Brian MacKay-Lyons, born in Arcadia, Nova Scotia, is a celebrated Canadian architect known for his designs that connect deeply with the coastal landscapes and cultural heritage of his home province. After earning a Bachelor of Architecture from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, he completed a Master of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of California, Los Angeles. Early in his career, MacKay-Lyons collaborated with prominent architects such as Barton Myers, Charles Moore,...

An artist with an insatiable curiosity, Sam Sacks infuses every space she designs with a rich tapestry of stories and inspirations. Armed with a combined degree in English Literature and Feminist Theory from York University, Sam bridges intellectual rigor with creative expression. Her tenure as a magazine editor honed her storytelling prowess, allowing her to capture and translate her clients' deepest desires into stunning, livable art. As the visionary behind Sam Sacks Design, she marries...

Hugh Randolph, founder and principal of Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects, has had a lifelong passion for architecture, with his calling to design buildings ignited at the young age of seven. A native of New Orleans, Hugh’s journey began with a rich cultural backdrop that nurtured his creative inclinations. He started his architectural career in Washington, D.C., before moving to Austin, Texas, in 1991 to study under the celebrated architect and educator Charles Moore. This transformative...

This week, we're featuring Denegri Bessai Studio. Founded by partners Maria Denegri and Tom Bessai, who balance a shared life in architecture with teaching and family. Maria, who studied at UPC Barcelona and UBC (MArch, BArch, BA), brings extensive experience managing complex residential and retail projects, coordinating teams to ensure designs stay on time and on budget. Her client-focused approach keeps every project grounded in the client's unique needs. Tom, a graduate of UCLA, UBC,...

Elsa Lam is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Architect, dedicated to elevating architectural practices across Canada. With a background in architecture from the University of Waterloo, a master’s in Architectural History and Theory from McGill, and a PhD in Architectural History from Columbia University, Elsa brings both depth and insight to her role. At Canadian Architect, Elsa curates and leads the magazine’s content, commissioning and writing articles, moderating events, and overseeing...

This week, we’re thrilled to feature Beth Wassermuhl, a second-generation architect whose practice, StudioWI, has been making waves. Beth’s unique style merges modern and contemporary design with just a touch of old-world charm, drawing an eclectic and dedicated clientele. Growing up in the field, Beth didn’t just learn about architecture; she lived it—joining her father on projects and gaining firsthand insight into the realities of construction. This early exposure developed her sharp...

Heather Dubbeldam is the founder and principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, a practice known for its focus on contemporary and modern architecture and interior design. Coming from a family of architects—her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all practiced architecture—Heather grew up immersed in the world of design. At 16, she had a pivotal conversation about her future in architecture, solidifying her path in the field. Her mother, who studied landscape architecture while...

Brooke Guzar is a trailblazer as the first-ever CEO of Blackwell Structural Engineers—a significant achievement, especially considering she was only one year old when the company was founded. Her passion for structural engineering took root during a family dinner in her youth, and since then, it became her dream to work at Blackwell. Fast forward, and Brooke is now steering the company toward growth, equality, and education. Having spent years with the firm, she eagerly seized the...

Chantal Philippe is the founder and principal of NuNu Interior Design, based in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in construction, Chantal was immersed in the industry from an early age. Over time, her passion for interior design blossomed, leading her to land a pivotal role at a high-end design firm in Toronto. The invaluable experience she gained there set the stage for her next big step—partnering in her first successful practice. With growing confidence, Chantal...

Naama Blonder is the mastermind behind Smart Density, an architecture practice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After moving to Toronto from Israel, she acquired the necessary certifications to start her practice, aiming to bring density to the city. Naama not only holds her architecture degree, but also is a certified urban planner. Combining both professions, she has become a largely vocal and to some, controversial advocate for density along transit lines, creating more opportunity for...

Paul Raff is the founder of Paul Raff Studio, an architectural practice that seamlessly integrates interior and landscape design. Before establishing his studio, Paul practiced as an artist and worked for several international firms, contributing to elegant and thoughtful designs across the globe after graduating from the University of Waterloo with degrees in Architecture and Environmental Studies. Drawing upon his diverse experiences and global insights, Paul founded his practice in the...

Cathy Garrido is the co-founder of Altius Architecture, recently (since recording) re-named as Sustain Design Architects Inc., alongside fellow Waterloo grad Graham Smith. While there were four partners initially, Cathy and Graham are the two remaining. Cathy took to architecture as a profession, in some ways, as a part of a destined path. With building in her blood, both her father and grandfather being builders, she had always been around construction. That formalized into a pathway...

Born on the outskirts of Edinburgh in Scotland, Gillian Gillies found her love for design. As she began her career, she was invited onto a trip where she met her lifelong partner and husband, Dean. When she eventually moved to Toronto, she ultimately started Gillian Gillies Interiors. Now, 20 years into the international award-winning practice, she has not only an incredibly successful interior design practice, that not only works in single-family residential construction, and...

Kelly Buffey and Robert Kastelic founded Atelier Kastelic Buffey (AKB) in 2004.  Celebrating their 20 year mark, at what has become one of the more celebrated studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, AKB has lamented themselves as a highly sought after modern architecture and interior design practice. Having received international awards for their work, Kelly and Robert both have overcome intense challenges in life, and continue to push forward with a charisma that is so indelible and...

Michael Amantea started his practice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2012. His family was instrumental leading him on his path into architecture. His father was a talented artist, and his mother taught him to value himself, while his grandfather was an iron-worker, working on the installation of the CN Tower, including its very challenging top assembly. A graduate of University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design five year program. Throughout his...

Jeffrey Douglas is the founder and sole principal of Douglas Design Studio, an interior design studio based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Don't think that just because Jeffrey's practice is based out of Toronto, that he isn't internationally renowned for his work, because he has won many international design awards, as well as nationally, in Canada. Jeffrey began sketching space when he was 6-7 years old and followed his path of design through teenage-hood and into university, where...

Lucas Maino Fernandez founded his practice, Lucas Maino Fernandez Arquitectos, with a focus on modern architecture to be designed and built south of his home town of Santiago, Chile. The majority of his work can be found more or less at the end of the inhabitable world, a few thousand kilometres north of Patagonia. His designs are purposeful in that the material utilized is largely found locally, given the remote locations of the built structures. By working with wood products, Lucas has...

On this engaging episode, Jennifer Kudlats, one of the principals and founders of Studio for Architecture and Collaboration, or StudioAC, opens up about her path to creating the practice with business partner, Andrew Hill. After graduating from Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia, Canada, and completing her Masters in NYC, she worked at KPMB in Toronto, where she honed in on her craft and first met Andrew. Having partnered on projects at work, the opportunity presented itself to work...

Michael Taylor founded Taylor Smyth Architects with business partner Robert Smyth, based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2000. Since the creation of the practice, Taylor Smyth has designed in residential, commercial, educational and community based architecture. The majority of the practice's work is focused on contemporary architecture, blending into modern architecture. Having grown up in Chicago and then moving to England, he had the privilege of traveling all across Europe in high...

Nathan Buhler is the founder and principal of BLDG Workshop, a modern architectural design practice operating out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With a highly modest disposition, Nathan has been creating some truly beautiful homes throughout Toronto and beyond. All this came after Bible School and acting as a missionary overseas. He went back to school and found a way to give his creativity an outlet. After completing his course at Sheridan, he began his career, which ultimately led him to...

Brenda Izen is the founder and principal of Izen Architecture, a powerful all-female practice focused on modern architecture, based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The practice started in 2015 and has since evolved into a well-established luxury architecture and interior design practice with projects from Prince Edward County, to Toronto and beyond, including a rather special project in Costa Rica. Brenda is meticulously focused on the operation of her business, with thought and...

Richard Wengle has been practicing architecture since the 1980s, knowing he was going to become an architect in high school. He has since never deviated from his path, lamenting himself as one of the most established residential and mid-rise, multi-residential architects in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His projects and clients range from Toronto, to the Caribbean, Europe and beyond. He focuses on all styles of architecture, and architecture alone. Richard is adamant about tactile feel of the...

Special Edition: On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Moriyama Teshima Architects released a statement that they would provide pro-bono architectural services for whatever would be required of the provincial government of Ontario, Canada, to repair the Ontario Science. This came in the wake of the sudden closure of the facility by the provincial government on Friday, June 21, 2024. The Background: Moriyama Teshima Architects was started in 1958 by founder Raymond Moriyama, but with a different...

Drew Mandel started Drew Mandel Architects (DMA) in 2004, after various experiences working at other practices, including two internships at KPMB while at Waterloo and more extensive post-grad experience of seven years at MJMA. DMA was the bi-product/created shortly after the building of his own modern home in Toronto, on a 13 foot wide lot. Thanks to the media coverage the home had received, he had people from the neighbourhood asking who designed the home, with one neighbour slipping...