When it comes to shaping the skyline and the living environments of Canada’s largest city, architects in Toronto play a pivotal role. These professionals balance innovation with practicality, creating designs that are not only visually striking but also sustainable and functional. Whether designing high-rise condos, commercial centres, or custom homes, Toronto architects are known for their meticulous planning and thoughtful execution. As the demand for creative yet environmentally responsible spaces grows, architects bring together technology, local regulations, and client vision to redefine the future of urban and suburban living.

Choosing the Right Architecture Firms in Toronto

Selecting from the wide range of architecture firms in Toronto can be a challenging task, especially with the city’s diverse and competitive design landscape. Each firm brings its own style, specialisation, and portfolio of projects, ranging from residential developments to public infrastructure. Reputable firms focus not only on aesthetics but also on sustainability, cost-efficiency, and the unique needs of each client. Many firms adopt a collaborative approach, working with engineers, contractors, and city planners to deliver projects that are both compliant and cutting-edge. Choosing the right firm means aligning with a team that understands your goals and brings them to life.

The Growing Role of Landscape Architect in Toronto Projects

A landscape architect in Toronto is instrumental in shaping the outdoor aspects of both public and private spaces. From urban parks and green roofs to backyard sanctuaries and waterfront restoration, their work harmonises the built environment with nature. Toronto’s push for greener, more liveable spaces has placed landscape architecture at the forefront of urban design. These professionals manage everything from plant selection and irrigation to zoning laws and environmental assessments. In doing so, they help improve air quality, manage stormwater, and create visually inviting environments that contribute to the city’s ecological health.

Sustainability as a Core Value Among Architects in Toronto

Today’s leading architects in Toronto prioritise sustainability as an integral part of their design philosophy. From energy-efficient HVAC systems to the use of recycled or low-impact materials, sustainable practices are embedded in every stage of modern architectural planning. Many firms incorporate LEED certification goals into their blueprints and recommend renewable energy solutions like solar panels or geothermal systems. Architects are not just designing for today, but for generations to come. Their focus on sustainability aligns with the city’s environmental goals and reflects a broader commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.

The Importance of Client Collaboration in Architectural Design

Top architecture firmsunderstand that successful projects begin with clear communication and collaboration with clients. By involving clients early in the process—during the conceptual and schematic design phases—architects ensure that the final structure meets both functional needs and personal aspirations. Using tools like 3D renderings, virtual walkthroughs, and mood boards, clients can visualise their projects and provide real-time feedback. This collaborative approach reduces costly changes later in the project and helps build trust between architect and client. Ultimately, it results in spaces that are tailor-made for their intended purpose.

Blending Innovation and Heritage in Toronto’s Urban Fabric

Architects in Toronto often face the challenge of balancing innovation with the city’s historical context. In neighbourhoods with strong heritage identities, such as the Distillery District or Cabbagetown, architects must creatively integrate modern solutions without disrupting the architectural character. Adaptive reuse projects—such as converting old factories into condos—highlight how design innovation can preserve history while adding contemporary functionality. By respecting existing structures and zoning constraints, architects enhance the city’s charm while contributing to its evolution. This blending of old and new makes Toronto’s architectural landscape both diverse and dynamic.

Outdoor Living Spaces and the Rise of Landscape Architecture

The pandemic shifted the spotlight onto outdoor living, creating more opportunities for a landscape architect in Toronto to innovate. Whether it’s designing rooftop gardens, public plazas, or outdoor workspaces, the emphasis has moved toward making outdoor environments more usable and inviting. These spaces must now meet both aesthetic and functional requirements, including accessibility, durability, and seasonal usability. Landscape architects are also tasked with integrating smart irrigation systems and native plants to reduce maintenance and promote biodiversity. Their work significantly enhances the liveability of dense urban spaces, creating peaceful pockets amid the city bustle.

Technology’s Impact on Modern Architecture in Toronto

Digital tools have revolutionised the workflow of architects, enabling faster, more accurate, and more creative designs. Software like AutoCAD, Revit, and Rhino allows architects to produce complex models and simulations that were once impossible. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has also become standard in the industry, offering real-time data integration across various project phases. This enhances collaboration among all stakeholders and reduces errors. Additionally, virtual and augmented reality tools help clients experience designs before construction begins. These technologies make the architectural process more interactive, transparent, and efficient than ever before.

Accessibility and Inclusivity in Toronto’s Architectural Design

Architecture firms in Toronto are increasingly focused on designing inclusive spaces that accommodate all users, regardless of age or ability. Accessibility is now a fundamental component of the design process, not an afterthought. From barrier-free entrances and tactile surfaces to inclusive wayfinding systems, architects aim to create environments that are functional for everyone. Public buildings, transportation hubs, and residential projects alike are being reimagined through the lens of universal design. This focus not only complies with legal requirements but also fosters a more welcoming and equitable urban environment for all Toronto residents.

Creating Community Through Thoughtful Urban Design

Many architects now approach projects with a community-oriented mindset. Instead of designing in isolation, they consider how each project will interact with its surroundings, contribute to social cohesion, and enhance public life. Mixed-use developments, public squares, and community centres are often designed to encourage interaction, accessibility, and safety. Placemaking strategies, such as integrating public art or creating pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, are becoming key aspects of modern urban design. This emphasis on community not only strengthens neighbourhood identity but also improves the overall quality of life in Toronto’s rapidly growing districts.

The Future of Architecture in a Rapidly Evolving City

As Toronto continues to grow in population and global prominence, the demand for visionary architects will only increase. These professionals are tasked with solving challenges related to density, affordability, and environmental resilience. With advancements in materials, sustainability standards, and smart technology, the architectural landscape of Toronto is poised for transformation. Architects must remain adaptable, continually learning and evolving to meet the changing needs of their clients and the city. Their ability to merge creativity with technical precision will shape Toronto’s future, ensuring it remains a vibrant, liveable, and world-class metropolis.

Conclusion: Trust the Experts for Architectural Excellence in Toronto

Whether you’re envisioning a sleek new build, a heritage renovation, or an inviting landscape design, working with experienced architects in Toronto ensures your project’s success. From concept to construction, these professionals bring creativity, precision, and a deep understanding of local context. With specialties ranging from urban planning to eco-conscious design, Toronto architects are transforming ideas into structures that inspire and endure. For comprehensive and innovative design solutions tailored to your needs, Alva Roy Architects stands out as a leader in the city’s vibrant architectural scene.

The race is on for the tallest of the tall timber buildings in Canada. In Toronto, one contender is 77 Wade Avenue, designed by Bogdan Newman Caranci (BNC) Architects and Urban Design. If completed today, it would be the tallest modern mass timber commercial building in Canada, at 8 storeys and approximately 150,000 square feet. Developed and managed by Next Property Group, this purpose-designed office and collaboration environment targets the high tech sector, and will be a prototype for mid-rise office buildings.

A view of the front façade of the proposed building at 77 Wade.

In Alva Roy point of view the key design intent of the project was to fuse contrasting materials to enhance the inherent warmth of an exposed wood structure. Overall, the structure is a composite of mass timber, concrete and steel structural assemblies. Unlike the construction of 20th century post-and-beam buildings, construction of 77 Wade optimizes the use of a mass timber hybrid structural system by way of pre-fabricated components and just-in-time delivery and construction practices. By doing so, it achieves spans akin to traditional concrete and steel superstructure projects for modern commercial office buildings.

View of the lobby.

The building’s envelope will predominately be clad in a folded-plane curtain wall to expose the innovative structure within, while also adding a dynamic form for the streetscape.

A profile view shows the angular geometry of the curtain wall.

The approach to the building is unified with an origami-based geometric soffit and organic front entrance, retail and flexible collaboration spaces. Perched above the form is a wood canopy that creates shading for the outdoor amenity and social space. The rear of the building has a sunken parking area as well as bike storage, connecting pedestrians and cyclists though the site, from the adjacent elevated GO Barrie line corridor to be constructed alongside a linear park (a Metrolinx project known as the “Davenport Diamond”).

A wood-lined canopy at the building entrance.

The angled fold of the curtain wall along the Wade Avenue façade engages with the movement of the sun, with one side appearing transparent and the other appearing opaque depending on the angle of reflection. It also clearly demarcates the entryway, with the fold line extending into the Lobby space.

To reflect the elongated rectangular form of the site, the massing spans 80 metres along Wade Avenue and only 24 metres deep into the site. Instead of a condensed core typical of most office floorplates, the services are extended along a linear strip with a central throughway to connect the west and east sides of the core, intended to maximize natural light penetration for the occupants.

The building connects to the future Davenport Diamond multi-use trail.

Today, tech-oriented and innovative companies desire work environments that hum with architectural character. 77 Wade achieves this with the use of wood construction and the fusion of contrasting materials. The provision of communal spaces for both the building’s users and the public, paralleled with the use of appropriate landscape design and softer and transparent cladding materials, makes 77 Wade Avenue a state-of-the-art contemporary office building that addresses the City and its urban citizens with a unique and innovative architectural language.

https://www.bontena.com/contents/2019/03/Interview-with-Architect-Alva-Roy-Founder-of-Alva-Roy-Architects-from-Toronto-19030401

In fact, although architects design the houses for their clients, they are also designers of structures that appeal to all those who live around it. They design a part of the neighbourhood, not just a house. I talked to Alva Roy, who was one of the architects who shaped our living spaces, about his career and projects.

Alva Roy

REAL ESTATE – INTERVIEW

by Meryem Aksoy

The value of a house is not only determined by the size of the house, the quality of the materials used and the design. Perhaps the most important point is its location and the quality of the houses around it. Perhaps architects add value to each other’s works by the quality of the new houses they design, and in this way, they create more livable areas in a collective way. In 2003, Alva Roy established its own practice and worked in the Middle East and Europe. After coming to Canada in 2010, he combined his expertise in residential construction with his experiences, he offered his clients both exterior and interior design services. Since 2015, he has been developing projects with the label of Alva Roy Architects, the new name of his company. I talked with Alva Roy about his career and the details of his architectural projects.

Alva, before talking about architecture, I would like to learn more about you. Could you tell us about yourself? Who is Alva Roy?

I am a Canadain architect who lives in Toronto and a single dad with a twelve years old boy. I love mountain climbing, playing tennis and chess, socializing and drinking wine. I love to travel all across the world and making myself educated with different cultures across the world. I am so curious about almost everything and love to find a solution for every question or concern.

Alva Roy Architects

How did your interest in architecture has begun? What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture?

I was born in an artistic family and one of my uncle “Jazeh Tabatabaie” was famous sculptor that his sculptures shown in Metropolitan, Louver and other museums and galleries across the world with more than 18 international prizes. I, as a kid, remembered how he assembled the old machinery and cars parts into creative figures and metal sculptures, in the other words I learned and inspired of how he turned cold junk metals into a sculpture with silence spirit. I unconsciously learned how to play with small wooden cubes and eagerly enjoyed making my own sculptures, that is my story and has not been cming to the end yet!

Could you tell us about your educational background and your professional career?

I came to Canada in 2010 where I achieved my professional architecture licence and has been recognized as a Canadian design practice. I received my professional Master Degree in architecture from AZAD University of Tehran. I interned in Sharestan on numerous award-winning institutional and high rise residential projects before founding AX Architects in 2003, a Tehran/Dubai based practice supporting clients in the Middle East and Europe.

Alva Roy Architects

After working in notable architectural firms, why did you decide to establish your own firm?

Although owning my own architecture business takes a lot of hard (non-design) work to be successful but it lives up to such a romantic notion to pursue my dream of how I affect our community as an architect. The idea of having the freedom to seek out the projects I most want to do and the creative freedom to make the final decision on a design sounds like the ideal way to work as an architect.

Could you tell us about Alva Roy Architects and your team?

Alva Roy Architect’s design team works on both large-scale architectural projects as well as independent commissions. Our interior team works with our clients to articulate brand identify and to create an experience for the customer. The team provides design services to a wide range of clients including commercial, residential and hospitality.

Alva Roy Architects

What type of projects does Alva Roy Architects specialize in? What kind of services do you offer your customers?

We offer the full range of professional architectural services for all type of buildings such as single family housed, town and row houses, middle and high rises, commercial building such as plazas and shopping malls, assembly buildings like museums, performance art centres and community centres, industrial building and manufactures, office buildings from programming and feasibility study to construction and tender drawings and construction administration. We provide contracting services for single family and townhouses likewise.

Alva Roy Architects also provide full service of interior design and exhibition design upon the client’s request with a team of talented interior designers and architects.

How could you define your architectural approach?

I always try to interpret our client’s requirements into the architectural realm. Into a special physical relationship with life. I never approached primarily to the architecture as either a message or a symbol, but as an envelope and background for life which goes on in and around it, a sensitive container for the rhythm of footsteps on the floor, for the concentration of work, for the silence of sleep.

Alva Roy Architects

How has exposure to different Architectural cultures of Europe and the Middle East affected your architectural vision?

When I think about architecture, images come into my mind. Many of these images are connected with my training and work as an architect in different places in Europe and the Middle East. They contain professional knowledge about architecture that I have gathered over the years. Some of the other images have to do with my childhood when I experienced architecture without thinking about it and some relating to now. Memories like these contain the deepest architectural experience that I know. They are the reservoirs of the architectural atmosphere and images that I explore in my work as an architect. When I design a building, I find myself sinking into old -half-forgotten memories, and then I try to recollect what the remembered architectural situation was really like, what it had meant to me at the time and I try to think about how it could help me to revive that vibrant atmosphere pervaded by the simple presence of things, in which everything had its own specific place and form.

Alva Roy Architects

What are the advantages of being an award-winning architect? Could you tell us about the awards that you won?

Honesty we can’t take any advantages of being an award-winning architect in the whole process of design but we only have one privilege compare to the other architects and that one is we often meet more sophisticated clients than normal and our chance of working on challenging projects is higher. We won the international architectural competition for HOMA II for designing Iran Airline an exhibition building. We awarded between more than 100 competitors cross the world, also an architectural competition for designing BMW, and NATUZZI showrooms and designing and constructing booth for TOTAL Oil and Gas in Tehran, and Dubai.

Besides your awards, a lot of your projects have been featured in notable publications. What do you feel when you see your works in magazine pages?

With no doubt, definitely, it is a very pleasurable feeling that we see our projects publish in architectural magazines all across the world from the Far East to Europe and North and South America. It enhances our energy and makes us spend more time on our projects and bring more responsibility to our work life as architects.

Alva Roy Architects

What is the importance of communication between the architect and the client in the process of developing an architectural project? How do you manage this process?

From the very beginning stage of a project, communication between all involved parties is crucial. Communication between architect-client, client – project manager, architect- other consultants and architect-project manager and the contractor is the most important factor to make a project successful at the highest level and help the project to achieve its goals. The role of architects as champions for the project vision, the importance of listening and understanding client needs, actively engaging and generating connections with clients, providing technically outstanding work, and always striving to learn and improve on existing skills.

What are the main steps of residential projects? How do you work?

The main steps for designing and constructing such a low rise residential projects is understanding the client’s needs and find the faster way to getting closer to his/her set of project’s pictures as much as possible in order to have a more vivid overview of entire project process where we interpret the client’s requirements into an architectural space while the client’s expectations of the project in both function and form will maintain.

We design single family and multiple family low rise residential houses and most of the time we act as a contractor or project manager for these type of projects.

Alva Roy Architects

What are the most important factors that affect project cost?

There are several factors which affect the project cost such as short project delivery, client-specific requirements, high-quality material and specific jobs which need very high profile skillful workmen but the most important factor is the place of the project. Usually, projects located at impracticable places need higher project budget.

What should your clients decide before contacting you? What is your first question in your first meeting with a new client?

I always ask two questions at the instruction meeting from my clients, “what is the defined fee for design” and how much is the “construction budget”. With defining these two at the beginning stage of the project, I, as a project architect, will have a vivid view of the whole designing process.

Alva Roy Architects

You have lots of completed and in-progress projects. Which one is your favorite?

I love most of my projects but “Garden Void House”, “Tower of Love”, In and Between the Shadows” and “Blanche Chapel House” are more specific to me.

In your opinion, what is the relation between Low Budget – Short Project Time – High Quality? Is it possible to combine all in one project?

Always connection and maintain a balance between these three elements play a crucial role in the design and conduct any type of building from the very beginning stage of design to the delivery to the client. This balance is mandatory for making any project successful. In general, all clients always ask architects to keep projects at a very low cost with higher quality and in a very short time but this is a role of architects to educate their clients of how they need to compromise one element in lieu of achieving the others. For example, fast track and high quality need a higher budget and vise-versa.

Alva Roy Architects

What is the best advice you have received, and what advice would you give to young architects?

The best advice that I received within the years of my practice from different sources are NEVER given up on my courage, and there are always solutions in response to our ARCHITECTURAL projects.

My advice is the same and in addition, pay more attention to details, how materials meet at the buildings.

How can our readers follow Alva Roy Architects?

We have Instagram account “@alvaroyarchitects”, facebook account “alva roy” & “alva roy architects”, and our website “www.alvaroy.ca”

What is coming up next for you?

We are expecting to start architectural design and prepare construction drawings for our highrise project “Tower of Love” in Ontario, Canada at 2021.

Thank you Alva for your time.

http://88designbox.com/architecture/towers-of-love-in-toronto-by-alva-roy-architects-1982.html

In his Towers of Love, Toronto-based architect Alva Roy takes the notion of love and shoots it from deep beneath the earth’s soil, towards the sky. His design allows onlookers to pause to apprehend the mystery; allowing visitors to walk its hallways and through its corridors; and, of course, those who live there, they will have the chance to be fully immersed in the recesses of its heart.

Architect: Alva Roy Architects
Location: Toronto, Canada
Project End Date: April 2022
Project Manager: Alva Roy
Engineers: MCA Engineers

From the architect: The two towers stand alone – yet together – a testament to the depths of romantic love and the union it bears. Both towers carefully contoured to draw the naked eye and to defer to its loyal companion. “Love is when two entities join to become one,” says Roy. “So I went to meticulous care to make sure that this design would be emblematic of this inextricable bond that is the very essence of love.”

This multi-use facility, contains hotel, residential and commercial space: hotel, bar and restaurant and office at the shorter building, and commercial at the main floor and residential at the higher floors of the higher building. Total floors for shorter building is 22 stories and 24 floors at the higher building.

“Architecture is not just a wall, a floor and a ceiling to house ourselves,” says Roy. “It is a place where we connect to the deepest emotions of the human heart. Where we invoke peace and calm – and where we summon the richest parts of our being and existence.”

architectural concepts, futuristic architecture, skyscrapers, architecture in canada

In his Towers of Love, Toronto-based architect Alva Roy takes the notion of love and shoots it from deep beneath the earth’s soil, towards the sky. His design allows onlookers to pause to apprehend the mystery; allowing visitors to walk its hallways and through its corridors; and, of course, those who live there, they will have the chance to be fully immersed in the recesses of its heart.

The two towers stand alone—yet together—a testament to the depths of romantic love and the union it bears. Both towers carefully contoured to draw the naked eye and to defer to its loyal companion. “Love is when two entities join to become one,” says Roy. “So I went to meticulous care to make sure that this design would be emblematic of this inextricable bond that is the very essence of love.”

This multi-use facility, contains hotel, residential and commercial space: hotel, bar and restaurant and office at the shorter building, and commercial at the main floor and residential at the higher floors of the higher building. Total floors for shorter building is 22 stories and 24 floors at the higher building.

“Architecture is not just a wall, a floor and a ceiling to house ourselves,” says Roy. “It is a place where we connect to the deepest emotions of the human heart. Where we invoke peace and calm—and where we summon the richest parts of our being and existence.”

Towers of Love, Toronto – Building Information

Client name: Not Disclosed
Location: Toronto area
Architect: Alva Roy Architects
Project Manager: Alva Roy
Engineers: MCA Engineers
Budget: Not disclosed
Project End Date: April 2022

Photography: ALVA ROY ARCHITECTS

Towers of Love in Toronto images / information received 190318

Designed by Alva Roy Architects, the Towers of Love are intended to symbolize the unity of romantic love.
Photo courtesy Alva Roy Architects

When designing the Towers of Love, Toronto-based architect Alva Roy aimed to evoke an emotional response from onlookers. The 22- and 24-storey towers stand alone, yet together. Each structure is contoured in such a way as to draw the eye to its mate. The result, Roy says, is a testament to the depths of romantic love and union.

“Love is when two entities join to become one,” says Roy. “I went to meticulous care to make sure that this design would be emblematic of this inextricable bond that is the very essence of love.”

With an end-date of April 2022, plans for the multi-use facility include hotel, restaurant, and office space in one building, while the other will house commercial and residential units. The proposed development will be built in the Toronto area.

“Architecture is not just a wall, a floor and a ceiling to house ourselves,” says Roy. “It is a place where we connect to the deepest emotions of the human heart. Where we invoke peace and calm—and where we summon the richest parts of our being and existence.”#ARCHITECTURE#DESIGN#ONTARIO#ROMANCE#TORONTO

Date :	Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Time :	5:00 – 6:30 PM
Location :	Keilhauer Keynote Theatre

The Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence is an annual awards program open to all architects registered in Canada and to Canadian architectural graduates for buildings designed in Canada and abroad. Awards are given for architectural design excellence. Jurors will consider the scheme’s response to the client’s program, site, and geographic and social context. They will evaluate its physical organization, form, structure, materials and environmental features.