Gavin McGill Guthrie BArch MRAIC LEEDGA

introduction ▪ curriculum vitae ▪ addendum

My practice of architecture is governed by a personal belief in the superiority of creative design that takes place on all scales, considering both the occupant(s) a building will envelop and the context(s) the building will be enveloped by. Factoring into that process is concern for the experience of spaces and volumes, the interplay between exterior and interior and light and shadow, material choice, rational planning, sustainable and salutogenic design, collaboration, innovation, budget, and more. 

An early affinity for architecture was fostered through my childhood association with studio environments and on through school, where I received both training and awards in the visual arts and architecture. I partook in extracurricular design and construction projects at university and spent a term studying the built fabric in Europe. I have since continued to draw buildings and spaces in my sketchbook while travelling every continent except Antarctica. Now, after 25 years in the architectural profession, my catalogue includes a variety of building types in Canada, the US, Bermuda, and the Middle East. For each project, many of which have won awards, including the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture, I nourished chosen design concepts, fleshed them out, and kept them sound through to construction completion.

An exploratory mind is a valuable thing; how, otherwise, would I have discovered my appreciation for the combination of cheddar cheese and peanut butter? Well, more practically, viewing everyone—but particularly superiors, co-workers, and consultants, as well as contractors and tradesmen on job sites—as a source of new knowledge has proved professionally fruitful. I, in turn, share my reservoir of experience with others. I further expand that reservoir by attending lectures and other events, volunteering, and continuing to work toward both LEED AP and OAA certification.

where

type

Diamond Schmitt Architects
Toronto, Ontario | 2016-pres

Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners / Shore Tilbe Perkins + Will / Perkins + Will Canada
Toronto, Ontario | 2001-2014

Jon Stanmore Design
Newman, Western Australia | 2001

Makrimichalos Cugini Architects
Toronto, Ontario | 1999-2000

Labyrinth
Toronto, Ontario | 1998-1999

Concept development
Prepared design studies, presentations and related materials (using various media), and engaged in client consultation and early discourse with consultants.


 

Contract drawings
Prepared architectural contract drawings and schedules, assuring design integrity and drawing quality through to project delivery and addenda, including for design-build projects. Incorporated changes requested by clients.

Self management
Adhered to firm's and projects' design and sustainability goals. Organised and planned to meet deadlines and self-checked work for accuracy and legibility. Willingly learned from mistakes, example, and direct teaching.

Design development
Collaborated with stakeholders, consultants, and suppliers to create and select alternatives. Assured adherence to codes when designing building elements at all scales. Maintained a high design standard through value engineering processes.

Contract administration
Conducted site visits and conferences with contractors. Produced amendments, RFI responses, and site instructions to resolve conflicts and unforeseen issues. Reviewed shop drawings and samples.

Leadership/team involvement
Communicated articulately and cooperated in project teams. Engaged in firm-related social responsibility initiatives. Mentored junior staff and  co-workers and took on internal studio projects.

[project types: civic, corporate, educational (jr, sr, + post- secondary), hospitality (hotel, restaurant), recreational, residential, retail]

University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Bachelor of Architecture | 1994-1999

Upper Canada College
Ontario Secondary School Diploma, hon | 1983-1994

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Green Associate | 2013-pres.

Fall Protection Training
completed | 2014
updated | 2016

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Compliance Training
completed | 2012

• Autodesk Revit

• Autodesk AutoCAD

• Rhinoceros 3D

• Adobe Photoshop

• Trimble SketchUp

• hand drawing

• hand drafting

• model building

current
 

Toronto Society of Architects
member | 2015-pres

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
member | 2014-pres

Ontario Association of Architects
intern | 2014-pres

Architecture for Humanity / Open Architecture Collaborative
member | 2015-pres

The Gatehouse
member | 2014-pres

prior
 

University of Toronto Architecture Student Union
President | 1998-1999
4th year class representative | 1997-1998

The Little Theatre
stage set designer and builder | 1992-1994

available upon request

employment history

certifications

organizations