Magic Moment: As a young architect, I was assigned to refresh a dialysis unit that patients and staff found depressing. My budget allowed for paint only as a method of improvement. Using bright colours that reflected healthy hues on patient’s faces, I transformed the space. The patients loved how much better they felt and I recognized the impact that design has on people’s daily lives.

Key Influence: George Christoff – The first architect that I worked for who taught me to ‘dot the ‘i’s and cross the t’s’ and never make assumptions about what the client wants.

Professor Ozdemir Erginsav – One of my profs at school, Ozzie taught me to never be so in love with a design solution that I couldn’t discard it and create a better design.

Next Big Challenge As An Industry: We need to solve the issues of people movement by working together in a cooperative manner, not the automobile vs. the bikes. And architects need to be as much a part of the solution as planners. We need to create better destinations that incorporate transit, pedestrians, cars and bikes and become places that people want to spend time at rather than just a way to get from one place to another.

Secret Talent: I started making beaded jewelry a couple of years ago and enjoy taking courses to learn more about it.

On Championing Others… I have been a mentor for many architecture and interior design students through the OAA, Humber College, Ryerson and ARIDO and I make a specific effort to work with the younger architects and designers in the office to encourage them to invest in themselves both personally and professionally.

One word that captures you: Effervescent