James A. Martin

BA Hons, BArch, ARB, RIBA.

I am a qualified British-Canadian architect working in Toronto. I have successfully led many complex projects in QC & ON, both in practice & as a sole practitioner. I believe that every project, regardless of size, is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of architecture.

I graduated with First Class Honours in BA Hons Architecture from the Kent School of Architecture in 2009 and completed a BArch in Architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture in 2012. I rejoined Saunders Partnership Architects, whom I had worked for between degrees, playing a pivotal role in reimagining high-profile, large mixed-use schemes previously stuck in development limbo and obtaining planning permission.

In 2013 I joined McLean Quinlan, a small Practice based in Winchester & London, working on highly-detailed, beautiful bespoke homes in both urban & rural settings. I joined the London practice, Studio Mackereth, in 2015, where I undertook varied, complex & collaborative work on a gallery & residential mixed-use infill in Mayfair,

I moved to Canada in late 2017 before joining Linebox Studio in mid-2018, leading complex projects of varying scale & typology in both Ottawa & Toronto, running several solo projects and developing key practice initiatives.

In late 2020 I started an independent Design & Consultation business to engage in studies & architectural projects for a National Capital Region developer alongside private residential commissions.

I joined KPMB Architects as a Sr Designer in late 2022, working on a portfolio of projects for the developer Kindred Works, focused on sustainable, affordable housing for rent, using CLT & Mass Timber. I’m excited to be the Project Lead on the rezoning project for the Kelly Library at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. I live full-time in Toronto, Ontario and recently became a Canadian citizen.

30 Mount Row. Gallery & Residential. | Sr.Designer & Detailing & Coordination Lead @ Studio Mackereth | Mayfair, London. UK. 2015-17 | £9.5m| Developer Client

Professional Experience.

KPMB Architects

Oct 2022 - Present | Toronto ON

Project Lead / British Architect

Project Lead: University of St. Michael's College - Kelly Library Rezoning. Toronto.
I was part of the successful award of the rezoning project, examining the remodelling of the famous Kelly library at USMC. As Project Lead, we are exploring the library component, conference spaces and the addition of student residences to create a new hub for the campus. We are engaged in roundtables and visioning exercises and working with a broad team toward a rezoning application for the site.

Project Lead: Greencedar Commons: Mid-Rise Mass-Timber Residential. Scarborough, Toronto.
An 11-storey mass timber project for the developer Kindred Works. The new L-shaped building adjoins a 6-storey residential building, with a landscaped courtyard and new amenity pavilion above submerged parking. We developed the mass timber structural approaches, developed the design and unit typologies and coordinated with consultants on developing the systems and high aspirations for sustainability and performance. I led the project through design iterations and big changes in configurations and massing to adapt to changing parameters. I identified key risks and issues, such as the presence of overhead power cables around the site and undertook successful zoning resubmissions and development of the SPA package.

I took a lead role in developing the conceptual and developed design of several Kindred Works projects and additional zoning applications.

Kelly Library. Rezoning for the Library, with conference spaces and Student Residences. | Project Lead | Toronto. ON. 2024-present | For the University of St Michael’s College.
Greencedar Commons. Mass-timber, mid-rise residential project ZBA & SPA. | Project Lead | Toronto. ON. 2022-2024 | Kindred Works.

Freelance / Solo Projects

Nov 2020 - 2022 | Ottawa, Gatineau & Toronto

Architectural Design & Consulting

Approached by a major developer in the National Capital Region to reimagine their housing models & approach. Following the successful delivery & implementation of the project, engaged for repeat work on mixed-use site plan studies & the design & site plan applications for Community Centres.

Conceived & completed several unique & creative responses to private residential remodels & extensions, delivering these on a tight budget to a high level of finish.

Camelia Ave. Kitchen Remodel. | Ottawa. ON. 2021-22 | Private Residential
Dalhousie St. Bathroom Remodel. | Ottawa. ON. 2021 | Private Residential
Symmes19 Community Centre. | Gatineau. QC. 2021 | Client: Brigil
Champlain Community Centre. | Gatineau. QC. 2021 | Client: Brigil
265 Catherine St. Site Plan Study. | Ottawa. ON. 2021 | Client: Brigil
Brigil ‘Design Language & Kit of Parts’. | 2020-21 | Client: Brigil
Camelia Ave. Sun Room Addition. | Ottawa. ON. 2018 | Private Residential
YAC ‘Art Prison’ Young Architects Competition. | Island of Favignana, Sicily. Italy. 2018
St Albans. Remodel & Extension of Private Residence. | Hertfordshire. UK. 2013 | Private Residential

Linebox Studio

Jun 2018 - Nov 2020 | Ottawa & Toronto ON

Sr Architectural Designer & Project Lead

Project Lead for several complex projects, including fit-outs for Shopify in Ottawa & Toronto, mixed-use projects for developers & private residences.

I established a strong record of innovation & winning new projects, from the first study I undertook upon joining the practice to winning new work as we pivoted direction during the pandemic.

473 Albert St. Adaptive Re-use, Mixed-Use Residential. | Project Lead & Design Lead | Ottawa. ON. 2018-20| Clients: CLV & Interent REIT
The Rockeries Study. | Solo Project | Ottawa. ON. 2020
Lot 8 The Rockeries. Large Private Residence. | Solo Project | Ottawa. ON. 2020
Level 2 Shopify. Laurier Ave E. Fit-Out. | Sr.Designer | Ottawa. ON. 2018-19
Levels 7,8,9 Shopify. Laurier Ave E. Fit-Out. | Project Lead | Ottawa. ON. 2019
The Well Shopify. Fit-Out. | Project Lead: Linebox & HPA team | Toronto. ON. 2019-20
Serviced Living Concept & Mixed-Use Study. | Solo Project | Greystone Village. Old Ottawa East. ON. 2018
Other Key Studies:
363-367 King St. W. Mixed-use Residential Infill. | Solo Project | Toronto. ON. 2020
900 Albert St. Public Realm, Lobbies & Amenities Study. | Project Lead | Ottawa. ON. 2020
224 Armstrong St. Dental Practice & Residential. | Solo Project | Ottawa. ON. 2020
55 Sudbury St. Study for Mixed-use Tower Infill. | Project Lead | Toronto. ON. 2020
139 Parkdale Ave. Study for tower & Stacked Townhouses. | Solo Project | Ottawa. ON. 2020
53 Raymond St. Stacked Townhouses. | Solo Project | Ottawa. ON. 2018
Practice Initiatives:
Carbonbox. Research & Marketing for sustainable design & the use of CLT. | Project Lead | Ottawa. ON. 2020
Design Methodology. Codifying. | Two-person team | Ottawa. ON. 2020

Studio Mackereth

April 2015 - Sept 2017 | London. UK

Architect

Led the design, DD, coordination & detailing, from concept to construction, of several highly-detailed & high-end bespoke residential & mixed-use projects in central London.

Project Lead on a residential extension & remodel of a Grade 1 Heritage Listed home.

We were a collaborative of Architects & Interior Designers (9-12 people over my time there) working holistically at all stages to maintain an exacting level of finish. We undertook fewer projects with the intent that all those we did would be unique & worthy of the effort, time & expense applied to them.

30 Mount Row. Gallery & Residential. | Sr.Designer & Detailing & Coordination Lead | Mayfair, London. UK. 2015-17 | £9.5m| Developer Client
No1 The Old Hall. Remodel & Extension of Listed Home. | Sr.Designer, then Project Lead | Highgate, London. UK. 2015-17 | £600k | Private Client
33 Tite St. Remodel & Extension of Listed Home. | RIBA Pt3 Case Study & Site Admin | Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, London. UK. 2015-16 | £2.8m | Developer Client
30 Leighton Rd. Remodel & Extension of Listed Home. | Sr.Designer | Kentish Town, London. UK. 2015-16 | £4m | Developer Client

McLean Quinlan

Oct 2013 - April 2015 | Winchester & London. UK

Part II Architectural Assistant

Led extensive detailing & design development on several private high-end residential houses, both in rural & urban settings, through construction & completion. Built a close & rewarding collaboration with consultants, such as the Structural Engineer & Contractor, throughout design development & on-site.

A small practice of 5 people, all Architects/ graduates & overseeing each stage of the project from design to technical work & site management.

Dinas Hatch. Private House on a large, green site. | Led DD, Tender & Working Drawings | Sevenoaks, Kent. UK. 2015 | £1.5m
Tregeare. Large Private Residence set into cliff-tops overlooking the beach. | Led DD, Tender & Working Drawings | New Polzeath, Cornwall. UK. 2013-15 | £2.5m
Belgrave Mews North. Remodel & Extension of Listed former Mews House. | DD, Detailing & Site Visits | Belgravia, London. UK. 2013-14 | £1.5m
Summer Leas. Large Private Residence & Gardens. | Led DD, Tender & Working Drawings | Kingston-Upon-Thames, London. UK. 2014 | £3.3m
Peabody Small Practices Competition. Infill Housing Models. | Design Lead | South Hackney, London. UK. 2013
Chyverton. Large home overlooking the Cornish countryside & sea. | Arch. Assistant | Cornwall. UK. 2013-14 | £1.2m

Saunders Partnership Architects

Sept 2012 - Oct 2013 | Welwyn Garden City, Hampshire. UK

Part II Architectural Graduate

Delivered substantial concept work & design development of major mixed-use schemes in Birmingham, the coastal town of Brixham & a new neighbourhood outside Walton. Achieved planning success through leading Public Consultations, Pre-App meetings with the city & responsive design.

Sept 2009 - Sept 2010 Full-Time -&- Sept 2010 - Sept 2011 Part-Time | Manchester. UK

Part I Architectural Assistant

Completed multiple mixed-use large retail schemes & residential, including in conservation areas.