Behind the Build

Barbora Vokac Taylor, founded her practice in 2012, based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In what was an incredible drop of knowledge, you'll find out about her ties to a number of architects in the city, as well as her familial history, all of which led to her to have a strong connection to the architecture community through organizations that provide architects with information and discussions for the built environment, like the Toronto Society of Architects. Her story of graduating from McGill, to getting her first job at Kohn Shnier, to building her own practice, is told.. oh so well. Enjoy!

Vanessa Fong is the founder and principal of Vanessa Fong Architect, a studio based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that focuses primarily on contemporary and modern architecture and interior design. Since her practice began, Vanessa has been actively changing the impact of street views across Toronto, PEC and Muskoka. With ties to the Ontario Architect Association (OAA), she brings knowledge, depth of artistic ability and a staff of likened interests to developing exceptional architecture, often seen in media publications. Travel on a marathon of information, with Vanessa and Jonathan and she runs you through her practice, from early career growth, starting in the chair of her dentist's office to her recent induction of Fellow with the Royal Architect Institute of Canada (RAIC).

Shane Laptiste runs his practice, Studio of Contemporary Architecture, known as SOCA, with his partner Tura Cousins Wilson. SOCA is based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Their unique lens on architecture is derived from extensive travel, education and keen interest in diverse cultural learning as it relates to the community. They are very interested in creating shared, artistic spaces, for the black community both in Toronto and abroad. Their connectivity to their architecture is their connectivity the community, providing an empowered and unified space for artists to feel emersed in their surroundings.

Les Klein is the founder of what is now called BDP Quadrangle, formerly known as Quadrangle. His achievements in architecture are extensive, as are the people who have been groomed and/or mentored by him. The practice has its name tied to some of the most iconic and upcoming projects in the city of Toronto and beyond, from multi-residential, to commercial, to institutional and more, Les and the talented team are shaping the landscape of the cities they reach, one piece of architecture at a time. Delve into the beginning of Les' career, as an immigrant to North America, to his schooling and start-up of the practice, to the expansion of his family and everything in between. Enjoy the journey...

Jordan Heckman runs his practice, Jordan Station Design Studio, out of an area of Ontario, called Jordan Station. Located between Beamsville and St. Catherines, Jordan is driving the architectural changes throughout the region, with a team of design professionals, his projects range from renovations to large-scale custom builds. With an avid thirst for professional and personal growth, Jordan stays focused on what he likes, and that's empowering his staff and managing architectural design alone. Find out more about Jordan, his practice and his love for running on the this episode of Behind the Build.

Justin Sherry is a young design professional running his practice out of Barrie, Ontario. Justin has taken his practice from a single, owner-operated practice to a staff of architectural designers and interior designers. Having managed as many as 200 projects in a year, Justin explains his growth and ambition to work, non-stop at perfecting his practice. He dedicates his days to his staff and builders, with more of a focus on design in the wee-hours of the day/night.

Joe Knight is one of four principals that make up the blackLAB Architects team. Joe discusses his life in England and how it has evolved in Toronto. With a small team, all made up of the owners, Joe explains their inception, from working together early on in their career to their method of approaching design. Their Toronto, Ontario, Canada has seen projects reach beyond just the city.

Joel Tanner runs his practice out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is the creative mind pushing the self-proclaimed, "gnarliness" of modern design. Listen along to find out his path, from early days at the start-up to early mornings in the current, Joel has an unrelenting passion for continued learning and perpetual self-improvement.