Issued For Construction

Born in Tirana, Albania, Uarda Kellezi is an architectural and interior designer whose professional journey is defined by a blend of European cultural immersion and rigorous technical training. The daughter of a diplomat, Uarda spent her formative years navigating a life between Italy, Albania, and Canada, a transition that fostered her deep appreciation for history, art, and the identity of built environments.

Uarda’s creative foundation began in the performing and visual arts, though she eventually pivoted toward the technical sciences—a shift common in Eastern European education. This duality of creative intuition and mathematical precision led her to the prestigious University of Waterloo’s Architecture program. During her studies, she gained diverse international experience through internships in Amsterdam, Rome, and Tirana, working across various sectors including real estate development and environmental architecture with UNICEF.

In January 2023, at the age of 25, Uarda launched Studio Kellezi in the Vaughan area. Her transition to firm ownership was catalyzed by her rapid ascent at a luxury development firm, where she managed high-rise penthouses and complex construction sites during the global pandemic. This "on-site" baptism by fire allowed her to earn the respect of seasoned trades and master the intricacies of construction management.

Today, Uarda leads a growing team of designers specializing in high-end custom homes and luxury interiors. Known for her "old soul" work ethic and solution-oriented approach, she has built a reputation for deep client trust and a reinforced network of industry collaborators. Her design philosophy remains heavily influenced by the historical grandeur of Italy, where she believes architecture serves as the essence of society. When she is not in the studio, Uarda prioritizes mentorship within her team and seeks inspiration through travel and the quiet resets of the coast.

⁠⁠Studio Kellezi⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠The Neptis Foundation⁠⁠

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Matthew Kennedy and Mark Erickson are the founders of Studio North, an architectural design practice based in Calgary, Alberta.

Matthew was born in Halifax and raised in Calgary. Encouraged by his entrepreneurial parents, he discovered a passion for woodworking early on and trained as a journeyman finishing carpenter. He studied urban design at the University of Calgary before completing his architectural degrees at Dalhousie University, where he focused his thesis on laneway housing. Today, Matthew lives on an acreage with his three children and continues to pursue fine woodworking.

Mark was born and raised in Calgary, with a brief childhood stint in Edmonton where he published a winning comic strip in the Edmonton Journal. As mentioned in the discussion, a photo of this childhood comic may be shared on Instagram stories. Raised by a highly resourceful father and a pioneering neon glassblower mother, Mark developed a strong foundation in art. He studied alongside Matthew at the University of Calgary and Dalhousie. During his schooling, Mark spent six months teaching at the Gambia Technical Training Institute in West Africa. There, he studied multi generational family compounds, which heavily influenced their later residential designs. Mark enjoys spending his free time with his two children at his home shop and family cabin in Windermere.

The duo began collaborating on ambitious student projects, including a camp in Prince Edward Island and a lamella structure at the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. They officially launched Studio North in 2013. After twelve years of managing design and construction for large scale projects like the Aster housing complex in Banff, they recently refined their focus to operate as a nimble six person design studio. They also run Ark House, a venture dedicated to marketing architecturally designed homes.

⁠⁠Studio North⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠Studio Kellezi⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Diego Burdi and Paul Filek are the cofounders of Burdifilek, a global interior design studio established in 1993.

Diego Burdi, the firm's Creative Director, was born and raised in Scarborough. A first generation Canadian of Italian descent, he attended Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts before studying interior design at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Paul Filek, the managing partner, grew up in Sault Ste. Marie. Raised by entrepreneurial immigrant parents from Italy and Poland, he developed an early fascination with building. He also attended Toronto Metropolitan University.

They started their practice in a small corner office at Berkeley Castle in Toronto. They quickly built a reputation for designing with a global perspective. Early success came from cold calling a bakery, followed by major commissions for Club Monaco and the main floor of the Holt Renfrew flagship on Bloor Street. The Holt Renfrew commission served as a massive catalyst, proving their design capabilities on a global stage.

Today, their Toronto based studio operates with a highly focused team of twenty professionals. They take on diverse global projects, from massive commercial spaces like Park One in Seoul to award winning super yachts that have graced the cover of SuperYacht Times.

Both founders maintain a fearless and entrepreneurial spirit. They actively seek new opportunities, noting that scrolling Instagram can reveal hundreds of new creative directions to explore. Furthermore, they are eager to expand their footprint and expressed interest in taking on projects in South America.

⁠⁠BURDIFILEK⁠⁠

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Studio North⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, Carol Phillips is a formidable leader in the Canadian architecture industry and a Partner at the renowned firm Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA). Her design philosophy is deeply rooted in her upbringing in a "Demerara style" wooden home—a traditional structure raised on concrete piers with louvered "hopper" windows—in a country below sea level. This early exposure to tropical biodiversity, natural ventilation, and flood mitigation informs her modern-day advocacy for mass timber construction and sustainable, low-carbon building solutions.

Carol immigrated to Canada in 1977, settling in North York. Her journey into architecture was not linear; she initially pursued physics and literature at the University of Waterloo. However, an elective in iconography—a foundational pillar of Waterloo’s architectural curriculum—ignited a passion for the cultural and spatial narratives of the built environment. After reapplying to the architecture program, she spent years honing her craft through international experiences that shaped her professional identity.

Her formative years included working in Vancouver for Peter Busby, where she embraced high-tech sustainability, and a transformative eight-month stint in Barcelona. Immersed in the neo-minimalism of the post-Franco era, she developed a lifelong conviction for the assertive use of materiality and the phenomenology of space. She later worked in Hong Kong for two years during the 1992 recession, living in a 200-square-foot apartment in Kowloon and later on the outlying island of Cheung Chau before returning to Toronto.

Since joining MTA in 2006, Carol has spearheaded landmark projects such as the award-winning Multifaith Centre at the University of Toronto. She was a central figure in the international competition-winning design for Limberlost Place at George Brown College, a paradigm-shifting, 10-story net-zero carbon mass timber building. A dedicated mentor and sessional instructor at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty, Carol remains committed to creating public spaces that foster social interaction and environmental stewardship.

⁠⁠Moriyama Teshima Architects⁠⁠

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⁠⁠BURDIFILEK⁠⁠⁠

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Eva Healy is the founder and principal designer of Avenue Design, a premier interior design firm specializing in large scale residential new builds and major renovations. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Eva immigrated to Canada at age six and grew up in Toronto. After completing an honours double major in Psychology and Law and Society at York University, she pursued her true passion, graduating from an accelerated interior design program at the Academy of Design in Toronto.

Eva began her career at a boutique residential firm before an opportunity to design a modern custom home in Port Credit launched her independent path. This debut project won the Mississauga Urban Design Award and propelled her to officially establish Avenue Design. Today, she operates a thriving studio located in a historic 1818 building in downtown Oakville, leading a talented team of seven. While her staff manages the technical execution of projects spanning from Toronto to Oakville, Eva focuses on business development, client relations, and setting the initial design vision.

Known for blending timeless North American aesthetics with sleek European elements, Eva regularly travels internationally to source unique materials. Outside the studio, she is a dedicated mother to two teenagers and a large rescue dog. She balances her demanding career with early morning workouts and supporting her children in their various pursuits, including provincial level soccer.

⁠⁠Avenue Design⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠Moriyama Teshima Architects⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠

Kate Fox Whyte leads Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture and Design, a Toronto based firm specializing in residential and commercial spaces. Born in Calgary and raised in Peterborough, Kate moved to Toronto in grade four. She developed her creative skills at the Claude Watson School for the Arts and Earl Haig Secondary School before earning a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. Mentored by art teacher Cathy Quinn, she shadowed a student in Maurice Nelischer's Materials and Techniques class, solidifying her career path.

Early on, Kate interned at Terraplan and worked at Janet Rosenberg and Studio, contributing to public projects like the Shaw Festival Theatre. She launched her practice in 2005, securing a substantial Rosedale project through Corbin and Good. Concurrently, she managed private estates for Mark Hartley for seven years. Following a rebranding by Hambly and Woolley, her firm gained momentum, collaborating with architects like Meg Graham of Superkul and winning a national CSLA award. Today, her practice excels at maximizing tight urban sites, terraces, and green roofs.

Kate was an early participant in Building Equity in Architecture Toronto. In June 2025, she partnered with Jake Olivera of Workbench to launch été, an outdoor furniture line. Inspired by a need for shallow terrace planters, été won Product of the Year at the Interior Design Show and a Best in Design award from Designlines.

Kate enjoys yoga, piano, and time with her husband and daughters, Ivy and Olivia.

⁠⁠Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture & Design⁠⁠

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⁠Avenue Design

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Natasha Popek-Konieczko is a Toronto based interior designer and the principal of Common Good Studio. Born in Newmarket and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, she grew up in a creative environment that prioritized imaginative play. Her upbringing, influenced by her father’s machinery business and her mother’s independent professional style, fostered the entrepreneurial spirit that defines her career today.

Natasha’s academic background includes a double major in Anthropology and Art History from McGill University. This foundation provides a unique lens for her practice, driving a curiosity about cultural environments and human behavior. Before specializing in design, she gained experience in media strategy at OMD and spent a year backpacking through South America in 2007.

In 2009, she transitioned to interior design at Sheridan College. She contributed to the custom Templar Hotel early in her career and spent the next decade specializing in commercial design. Her portfolio includes retail rollouts for H&M, hospitality spaces for Burgers Priest and Smokes Poutine, and large scale residential developments in San Francisco.

Natasha launched Common Good Studio during the pandemic. A defining moment for the firm was the transformation of The Beach Motel in Southampton, Ontario, a project she discovered on Instagram. Her research based approach and ability to deliver high level design within feasible budgets have led to a diverse portfolio, including the plastic free grocery store Bare Market, restaurants, and medical clinics. Outside the studio, Natasha is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys hiking the Bruce Trail and backcountry camping in Temagami

⁠Common Good Studio⁠

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⁠⁠⁠Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture & Design⁠⁠

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⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠

Michael Leckie is an architect whose career reflects a deep fascination with the poetry of organization and the intersection of artistry and invention. Born and raised in Toronto, specifically near Avenue Road and Wilson, Michael’s early creative impulses were shaped by studying the intricate cutaway illustrations of ancient structures and spending his youth drawing hideouts and pyramids.

Before dedicating himself to architecture, Michael pursued a diverse range of disciplines that informed his resilient approach to design. He played competitive squash through university—a sport he credits with fostering the mental toughness required to navigate high-stakes environments. After earning a degree in genetics and philosophy from Western University, Michael spent his twenties living a nomadic existence in the Pacific Northwest. Working in the forest industry, he personally planted over 500,000 trees across Canada, an experience that instilled in him a profound respect for remote landscapes and the logistical complexities of the wilderness.

Michael eventually earned his Master of Architecture from UBC and, after a formative tenure at Patkau Architects, founded Leckie Studio Architecture + Design in Vancouver in 2015. His award-winning practice is characterized by a "multi-sensorial" approach, valuing the authentic experience of a building over its mere representation. Beyond traditional practice, Michael is a co-founder of the Backcountry Hut Company, focusing on "user participation in design" through component-based architecture. Today, Michael leads his 15-20-person studio with an emphasis on "mystic" architecture that addresses the human condition on an existential level. An avid surfer and hobbyist photographer, he currently divides his time between Vancouver and Tofino, British Columbia.

⁠Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

Awards:

Architectural Record – Record Interiors – Monos DC – 2026

Architectural Record – Record Houses – Lantern House – 2025

Grand Prix du Design – Gold Certification – Lantern House – 2025

Dezeen Awards – House (Urban) – Longlisted – Lantern House – 2025

Architecture MasterPrize – Other Architecture – Fogo Island Hut – 2025

Architecture MasterPrize – Residential Architecture – Lantern House – 2025

World Architecture Festival – Category Winner / Urban House – Lantern House – 2025

World Architecture Festival – Commendation / Future Projects/ Culture – Tofino Fish Pier – 2025

World Architecture Festival – Shortlist / Best Use of Natural Light – Lantern House – 2025

World Architecture Festival – Shortlist / Future Projects / House – Radial House – 2025

AFBC – Design Excellence Award / Interiors – Monos Flagship Vancouver – 2025

Future House Awards – International Residential Award – Lantern House – 2025

Canadian Interiors – Retail / Finalist – Monos Vancouver – 2025

Canadian Interiors – Project of the Year – Lantern House – 2025

Canadian Interiors – Residential – Lantern House – 2025

Architizer A+ Awards – Unbuilt Private House (3000+ sq ft) / Finalist – Radial House – 2025

AZ Awards – Concepts / Longlist – Addapt – 2025

AZ Awards – Concepts / Award of Merit – Tofino Fish Pier – 2025

AZ Awards – Residential Architecture / Award of Merit – Lantern House – 2025

Architizer A+ Awards – Best Young Interior Design Firm – 2024

Architizer A+ Awards – Best Young Firm Finalist – 2024

Canadian Architect – Award of Merit – Tofino Fish Pier – 2024

BLT Design Awards – Architectural Product of the Year – The Great Lakes Cabin – 2024

Architecture Master Prize – Recreational Architecture – The Great Lakes Cabin – 2024

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Common Good Studio

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⁠Issued For Construction⁠

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg are the visionary founders of Yabu Pushelberg, a holistic design practice celebrated globally for its evocative and multidisciplinary approach. Since establishing their firm in 1980, the duo has expanded from a shared studio in Toronto to a world-renowned practice with offices in Toronto and New York, and a growing presence in Milan. With a career spanning over four decades, they have evolved from "hustling" freelancers into industry icons, recently being appointed to the Order of Canada.

George, born in Toronto, was deeply influenced by his family’s history of resilience following their displacement during World War II, a background that instilled in him a rigorous work ethic. Glenn, hailing from Kitchener, found his calling in design as a way to explore a broader world beyond his small-town roots. The two met during their first year at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), where they discovered a shared passion for a profession that was then only in its nascent stages.

Their international breakthrough began in Taipei during the 1980s, leading to a prolific portfolio that includes the first W Hotel in Times Square and landmark projects for Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, and Holt Renfrew. Today, their work encompasses interior design, product design, and hospitality, characterized by a "quality over quantity" philosophy and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent.

Beyond design, Yabu and Pushelberg are dedicated philanthropists. They actively support organizations such as Friends of Rubies, Egale Canada, and the Rainbow Railroad, focusing on aid for LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized communities. Whether designing a high-end resort or smuggling supplies to those in need, their work is driven by a belief in the power of expression and the elimination of self-imposed limits.

⁠⁠Yabu Pushelberg⁠⁠

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Leckie Studio Architecture + Design

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⁠Issued For Construction⁠

With the launch of the rebrand, it is only fitting to start off with a name synonymous with Canadian Architecture...

Omar Gandhi is the principal and founder of Omar Gandhi Architects. Born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, Ontario, his passion for the arts was cultivated at Mayfield Secondary School in Caledon. Supported by his father and educators, Omar pursued architecture, beginning his studies at the University of Toronto before finding his academic stride at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

His early career included vital roles in Toronto at Young and Wright Architects and KPMB Architects, contributing to projects like the Quantum Nano Centre. Relocating to Halifax, Omar joined MacKay Lyons Sweetapple Architects. Following a firm layoff, he began taking on independent drafting work. His trajectory shifted while collaborating with carpenter Deborah Herman Spartanelli on a modern home addition. This experience launched his solo practice, soon followed by defining early builds such as the Moore Studio and Shanti.

From 2010 to 2016, his firm designed dozens of acclaimed homes across Nova Scotia, earning a Governor General Award for the Rabbit Snare Gorge project. Driven by a desire to reconnect with family and expand his practice, Omar opened a Toronto office in 2016 alongside Stephanie Hosein. The firm later established a Berlin studio to accommodate growing international demand.

Today, his eighteen person team manages a diverse portfolio that includes private residences, bespoke furniture design, and major public commissions like the New Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Outside of his intense work schedule, Omar is an avid Toronto Blue Jays fan who values a quiet home life with his partner Jolène and his son, and enjoys spending his downtime mastering classic French culinary sauces.

Omar Gandhi Architects

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Yabu Pushelberg

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Issued For Construction