committee reviewed a large number of submissions from across the country. While many designs offered thoughtful interpretations of architecture and community, Salem’s concept stood out for its clarity, creativity, and strong connection to the conference theme.
“This design captures something essential about architecture,” said Jonathan Bisson, President of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. “Like music, architecture communicates through rhythm, proportion, and structure. The committee was particularly struck by how the design translates this idea visually while grounding the concept in Vancouver’s urban context.”
“Brewing and design share a similar spirit of craft and creativity,” said Don Farion, Owner and President of Bomber Brewing. “This label beautifully expresses the idea of many voices coming together to create something meaningful. We were impressed by how the design works both as a single can and as a larger composition when multiple cans are placed together.”
The limited-edition beer featuring Salem’s design will debut at the 2026 RAIC Conference on Architecture, taking place May 5–8, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Six-packs of the official beer is available for pre-ordering on the RAIC website here.
The RAIC extends its sincere thanks to all participants who submitted designs. The contest attracted a remarkable range of creative ideas from across Canada, demonstrating the strong connections between architecture, design culture, and community.
About the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization dedicated to representing architects and architecture since 1907. The RAIC is the only national voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada focused on providing Canada’s architectural community with the tools, resources, and education to elevate their practice.
The RAIC is committed to showcasing how design enhances quality of life, while advocating for important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
About Bomber Brewing
Bomber Brewing is an independent craft brewery based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Known for its community-driven spirit and distinctive small-batch beers, Bomber Brewing celebrates creativity, collaboration, and local culture. The brewery regularly partners with artists, organizations, and community initiatives to create unique projects that bring people together.