Tamara brings both heart and precision to her role as Associate and Senior Architect at GEC. Since joining the firm in 2020, she’s been a driving force in expanding the firm’s presence across Ontario, leading design and delivery for a wide range of post-secondary, recreational, and transportation projects.
Based in Toronto, Tamara is known for her thoughtful approach to complex design challenges, often taking projects from first sketch to final construction. Her portfolio spans post-secondary education, recreation, transit, and aviation, with projects across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. From university campuses to high schools, LRT stations to the Peace Bridge rehabilitation in Calgary, she thrives on bringing big ideas to life, especially when they require inventive problem-solving and collaboration across disciplines.
At the heart of Tamara’s work is a belief that architecture can be both beautiful and joyful. She designs with a purpose: to spark delight, meet real-world needs, and build spaces that resonate with those who use them. Her colleagues describe her as hands-on and deeply collaborative—someone who leads by example and won’t hesitate to grab a bucket when the ship needs bailing. Care and attention to detail aren’t just part of her job description; they’re values she lives by.
Tamara is also a passionate maker in her personal life. When she’s not leading projects at GEC, she’s likely building furniture, renovating her home, or taking on construction projects with her kids. That practical knowledge gives her a distinct edge on job sites—and an impressive power tool collection. She commutes by bike every day to stay grounded, finding rhythm and perspective in the ride. If she weren’t in architecture, you might find her chasing stories around the world. Travel and storytelling have always pulled at her, and in another life, she imagines a path in foreign affairs or travel writing, blending curiosity, place, and purpose.
For Tamara, architecture isn’t just a profession. It’s a lens through which she sees the world: every material, every streetscape, every interaction between structure and landscape becomes a conversation. And whether she’s designing a student hub or sanding a piece of furniture at home, she’s always asking, “How can we make this better—and maybe even spark a little joy along the way?”