ABOUT MAITE GARCÍA SANCHIS
Architect, adjunct professor of Architectural Design at Politecnico di Milano, and member of the editorial board of Lotus International. García Sanchis holds a doctorate in Architecture from Iuav University of Venice and a master’s degree in Advanced Architectural Design, specializing in Theory and Criticism, from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
She has curated exhibitions, publications, and seminars on Architecture and Design across Italy, Spain, and China. Her work focuses on the relationship between Design and Architecture, the role of residential architecture in urban transformation processes, and architectural publishing. She has collaborated with institutions such as ADI Design Museum, Triennale Milano, MAXXI, the Spanish Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Spain.
Among her recent curatorial projects are Compasso d’Oro Award: Seventy Years Leading Italian Design Trends (Bund18, Shanghai, November 8, 2023 – March 15, 2024) and La Sedia Infinita (InOut, Rimini, October 9–11, 2024).
ABOUT ELIZABETH PAGLIACOLO
Elizabeth Pagliacolo is the Editor In Chief at AZURE Magazine. She has travelled the world covering design and interviewing some of the world’s most brilliant innovators. She leads the editorial team in conceptualizing and producing six print issues a year, is part of the team that organizes the AZ Awards, and provides direction on Human/Nature, AZURE’s annual climate change and design conference.
ABOUT RONEN BAUER
Moriyama Teshima Architects Partner, Ronen Bauer, joined the firm in 2005 after graduating from the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture with a Master of Architecture. With over 15 years of relevant experience in various roles as Lead Designer, Project Architect and Project Manager with MTA, Ronen’s outstanding collaborative ability and highly efficient working style has been integral to delivering many multifaceted institutional projects. He consistently cultivates a positive and efficient work environment coupled with an extensive knowledge of building systems and technologies.
Ronen’s deep understanding and dedication to rational design, vision, and aesthetics, has been demonstrated on high profile projects including the West Memorial Building Rehabilitation for the Supreme Court of Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University Centre for Urban Innovation, Canon Canada Headquarters, the Niagara Falls History Museum, and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.
ABOUT LISA LANDRUM
Dr. Lisa Landrum is an architect, educator, scholar and creative change-maker, dedicated to advancing social equity, cultural meaning and poetic imagination. She is Professor and Chair of the Department of Architectural Science (DAS) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), where she is committed to fostering sustainable futures and academic excellence, while leveraging architecture’s potential for justice and joy. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University, a post-professional Master’s and PhD in Architectural History and Theory from McGill, and practice experience in New York City. Her research on the interrelations of architectural agency, drama and democracy is widely published, including the book, Theatres of Architectural Imagination (Routledge 2023). Recent exhibitions include co-curation of Buone Nuove: From MAXXI to MET (2024), celebrating international and Toronto women architects, and creative leadership of Unstacking the Deck (2022-23), sharing stories of early women architecture students in Canada.
Vancouver
ABOUT ROBIN MITCHELL CRANFIELD- Emily Carr University, Master of Design
https://www.robinmitchellcranfield.com/
Robin Mitchell Cranfield is a communication designer and illustrator and instructor at Emily Carr University. Robin’s graduate work on Cree Syllabic typographic design, with an emphasis on co-operative publishing practices, reflects her interest in children’s publishing as a vehicle for intergenerational communication, accessibility, and cultural and linguistic preservation and growth.
In 2023, Robin released her fifth book for children, Wings, Waves, and Webs: Patterns in Nature and she is currently working on two new books for Greystone, due out in 2026 and 2027. Robin’s work has been recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Kidscreen (iKids) awards, and BolognaRagazzi. She holds a BDes from Emily Carr University and an MA in English, specializing in Print Culture, from Simon Fraser University.
ABOUT TOMMASO OBERTI - Vice President at Oberti Resort Group and Pheidias Group https://obertiresorts.com/ , (www.obertiarchitecture.com), Oberti Resort Design (www.obertiresorts.com) and the Pheidias Group (www.pheidias.ca).
His wide-ranging educational background encompasses classical history, English literature, technical writing, computer programming, graphic design, marketing, architecture, environmental studies, and business management. Prior to joining the Pheidias Group, he worked in Zurich, Switzerland for the Kunsthaus Zurich, and the Union Bank of Switzerland. He also worked in Turin, Italy in a communications capacity for a top investment bank.
He joined the Pheidias Group in 2002, and his multidisciplinary background soon made him a key designer, planner, and development manager for the most complex projects of the company. He led the team that gained the first environmental assessment certificate and master plan approval for a major tourism project in B.C. He has been active on a wide range of projects in both urban and remote environments and has authored many plans, studies, papers, articles, fact sheets and websites.
Tom has a lengthy record as a consensus builder, working with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly indigenous groups. He directed the multidisciplinary planning teams that designed the expansion of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (www.kickinghorseresort.com), Crystal Mountain Ski and Golf Resort (www.crystal.ca), and Valemount Glacier Destinations (www.valemountglaciers.com).
He has guest lectured at Selkirk College and Thompson Rivers University and is very active in the community. He is a director of the Vancouver Foundation for Art, Justice and Liberty (www.artjusticeliberty.org) and has been president of the West Vancouver Minor Hockey Association (www.wvmha.ca) for over ten years, winning several community awards.
ABOUT BRIAN DUST - Architect at NSDA Vancouver https://www.nsda.bc.ca/our-team/
Professional Affiliations Member - Architectural Institute of British Columbia Member - Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) Education: Bachelor of Architecture, UBC, 1981 Bachelor of Arts (Advanced), UofS, 1977 Professional Practice: 2017–Present Principal - NSDA Architects 2003–2017 Associate - Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams 1984–2003 Project Architect - Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams
Brian has been with NSDA Architects since 1984. He has a strong personal interest in the design of special needs housing and residential healthcare facilities. Brian has attended numerous international symposiums and toured leading edge facilities throughout Canada, United States and Europe to expand his knowledge of the issues in creating a nurturing environment for people with special-needs. A critical aspect of his work is his commitment to designing projects that go beyond the expected and conventional and to make them inspirational and exceptional. He takes immense pride in ensuring the client’s goals; users’ needs and culture are fully realized and reflected in the project. Brian believes the architecture should reflect the uniqueness of its site, environment and users’ culture. He brings a very strong background in design, graphic arts and photography and this interest is reflected in the architectural projects that he has worked on. Brian is also an accredited member of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society. Their mandate is to promote integrated design and efficient management of the operation, maintenance, and safety of healthcare facilities.
Representative Projects: • GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub, Richmond • Dania Home, Complex Care, Burnaby • Canadian Cancer Society’s Kordyban Lodge, Prince George • Suncreek Village, Complex Care, Surrey • Gateway Lodge, Complex Care / Assisted Living, Prince George • The Salvation Army Rotary Hospice, Richmond • The Salvation Army Belkin House, SpecialNeeds Residential, Vancouver • The Salvation Army Buchanan Lodge, Complex Care, New Westminster • Villa Carital, Complex Care, Vancouver • Zion Park Manor, Complex Care, Cloverdale • Crofton Manor Addition, Seniors Residence / Assisted Living, Vancouver • Weinberg Residence at Louis Brier Home, Complex Care / Assisted Living, Vancouver • Dr. Peter Interim Residence at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver • Carlton Gardens Campus of Care Redevelopment, Complex Care, Burnaby • McDonald Lodge, Complex Care, Dawson City
