MCROBIE ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGNERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder and President of MCROBIE Architects
- Practice Advisor
David is the founder and president of MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers. A 1973 graduate of the McGill School of Architecture, he began his career in 1974 at Sankey Partnership Architects, a national architectural firm, working in its Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver offices, before becoming a partner in 1979. By opening its office in Ottawa, David foresaw opportunities in the National Capital Region, especially in public transportation, government sector growth and private sector commercial development. In 1989, he took over the Ottawa operations and renamed the firm David S McRobie Architects Inc. Recognizing the inclusion of new partners and the emergence of corporate interior design as an important contributor to our success, the firm adopted to its current name in 2016.
A licensed architect in Ontario and Quebec and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, David has distinguished himself as a design communicator, mentor to young architects and effective manager of the firm's resources, ensuring consistent high quality in the delivery of the firm's services. Under David's guidance, MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers has developed a reputation for professionalism, integrity and fairness in dealing with clients, consultants and suppliers.
Motivated by an interest in visual arts and physics, Eric pursued studies at Carleton University and completed his professional degree at the University of Waterloo, graduating with a Master of Architecture with Commendation in 2009. Having joined McRobie Architects + Interior Designers Inc. in 2009, Eric participates in all stages of projects with a focus on the early design phase, where he produces 3D models and renderings. In his design work, Eric looks for a balance of artistic expression and the constraints of building materials. This focus is echoed in his personal artistic explorations:
I spend much of my personal time immersed in the world of visual art and science. I am an avid painter, and I rely on these interests to explore scale and space through the juxtaposition of colours and geometry.
Ian studied at Carleton University and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1997. After two years of working on large infrastructure projects in Ohio, he joined MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers. Having been inspired by its strong lines and simple elegance, Ian names the "international style" as a key source of design inspiration.
"I have always been fascinated by the breadth of projects we are involved in. It runs the gamut from a small piece of millwork up to a massive multi-year renovation to a whole office complex. Each project offers unique opportunities to bring your own personal problem-solving skills to the forefront."
James graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University in 1983 and joined MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers in 1989, during the transition of the predecessor firm. He has been responsible for the planning and design of many of the firm's most significant office, retail and industrial projects as well as high-profile interior work at Ottawa's Nortel and Skyline campuses. With his extensive knowledge of construction techniques and understanding of sequencing, James has successfully applied his considerable design capability to the straightforward realization of his clients' visions.
Jill earned a Bachelor of Architecture from McGill University in 1996 and began her career working on public buildings in Paris. From there, she gained experience on commercial, care occupancy and mass transportation projects in Toronto and Ottawa before attaining her license with the Ontario Association of Architects in 2004 and joining MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers in 2005. Jill is a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Jill is excited by architectural opportunities to fill in our urban fabric, revitalize old buildings, improve the ways we travel and reach new sustainability goals. Her favourite MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers project presented plenty of these opportunities.
Johanna earned a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Architecture in 1987 and, in 1988, secured her National Council for Interior Design Qualification accreditation. She is a long-standing member of the Association of Interior Designers of Ontario and the Interior Designers of Canada. In 1993, she joined MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers.
Johanna was drawn to interior design through her love of colour and interest in how people interact within their environment. She cites nature as her design influence, as it presents an ideal model from which to draw inspiration. Johanna describes how she applies her skills to her interior design projects.
"I love to design our clients' workplaces to be logical, efficient and fluid. I relish organizing and communicating our clients' requirements. On corporate projects, I become immersed in their company, how they work and how best to apply this knowledge to the design of their space."
Ryan's first sight of a skyscraper in Toronto inspired his desire to design buildings. He studied Architecture at Carleton University, graduating with a Masters of Architecture in 2010. During his studies at Carleton University, he focused on the design of tall buildings and vertical cities.
After joining MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers in 2010 Ryan has worked on a number of commercial office, institutional and large urban planning projects.
He is focused on guiding projects through all phases, from inception to completion while using 3D BIM software.
Tony joined MCROBIE Architects + Interior Designers in 1996. The catalyst for Tony's career in architecture came at a young age when he would visit construction sites with his father, who worked for a local construction company. In 1986, he graduated from Algonquin College with his Architectural Technician Diploma. He is currently registered as an Architectural Technologist (OAAAS) with the Ontario Association for Applied Architectural Sciences.
Tony's involvement in projects includes the management of construction document production and construction contract administration. He has also taken on the management of the office IT systems.