Events - NOW Lecture

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 28—the long-awaited return of the OAA’s NOW Lecture event! Register to join us at the OAA Headquarters in Toronto from 6 to 9 pm for an evening dedicated to discussing architecture.

Connect with your peers from the profession during a one-hour reception with hors d’oeuvres, and then take in two very different Continuing Education presentations.

First, architect Craig Race, along with project managers Ryan Fernandes and Matt Hagen, will explore how their firm, Lanescape, works with clients to deliver laneway and garden suite housing projects. They will share some of the approaches that led to them winning the OAA’s Best Emerging Practice Award earlier this year.

Then, Behnaz Assadi and Nima Javidi, founding partners of Ja Architecture Studio, will share their concept of "The Grounding Meadow"—the winning selection in the recent OAA Landscape Design Competition project—and discuss how interdisciplinary teams come together effectively.

Space is extremely limited, so secure your spot now. This event provides 1.5 hours of Structured Learning. Admission is $20 (plus tax) for OAA members and the public, and $10 (plus tax) for OAA Intern Architects, OAA Student Associates, and OAA Retired Members. Enjoy a complimentary drink with your ticket, check out recent Queen’s Park Picks projects, and take home copies of our latest Design Excellence and SHIFT Challenge publications.

Register before 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 24! Only those who have registered in advance will be admitted into the event. Visit the OAA Website for more information.

About the speakers:

Craig Race
Architect, co-founder, Lanescape
Craig Race’s design process focuses on environmental and contextual sensitivity. His skill in crafting buildings that fit sensitively into their surroundings has engendered a passion for laneway development. In addition to his role at Lanescape, Craig operates an architecture and development practice focused on environmentally-conscious, contextually sensitive residential design. It was during his time on the West coast that laneway housing was conceived as a legitimate concept, allowing Craig to become familiar with the advantages and challenges of this emerging housing typology.

Matt Hagen
Project Manager, Lanescape
Matt Hagen leads Lanescape’s design team, working closely with clients to create functional and architecturally refined suites. With diverse experience at several award-winning practices, Matt possesses an infectious enthusiasm for urban infill design. He earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Architecture from Carleton University, where he received the AIA Henry Adams Medal for academic excellence. Matt’s passion for design is especially evident in his previous work with Storefront Manitoba, a non-profit promoting architectural appreciation.

Ryan Fernandes
Intern Architect, Project Manager, Lanescape
Ryan Fernandes serves as the initial contact at Lanescape, guiding clients through the process and assisting with big-picture decisions. He holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Architectural Science from Toronto Metropolitan University, where he contributed to a green materials database and the design of an ultra-sustainable housing prototype. Ryan's accolades include the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, RAIC Honour Roll, and the grand prize in the international US D.O.E Race to Zero competition in 2017, reflecting his commitment to sustainable design.

Nima Javidi
Partner, Ja Architecture Studio
Nima Javidi is a founding principal at Ja Architecture Studio, a Toronto-based practice that combines the rootedness of a local architecture firm with the broad interests of an international design studio. His work has been recognized and awarded in a range of international competitions, including the Guggenheim Helsinki Museum and Canadian Architects Awards of Excellence, among others. Focused on merging architecture and urbanism, his projects transform urban voids in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood. Nima holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Tehran and a Master of Urban Design from the University of Toronto, where he has also taught architectural design studios.

Behnaz Assadi
Partner, Ja Architecture Studio
Behnaz Assadi, a founding partner at Ja Architecture Studio and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, specializes in landscape design focused on ecological systems and climate resilience. Her work explores the agency of landscape architecture beyond disciplinary confines, often integrating architecture with landscape, ecology, and climate change. Behnaz’s work has been recognized globally, reflected in award-winning projects like the Bauhaus Museum, Guggenheim Helsinki, and several Canadian Architects Awards. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Tehran.

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