DTAH names new Associate Partner, Senior Associates, and Associates

DTAH is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Associate Partner and the promotion of several key studio members to the positions of Senior Associate and Associate.

We are immensely proud of their contributions and look forward to their continued success as part of our newly expanded leadership team.

Ayako Kitta, Associate Partner

Ayako is a landscape architect with over 20 years of professional experience in North America and Japan. She joined DTAH in 2005 and has exemplified leadership and dedication to her projects and the practice ever since. She has developed extensive experience in a wide range of projects of different scales and complexity from urban public realm designs to neighbourhood master plans, campus plans, healthcare, and waterfronts. She has worked with both private and public sector clients, delivering thoughtful leadership in every phase of the design process from initial concept through to project implementation.

She is currently leading the design and delivery of the final phase of the East Bayfront Dockside Public Realm, as well as the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre for the University of Toronto. Other notable projects include Durham College UOIT, Southbrook Vineyard, Toronto Waterfront WaveDecks and East Bayfront Master Plan.

Ayako is a member of the Mississauga Urban Design Review Panel, and a recipient of the Government of Canada Award, the Garden Club of Toronto Award, and a University of Toronto Fellowship.

Victoria Bell, Senior Associate

Victoria is a landscape architect and urban designer with over 15 years of experience delivering projects for both public and private clients across Ontario. She works at multiple scales from long-term master planning to construction detailing. Her work explores methods of integrating nature and natural processes into urban experiences, creating places for living and community. Her experience across landscape architecture and urban design makes her uniquely placed to deliver high quality, large-scale projects that integrate infrastructure and nature, built forms and landscapes.

Recent projects include the Toronto Island Park Master Plan, the highly anticipated Forma Condos on King Street West (formerly Mirvish + Gehry) in the heart of Toronto’s downtown core, Wascana Centre Master Plan, and the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus Landscape and Public Realm Master Plan.

Elnaz Sanati, Senior Associate

Elnaz is a landscape architect with over 15 years of experience in North America and the Middle East. Since joining DTAH in 2011, she has distinguished herself as an invaluable team member on several important and transformative streetscape projects in Toronto, most notably the award-winning revitalization of Queens Quay Boulevard, the John Street Cultural Corridor, and Willcocks Common at the University of Toronto.

Elnaz is an innovative and critical thinker with a particular interest in the aesthetics and creative communication of landscape architecture. She led the award-winning St. Andrew’s Playground Park, the site of the City’s first public playground, and is currently leading the revitalization of St. James Town West Park and Bluffer’s Park in Toronto. Each park brings a fresh design and new play spaces that better meet the needs of the vibrant and diverse communities they serve and will act as safe and welcoming destinations and inspiring outdoor green spaces.

Elnaz is a sessional studio instructor in Landscape Architecture department of the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto and a regular guest critic at landscape architectural studio reviews.

Shay Gibson, Associate

Shay is an architect with a decade of experience in all stages of design and construction. He is a skilled manager, often working with large multi-disciplinary teams on complex building projects. A common thread in all his work is the incorporation of sustainable design principles and the commitment to creating positive spaces for neighbourhoods and communities.

Since joining DTAH, Shay has contributed significantly to the design, technical delivery, and management of the Baker Street Development in Guelph, one of only two One Planet Living-endorsed developments in Canada, and is currently working on a number of community-focused projects including the Salvation Army Florence Booth House, as well as improvements to one of the City of Toronto shelters.

Prior to joining DTAH, Shay worked on numerous award-winning private residential projects, as well as integrated park shelters for the City of Brampton and institutional work for McMaster University. Through this work, Shay developed an interest in new architectural materials and sustainable applications of locally sourced construction resources.

Corin Latimer, Associate

Corin is a landscape architect who is dedicated to crafting nature-centric public spaces that serve their community. Her work focuses on how green technologies both old and new can help us create more resilient and joyful urban places.

Corin has a wide range of experience in all phases of design, from public engagement and concept design through detailed design to project implementation. Since joining DTAH, she has contributed to various projects, including the design and development of the new public realm, streetscape and low impact development strategies for the Port Lands Flood Protection project; the transformation of Queens Quay Boulevard East; the public realm vision for the Quayside community; and the activation of Parliament Slip.

Fraser Vanderwel, Associate

Fraser is a landscape architect with experience working on a variety of transit, streetscape, parks, and open space projects across Canada. His work focuses on integrated public realm design and thoughtful solutions for urban infrastructure.

Fraser’s experience in design development, project management, and construction administration is coupled with a strong understanding of visual communication, environmental psychology, and graphic arts.

Fraser has contributed to the design and implementation of several high profile and complex transit projects in Toronto, including the Finch West LRT and Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Fraser has also played a big role in the design and construction of the Jennie Florence Parker Sports Complex in Hamilton, and the award-winning St. Andrew’s Playground Park in downtown Toronto.

Sandy Cappuccitti Baker, Associate

Sandy is a landscape architect and urban designer who has worked on a range of public and private projects across Ontario. Her educational background in both landscape architecture and urban design reflects her keen interest and passion for both natural and built environments. Combining the two disciplines makes her uniquely able to deliver the fundamental requirements necessary for high quality, large-scale projects that integrate infrastructure and nature, built forms and landscapes.

Since joining DTAH in 2016, Sandy has contributed to several park and public realm projects, including Edgeley Pond and Park and Edgeley Strata Park in Vaughan, the Green Line Implementation Plan, and pedestrian enhancements at Western University. She was also integral in the creation of the Toronto Green Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards.

Sandy is currently working on the streetscape design for John Street Corridor Improvements, which will transform this important downtown connector street into a cultural corridor designed to accommodate events and festivals.