BEAT is a volunteer-run organization made up of architects, designers, leaders, and entrepreneurs creating opportunities for community-building, advocacy, networking, and mentorship.
BEAT Talks are a series of discussions held at the offices of Architects across the city. Hosts will share their learned experience.
BEAT Talks qualify for OAA Structured Learning hours.
About the session:
While trembling at the thought of public speaking, Maggie will share her insights on courage, both within the realm of architecture and in life. With over two decades of collaboration alongside John and Marty at Kohn Shnier architects, Maggie’s professional journey has been shaped by an office environment that challenges conventions and embraces boldness. Maggie will talk about her professional experiences contributing to projects which possess an assertive personality, and will touch on the challenges of assuming a leadership role.
Maggie’s trajectory from intern to Associate has been marked by numerous unexpected twists, including a two-and-a-half-year hiatus from architecture to embark on a bicycle journey from “pole to pole.” Whether navigating beyond her comfort zone or defying expectations, Maggie has found her way by taking “safe risks” and quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) asserting herself.
About Maggie Bennedsen:
Maggie Bennedsen brings over two decades of her extensive experience in leading teams across a diverse array of projects to Kohn Shnier. Central to her approach is the commitment to creating designs that are inherently responsive to user input and firmly grounded in the seamless integration of technical requirements; through this collaborative approach, Maggie consistently delivers projects that not only inspire but also exhibit a high level of practicality.
With a recent focus on the complexities of revitalizing existing structures, Maggie has recently completed work as Project Architect on the U of T University College Revitalization and Infrastructure Upgrade and the ongoing work for the Centre for Drama Theatre and Performance Studies. She played a key role on the Claude Watson School for the Arts and was project architect on the Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy. Additionally, Maggie has lent her expertise to projects like the Jackman Humanities Institute, the UTM Student Centre, theSt. Bruno-St. Raymond Catholic School, and the St Leo- St Louis Catholic School for the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Complementing her institutional portfolio, Maggie has garnered acclaim for her involvement in several award-winning residential projects.