OAA | MAA | LEED®AP | FRAIC | M.Arch. | B.Env.Des.

KaaSheGaaBaaWeak | Eladia Smoke is Anishinaabekwe from Obishikokaang | Lac Seul First Nation, with family roots in Alderville First Nation, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Eladia has worked in architecture since 2002, and founded Smoke Architecture as principal architect in 2014. She was a Master Lecturer at Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture from 2016 to 2022. Her career includes principal architect with Architecture 49 in Thunder Bay, and architect with Prairie Architects in Winnipeg. Eladia has served on the RAIC’s Indigenous Task Force since its inception, 2015, and is on the Unceded international team of Indigenous designers and architects; led by Douglas Cardinal, this team represented Canada at the 2018 Venice Biennale.

Current professional work includes community centre, office, and multi-family residential projects, working with First Nation clients. Past professional projects completed in Winnipeg with Prairie Architects include the Aboriginal People’s Television Network studios, Migiizi Agamik Aboriginal Student Centre at University of Manitoba, and Makoonsag Intergenerational Learning Centre.

Eladia served as a committee and council member with Manitoba Association of Architects from 2011-2014. Eladia also served as a board member of Urban Shaman Gallery of Contemporary Aboriginal Art from 2010-2014, and participated in the first all- Aboriginal showcase of architecture there in 2014: Maandaw ‘Igaan Mazinibii’igan.

OAA Architect, M. Arch., B. Arch. St., LEED AP.

Esther Link has recently joined Smoke Architecture as our Senior Architect. Esther has worked in architecture since 2007, after earning her Master of Architecture from the University of Manitoba, and a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies at Carleton University. She commits herself to developing her knowledge of sustainable, durable design & ‘best’ practices, and strives to incorporate them into her work.

Esther brings years of healthcare, mixed-use, adaptive-reuse, heritage residential & commercial experience to the team. Esther has been fortunate to work with TCA / Thier + Curran Architects, Monica Kuhn Architects, Parkin Architects, and multiple co-operative work terms at Vermeulen/Hind Architects, Llewelyn-Davies (London). During her recent work experience, with Sam Esposto Architects in Hamilton, she was the Project Architect through contract administration for a new 160-bed long-term care facility.

Committed to the local community, Esther is a board member for the Threshold School of Building (2023-) and Treasurer of the Hamilton-Burlington Society of Architects (2019-). Esther was an original member of the emerging practitioners arm of the HBSA, the Young Architects of Hamilton, which supports students, interns and allied professionals with networking, informal mentorship and ExAC study support. She has also been teaching Residential Construction at Mohawk College for the past 5 years.

OAA Architect, M. Arch, B.A. Honours, OBEC

Meagan has recently joined the team as a Senior Architect. She holds a Bachelors and Masters of Architecture from the University of Toronto. She has worked on a wide range of public and private clients, across many sectors. In recent years, Meagan has focused her work on Institutional, Educational and Science and Technology architecture.

She specializes in the design, coordination and construction of complex environments in both new buildings and renovation settings. Her work includes commercial laboratories, research laboratories, Transportation buildings, modular labs, agricultural buildings, theaters and libraries.

B.Arch.Sci., LEED Green Assoc.

Shauna Coates recently joined Smoke Architecture as a Senior Architectural Technologist. Shauna graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Architectural Science and has 18 years experience in the architectural field with a strong working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, building technology, construction detailing, the Ontario Building Code and working drawing production.

Shauna brings with her extensive experience in educational, commercial, industrial and private club projects. She has worked on projects from preliminary design through to project completion including liaising with overseeing municipalities, coordination with the project consulting team and the client. Her interest in sustainable design lead her to achieve LEED certification resulting in her becoming a LEED Green Associate. Shauna is dedicated to achieving sustainable, well designed and well-built buildings.

In her previous role at Hossack & Associates Architects inc. she was the project lead on new elementary school projects with the Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic School Board and the Upper Grand District School Board as well as numerous renovation projects with the Waterloo Region District School Board. She also had the opportunity to be the project lead on the multi-phase rebuild and renovation of The Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto as well as the new Ski Lodge for The Georgian Peaks Ski Club.

Dip Arch Technology, LEED AP

Sarah Gabinet has recently joined Smoke Architecture as a Senior Technologist. She has over 20 years of industry experience working on a wide variety of project typologies. She has spent the last 10 years of her career specializing in multi-residential and institutional work for both new construction and renovation projects.

Over the span of her career, Sarah has been involved in all stages of her projects, starting from schematic design straight through to construction documents and contract admininstration. Her diverse experience includes but is not limited to, building science overview, code review, consultant coordination, drawing production and project management.

OAA | MRAIC | MArch | BEDS | AdvDipID

Larissa Roque, Anishinaabekwe from Wahnapitae First Nation, is an architect at Smoke Architecture Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies with Distinction and a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University. Previously, she received a 3-year Advanced Diploma in Interior Design from Georgian College. Larissa has worked diligently throughout her professional career to gain an extensive knowledge of contemporary construction methods, natural building materials, and community engagement practices to pursue a career in First Nations architecture.

Prior to Smoke Architecture, Larissa worked at Brook Mcilroy contributing to a number of urban Indigenous gathering spaces and the renovation for the new home of Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health at U of T.

OAA | MRAIC | MArch | BEDS | HBSc

Jennifer Kinnunen, is the Business Development and Projects Manager and Architect at Smoke Architecture Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies with Distinction and a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University. Previously, she received an Honors Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. Jennifer has worked diligently throughout her professional career to gain an extensive knowledge of natural building materials, and community engagement practices.

Prior to Smoke Architecture, Jennifer worked at Their + Curran Architects Inc. contributing to several commercial and institutional projects.

OAA Intern | M.Arch | MRAIC

Chelsea Jacobs is Anishinaabekwe from Curve Lake First Nation and is an intern architect. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a concentration in conservation and sustainability, and a Master of Architecture from Carleton University. Chelsea has worked hard throughout her education and career to gain knowledge of sustainable building practices and architectural conservation and continues to work towards gaining the knowledge necessary for a career in First Nations architecture.

OAQ | M.Arch

Julie Bédard is a bilingual project lead and Architect at Smoke Architecture Inc. She joined the firm in 2022 and since then has led various indigenous community based projects in Québec and Ontario. Her studies in architecture and ethnic relations with a focus on Indigenous studies greatly influence her approach to architecture. She distinguishes herself by a great sensitivity to the problems experienced by the populations and by an authentic need to improve their living conditions through an architectural cohesive project. Her approach values co-creation and collaboration as a powerful opportunity for knowledge transfer and community self-determination therefore enhancing all stakeholders perception of project success.

Prior to Smoke Architecture, Julie worked at Guillaume Lévesque architecte, Luc Denis architecte and Maryse Leduc architecte contributing to several institutional, community and residential projects since 2014. In 2022, she had the pleasure to participate as an assistant project manager for the Kuujjuaq Student Residence for an adult learning center to help provide better living conditions to the Inuit communities through education. She also worked at the City of Montréal where she was an inspector for property evaluation and at the Aldo Group Head Office where she was a junior coordinator for the installation and maintenance team for North America.

OAA Intern | M Arch | BAS

Kyara Wendling is a bilingual intern architect at Smoke Architecture. She holds a Bachelor in Architectural Studies, and a Master of Architecture from Laurentian University. The tri-culture mandate of the McEwen school of Architecture has allowed her to complete her bilingual certification and focus on expanding her knowledge on traditional indigenous building methodologies. Kyara has worked enthusiastically throughout her education and career to gain knowledge on sustainable building practices and community engagement within the architectural context.

Being exposed to her ties within the Archigantegou community later on in her life, she has developed an appreciation for First Nation architecture and continues to work towards gaining the required knowledge to empower communities around her through their built environments.

Intern OAA | LEED AP | M.Arch, H.B.A.S.

Holland Young recenty joined Smoke Architecture as a Senior Intern Architect and Project Lead. She brings over a decade of experience in the field, and is dedicated to creating smart, lasting solutions for a wide range of projects types. With experience at top firms across Toronto, Hamilton, and Vancouver, Holland has contributed to everything from critical upgrades for non-profit residential care facilities to visionary forty-year master plans for sixty-acre private school campuses. She approaches every project as a unique opportunity to innovate, combining deep research with hands-on collaboration with clients, builders, and industry partners. Holland’s passion for problem-solving and her commitment to excellence make her a trusted partner in delivering designs that stand the test of time.

BA | B. Env.Des.

Mojdeh recently returned to Smoke Architecture as a Technologist. She has a Bachelor of Environmental Design from OCAD University and is a recent graduate from the Architectural Technologist program at George Brown College. She comes from a background in carpet and Textile design. Due to her interest in traditional art and Persian carpet design, she has an interest in studying Indigenous Architecture and culture.

Previously, she was working as 3D Digital Model Developer exercise for George Brown College working on Revit, Modeling Hilton Hotel Lobby/ Ballroom, and the Chef's House (GBC) using 360 images to model the existing building to be used as a base for VR experience to create the opportunity to visit the place virtually.

HBA

Meredith Hughes is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Smoke Architecture. She holds a Honors Bachelor of Arts from Western University, completing a double major in Media and Information, and Business Management and Organizational Studies, with a specialization in Finance.

Lily is an Anishinaabe woman from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg. She is a third year student at Georgian College, where she has completed the coursework portion of the Architectural Technology program, maintaining a 4.0 GPA across all semesters. Lily shares a profound passion for sustainable development and holistic design. She is inspired by the work being done with and for Indigenous Peoples and strives to create space that foster Indigenous excellence and address the needs and wants of Indigenous communities.

Sarah Tyler is a student at the McEwen School of Architecture at Laurentian University, where she is pursuing a Master of Architecture. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and a Certificate of Bilingualism in French and English, also from Laurentian University. Sarah grew up in Northern Ontario near several First Nations reserves and has had the privilege of learning about Anishinaabe culture throughout her education. The tri-cultural education she received has influenced her goal to design architecture that integrates Indigenous knowledge and responds to the wants and needs of multicultural communities. While completing a co-op term at Smoke Architecture, Sarah hopes to learn more about First Nations architecture and how to support communities through design.

BAS

Mackenzie Pitawanakwat, Anishinaabekwe from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, is an Architectural Designer for Smoke Architecture Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, and beginning in the fall, will pursue a Master of Architecture at Laurentian University McEwen School of Architecture. The philosophy of respect, inclusion and community has influenced her to design architecture that works diligently towards bridging the gap between a holistic and technical relationship within itself that integrates Indigenous knowledge and addresses the needs and desires of First Nation communities.

Memry is an Anishinaabe-kwe from Mnjikaning Rama First Nation and a fourth-year architecture student at the McEwen School of Architecture. She is passionate about incorporating Indigenous knowledge and voices into architecture, with a focus on traditional Anishinaabe practices and sustainable design. Her school work focuses on how architecture can create culturally meaningful spaces that respect the land and community. Memry is also dedicated to supporting Indigenous youth, encouraging them to explore careers in architecture and design to help build a more inclusive and representative future.