Zoë Coombes is an architectural designer and the Executive and Creative Director of the Neptis Foundation. Raised in her hometown of Toronto near Bathurst and Bloor, she was influenced by her father, Tony Coombes, who served as Chief Planner for Central Toronto. She completed a Foundation Year Program at the University of King's College in Halifax, an urban history degree, and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.

In New York, Coombes cofounded Commonwealth, a Brooklyn design studio and gallery, with her husband David Boira. Commonwealth explored the intersection of digital formalism and physical fabrication, collaborating with artists to host community driven gallery events.

Upon returning to Toronto, Coombes assumed leadership of the Neptis Foundation. Historically focused on regional planning, the charitable foundation has pivoted under her guidance to emphasize the critical role of architects in shaping urban growth. Coombes spearheaded Impossible Toronto, an initiative partnering with local architecture practices to design aspirational building typologies currently unbuildable due to restrictive zoning and building codes.

The inaugural project, On the Courtyard, was developed with Studio VAARO and Gabriel Fain Architects. It explores the viability of European style courtyard blocks in Toronto and outlines a matrix of impossibilities detailing regulatory friction. You can access the On the Courtyard PDF linked in the podcast liner notes.

⁠⁠The Neptis Foundation⁠⁠

Impossible Toronto: On The Courtyard

Next Release:

⁠⁠⁠Jake Oliveira Studio⁠⁠

Curated Podcast Sponsors:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]

⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠