10 Women-Owned Architecture and Design Firms
Discover these all-women or women-led firms you should hire for your next project
While the number of women architects in Canada is on the rise—reaching 37.9 per cent as of the 2021 Canadian census—the tally is still far too low. Especially when you consider that graduation rates for women in architecture programs now exceed 50 per cent. So, what is deterring these young creatives? Whether it’s wage gaps, limited advancement opportunities, or lack of support around maternity leave, there’s still a long way to go in dismantling the profession’s longstanding boys’ club.
Still, the number of women-owned architecture and design firms here in Toronto is considerable—and worth celebrating. Our city plays proud host to Heather Dubbeldam of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, decorated with over 100 international and local design awards, including the RAIC Architectural Practice Award just last year. There’s also Building Equality in Toronto (BEAT), a volunteer-led advocacy group supported by a powerhouse advisory board featuring Shirley Blumberg (KPMB), Brigitte Shim (Shim-Sutcliffe Architects), artist and designer Safoura Zahedi, among others.
In that spirit, we’ve rounded up a selection of 10 women-directed studios that are evening the playing field with high-quality design.
Designer Ashley Botten. Photography by Patrick Biller.
Ashley Botten Design
From residential, retail and workspace interiors to furniture and graphic design, this Toronto-based firm combines a palette of natural materials and a keen design sense in a warm, contemporary style. Founded in 2008 by owner Ashley Botten, the firm’s manifesto speaks to their creative ethos: they prefer to live in the moment, embrace the inherent elegance of aging and consider the imperfections of the natural world as works of art. Recently featured on Designlines for their Muskoka Lake House—featuring a giant textural fireplace made from Canadian-shield bedrock—Ashley Botten Design’s portfolio combines raw materials with skillful grace.
The VFA Architecture & Design team. Back row L to R: Matt Lawson, Cameron Fong, Stephanie Au, Ian Cheung. Front row L to R: Shereen Chak, Lianne Kerry, Hana Wilson, Kyle Do Couto, Deanna Vespa, Vanessa Fong. Dog: Margot.
Photography by Jaime Hogge.
A mix-use building on Dundas West renovated by VFA. Photography by Scott Norsworthy.
Exterior of mix-use building on Dundas West renovated by VFA. Photography by Scott Norsworthy.
VFA Architecture & Design
Since 2014, VFA has been committed to thoughtful, human-scale design. Owned and run by architect Vanessa Fong, previously at Quadrangle Architects and RAW Design before starting her own studio over ten years ago, the award-winning practice has been a longtime Designlines favourite, featured for a 2,334-square-foot Greektown home dubbed Woodycrest, a transformation of a narrow Victorian house, reimagined laneway houses and more. Heading up a 9+ person team, Fong has also been involved with the OAA for years and was inducted into the RAIC’s College of Fellows last year for her contribution to architectural design management and innovation.
Principal landscape architect + planner Sheila Boudreau. Photography by Cate Gransaull.
Rendering of the Kitchener Public Library. SOURCE: mCallumSather Architects.
SpruceLab Inc.
SpruceLab is an Indigenous and women-owned and operated planning and landscape architecture firm, guided by co-design, collaboration and shared ownership. Founded in 2020 by principal landscape architect + planner Sheila Boudreau—who brings more than three decades of experience—the practice is rooted in nature-based solutions that centre Indigenous voices in their work and honour her Mi’kmaq ancestry. Focused on regenerative nature-based solutions, the team also shares a unique art background (half of the studio have art backgrounds) which infuses their work with a meaningful storytelling approach. With offices in Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton and Vancouver, SpruceLab is also a certified member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and is listed on the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Business Directory.
Principal architect Heather Dubbeldam.
Garden Circle House by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design. Photography by Scott Norsworthy.
Garden Circle House by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design. Photography by Scott Norsworthy.
Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
This multidisciplinary studio’s portfolio extends from residential, workspace and hospitality to mixed-use buildings, landscape design and architectural installations. They even designed the office shared by Designlines and sister publication Azure Magazine, bringing the communal editorial hub to life with their thoughtful approach. Throughout these many typologies, forward-thinking projects rooted in sustainable practices, research-driven design and community advocacy position the firm as dedicated local leaders. Case in point: when asked to participate in this blog, founder and principal architect Heather Dubbeldam immediately jumped into action, sharing a list of local women-led firms from her extensive network, as part of her ongoing efforts to foster a strong support system for women architects in the city.
The core DGDL team in their Toronto workshop. L to R: Renn Scott, Carol Taylor, Emma Taylor.
Daily Goods Design Labs (DGDL)
Founded in 2014 by accomplished product designer Renn Scott, DGDL is a women-owned and -led collective that specializes in design, research and innovation. Deeply interested in women’s empowerment and representation, the team emphasizes Female-Focused Products—advocating for designs that consider the real challenges women face, from medical devices to wearable tech. Based in Toronto, the firm’s human-centric approach creates tangible and transformative solutions based on real needs. And if you’re interested in learning more, the studio also offers co-creation workshops, coaching programs and more leadership activities.
Founder Leslie Rivers.
Djembe Drum table.
Yoomalingah Sienna.
September Collective
After searching for high-quality modern African decor in her area and finding it inaccessible, founder and curator Leslie Rivers decided to bridge the gap herself. Dubbed September Collective, the heritage-inspired modern African home decor and art brand brings African artistry to modern living. With a curated collection of a hand-crafted pieces sourced across Africa and the African Diaspora—including sculptural handwoven baskets made in Ghana, sustainable wall textiles from Kenya, hand carved Ghanaian stools made from sustainably-sourced wood, and more—the brand is rooted in timeless, high-quality design. Available for purchase on their premium e-commerce platform, the collective also champions female-founded products, from prints to textiles.
Top row, from left to right: Jennifer Esposito, Kiana Mozayyan, Camille Mitchell, Brigitte Shim, Ramona Adlakha, Shirley Blumberg, Angela Gou, and Safoura Zahedi. Middle row, from left: Andrea Bancod, Emira Galeteanu, Heather Dubbeldam, Persis Lam, Elsa Lam, Stephanie Hosein, Kyra Clarkson, and Nina Boccia. Bottom row, from left: Alena Crowne, Maya Mahgoub-Desai, Mahsa Malek, Melanie Rank, Betsy Williamson, Sonia Ramundi, Vineetha Sivathasan, and Valerie Gow.
BEAT organizes and delivers a range of initiatives and events designed to support women in architecture and related fields.
Building Equality in Toronto (BEAT)
Celebrating their 10-year anniversary this April, BEAT has been empowering women in Toronto’s architecture and design scene for a full decade. Founded by an impressive force of architects, designers and local leaders—with an advisory board that includes recent RAIC gold medalist Shirley Blumberg of KPMB among many others—the volunteer-run organization fosters women’s empowerment advocacy work, community-building and networking, and mentorship initiatives. A sample of their programming includes talks, symposiums, dinners, workshops, social events and more. Organized and executed entirely by women, BEAT’s goal is to create lasting change that promotes equality and respect in our industry.
Founder Lara Himsl.
Birch House. Photography by Adrian Stiles.
Birch House. Photography by Adrian Stiles.
ProCure Studio
Specializing in FF&E design and procurement services (furniture, fixtures and equipment), ProCure Studio offers up their valuable industry relationships and considerable design knowledge to source high quality interior design solutions. From procurement to budget management, their end-to-end approach also includes warehouse, delivery and installation. Recent projects include curating furniture, art and styling for the elegant Birch House (shown here), 252 Church and others. Founded in 2022 by longtime FF&E procurement expert Lara Himsl, ProCure’s tailored project solutions are streamlined for maximum client ease—and they’re easy on the eye.
Principal architect Eladia Smoke. Photography by Brody White.
Principal architect Eladia Smoke. Photography by Brody White.
Global design practice Perkins&Will collaborated with Hamilton firm Smoke Architecture on a redesign for Toronto’s Dawes Road Library.
Smoke Architecture
Further west, the Hamilton-based Smoke Architecture is Anishinaabeg owned and operated. Headed up by founder and principal architect Eladia Smoke since 2014, the all-women team focuses primarily on First Nation and Indigenous projects, guided by Elders and community leaders. With a land-based learning practice, the team creates custom engagement tools, building systems and design techniques for every project, providing end-to-end architectural support for their clients—from concept to community engagement to construction supervision. Often working within tight budgets or in remote locations, Smoke Architecture’s experienced hand delivers engaging builds that honour Indigenous identities.
Izen Architecture team. L to R: Inna Shaulsky, Meena Alcozai, Karen Moore, Jordan Livings, Brenda Izen, Laura Galarraga Contreras, Noga Oren.
House 21. Photography by Izen Architecture.
House 54. Photography by Izen Architecture.
Izen Architecture
Established in 2015, architecture and design studio Izen Architecture is Toronto’s modern home expert, specializing in residential architecture from new builds to alterations. Boasting an all-women team, founder and principal architect Brenda Izen—OAA and RAIC member, and BEAT aficionado—is a champion for equality in architecture—she is even a mentor to young women architects with the OAA. And often featured in Designlines—for her Bedford Park Home, her own renovated post-war bungalow, and more—Izen Architecture’s work is seamless and sophisticated.
