Hariri Pontarini Architects

OAA, RAIC, RCA, Founding Partner

Siamak Hariri, born in Bonn, Germany, was educated at the University of Waterloo and Yale University (M. Arch. 1985). As a founding partner of Hariri Pontarini Architects (1994), Siamak has been internationally recognized as one of Canada’s leading architects.

For more than ten years, Siamak has not only directed the firm’s competition-winning schemes, but also has been the Partner-in-Charge of projects garnering over 35 national and international awards of excellence in architecture. His internationally-acclaimed projects include the McKinsey & Company Toronto Headquarters at the University of Toronto’s Victoria Campus on Charles Street (the youngest building to ever receive heritage landmark designation by the City of Toronto); and the award-winning Art Collectors’ Residence. Siamak was the 2006 recipient of the Governor General’s Medal for the Schulich School of Business and Executive Learning Centre at York University, and was the partner-in-charge of the award-winning MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie; the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo; the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at the University of Waterloo; and the Max Gluskin House Department of Economics at the University of Toronto.

He is currently the partner-in-charge of the international competition-winning

Bahá’í Temple for South America in Santiago, Chile; the renovation and addition of Weston Family Learning Centre at the Art Gallery of Ontario; the international competition-winning Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario; the North American competition-winning

Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, and the expansion of the

French language institute, Alliance Française de Toronto.

Siamak Hariri’s projects have been published extensively both in Canada and internationally and are featured in various books and publications around the globe. As an architect and critic during his career, Siamak has also taught at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscapeand Design, as an adjunct professor. He sits on the boards of the Royal Ontario Museum’s Institute of Contemporary Culture, the Toronto Art Council, the Toronto Community Foundation and the Waterfront Design Review Panel. Siamak has also lectured and participated as a juror extensively across North America and Europe.

OAA, RAIC

David Pontarini studied architecture at the University of Toronto. With over 25 years of professional experience, David’s portfolio demonstrates a diversity of award-winning projects, ranging from large-scale complex urban high-rise and mixed-use developments, to residential interiors, unified by thoughtful planning and a commitment to quality in design. Frequently working with developers, urban planners, city officials and institutions, particularly in Toronto’s downtown core, David’s work has been recognized for improving the urban condition.

As a member of the City of Toronto’s Design Review Panel, a past member of the City of Toronto’s Preservation Board, a visiting lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, and a former member of the OAA Council, representing Toronto Centre from 1992–2002, David maintains active involvement in support of the local architectural community.

David has recently commenced work on the design of an entire city block within the Regent Park redevelopment in the heart of downtown Toronto. Spanning 25 acres, the country’s oldest community housing project is being transformed into a mixed-use residential community, including subsidized and non-subsidized residential units as well as commercial and retail space. David is currently Partner-in-Charge of 15 large scale luxury mixed-use commercial residential developments, including 100 Yorkville at Bellair and Minto St. Thomas, located in Toronto’s historic Yorkville district; the Vu, a redevelopment of Toronto’s former Goodwill site; One City Hall, situated directly behind Toronto’s City Hall; and a luxury condo-minium complex in Dallas, Texas. Currently, David is Partner-in-Charge of the One Bloor mixed-use residential development at the prestigious corner location of Yonge and Bloor Streets. Situated at one of Toronto’s busiest and most revered intersections, this luxury building will encompass a 65-storey high-rise residential condo tower and multi-level commercial retail space facing Yonge and Bloor.

David participated in a study and report for the City of Toronto’s new Tall Buildings Performance Standards for the Downtown area in collaboration with Urban Strategies Inc. The study offers a vision and regulations that will help shape Toronto’s Downtown district for the next generation of development.

David’s extensive experience in designing projects in coordination with planners, community and residential committees, and City Councillors with special heritage considerations and specialty infill projects has given him a firm understanding of the process and complexities associated with working in urban neighbourhood fabrics.