Issued For Construction

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, and U. Alberta (MArch, BArch, BA), leads the studio’s prototyping and tech-driven explorations. His work bridges cutting-edge design with practical buildability, expanding what's possible in architecture.

Together, Maria and Tom deliver thoughtful, boundary-pushing work, inspiring both their clients and their students across Ontario.

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 an annual awards program. Her advocacy and voice have made her a respected figure in the Canadian architecture community.

Tune in to this week’s episode of Behind the Build with the remarkable Elsa Lam.

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 sense of feasibility and buildability, skills she now brings to every project.

Beth’s true passion lies in interiors, where she uses color and both natural and artificial light to craft distinct moods that reflect each client's vision while respecting the character of established neighborhoods. Join us as we uncover more about Beth's joyful approach to design and the work that continues to shape her success.

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 Heather was in school, also influenced Heather's appreciation for outdoor spaces.

Dubbeldam Architecture + Design has been operating for over 20 years, offering a blend of thoughtful design and forward-thinking architectural solutions.

Given all the work both for clients and the community at large, among many of the criteria, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design won the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Practice of the Year for 2024.

Heather has a passion for supporting small and emerging practices through programs like "20 & Change," which acknowledges the challenges of running a smaller firm and celebrates promising architects with up to 10 years of experience. Dubbeldam’s involvement in the program is rooted in her own early experiences as an emerging practice, with a focus on fostering change in the industry. Heather is also highly connected and well-respected within the architecture community, both locally, nationally, and abroad.

Heather is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in architecture. As Chair of BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture Toronto), she actively works to increase women's representation and promote diversity in the field. She is an ambassador of what it means to be an architect and the impact thereof, frequently speaking at conferences, specialized programs, and academic institutions worldwide on topics like density, inclusion, and advocacy. Heather’s community involvement extends to organizing "Parking Day" in Toronto, a global movement that transforms parking spaces into public spaces for a weekend. This initiative, now a granting program, raises awareness about the importance of public spaces, and Heather's dedication often sees her working on these projects during evenings and weekends, reflecting her commitment to the industry and the community.

Enjoy!

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 opportunity to step into the CEO role when it arose. Brooke’s love for architecture and design fuels her drive to help others reach their potential.

Beyond the boardroom, Brooke’s adventurous side shines through. A fan of motorcycling and exploration, her zest for life reflects both in her work and play. Dive into this episode to uncover the many layers of Brooke Guzar, an inspiring and well-spoken leader.

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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 eventually branched out on her own, launching her independent firm, NuNu Interior Design.

But she didn’t stop there. Recently, Chantal acquired one of Canada’s top ICF companies, pushing industry boundaries with a quiet tenacity that belies her kindness and determination.

In this episode of Behind the Build, we dive into Chantal’s inspiring journey—from her early days in construction to leading the way in sustainable building practices.

Follow us on Instagram: @behind_the_build_podcast.

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 city growth than a single family home can provide to the community.

Her eagerness and disposition lend themselves to a highly engaging discussion throughout our time together.

Worth noting is that the audio on my side was not great, but the conversation was so meaningful and Naama's audio was so clear, it was totally worth sharing.

Enjoy this installment of Behind the Build with Naama Blonder of Smart Density.

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 early 2000s, officially launching Paul Raff Studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In the beginning, Paul admits to having started without clients or projects. Yet, through perseverance, he secured his first commission: a garden pavilion.

This initial project gave him the confidence to sculpt his architectural vision for clients who appreciate the art of architecture. His work soon began to focus on Passive House principles, non-toxic living, ecological design, and healthy environments. This led to Cascade House, his first ground-up project, which integrated solar technology and embraced Passive House standards.

Since then, Paul’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. His unique integration of color, light, materials, and even smell, along with his commitment to high-quality environments, sets him apart. I would even call him a modern-day renaissance man.

Enjoy this special episode with my guest, Paul Raff.

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 leading her to study Architecture at University of Waterloo, in Waterloo, Canada - also, her hometown.

With a keen interest in forward thinking when it comes to architecture, she has acquired LEED accreditation and Passive House Canada.

Find out how the practice has right-sized over the years and how they’ve established themselves as one of the long-standing and highly reputable practices in the city both in residential, commercial, prefab and more…

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 multi-residential projects, but also an entire collection of products that she has created and designed.

Her business has flourished as a result of satisfying clients and having them bring her back into design for their next project, be it the next new home or reno, or a vacation home. She has a motto in her design for "frictionless living."

Gillian's team is fully committed to each other, too. Find out what makes her small team so special by listening to this week's edition of Behind the Build.