In anticipation of the OAA’s 2023 Conference, Designing for Dignity, we reached out to local folks from across the Sudbury region to share what they think makes it a great place to live, work, and play. In our ‘Faces of Sudbury’ series, we share their responses, in their own words.

These personal reflections shed light on the richness of the region, and celebrate the many facets that will be showcased at the bespoke Conference event in June. For the first time, the OAA is holding its annual conference at the gateway to Northern Ontario—a place of resource extraction and regeneration, of remoteness and richness, of communities and design challenges. The setting prompts us to have new conversations as well as to learn from and collaborate with local communities about the role the profession must play in supporting dignity for all.

1. Who are you and what do you do?
I am a second-year Master of Architecture student at the McEwen School of Architecture. I am also the Vice President of the Canadian Architecture Students’ Association - Association Canadienne d'Étudiants en Architecture, where we create resources for students across the twelve Schools of Architecture, and collaborate with organizations such as the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).

2. What excites you about living in the Sudbury area?
The tight-knit community of people in the downtown core who make up the small businesses near the McEwen School of Architecture. As someone who grew up outside of Sudbury, the city has also been an excellent place to explore and get lost when walking, biking, taking transit, living in nature, and being next to large water features. Being a part of MSoA has been an eye-opening experience working with local stakeholders, and Indigenous communities, among others for design-build, and community initiatives.

3. What makes Sudbury “home” for you?
Moving from Brantford to Sudbury shocked me because it felt like the city I had left. No one would believe that the furthest north I went was Muskoka before driving to Sudbury. The city is breathtaking, from its natural landscape to the Sudbury Basin. When I first moved to Sudbury, I was amazed by the city's industrial heritage and growing appeal to the younger generation. After walking into MSoA with my family for the first time, it was there that I realized Sudbury was my home away from home.

4. What’s your favourite building or structure in the city? Why?
My favourite building would be Place des Arts, designed by Bélanger Salach Architecture and Moriyama & Teshima Architects. It combines old and new features of the existing site in the building interior to express Sudbury’s industrial heritage and Francophone history.

5. What is Sudbury’s best kept secret?
Nature, trails, and water! Everyone should take advantage of the 10KM Lake Laurentian Loop! It is a gorgeous trail.