Principal | Barry Goldman, OAA, B. Arch.
Barry was surrounded by art and architecture growing up in North Toronto. His father practiced architecture in the GTA for more than 50 years, and his mother is a painter and sculptor. After accepting a scholarship to study sculpture at York University, Barry was invited to join Carlton University’s Architecture program. Barry completed his training at Page + Steele Architects, and before he left to start his own firm, was directly responsible for 150 million dollars worth of construction.
Before focusing exclusively on the practice of architecture, Barry operated his own contracting company. This practical experience gives him insight into the expertise and concerns of the building professionals that are integral to the architectural process. He established Goldman Architect in 2001.
The most exciting aspect of a project for Barry is the opportunity to meld the disparate and often conflicting requirements from the client, the city and other stakeholders into an elegant solution that no one could have proposed singly. Barry always searches for the synergy of the project. He always aims to discover how a project can create the greatest possible improvement to the clients’ lives and the greater social fabric with the available resources.
Associates
Carol:
OAA, B.Arch.Sc, M.Arch
Bio:
Carol is a licenced Architect, with a Master’s degree in Architecture from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, where she also received a Bachelor of Architectural Science with a specialization in Project Management. Her master’s thesis focused on creating socially inclusive housing that works to accommodate Toronto’s diverse population without compromising the needs of the individual in the pursuit of a more user-focused city. User-focused design has become a central theme throughout her professional and personal life.
Carol’s favourite way to experience architecture is by observing the physical environment through travel. Her travels have taken her to many great cities, significant sites, and remarkable buildings, and she plans to visit many more throughout her lifetime. These experiences have enlightened her to the different physical, social, and architectural contexts that she hopes to apply in her home city of Toronto.
Gregor:
Intern Architect, B.Arch.Sc, M.Arch
Bio:
Gregor began working at BGA during his co-op term in undergrad, graduating with both a Bachelor of Architectural Science and Master of Architecture from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University, and is now registered as an Intern Architect with the OAA. Gregor grew up practicing art and working in construction, where art served as an avenue of exploration and expression, and construction provided the means to manifest it. He worked in a variety of contexts, including residential, commercial, and industrial sites as an apprentice mason and labourer, laying block, brick, and stone, building foundations, masonry walls, fireplaces, and chimneys. This work passed knowledge of craft and building from one generation to the next, where time spent working with his father put the construction process in front of him and in his hands.
This relationship was the core investigation of his thesis; the translation of craft and building knowledge from drawing to the built form. With a particular fascination for brick masonry construction, its history and significance in the city of Toronto, Gregor’s investigation was conducted through a study of Toronto’s fire stations. Today, this forms the basis of his architectural philosophy, bringing the process and histories of construction into the studio and design process allowing local building cultures to permeate his work.
Michael:
Intern Architect, B.Arch.Sc, M.Arch
Bio:
Michael earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. He successfully defended his thesis in May 2021, focusing his research on how to involve the client more meaningfully in the design and construction process. This research culminated in a design-build project that allowed the client to design and construct their own dwelling using a prefab wood construction system. His thesis won the 2020 Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarship from the Canadian Wood Council, the Ontario Association of Architects Guild Medal, and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Honour Role.
Michael’s earliest memories of building decks, bunkies and treehouses alongside his brothers and carpenter father inspired him to pursue a career in architecture. Michael has a particular interest in residential design and construction, as it offers the opportunity to work alongside the future user and tailor the architecture to suit their needs.
Sheerin:
Bio:
Sheerin recently completed her third year of the Bachelor of Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. While working in a leadership position for the university’s annual Timberfever competition, Sheerin developed a strong interest in timber design and fabrication. She has a strong background in digital art and painting, often combining the two to express architectural ideas.
Sheerin’s interest in architecture developed to combine her creative abilities with her interest in community involvement. She works to include the local context of the site while considering the needs of the client, developing strong design proposals that form rich connections with the project and its surroundings.
Christopher:
Bio:
Christopher recently completed his third year of the Bachelor of Architectural Science program at Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. Christopher has participated in many architecture and team design competitions throughout his academic career, notably achieving a People’s Choice Award for a sustainable observatory pavilion and top 12 result at international design competition “Aural Architecture”. These projects were showcased within the Toronto Metropolitan’s department of Architectural Science 325 magazine and website.
Christopher comes from a creative family and grew up around art. As well as interning at BGA, he is a painter and illustrator, which inspires him to combine creativity and functionality in his architecture. Christopher’s architecture focuses on connecting a project with its surroundings and the community, in addition to fulfilling the client’s needs and aspirations.
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