Issued For Construction

Rebecca Axler is a Toronto-based interior designer and the founder of RTG Designs, a full-service residential design firm specializing in projects ranging from renovations and new builds to room-by-room transformations.Born and raised in Toronto, Rebecca grew up in the North York area and attended York Mills Collegiate Institute. A lifelong curiosity about design and space, sparked during her parents' home build when she was in grade six, set her on a clear path early. After completing three years of sociology at Dalhousie University in Halifax and a fourth-year exchange at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, she built the portfolio that would earn her acceptance to Parsons School of Design in New York City. She completed the interior design program in 12 months, graduating in 2007.Her early career in New York included an internship at Haynes-Roberts, a Manhattan-based high-end residential firm, followed by a junior role at Groves and Co. (then operating as S. Russell Groves), a firm whose work appeared on the Architectural Digest Top 100 list. She later worked with Matthew Robbins Design, contributing to the design and production of high-profile events and weddings.After returning to Toronto, Rebecca launched RTG Designs and built her client base through word of mouth and Instagram. Her practice has grown steadily into whole-home projects and new builds, with a current roster made up entirely of repeat clients. She approaches each project as both designer and collaborator, often taking on a full project management role alongside the design scope.Rebecca lives in Toronto with her husband and two children.⁠⁠RTG Designs⁠⁠Next Release:⁠Alex Josephson - Partisans⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction

Vanessa Eckstein is the founder and creative director of Blok Design, a Toronto-based graphic design studio with a global reach. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Vanessa was immersed in the arts from an early age, studying painting as a child under a celebrated surrealist painter in the La Boca neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree in graphic design from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, among the first generations to graduate from the program, before completing her MFA in Intercultural Design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, among the first cohort to receive a master's degree from that program.Her early career took her through New York, where she worked at Drental Doyle Partners, a renowned design studio, before relocating to Toronto in 1998 to found Blok. After five years, she moved the studio to Mexico City for nine years before returning to Toronto, where Blok has continued to operate ever since. Named after a political magazine from the era of the Russian Revolution, Blok reflects Vanessa's belief that design is most powerful when it serves society. The studio has maintained a deliberately small and nimble team of five to six people throughout its nearly 27-year history, working across brand identity, editorial, publishing, and exhibit design.Beyond Blok, Vanessa is the founder of Rhythm Dialogues, a registered nonprofit and mobile artist residency program housed in a restored 1974 Airstream trailer that travels across Canada. Guided by the theme of Emotional Cartography, the program facilitates interdisciplinary exchange among artists across dance, writing, music, film, theatre, and visual art. You can explore her work on Instagram and learn more about the residency at Rhythm Dialogues.Vanessa Eckstein - BLOK Design⁠⁠Next Release:⁠Steve Euser - Dan Euser Waterarchitecture⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jorge Eckstein is a Buenos Aires-born chemical engineer and entrepreneur whose unlikely second act has become one of Argentina's most celebrated acts of cultural preservation. Raised in Buenos Aires by Hungarian immigrant parents, he built a successful career spanning more than 30 years in the specialty oils and animal fats industry, supplying international companies including Shell, Exxon, Pfizer and Henkel.In 1985, Eckstein purchased a derelict property in the San Telmo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, just blocks from the Casa Rosada, intending it as a financial investment. What began as a restoration of an abandoned 1830 mansion evolved into a decades-long archaeological undertaking. Beneath the structure, workers uncovered a network of tunnels and ruins dating to the 1600s, including what would prove to be the first underground waterway switching system of the city. Eckstein spent 25 years excavating, restoring, and preserving the site entirely by hand, training specialized tradespeople where none existed and pioneering the first urban archaeological escrow agreement of its kind in the city.The result is El Zanjón de Granados, a privately owned museum now welcoming approximately 36,000 visitors annually, among them passengers from international luxury cruise lines. The project has been recognized by Buenos Aires City Council as the most significant urban archaeological undertaking in the city's history. Eckstein is also the father of Vanessa Eckstein, founder and Creative Director of the internationally recognized Toronto-based studio Blok Design.Images of El Zanjón de Granados are available on the Issued for Construction Instagram.⁠⁠Jorge Eckstein - El ZanjónNext Release:⁠⁠Office of Sustainable Design & Architecture (OSDA)⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gelanaz Hemati is a Toronto interior designer and founder of Gelanaz and Associates. Raised in Tehran, Iran, as the youngest of three siblings, her interest in construction was sparked by her businessman father, who built the family home and cottage. Though initially discouraged by a teacher, Gelanaz mastered painting step by step, eventually exhibiting her art and studying under the renowned Iranian master Katouzian, where she developed exceptional hand sketching skills.Driven by a love for math and art, Gelanaz earned her architecture degree with honors. At age 27, she began lecturing weekly at her alma mater on hand sketching and abstract design. Her early career included roles at a large urban design firm, head of design at a boutique studio, and 12 years as a partner with two university peers. Together, they designed numerous commercial and residential projects, including the permit expansion and interior design of an 800,000 square foot shopping mall featuring cinemas and multilevel underground parking.Inspired by a trip to London, Gelanaz moved to Canada at age 36. After obtaining permanent residency in Montreal, she relocated to Toronto and studied building envelopes at George Brown College to learn wood frame construction. She rebuilt her practice through local residential projects. During the pandemic, an Instagram post about an award ceremony introduced her to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, or NKBA. She joined, won an award within a two week deadline, served as a judge, and is now in her third year on the board.Today, her firm handles single family residential designs ranging from condos to an 11,000 square foot home. Highly active on site, Gelanaz communicates visually by sketching details directly onto drywall or plywood for tradespeople. Her personal interests include painting, morning reading, fitness, and exploring Ontario via road trips.⁠⁠Gelanaz & Associates⁠⁠Next Release:Acre ArchitectsSponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

François Roupinian is a globally recognized lighting designer and the founder of Lightemotion. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, François discovered his passion for illumination during his youth. His early creative experiments included building custom concrete and metal lamps in his bedroom. Listeners can head over to Instagram this week to view exclusive story photos of these teenage creations.He refined his craft working in the Montreal club scene and providing lighting for electronic music acts like Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers at venues such as Metropolis. Seeking to deepen his expertise, François studied at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and completed a production program at the National Theatre School of Canada before graduating in 1999. Following a major architectural project with racing champion Jacques Villeneuve, he established Lightemotion, officially incorporating the firm in 2002.Today, Lightemotion operates internationally with a dedicated team across Montreal, Toronto, and Paris. Under his leadership, the practice has designed illuminating experiences for prestigious clients including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fairmont, Sofitel, the National Arts Centre, and the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. His team is also deeply involved in illuminating the parliamentary precinct in Ottawa. A believer in heart driven business, François places immense value on human connection. Outside of work, he practices daily transcendental meditation and studies classical guitar.⁠⁠Lightemotion⁠⁠Next Release:WZMHSponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jake Olivera is a talented product and industrial designer based in Toronto, Ontario. Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Jake was deeply influenced by his Portuguese heritage and a family environment that encouraged spirited debate, independence, and hands on learning.He holds a Bachelor of Design from the joint program between York University and Sheridan College. Early in his career, Jake interned in the marketing department at Umbra, which taught him the critical importance of product storytelling. He later honed his technical skills as an industrial designer at a prominent Toronto interior design firm and at Powell and Bonnell. There, he worked closely with local fabricators and mastered the complexities of physical manufacturing.Following a pandemic related layoff, he launched Jake Olivera Studio. Over the past five years, he has built a reputation for designing highly sculptural, modern pieces. He collaborates extensively with Boyd Lighting in Colorado, producing celebrated lines like the Spire Collection and the complex, blown glass Nest Collection.Recently, Jake partnered with Jason from Henderson Resource Group to launch Ourse, a furniture brand dedicated to domestic manufacturing. Debuting at the Interior Design Show, Ourse aims to revitalize Canadian fabrication by utilizing local materials and labor, ensuring pieces are built to last for generations.Jake describes himself as a small scale problem solver who creates distinct, form focused objects for architects and designers. His ultimate design aspirations include creating the Olympic torch and a signature tile collection, as well as collaborating with global pinnacle brands like Vitra and Magis.⁠⁠Jake Oliveira Studio⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Alex Bozikovic⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Born in Tirana, Albania, Uarda Kellezi is an architectural and interior designer whose professional journey is defined by a blend of European cultural immersion and rigorous technical training. The daughter of a diplomat, Uarda spent her formative years navigating a life between Italy, Albania, and Canada, a transition that fostered her deep appreciation for history, art, and the identity of built environments.Uarda’s creative foundation began in the performing and visual arts, though she eventually pivoted toward the technical sciences—a shift common in Eastern European education. This duality of creative intuition and mathematical precision led her to the prestigious University of Waterloo’s Architecture program. During her studies, she gained diverse international experience through internships in Amsterdam, Rome, and Tirana, working across various sectors including real estate development and environmental architecture with UNICEF.In January 2023, at the age of 25, Uarda launched Studio Kellezi in the Vaughan area. Her transition to firm ownership was catalyzed by her rapid ascent at a luxury development firm, where she managed high-rise penthouses and complex construction sites during the global pandemic. This "on-site" baptism by fire allowed her to earn the respect of seasoned trades and master the intricacies of construction management.Today, Uarda leads a growing team of designers specializing in high-end custom homes and luxury interiors. Known for her "old soul" work ethic and solution-oriented approach, she has built a reputation for deep client trust and a reinforced network of industry collaborators. Her design philosophy remains heavily influenced by the historical grandeur of Italy, where she believes architecture serves as the essence of society. When she is not in the studio, Uarda prioritizes mentorship within her team and seeks inspiration through travel and the quiet resets of the coast.⁠⁠Studio Kellezi⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠The Neptis Foundation⁠⁠Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠⁠

Diego Burdi and Paul Filek are the cofounders of Burdifilek, a global interior design studio established in 1993.Diego Burdi, the firm's Creative Director, was born and raised in Scarborough. A first generation Canadian of Italian descent, he attended Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts before studying interior design at Toronto Metropolitan University.Paul Filek, the managing partner, grew up in Sault Ste. Marie. Raised by entrepreneurial immigrant parents from Italy and Poland, he developed an early fascination with building. He also attended Toronto Metropolitan University.They started their practice in a small corner office at Berkeley Castle in Toronto. They quickly built a reputation for designing with a global perspective. Early success came from cold calling a bakery, followed by major commissions for Club Monaco and the main floor of the Holt Renfrew flagship on Bloor Street. The Holt Renfrew commission served as a massive catalyst, proving their design capabilities on a global stage.Today, their Toronto based studio operates with a highly focused team of twenty professionals. They take on diverse global projects, from massive commercial spaces like Park One in Seoul to award winning super yachts that have graced the cover of SuperYacht Times.Both founders maintain a fearless and entrepreneurial spirit. They actively seek new opportunities, noting that scrolling Instagram can reveal hundreds of new creative directions to explore. Furthermore, they are eager to expand their footprint and expressed interest in taking on projects in South America.⁠⁠BURDIFILEK⁠⁠Next Release:Studio North⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠⁠

Eva Healy is the founder and principal designer of Avenue Design, a premier interior design firm specializing in large scale residential new builds and major renovations. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Eva immigrated to Canada at age six and grew up in Toronto. After completing an honours double major in Psychology and Law and Society at York University, she pursued her true passion, graduating from an accelerated interior design program at the Academy of Design in Toronto.Eva began her career at a boutique residential firm before an opportunity to design a modern custom home in Port Credit launched her independent path. This debut project won the Mississauga Urban Design Award and propelled her to officially establish Avenue Design. Today, she operates a thriving studio located in a historic 1818 building in downtown Oakville, leading a talented team of seven. While her staff manages the technical execution of projects spanning from Toronto to Oakville, Eva focuses on business development, client relations, and setting the initial design vision.Known for blending timeless North American aesthetics with sleek European elements, Eva regularly travels internationally to source unique materials. Outside the studio, she is a dedicated mother to two teenagers and a large rescue dog. She balances her demanding career with early morning workouts and supporting her children in their various pursuits, including provincial level soccer.⁠⁠Avenue Design⁠⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Moriyama Teshima Architects⁠⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠

Natasha Popek-Konieczko is a Toronto based interior designer and the principal of Common Good Studio. Born in Newmarket and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, she grew up in a creative environment that prioritized imaginative play. Her upbringing, influenced by her father’s machinery business and her mother’s independent professional style, fostered the entrepreneurial spirit that defines her career today.Natasha’s academic background includes a double major in Anthropology and Art History from McGill University. This foundation provides a unique lens for her practice, driving a curiosity about cultural environments and human behavior. Before specializing in design, she gained experience in media strategy at OMD and spent a year backpacking through South America in 2007.In 2009, she transitioned to interior design at Sheridan College. She contributed to the custom Templar Hotel early in her career and spent the next decade specializing in commercial design. Her portfolio includes retail rollouts for H&M, hospitality spaces for Burgers Priest and Smokes Poutine, and large scale residential developments in San Francisco.Natasha launched Common Good Studio during the pandemic. A defining moment for the firm was the transformation of The Beach Motel in Southampton, Ontario, a project she discovered on Instagram. Her research based approach and ability to deliver high level design within feasible budgets have led to a diverse portfolio, including the plastic free grocery store Bare Market, restaurants, and medical clinics. Outside the studio, Natasha is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys hiking the Bruce Trail and backcountry camping in Temagami⁠Common Good Studio⁠Next Release:⁠⁠⁠Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture & Design⁠⁠Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠⁠Issued For Construction⁠⁠

George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg are the visionary founders of Yabu Pushelberg, a holistic design practice celebrated globally for its evocative and multidisciplinary approach. Since establishing their firm in 1980, the duo has expanded from a shared studio in Toronto to a world-renowned practice with offices in Toronto and New York, and a growing presence in Milan. With a career spanning over four decades, they have evolved from "hustling" freelancers into industry icons, recently being appointed to the Order of Canada.George, born in Toronto, was deeply influenced by his family’s history of resilience following their displacement during World War II, a background that instilled in him a rigorous work ethic. Glenn, hailing from Kitchener, found his calling in design as a way to explore a broader world beyond his small-town roots. The two met during their first year at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), where they discovered a shared passion for a profession that was then only in its nascent stages.Their international breakthrough began in Taipei during the 1980s, leading to a prolific portfolio that includes the first W Hotel in Times Square and landmark projects for Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, and Holt Renfrew. Today, their work encompasses interior design, product design, and hospitality, characterized by a "quality over quantity" philosophy and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent.Beyond design, Yabu and Pushelberg are dedicated philanthropists. They actively support organizations such as Friends of Rubies, Egale Canada, and the Rainbow Railroad, focusing on aid for LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized communities. Whether designing a high-end resort or smuggling supplies to those in need, their work is driven by a belief in the power of expression and the elimination of self-imposed limits.⁠⁠Yabu Pushelberg⁠⁠Next Release:Leckie Studio Architecture + DesignCurated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aquanta Pools⁠⁠⁠ To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca⁠Issued For Construction⁠

Goli Basiri is a co-founder and principal designer of Harmen Design, an architecture and interior design studio based in Oakville, Ontario, serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area. Born and raised in Mashhad, Iran, she developed an early sensitivity to the emotional impact of space, shaped by childhood experiences visiting family homes and observing how the environment influences comfort and connection.After completing a bachelor’s degree in physics in Iran in 2008 or 2009, she pursued her original ambition of architecture, earning her degree from Eastern Mediterranean University in Cyprus. In 2014, she immigrated to Canada with her family, first landing in New Brunswick before relocating to Toronto in 2015.She began her Canadian career in high end custom residential construction, coordinating job sites while completing a postgraduate program in Construction Management at George Brown College. She later worked in healthcare design and estimating, navigating building codes across multiple jurisdictions in the United States.In 2018, she and her husband, architect Kia Kazemian, founded Harmen Design. What began with small scale projects grew steadily through referrals and visibility on Instagram, which played a pivotal role in establishing credibility as newcomers to the country. Today, the firm manages approximately 15 to 20 active residential projects at various stages, with a team of six.Goli advocates for a more integrated approach between architecture and interior design, believing interiors should not be layered onto a building after the fact but considered from the earliest stages of planning. Her work reflects both technical rigor and an understanding that space carries emotion. She is also a mother to her daughter, Yara, and protects her early mornings for fitness as a daily reset before work and family life begin.Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@waldenhomes.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Build Instagram

Carly Nemtean is a Toronto born interior designer and entrepreneur, and the co-owner of Carriage Lane Design Build, a residential design and construction firm she has led for more than seventeen years. Her interest in spatial planning began early, through hands on experimentation with building, room layouts, and material changes at home, and later developed into a clear professional path. While still in high school, she completed a co-op placement at Watt IDG in Toronto, working under Andrew Kalitchee on large scale retail projects including SilverCity cinemas and Sobeys locations.Nemtean went on to study interior design at Sheridan College, where she completed an intensive three year program known for its demanding studio culture. During her studies, she focused on residential, retail, and institutional projects, including a final thesis centered on an autism support centre. After graduating, she joined the HGTV Canada series Design Interns, filmed at Ryerson University and Cecconi Simone’s studio, where she competed in a televised design apprenticeship format. The show later became a reference point in her career and is mentioned as a linkable resource for episode liner notes.Following the series, Nemtean spent several years working in design for television and residential renovation, including extensive involvement in HGTV productions such as Love It or List It and Property Brothers. Over approximately five years, she served in senior design roles on dozens of episodes, coordinating fast track renovations that required permitting, construction oversight, and close collaboration with millwork, stone, and construction teams. Many of those television clients later became long term private clients, helping establish Carriage Lane Design Build as a full service residential practice.In 2019, Nemtean co-founded The Collective Workspace in Toronto, a shared studio environment created in response to the growing design community and the industry’s increasing use of Instagram for collaboration and resource sharing. Conceived as a physical extension of those connections, the space offers flexible offices, shared resources, and a materials library for designers, architects, and related professionals.Outside of work, Nemtean prioritizes meditation, reading across news, spiritual, and self development topics, and solo travel, which she views as essential for clarity and long term perspective.Curated Podcast Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠⁠Caplan's Appliances⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Doors⁠⁠⁠⁠To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@waldenhomes.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Build Instagram