July 16, 2026
Women Changing Architecture highlights the pivotal role women have played in transforming contemporary architecture in Canada. Through the works and careers of thirty-two architects from Quebec and Ontario, this publication showcases engaged practices that, for over four decades, have helped redefine the discipline, its values, and its modes of action.
This publication stems from an exhibition originally presented at TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University) in the fall of 2024 and at UQAM Design Centre in the spring of 2025.
Edited by Louise Pelletier, with Lisa Landrum, Jennifer Esposito, and Jonathan Tourangeau.
More information about the publication can be found at HERE. Grab your copy at Swipe while they last!
May 30, 2026
Jennifer and Heba Al-Fayez (TMU DAS Graduate Research Assistant) presented their ongoing research at the 51st Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Conference in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Jennifer and Heba reflected on a recent SSHRC-funded national academic-professional symposium that brought together more than 200 academics, students, architects, and advocates over two days to take stock of the current state of women in architecture in Canada and identify pathways to implement frameworks and policies that advance equity in the field.
According to Heba, “it was exciting to present our work in a friendly environment surrounded by interesting and interdisciplinary researchers who were open to discussing their work and experiences. I especially appreciated the opportunity to explore a new place with a distinct urban and natural landscape.”
More information about the other TMU DAS speakers can be found HERE.
May 5, 2026
Jennifer presented at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Conference in Vancouver, BC, alongside collaborators John McMinn (MJ Architecture/School of Architecture, University of Waterloo/Grand Studio Design Build Program) and Diarmuid Nash (Moriyama Teshima Architects/John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto).
Their session, Practice Pedagogy: Rethinking the Professional Practice Course, brought together three practitioners/educators from Ontario to explore how professional practice is taught and valued in schools. This session investigated the often ambiguous role of the professional practice course within design curricula and offered comparative insights into how instructors are reshaping content, delivery, and purpose to better align with the evolving interests of both students and the profession.
More information about the 2026 RAIC Conference can be found HERE.
March 12, 2025
Jennifer recently moderated the Women in Architecture (WIA) Symposium led by TMU DAS ACU students.
This year’s theme, “Through the Layers,” explored the evolving experiences of women in architecture across the full arc of a career, from early entry into the profession to entrepreneurship, leadership, and systemic transformation. This event traced how women move through the layers of practice: the first steps into the studio, the leap into starting a firm, the negotiation of leadership expectations, and the realities that lie beyond representation and visibility. By highlighting personal stories, structural challenges, and forward-thinking innovations, the series aimed to illuminate not only the barriers women continue to face but also the futures they are actively building.
Panellists included: Ramona Adlakha (KPMB Architects), Paige Crewson (Kennaley Construction Law), Vanessa Fong (VFA), Soma Khan (Form + Bang Design Studio), and Camille Mitchell (mcCallumSather).
Full event details and speaker information can be found HERE.
March 6-7, 2025
“Taking Stock: Voices of Women in Architecture Across Canada” was a 2-day symposium at Toronto Metropolitan University, Department of Architectural Science, 6-7 March, that brought together students, architects, academics, advocates, historians, journalists, policymakers, statisticians, and others to share knowledge and experiences, advance essential conversations, and spark systemic, embedded change in pedagogy, practice, and policy for women in architecture.
Jennifer led the project alongside a cross-institutional team of co-investigators, including Dr. Annmarie Adams (McGill University), Anne-Marie Armstrong (University of Toronto), Maya Mahgoub-Desai (OCAD University), and Dr. Shelagh McCartney (Toronto Metropolitan University). Collaborators on the project included Ramona Adlakha (KPMB Architects), Amina Lalor (Laurentian University), and architectural writer Rhys Phillips, along with a team of Graduate Research Assistants: Heba Al‑Fayez (TMU), Rachel Klysen (OCAD), Sammi Ku (UofT), and Elaine Nahli (TMU). The initial research of undergraduate Research Assistants Saskia Scarce (TMU) and Nina Zabojnikova (TMU) informed the foundation of the project. The symposium was funded through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Connections Grant, along with additional support from five institutions and nine community partners.
In addition to overseeing the project, Jennifer moderated Session 4: Women in Practice. This session investigated the practice of architecture and frameworks that either support or undermine women’s progression from graduation to leadership. Mentorship, advocacy, culture, flexibility, and policy were examined to build a shared understanding of the barriers and opportunities, leading to actionable guidelines for firm adoption and systemic change.
Stay tuned for more information about this ongoing research project. Event details can be found HERE.
February 25, 2026
Mark your calendars! Rescheduled due to snow.
Join Jennifer and an inspiring panel of accomplished, prominent women in architecture and design at The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.
February 18, 2026
Thanks to Architectural Overdrive and Dalhousie’s School of Architecture for hosting us for our first public lecture!
November, 2025
The exhibition brought together the work and experiences of students from recent TMU DAS travel studios. Students immersed themselves in two cities of extraordinary architectural character: Barcelona, led by Assistant Professor Jennifer Esposito, and Tokyo, led by Associate Professor Will Galloway. Participating in firm visits, guided tours, and independent exploration, they experienced the diversity of culture embedded in architecture and urban form, from the layered historic fabric of Barcelona to the everyday complexity of Tokyo.
The exhibition was designed by Master of Architecture students and Barcelona Travel Studio participants, Mikayla Burmania, Aidan Chui, Sabeeh Mobashar, and Golara Pourvakil.
More information about the exhibition can be found HERE.
May-June, 2025
In the summer of 2025, Jennifer and 17 upper-year Toronto Metropolitan University Architecture students explored the architecture of everyday life through immersion in the urban fabric of both Toronto and Barcelona, Spain. This travel studio, titled The Architecture of Place: The City is the Museum | The Museum is the City, challenged students to approach design through the lens of dwelling, not as a static form, but as a reflection of how people inhabit, move through, and interact with public and private spaces in their daily lives. Students initiated their research by documenting Toronto public spaces, analyzing case studies, and developing drawing techniques to translate ideas of place into spatial investigations.
Read the article by Sidra Homan HERE. Photograph by Sidra Homam.
May 26, 2025
Squaretown Courts has received an Honourable Mention in the Community Connections category at the 2025 Halifax Urban Design Awards.
In the summer and fall of 2024, Duncan assisted Canada Basketball, Buckets & Borders, the Regional Municipality of Halifax and the Uniacke Square Community to restore three outdoor basketball courts in Halifax’s North End that have acted as the heart of George Dixon Park. The common goal highlights basketball’s unifying power across Canada and shines a light on Nova Scotia.
In addition to refurbishing the park’s basketball courts, a fundamental objective of the project is to celebrate the neighborhood’s rich history as a community with a deep love for basketball, and use the restored courts as a place for play, celebration, as well as a platform for the continued growth of the game in Halifax.
Learn more about the project here!
March 12, 2025
Jennifer recently collaborated with Architecture Course Union students Sidra Homam and Gisele Ortega-Joseph to moderate the annual Women in Architecture panel at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Celebrating women in architecture and design, this event brought together industry leaders to reflect on their journeys from education to practice, explored interdisciplinary collaboration, discussed leadership, and examined the evolving role of technology and architects in shaping project outcomes.
Collaboration was at the forefront of the discussion as architects navigate increasingly complex roles and projects. Panelists discussed the importance of diverse perspectives, managing both large and small teams, the impact of technological advancements, and the challenges and opportunities they’ve encountered throughout their careers.
Panellists included: Anne-Marie Armstrong (AAmp Studio), Stephanie Hosein (Omar Gandhi Architects), Kate Myers (Superkül), Heather Rolleston (BDP Quadrangle), Barbora Vokac Taylor (Barbora Vokac Taylor Architects), and Safoura Zahedi (Safoura Zahedi Studio).
Full event details and speaker information can be found HERE.
March 7, 2025
Jennifer recently moderated the panel Finding Your Voice for International Women’s Day.
Navigating the early years of your architecture career can be challenging. How do you make yourself heard in meetings, on calls, or on-site? In Finding Your Voice, five accomplished principals shared their personal journeys, the obstacles they've faced, and the strategies they've used to establish their presence in the profession. This candid and inspiring conversation explored how different personalities, strengths, and experiences shape the way architects communicate and lead.
The panelists included Kelly Buffey (Akb), Brenda Izen (Izen Architecture), Ashely Rumsey (Mason Studio), Sue Jean Chung (Studio JCI).
January 31, 2025
A narrow apartment building in an east coast city was featured in the CAFE Housing Exhibition at TMU DAS!
A compact multi-unit building responding to the narrow lots of the Halifax Peninsula. This project is a collaboration with a builder we work with often. In addition to custom homes, their business includes development, bringing gentle density with design ambition to the North End of Halifax. This project was recently featured in an article in allNovaScotia.
September 5, 2024
Jennifer has been busy this summer working on the Toronto iteration of "Buone Nuove: Good News from Italy " exhibition which will open at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Paul H. Cocker Gallery in the Department of Architectural Science for its inaugural North American showing on September 5, 2024.
TMU undergraduate student Saskia Scarce was awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award (SSHRC USRA) to begin work with Jennifer in May 2024. “BEYOND GENDER: Voices of Black Women in Architecture + Design’ – an excerpt of an ongoing research project entitled, “Taking Stock: Voices of Women in Architecture in Canada,” which uses storytelling to amplify the voices of the next generation of designers, will be included in the upcoming exhibition.
Please join her on September 5 in celebrating the work of remarkable women around the globe, including the EMPOWERING PRACTICES of Toronto based women, who are shaping their cities through innovation, leadership, and advocacy!
More information on the exhibition at TMU can be found here!
June 6, 2024
allNovaScotia has published an article on our project a narrow apartment building in an east coast city with MRB Contracting.
Check out the article here!
This project was also recently exhibited at Toronto Metropolitan University’s CASA CAFE on Housing.
May 24, 2024
Will presents “Capturing Life: Investigating the Role of Social Narratives in Domestic Space Design” based on a house in a meadow between the forest and sea at the 49th annual Conference of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada in Winnipeg.
“The house is a frame to capture both internal and external life and provides fertile ground for the exploration of everyday rituals. Within domestic spaces, narratives related to sleeping, dining, gathering, and retreat shape the parameters that guide the design. These social-programmatic narratives, along with the site’s historical and physical narratives, construct an understanding of one’s place in the home, and by extension the world, as an embodied and active experience.”
May 16, 2024
Jennifer, alongside Maya Desai (Associate Professor/Chair, OCAD, Visiting Professor, University of Toronto, Senior Urban Designer and Planner, Moriyama Teshima Architects), presented their work on ‘Equity Unbuilt: Confront Architecture’s Hidden Gaps” at the RAIC Academic Summit at the 2024 Annual Conference on Architecture in Vancouver.
Following the presentation, they participated in a moderated discussion by Lisa Landrum (Chair, Toronto Metropolitan University) with colleagues looking at Social Justice, Quan Thai (Associate, SVN Architects + Planners, Emerging Practitioner, University of Waterloo) and Karen Kubey (Assistant Professor, University of Toronto).
May 1, 2024
Join us in congratulating Jennifer (Chair, BEAT Executive Committee) and the entire BEAT community on their recent Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Advocate for Architecture Award. From the jury: “BEAT has established itself as a significant voice supporting equity in the architecture profession. As a group, they highlight the structural inequalities that continue to disadvantage women, inspire us to reflect and to action for change. Their discussions and perspectives connect and center human dimensions for a better way forward and their enthusiastic encouragement and mentorship of young female architects as they navigate a demanding profession is vital.” We are very proud to support this organization!
Read more about the award on the RAIC and Canadian Architect website!
March 11, 2024
Duncan travelled to San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico to assist Buckets & Borders in launching its first international project, “Proyecto Plaza del Sol”. We worked closely with local youth and community members to design the artwork for the basketball court, restore and paint the court surface, run youth basketball day camps, and participate in a tournament featuring 10 teams from across the Nayarit and Jalisco regions.
Learn more about the project here!
March 5, 2024
Jennifer joined Elsa Lam (Editor, Canadian Architect), Valerie Gow (Partner, Gow Hastings Architects), Heather Breeze (Intern Architect & Marketing Director, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design), and Cathy Truong (Product Designer, Autodesk) for a moderated discussed by June Komisar (Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University) on Women in Architecture.
This event aimed to shed light on the underrepresentation of women as registered architects, despite their significant enrollment in architecture programs across the country. Where do female architecture students go after graduating? What barriers did they face along the way, and what supports did they have? Understanding these diverse career paths of architecture graduates, why some go on to get licensed, and why others may leave, is crucial for promoting gender diversity and equity within the profession. The panel focused on career trajectories and paths to licensure, barriers, and support for women in the profession.
January 16, 2024
Duncan and Jennifer participated in Dalhousie University School of Architecture’s B2 Professional Practice week led by Professor Michael Putman. In this session, they shared their experience leading projects from concept to completion.
January 8, 2024
Jennifer was recently interviewed by Rhys Phillips for his article “Women in Canadian Architecture: An Update” published in Canadian Architect’s Benchmark Report. In it she says “there’s a perceived idea of how to be a leader… but [in reality] there’s lots of ways to be a leader in the profession.”
Read the full article here!
January 8, 2024
Jennifer recently moderated the 2023 BEAT Forum: Building Equity on Construction Sites. Geared toward those who work at or visit construction sites, including architects, clients, contractors, trades, and consultants, the Forum explored different perspectives on how to create a collaborative and productive work environment for all stakeholders throughout the construction process. Panelists included Jen Hancock (Vice President of Collaborative Construction, Chandos Construction), Carol Phillips (Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects), Lisa Laronde (President, RSG International, Canadian Association of Women in Construction) and Gayle Meeks (Associate/Technical Director, Perkins & Will).
Learn more about BEAT here!
January 4, 2024
Jennifer was thrilled to be invited to speak about her volunteer work at the Toronto Society of Architects Connect event last September!
Jennifer is a mentor and advocate for equity in the profession as reflected through her roles with Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT) and Harvard Womxn in Design (WiD) as well as a mentor to future architects through the Harvard Mentorship Collective and Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).
January 1, 2024
We're excited to announce that on January 1, 2024 Jennifer Esposito joined Place of Work as a third partner and principal. In addition to an old friend and colleague, Jennifer is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University. She brings extensive experience in the custom residential world across Nova Scotia, Ontario, and the US.
You can learn more about Jennifer here!
September 9, 2023
This summer Place of Work had the opportunity to be a part of something special in the community of Rivertowne in the city of Toronto. Playing a supporting role to long time collaborator Buckets & Borders, Duncan worked with artist Fiorella Granda, local youth and community members to refurbish the Don Mount Basketball Court in Riverside, Toronto transforming it into Canada’s first WNBA themed basketball court. We assisted with community engagement, artist selection, design coordination, court painting and helping to run the grand opening celebration that took place on September 9, 2023. Special thank you to the DMC Youth Committee for welcoming us into your neighbourhood.
Read more about the project here!
April 28, 2023
Place of Work turns one! On an evening in April we gathered at Fawn Restaurant with clients, colleagues, friends, and family to celebrate our first year in business. Thanks to everyone who came; we’re looking forward to the next one!