Diego’s belief in the power of design to positively contribute to a community’s wellbeing has driven his architecture career for over 20 years. Thriving in large, complex, institutional projects with diverse client groups, he is a natural collaborator who balances and integrates his design vision with the contributions of his team members. Since joining us, Diego has co-created various project types. His recent work in healthcare has deeply inspired his direction, due to its unique challenges and the opportunity to make a positive societal impact.
Diego’s healthcare project portfolio includes the Cornwall Community Hospital, Cambridge Hospital, and Halton Healthcare Services. The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, in particular, highlights the respect and responsibility he holds for his clients and the community. Driving the design for this project is Diego’s desire to create spaces where people’s dignity remains intact. He wants patients to feel at home while staying connected to nature, and is achieving that with abundant natural light, an all-season exterior garden, and views of the Rocky Mountains and Calgary. The Cancer Centre is a testament to Diego’s quest to improve people’s emotional experiences in hospitals.
Drawing from his background in sports, Diego’s leadership style is team-oriented and aims to get people moving in the same direction. He is a devoted mentor, providing support and guidance so his team members can learn and contribute their unique vision to make every project special. Diego continues to be a guest critic at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University and the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto.
Whose work are you most impressed by?
Joost Bakker in our Vancouver studio. He is a brilliant architect. He writes beautiful, thought-provoking proposals that are poetic, but he’s very humble and will never admit that he’s the one who wrote them! He’s a future thinker, and a champion for people places in a great way, and is very connected with his community.
How do you spend your weekends?
Coffee, walking through High Park with my dog, Grimm, then hockey Saturday night, and family and meals on Sunday.
What do you listen to while you work?
When I am in a creative mode, I listen to everything, like my son’s playlists – so that could be rock to hip hop. I like all music, Husker Du to Nat King Cole. And for focus work, the music must mirror the intensity of the mood / work.
The physical environment is an expression of our culture and how we choose to live. I am driven by the desire to create spaces that will have a long-term positive impact on a community.
Bachelor of Architecture
Carleton University
