SOSA Cross Sections: Renders to Reality

Venue: Teknion Toronto Collaboration Hub (120 Bremner Blvd., Suite 2010, Toronto, ON , M5J 0A8)

Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm

An architect is more than just a designer of buildings; they are visionaries, problem solvers, and project managers. They wear many hats, including Creative Design, Urban Design, Technical Expertise, Project Management, Construction, Legal and Accounting.

With that in mind, SOSA Canada is excited to host its first Cross Sections event – “Renders to Reality” that focuses on the different hats we put on as architects during the different phases of a project. SOSA Cross-Section is an annual event that follows a speed discussion format. At this event, you will have the chance to connect and engage with four pairs of accomplished Guest Speakers from four major phases in a project's lifespan. To provide a diverse perspective, each pair will include an Architect along with a Planner, Urban Designer, Construction Manager and General Contractor, to provide their expertise for their respective project phases:

• Phase 1: Schematic Design & Entitlements Process (Site Feasibility, Rezoning, etc.)
• Phase 2: Design Development & Site Plan Application
• Phase 3: Contract Documents and Tendering (Bidding & Negotiations)
• Phase 4: Construction, Contract Administration & Closeout

This event serves as the perfect opportunity for young professionals to learn more about the overall lifecycle of an architectural project. Register below to meet experienced professionals, gain valuable insights, and expand your professional network.

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With over 15 years of experience in design and project management, Sudipto plays a pivotal leadership role in establishing Studio JCI’s project delivery standards, core values, and culture.

Sudipto has overseen numerous landmark projects at the firm that encompass commercial interiors, custom homes, mid-rise designs, a 45-storey residential tower in Toronto’s Weston Village, and a master-planned community in Napanee, Ontario. Sudipto’s commitment to design excellence is complemented by his comprehensive knowledge and experience, spanning feasibility studies, design development, project phasing, construction, and site contract administration.

In his role as principal, Sudipto leads by example, guiding colleagues to comprehend the broader picture of development and how architects’ creativity can enhance processes, engage stakeholders, and contribute to the community. Sudipto serves as a mentor who champions an inclusive and respectful work environment, promotes collaboration by leveraging individual strengths, and fosters professional development at every career stage.

A recipient of the E. Lewis Dales Travelling Fellowship, Sudipto earned a Master of Architecture and Certificate in Urban Design from the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania, furthering his education at the Architectural Association in London.

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Andrea Oppedisano is an urban planner based in Toronto. Staring her career in 2007 at the City of Toronto she was involved in the direction of numerous precedent-setting policy and urban design studies including the Avenue & Mid-Rise Buildings Study, Eglinton Connects, Growing Up: Planning for Children in Vertical Communities and the Unilever Precinct Planning Study. In 2018, Andrea transitioned to the private sector with the intention of gaining a better understanding of the full lifecycle of residential development projects. As the VP of Development with Marlin Spring, she currently oversees the entitlement process of over twenty low, mid and high-rise projects.

Andrea is an active member of Toronto’s planning community and has contributed to various publications on topics such as the Missing Middle and noise in the City. She currently holds a sessional lecturer position at TMU’s School of Urban and Regional Planning.

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Varun-Preet is an Associate | Architect at Kirkor Architects and Planners, with extensive experience in the design development stage of projects. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Chitkara School of Planning and Architecture in Chandigarh, India, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary. Varun-Preet excels in problem-solving, having designed and managed complex mixed use and residential high-rise projects across the Greater Toronto Area. He brings a contextual approach to design, ensuring that architecture responds to its surroundings and history.

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Mohcine Sadiq is an internationally trained architect and registered intern at the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), bringing over seven years of diverse experience in urban and architectural design.

Currently based in Toronto, Mohcine has gained extensive local experience working on a wide range of projects across Ontario, ranging from large-scale urban developments to smaller infill projects.

This includes a profound familiarity with municipal policies within the GTA and hands-on expertise in navigating various application processes, including Committee of Adjustment (CofA), Site Plan Approval (SPA), and building permits.

Mohcine’s commitment to innovative urban design and architectural excellence has led him to be part of award-winning large-scale mixed-use developments, which highlights its commitment to creating spaces that enhance the quality of urban life.

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In her role as Principal, Supreet leads the Retail Team and is currently involved in various retail, retail banking, residential and intensification mixed-use projects. In her role as a Project Architect and Project Manager, Supreet has been involved with various projects that range in size and type from new Shopping Centres to major renovation of existing Shopping Centres as well as new residential buildings. She has actively been involved in all phases for each project which range from predesign, design, site plan approvals, construction documents to contract administration and project close-out - this enables her to manage client commitments and expectations consistently. As a Team leader, she prepares work plans and project schedules at the start of each project and tracks them for efficient delivery. She is instrumental in engaging with Authorities having Jurisdiction for project approvals and leading multi-disciplinary teams in coordinated and timely submissions. Her valued experience on various projects has made her cognizant of various client relations and set-ups. Her experience on site has enhanced her problem-solving abilities and management of consistent information flow.

Supreet is a LEED® Accredited Professional (BD+C) and brings her sensitivity in green and sustainable design to every project whether or not it advances as a LEED-designated development. Supreet worked at Pellow + Associates for nine years prior to the firm’s merger in 2015 and was appointed to the position of Principal in 2019. Supreet holds Bachelor of Architecture from Bangalore University and a Master of Building Engineering and Management from New Delhi School of Planning and Architecture in India. She is a registered Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects and became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2007.

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An excellent communicator with exceptional organizational skills, Courtney brings a wealth of expertise to any project. Her experience building out complex and highly detailed scopes of work for a variety of clients across industry lines means Courtney can be counted on to work with clients to problem solve and keep projects on track. Courtney’s experience driving challenging construction management mandates from pre-construction through to closeout gives her an end-to-end process approach that makes her an asset to any stakeholder team.

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As Manager, Contract Administration, Ted is responsible for overseeing WZMH’s Contract Administration team, including project staffing, strategic improvement and acting as the prime liaison between the architectural team and the Client. He has worked on a variety of complex, high profile projects in the transportation, institutional, commercial office, and educational sectors. With a strong background in construction contract administration and management, Ted’s wide range of technical and inter-personal skills allows him to collaborate in solving problems in a pragmatic and efficient manner, to the ultimate benefit of the project and all participants. Ted began his career at NORR in 1997, working on the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton, and has since been involved in other significant judicial facilities, public emergency services, office towers, data centres, as well as in the transportation sector, in projects such as Lester B. Person Airport’s New Terminal Development and Metrolinx’s Crosstown LRT in Toronto. Ted joined WZMH in 2018 and was promoted to Associate Principal in 2022.

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Harshil is a Superintendent at Pomerleau. He has a Bachelor of Technology, Construction Management from George Brown College and a Master of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Toronto Metropolitan University. He has most recently led and delivered Canada's Largest Passive House building, Uoft's Harmony Commons in Toronto, and currently is the lead Superintendent on one of North America's tallest Mass Timber projects, Uoft's - Academic Wood Tower. He specializes in building highly energy efficient and sustainable buildings within the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector in Canada.

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Society of South Asian Architects, Canada (SOSA) is the first community-based not-for-profit organization that represents the interests of South Asian architects and design professionals by embracing and advocating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professions of architecture and design. SOSA’s goal is to support communities by creating opportunities for mentorship, education, networking, and outreach.

Host or Publisher SOSA - Society of South Asian Architects, Canada