Decorating & Design
The Designers And Architects To Watch In 2022
Published on January 3, 2022
One of our greatest joys is showcasing the the many talented designers, architects and thought leaders in Canada’s thriving design industry. From a merged design firm in Toronto to a husband-and-wife-run architecture firm in Vancouver, our annual A List spotlights just a few people from Canada’s pool of talented creators.
Scroll down to see the designers and architects to watch this year!
Collective Studio, Toronto
Longtime collaborators Alana Firestone (left) and Jordy Fagan merged their design firms to form Collective Studio in 2017. Drop-dead gorgeous kitchens, sleek palettes and custom details are the signatures of their fresh take on contemporary style.
Why Now: A growing list of projects demonstrates the firm’s ever-evolving sophisticated style. The ability to make small spaces both stylish and functional has become one of their hallmarks.
A single mirror across a double vanity provides more reflective light for a brightening effect.
Frosty white and cool greys are a beautiful backdrop for an eye-catching soaker tub.
SmithErickson Designs, Calgary
Principals and co-founders Jenelle Erickson (left) and Stephanie Smith bring out each other’s creativity — earning the duo praise for their unique take on traditional design. Since founding the firm SmithErickson Designs in 2015, the friends and business partners have taken a hands-on approach to design, no matter whether it’s a construction element or room styling.
Why Now: Their latest new-build project, a showhome in Calgary, illustrates Jenelle and Stephanie’s signature style at its best. Featuring a stunning white oak kitchen with black metal accents, the space combines clean-lined moldings with a contemporary palette. Reminiscent of the work of Studio McGee but with its own distinct approach, this firm is coming into its own.
Industrial-style stools and shapely pendants keep this traditional kitchen feeling fresh.
Scott & Scott Architects, Vancouver
Since founding their firm in 2012, Susan and David Scott are best known for their respectful adaptations of existing buildings. Using local materials such as Douglas fir and Tlupana marble is a signature of their projects, which are primarily in B.C. “We’re privileged to be in a place where the materials are in our environment,” says David. “Using them responsibly is an important part of our work.”
Why Now: The husband and wife team have won awards from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and The Architectural League of New York. Their latest projects include groundbreaking energy systems, further refining their focus on sustainability and longevity.
Susan and David used a wall to create a sheltered garden for a Saanich, B.C. home.
Large-format sliding doors frame views of the terrace.
Vanessa Fong, Toronto
With more than a decade of architectural practice (seven at her own firm, VFA Architecture + Design) under her belt, Vanessa Fong helmed the re-envisioning of a rustic, 100-year-old Prince Edward County, Ont. house for two Toronto lawyers, using as many local materials and suppliers as possible.
Why Now: Vanessa’s low-lying, contemporary designs don’t overpower the natural beauty of their surroundings. She relies on materials such as white-stained cedar and stamped cast-concrete bricks to give vernacular architecture fresh attitude.
This P.E.C. home reinterprets an 1880s farmhouse, complete with a homey porch.