SOSA x RAIC: Spotlight South Asia 2024

SOSA Canada is pleased to host its annual marquee event Spotlight South Asia at Toronto Metropolitan University on May 02, 2024 in collaboration with The Royal Architectural Institute Of Canada | L'Institut royal d'architecture du Canada.

Spotlight South Asia is a moderated Panel Discussion held annually during the month of May to celebrate the South Asian Heritage Month in Ontario. This year’s guest panellists are Omar Gandhi, Principal, Omar Gandhi Architects and Mansoor Kazerouni, Global Director Architecture & Urbanism, Arcadis Architects. The panel discussion will present the speakers’ professional journeys and challenges they faced along the way, while providing industry insights to professionals, students and new immigrants.The discussion will be moderated by SOSA’s Executive Committee.

GUEST PANELISTS

Omar Gandhi

Principal at Omar Gandhi Architects

Omar Gandhi is a first generation Canadian, born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, Ontario. Gandhi’s maternal grandfather emigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal in the late 1950’s and his paternal grandfather to the UK just shortly before moving to Canada and settling in Toronto.

Omar is the Principal of Omar Gandhi Architects, an architectural practice founded in 2010 with small teams in both Halifax and Toronto.

In its early years, the studio was awarded the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Prix de Rome, was included in Wallpaper* Magazine’s Architects Directory, and Omar himself was named as one of Monocle Magazine’s ‘Most Influential Canadians’. Omar was chosen as one of the Architectural League of New York’s ‘Emerging Voices’ of 2016 and in 2018, was appointed the Louis I. Kahn visiting Assistant Professorship in Architectural Design at the Yale School of Architecture.

Most recently, Omar Gandhi Architect was the recipient of a 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for its work on Rabbit Snare Gorge and honored as the only Canadian practice in Architectural Record Magazine’s 2018 Design Vanguard. In 2020, the studio was part of the team that was awarded the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and, in 2021, completed the revitalization of one of Canada’s most Iconic landmarks, Peggy’s Cove.

Omar was made a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Association of Canada in 2022.

Mansoor Kazerouni

Global Director of Architecture & Urbanism at Arcadis Architects

Mansoor Kazerouni is a highly accomplished architect with over three decades of experience. He obtained his Master of Architecture from a prestigious university, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication to the craft. He is currently appointed as the Global Director of Architecture and Urbanism in Arcadis. The division was recently ranked in the prestigious World Architecture 100 (WA100) as the second largest architectural practice in the world.

Throughout his career, Mansoor has worked with renowned architectural firms, where he has contributed to a diverse range of projects in Master planning, Rental residential, Residential Condominium developments, Hotels, Commercial and Institutional developments in North America, UK, India, and the U.A.E. His portfolio includes innovative urban design and sustainable green building strategies, demonstrating his versatility and proficiency in Architectural design.

As a thought leader in the architectural community, Mansoor is committed to advancing the profession through continuous learning and knowledge sharing. He is a qualified expert on matters of Architecture and Urban Design, appearing as an expert witness in Hearings, mediation and arbitration proceedings related to development proposals. He actively participates and serves as a guest speaker or lecturer at various universities, conferences, and panels. He is also passionate about mentorship and actively engages with younger industry colleagues, helping guide their career and skill development.

Mansoor is a licensed architect and a member of several professional organizations, including the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Royal Architectural Institution of Canada (RAIC).

With a passion for design and a commitment to quality craftsmanship, Mansoor Kazerouni continues to push the boundaries of Architecture, shaping the built environment for generations to come.

ABOUT SOSA CANADA

Society of South Asian Architects, Canada is the first community-based not-for-profit organization in Canada that represents the interests of South Asian architects and design professionals by embracing and advocating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professions of architecture and design. SOSA’s goal is to support communities by creating opportunities for mentorship, education, networking, and outreach.