Stewardship
Towards regenerative, climate-positive architecture
We have one earth and it’s our responsibility to look after it. Architects/developers/builders and all those in and around the building industry are uniquely situated to have a profound large-scale impact. We have already had a substantially negative effect on the earth’s climate — it’s time to re-focus on a regenerative, climate-positive approach.
Generosity
What makes architecture generous?
Definition: to make a lasting and enduring contribution to the community, to users. Showing a readiness to give more of something than is strictly necessary or expected. Beauty, Delight, Wellness, Equity.
We ask: What makes architecture ‘generous’? We are dedicated to pursuing this question and exploring architecture which is generous to the body, to the senses, to the spirit, to the user and to the city and world we inhabit.
Balance
both/and (not either/or)
Architecture is an inherently synthetic craft, the incorporation of a vast network of influences and considerations. At MIZA, we don’t sacrifice any one aspect of architecture to serve another nor do we settle for compromise. Rather, we strive for integration and equilibrium between all the essential elements of architecture: Function and Beauty, Design and Delivery, Detail and Buildability.
Michael Wartman
Principal, Architect AIBC
MArch, BEnvD, LEED AP, CPHD
Michael is a Registered Architect in BC and Alberta, and a LEED Accredited Professional. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia — where he graduated with the Abraham Rogatnick Book Prize — and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba. He has over a decade of architectural experience working in many different sectors and at many different scales – from small-scale interior installations and residential projects, to mid-sized commercial office and retail buildings, to institutional projects, masterplans and award-winning educational buildings. Before founding MIZA, Michael played lead roles on several significant projects including the Eagle Mountain Middle School (winner of a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence) and the Ormidale Block, a unique mixed-use heritage restoration development in Vancouver.
David Zeibin
Principal, Architect AIBC
MRAIC, MArch, BSc (EngPhys), LEED AP BD+C
David is a Registered Architect in BC and holds a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia, where he received numerous academic awards including a Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Student Medal and an Architectural Institute of British Columbia Achievement Award. Before founding MIZA, David worked with several prominent architecture firms on projects such as the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, the Centennial Beach Park Pavilion, and the Ucluelet Community Centre. David also holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from the University of Alberta, providing a technical basis for high-quality project outcomes and a desire to integrate high-performance features into all projects. In addition to being a LEED Accredited Professional, he designed one of the first houses in Alberta in accordance with the Passive House standard.
Kelly Stone
Associate, Architect AIBC
MArch, BAS, CPTED (L2) Practitioner
Kelly is Registered Architect in BC with and holds a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from Carleton University both of which she graduated with honours. As a project architect at MIZA, her holistic approach thoughtfully interlaces design concepts from the broad stroke sketches through to project completion. Prior to joining MIZA in 2019, Kelly was a Project Architect at RWA Group where she shepherded recreational, residential, and mixed-use projects through rezoning to construction including the Lynn Creek Community Centre in North Vancouver and Central, a mixed-use market rental building at UBC. Having worked with multiple client groups including municipalities, developers, and non-profit organizations throughout her career, Kelly is adept at fulfilling the demands of a complex mix of stakeholders with integrity and humour.
Karen Lai
Associate, Architect AIBC
MArch, BES, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C
Karen is a LEED® BD+C and ID+C Accredited Professional with a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia, where she received the University of BC Architecture Alumni Henry Elder Prize amongst various other awards, and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban Planning from the University of Waterloo. Prior to joining MIZA, Karen has 3 years of experience as a Sustainability Specialist at S+A Footprint, providing sustainability consulting services for new and existing buildings ranging from institutional, residential and commercial projects across Canada. Her Master’s thesis project dove into sea level rise in Vancouver’s False Creek and its potential to transform buildings that reframe what is feared into something that is valued. With this background, Karen’s design approach draws from and holistically considers design impacts on the surrounding environment and beyond.
Olena Chytra
Architect AIBC
MArch, BArch
Olena is a Registered Architect in BC with 14 years of experience in the industry. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of British Columbia and an undergraduate degree in Architectural Studies from Carleton University. Her work experience ranges from childcare centers, multi-family housing, and high-end residences. Skilled in BIM technology, Olena ensures design clarity and intent is maintained throughout every phase of a project.
At MIZA, Olena manages projects with great care and attention to detail, ensuring that client needs are translated into working drawings and onward into construction.
Shadi Shahed
Architectural Graduate
Master of Engineering Leadership, MArch, BArch
Shadi holds a Master of Engineering Leadership in High Performance Buildings from the University of British Columbia, where she gained experience in sustainable design, decarbonization, and whole building energy modeling. She also earned a Master of Architecture and Energy and a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering from Shahid Beheshti University, both with honors. Before joining MIZA, Shadi worked for four years as an architect in Iran on various projects, including residential, educational, and multipurpose buildings. For her master’s capstone project at UBC, she retrofitted a high-rise residential building and collaborated with a Canadian company to design a multipurpose high-performance building.
Alexis Almacin
Intern Architect AIBC
MArch, BArch
Alexis obtained his Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture degrees from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Prior to joining MIZA Architects, he worked as a research assistant and software developer in an architectural conservation and digitization lab. He is passionate about exploring the intersections between architecture and technology, and their contribution to the development of sustainable smart cities.
