François Paul Émond, architect founding partner

October 16, 2019 in Current

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B. Sc. & B. Arch. from McGill University

Master in Landscape Architecture from the Université de Montréal

Member of the OAQ since 1991 – Exam passed with distinction

In 1994, together with Carl Mulvey, François Emond establishes their architecture practice. Andy Kozina joins them in 1998 to form ékm architecture. François’ contagious enthusiasm and passion for architecture are visible in his work. He distinguishes himself by his impressive ability to quickly formulate inventive, sensible and specific solutions to complex design problems.

With more than 22 years of experience practicing architecture and a dozen years of experience teaching architecture and landscape, he is an accomplished communicator and team leader. He has the ability to inspire and bring together all the different parties needed for a successful architecture project. His design process is grounded in an multi-disciplinary and holistic approach.

Francois is partner of the firm and designer of many institutional projects, including the innovative design of the Cyberthèque and the Service Point, both at McGill University.

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Carl Rousseau Mulvey, architect founding partner

October 15, 2019 in Current

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B. Sc. & B. Arch. from McGill University

Member of the OAQ since 1989 – Exam passed with distinction

Carl Mulvey has a wide-ranging knowledge in the domain of architecture and construction. In 1994, together with François Emond, Carl Mulvey establishes their architecture practice. Andy Kozina joined them in 1998 to form ékm architecture.

Carl’s dedicated approach to architecture is specific to each project. Each project starts from the qualities and constraints of a given site, and it does not end until all complicated situations during construction have been resolved.

Carl has accumulated a vast experience in construction management, more specifically the construction of education buildings. He was responsible for the West Island College Arts and Science Pavilion that won several awards, both for its design as well as for its sustainable features.

As a specialist in technical innovation and sustainability, specifically in the use of ecological products, details, and procedures, he designed and taught the first class in sustainable architecture at McGill University, called « Energy, Environment and Buildings ». Recently he has designed projects of a humanitarian nature, including a series of mobile health clinics that are now deployed across Canada.

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Andrew Kozina, architect founding partner

October 14, 2019 in Current

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B. Sc. & B. Arch. from McGill University

Member of the OAQ since 1991 – Exam passed with distinction

Andy Kozina joined ékm architecture in 1998. Within the firm, he is responsible for the design of several notable educational and medical buildingsa and a number of important projects for First Nations.

The following projects demonstrate his dedication to his work: the expansion and renovation of the Brunswick Medical Centre in Pointe-Claire, the Mohawk Immersion School and Community Centre in Kanesatake, the Vocational Training Centre in Dolbeau-Mistassini, the Naskapi Medical Personnel Residence in Kawawachikamach, and the Naskapi Community Centre in Kawawachikamach (Northern Québec).

These buildings are evidence of Andy’s profound understanding of the social and cultural contexts specific to each of those projects. His calm, his optimism, his persistence and his ability to listen make him an Architect that is responsive to his Clients’ needs.

Andy is also an expert in building code and regulations and he takes care of much of the administrative side of running an Architectural office.

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Benoit Picard, associate architect

October 13, 2019 in Current

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B. Arch. From University of Montréal, 2001

Member of the OAQ since 2010

LEED AP BD+C

Mr. Picard is a seasoned architect who has been with the firm since 2002. He has extensive experience in rehabilitation and redevelopment, and he excels in coordination between the different disciplines, design, and supervision of the production team.

His career has led him to work principally with institutional clients, often in the context of renovation of both occupied and unoccupied existing buildings. He has notably worked on several state-of-the-art teaching facilities with high audiovisual and acoustic requirements.

He is also a LEED Accredited Professional and will help guide the firm towards its climate change commitments

In 2019, Mr. Picard was appointed associate in the firm ékm architecture.

Franca Totera, architect

October 12, 2019 in Current

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B. Sc. & B. Arch. from McGill University, 1987

Diploma in Management (Marketing) from McGill University, 1997

Member of the OAQ 1989-1992, Since 2019

Franca Totera is a Senior Architect who has design experience on a number of different building types, both in Montreal and in Northern Québec, but more recently has been specializing in the design and supervision of healthcare facilities. During the last ten years, she has worked as a Project Architect on a variety of medical clinics for the Brunswick Medical Clinic (BMC), including the base building for the new four-storey 63,000 square foot extension of BMC on St-Jean boulevard in Pointe-Claire.

Franca is versatile and can immerse herself in designing and organizing the most technologically complex clinics like: Via Medica's radiology expansion project (which includes an MRI and a CTScan machine), BMC's Endoscopy Clinic and BMC's new Minor Surgery Clinic (currently in progress). Circulation flow, the optimal relationship between spaces and the position of equipment and furniture within rooms is of critical importance in a medical facility. The correct layout is reached after completing her own extensive research and after numerous interviews with medical personnel and management.

Over the years, Franca has obtained extensive construction supervision experience during the construction of medical clinics and has been working closely with the contractors in order to stay on budget and on schedule. Because of time constraints, construction often begins before the drawings are finished. The production of drawings are then prioritized in the order that building materials and sub-contractors are required on the construction site and in terms of the lead time of suppliers and fabricators.

Raquel Peñalosa, landscape architect

October 11, 2019 in Current

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Bachelor. Landscape Architecture, B.A.P. University of Montreal, 1986

M. in Urban Studies (Education and Research), UQAM | INRS, Montreal, 2005

AAPQ certified member since 2001 no 365 and CSLA member since 2011 no 01-099

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Isabelle Ducret, architect

October 10, 2019 in Current

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Architecte DPLG de l’École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris-Val de Seine, Paris, France, 2005

Member of the OAQ since 2018

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Vedanta Balbahadur, architect

October 09, 2019 in Current

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B. Sc. Arch. from McGill University, 2004

M.Arch. from McGill University, 2006

Member of the OAQ since 2011

MRAIC, LEED AP

Known for combining a progressive design ethic with his user-oriented approach, Vedanta believes that architecture must spring from a poetic vision, take an ethical stance in society, and contribute to the improvement of the built environment through innovation and sustainable strategies. He is a guest critic and lecturer at Canadian universities (University of Toronto, Carleton, Concordia, Université de Montréal) and an award-winning instructor at McGill University where he teaches design studios in the School of Architecture and an introduction to the urban environment to students from non-design fields.

Vedanta joined ékm in 2015.

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Diana Elizalde, Intern Architect

October 08, 2019 in Former

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B.Arch. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Tecnológico de Monterrey-CCM), City of Mexico Campus, Mexico, 2004

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Justine Gagnon, architect

October 07, 2019 in Former

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B.Arch. Laval University, 2011

M. Arch. Laval University, 2014

Member of the OAQ since 2017

At EKM since 2015, Ms. Gagnon is a dynamic architect who uses her skills in management and sustainable design, constantly enriching her knowledge by taking courses at the HEC and École supérieure technique such as Leadership, Art of negotiation and Management of stress, time and energy and following the LEED design principles.

With a vision focused on the user and his perception of spaces, she believes that the strength of a quality architecture is to mark those who live in with an impression of fluidity and allow them to fully appropriate space.

Sarmad Al-Mashta

October 04, 2019 in Former

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B.Sc. in Architecture, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, 1994

M.A.Sc. in Building Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, 2010

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Concordia University, Montreal, 2018

Member of the OAQ since 2015

MRAIC, AIA Int. Assoc., LEED AP BD+C

Sarmad firmly believes that built environment inspires human beings and constitute a major factor in their well-being. For him architecture is a technology that facilitates life. Guided by this vision, he employs established and emerging technologies as means to attain excellence in the built environment. He is constantly expanding his knowledge into domains that interact with Architecture. He is an award-winning instructor at Concordia University, Building Engineering department since 2009. His international experience includes governmental, educational, transportation, sports facilities, residential, and high-rise projects.

Sarmad joined ekm in 2017 and became ékm LAB director in 2019

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Shanie Jalbert-Bossé

October 03, 2019 in Former

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B. Arch. McGill University, 2008

M. Arch. McGill University, 2011

Member of the OAQ since 2014

Shanie seeks every opportunity to help people take ownership of space and envision their environment in new ways. Sensitive to environmental issues, she practices architecture oriented towards inclusion and public space. Her refreshing creative vision, fueled by curiosity and constant search for innovative solutions, is particularly conscious of the experience of place. For each project, she brings to the fore her aesthetic drive and technical knowledge. She offers practical solutions for programmatic organization like a puzzle she solves with her strong vision.

Shanie worked with ékm from 2012 to 2017 and rejoined our team as consultant in 2019