Issued For Construction AD: Zoë Coombes - The Neptis Foundation

Established in 1961 as Webb Zerafa Menkès Housden, WZMH Architects is synonymous with the Canadian built environment and recognized as the architect of record for the iconic CN Tower. Originally defined by towering office developments, the firm diversified across retail, residential, master planning, and high security civic projects. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, WZMH recently expanded its geographical footprint to the Middle East and Austin, Texas. At the core of the practice is a deep investment in people through the WZMH Academy, mentorship initiatives, and scholarships that empower architectural talent. The firm challenges industry conventions through two innovation branches. Sparkbird is an internal research and development lab dedicated to physical inventions like modular components. Giraffe Apps is an independent software company engineering digital solutions, such as the Parrot and Aim applications, to streamline design standards.Raised in Toronto, Zenon Radewych discovered a passion for drafting at Western Technical Commercial School. After graduating from Ryerson University, his career accelerated during two years living on site for the Windsor Casino project. Today, he champions business development and spearheads the Sparkbird lab.Supreet Barhay grew up in New Delhi, India, earning an architecture degree from Bangalore University. Her early career involved commuting four hours daily on an analog bus, long before the distraction of scrolling Instagram. Following a master degree, she built a robust retail architecture career at Pellow and Associates before merging with WZMH.Born in Eilat, Israel, Moran Olsha relocated to Canada as a teenager. After studying at Ryerson University, she moved to Budapest, Hungary, managing turnkey real estate projects. Returning to Toronto, she integrated her developmental perspective into WZMH, where she manages major government commissions.⁠⁠WZMH⁠⁠Next Release:Gelanaz & AssociatesSponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

François Roupinian is a globally recognized lighting designer and the founder of Lightemotion. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, François discovered his passion for illumination during his youth. His early creative experiments included building custom concrete and metal lamps in his bedroom. Listeners can head over to Instagram this week to view exclusive story photos of these teenage creations.He refined his craft working in the Montreal club scene and providing lighting for electronic music acts like Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers at venues such as Metropolis. Seeking to deepen his expertise, François studied at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and completed a production program at the National Theatre School of Canada before graduating in 1999. Following a major architectural project with racing champion Jacques Villeneuve, he established Lightemotion, officially incorporating the firm in 2002.Today, Lightemotion operates internationally with a dedicated team across Montreal, Toronto, and Paris. Under his leadership, the practice has designed illuminating experiences for prestigious clients including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fairmont, Sofitel, the National Arts Centre, and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. His team is also deeply involved in illuminating the parliamentary precinct in Ottawa. A believer in heart driven business, François places immense value on human connection. Outside of work, he practices daily transcendental meditation and studies classical guitar.⁠⁠Lightemotion⁠⁠Next Release:WZMHSponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Alex Bozikovic is the architecture critic for The Globe and Mail and a leading voice on urban design, city planning, and housing politics in Canada. Born and raised in the North York region of Toronto, he grew up exploring the varied built environments of the city. His early experiences visiting his immigrant grandparents in slab apartment towers across Toronto shaped his deep appreciation for urban life and density.A lifelong reader with a passion for storytelling, Alex initially studied English at the University of Toronto and pursued graduate studies at the City University of New York. Realizing he did not want to become an English professor, he pivoted to journalism. He began his career cold calling publications and writing book reviews as a freelance writer. His dedication eventually led to a position at the alternative publication eye weekly, followed by a brief stint at the Toronto Star, and finally a permanent role at The Globe and Mail.At The Globe and Mail, Alex spent nearly a decade refining his craft as a copy editor and assigning editor under the guidance of mentors like Carol Toller. Writing off the side of his desk, he eventually pitched himself to fill the architecture critic role previously held by Lisa Rochon. Today, he combines his literary background with an incisive understanding of civic infrastructure. He advocates for accessible public spaces, zoning reform, and vibrant urban ecosystems. In addition to his journalism, Alex also teaches urban design.⁠⁠Alex Bozikovic⁠⁠Impossible Toronto: On The CourtyardNext Release:LightemotionSponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jake Olivera is a talented product and industrial designer based in Toronto, Ontario. Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Jake was deeply influenced by his Portuguese heritage and a family environment that encouraged spirited debate, independence, and hands on learning.He holds a Bachelor of Design from the joint program between York University and Sheridan College. Early in his career, Jake interned in the marketing department at Umbra, which taught him the critical importance of product storytelling. He later honed his technical skills as an industrial designer at a prominent Toronto interior design firm and at Powell and Bonnell. There, he worked closely with local fabricators and mastered the complexities of physical manufacturing.Following a pandemic related layoff, he launched Jake Olivera Studio. Over the past five years, he has built a reputation for designing highly sculptural, modern pieces. He collaborates extensively with Boyd Lighting in Colorado, producing celebrated lines like the Spire Collection and the complex, blown glass Nest Collection.Recently, Jake partnered with Jason from Henderson Resource Group to launch Ourse, a furniture brand dedicated to domestic manufacturing. Debuting at the Interior Design Show, Ourse aims to revitalize Canadian fabrication by utilizing local materials and labor, ensuring pieces are built to last for generations.Jake describes himself as a small scale problem solver who creates distinct, form focused objects for architects and designers. His ultimate design aspirations include creating the Olympic torch and a signature tile collection, as well as collaborating with global pinnacle brands like Vitra and Magis.⁠⁠Jake Oliveira Studio⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Alex Bozikovic⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zoë Coombes is an architectural designer and the Executive and Creative Director of the Neptis Foundation. Raised in her hometown of Toronto near Bathurst and Bloor, she was influenced by her father, Tony Coombes, who served as Chief Planner for Central Toronto. She completed a Foundation Year Program at the University of King's College in Halifax, an urban history degree, and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.In New York, Coombes cofounded Commonwealth, a Brooklyn design studio and gallery, with her husband David Boira. Commonwealth explored the intersection of digital formalism and physical fabrication, collaborating with artists to host community driven gallery events.Upon returning to Toronto, Coombes assumed leadership of the Neptis Foundation. Historically focused on regional planning, the charitable foundation has pivoted under her guidance to emphasize the critical role of architects in shaping urban growth. Coombes spearheaded Impossible Toronto, an initiative partnering with local architecture practices to design aspirational building typologies currently unbuildable due to restrictive zoning and building codes.The inaugural project, On the Courtyard, was developed with Studio VAARO and Gabriel Fain Architects. It explores the viability of European style courtyard blocks in Toronto and outlines a matrix of impossibilities detailing regulatory friction. You can access the On the Courtyard PDF linked in the podcast liner notes.⁠⁠The Neptis Foundation⁠⁠Impossible Toronto: On The CourtyardNext Release:⁠⁠⁠Jake Oliveira Studio⁠⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠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 Kellezi⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠The Neptis Foundation⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 North⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Studio Kellezi⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.⁠⁠BURDIFILEK⁠⁠Next Release:Studio North⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Moriyama Teshima Architects⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠BURDIFILEK⁠⁠⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠

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 Design⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Moriyama Teshima Architects⁠⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠