At the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held virtually on May 3, the Association honoured its newest Members of Long Standing—individuals who have reached the milestone of 50 years of membership with the OAA as part of Ontario’s architecture profession. Among recipients this year was Stephen Bernatt.




Stephen graduated from what was then known as the Ryerson Institute of Technology (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in 1964 with a Diploma in Architectural Technology, and the University of Toronto in 1968 with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. After graduation, he worked for several architectural firms before launching his own private practice in 1976.

Throughout his extensive career, Stephen has designed an array of building types, ranging from senior citizen apartments and residential condominiums to townhouses, private custom residences, and industrial buildings. He finds great pleasure in the diversity of these projects and the fascinating individuals involved, making his work enjoyable and rewarding.

Notably, from 1986 to 87, Stephen was the mastermind behind the design of the office building for CHIN Radio/TV International, one of Canada's earliest multilingual broadcast outlets. Located at 622 College Street in Toronto, this building was intricately connected to a seniors' apartment building. Also incorporated into the design was a Green P Parking Garage that was deemed to be the most efficient parking structure to date, according to the Parking Authority.

Stephen's contributions to architectural innovation extend beyond his notable projects. He was one of the pioneering architects in Toronto to adopt computer-aided architectural drawings for building permits, utilizing software borrowed from the aviation industry before the advent of AutoCAD. The introduction of these computer-generated drawings was met with awe and curiosity from colleagues and peers, as it represented groundbreaking use of new technologies.
These days, Stephen continues to enjoy working on unusual projects and has no immediate plans for retirement.

To see profiles on other Members of Long Standing, click here.