ABOUT.

i am a licensed architect that is also an artist, performance artist, dreamer, storyteller and activist that loves to design bold, colourful, original and inclusive spaces with an artistic flare.

 i am a globe strutter and love to travel the world.  i have been lucky to experience so many different cultures thus far and had the amazing opportunity to live and study architecture in canada, the united states, japan, and england.

fashion is also one of my passions and i love all things colourful, though i have a thing for wearing black, red lipstick and unique earrings.

as a performance artist i have performed around the world over the last 13 years but currently create short art films dancing at my favourite iconic public spaces where I reside in the beaches, toronto. architecture, gender & somatic/sexual expression is an ongoing academic research topic and creative conceptual works initiative that i am excited to explore further and develop. i also love to draw and paint in my down time.  i am my most authentic self when i am expressing myself, creating, and tearing up the dance floor.

i am grateful to have worked and gained some incredible experience in award-winning architecture studios across toronto over the last 18 years designing and managing the construction of schools, retail, offices, libraries, clinics and residential projects.

my fascination with architecture began at the age of 8 where I designed and drew imaginary house plans along with roleplay.  i blame my parents for taking me out on house hunting journeys during our sunday drives.

i am a single (co-parenting) mommy to an amazingly wild 6-year-old who loves to sit upside down and swing from my neck.  we enjoy beach adventures, stories, playing board games, drawing and creating playdough creatures together.

“this ARCHITECT rocks!  Sapphira took our vision and made it a reality even with a difficult floor plan.  she was amazing to work with from design to permits to build, overseeing every step of the way. she was a shoulder we could lean on when things felt a bit scary with project timelines and execution.  she designs beautifully and really takes the client's needs to heart.  thank you, Sapphira, for making our clinic shine and sparkle - you've definitely left your touch in our home away from home!”

restore integrative health (RIH) clinic

dr. Sapna Patel Flower, ND (co-founder) & dr. Sue Love, ND (co-founder)

BOA BOUTIQUE INTERIOR the beaches, toronto, canada

“whether a march, a protest, an art installation or a dance rally, Charles (Sapphira) has been committed to bringing awareness to not just racism, but also misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of social injustice.”– quote from beach metro article by ali raza

DARE TO DREAM

this renowned toronto leslieville wellness clinic’s interior renovation was completed in april 2022 and designed to reflect its serene and healing vibe. it is a 1500 square foot space with 6 treatment rooms, staff area with a kitchen bar and central hub/waiting area. The design incorporates hues of warm whites and wood which contribute to to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the space. it also features the re-use and adaptation of its existing exterior wood storefront signage to honour its history and movement forward to new beginnings.ed toronto leslieville wellness clinic’s interior renovation was completed in april 2022 and designed to reflect its serene and healing vibe. it is a 1500 square foot space with 6 treatment rooms, staff area with a kitchen bar and central hub/waiting area. The design incorporates hues of warm whites and wood which contribute to to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the space. it also features the re-use and adaptation of its existing exterior wood storefront signage to honour its history and movement forward to new beginnings.

hello! my name is Sapphira! i am a wild dreamer, fashionably bold and technicolour creative who loves to shake things up and break boundaries by my fearless self-expression! as an architect who is also an artist, designer and performance artist i work in multiple scales and varieties that span from architectural theoretical concepts and architectural art from illustration, animation to AI Design. i specialize in designing bold & unique small or large scale spaces from renovations, events, art installations and alterations to new builds. with my activist and utopian free spirit, i dream of helping the world to become a more expressive, creative, colourful and liberated space - where there are no limits to the imagination; all while having fun and being playful as an essential part of the design process.

MAYBE NO ONE EVER TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE BUT YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH YOUR SPACE

RESTORE INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE leslieville, toronto, canada

TELL YOUR STORY THROUGH DESIGN

This long-standing women’s fashion boutique in the beaches, toronto on the vibrant queen street east strip is getting a fresh and contemporary storefront as well as a revamped interior to reflect its fun, bold and colourful brand. The new design incorporates the use of bright colours, geometrical shapes, and textures to create a fun and playful vibe that reflect the boutique’s apparel and philosophy.

SERVICES.

architecture

-specializing in designing commercial: offices, retail, cultural, wellness, entertainment and residential design: from small to large scale alterations, additions and new builds.

-exterior modification and remodeling such as retail storefronts.

-feasibility studies such as site and shadow studies.

-preparation of technical drawing and specification packages for obtaining approvals such as zoning, committee of adjustment and building permit and liaising of applications.

-project management and consultant coordination.

- construction administration.

interiors

-specializing in designing commercial: offices, retail, wellness, cultural, entertainment and residential: interior renovations both small and large.

-functional programmingng of spaces.

-colour consultation and selection.

- millwork & furniture design.

-furniture, décor, and art selection.

-product procurement

joint ventures/

partnerships &

collaborations - local & globally

-with other architectural and design studios as well as collaboration with businesses for architectural and/or design consulting.

-available for global collaborations or joint ventures

-available to travel globally and/or design virtually.

education: keynote lectures/ architectural critic / speaking engagements

-currently developing a body of creative research and initiative at the post-secondary level in gender, sexuality and self-expression in architecture.

-visiting architectural and design guest critic at various institutions globally.

-speaker at architectural, design and social justice events and engagements.

-developed a keynote lecture on “critical, creative and design thinking” at the secondary and post-secondary level.

cultural production, juror and public art installations

-design consultation and collaboration with artists, stakeholders, and community on public art installations.

-juror review and recommendation and/or selection of artists and art mediums.

event design & art installations

- event & exhibit design for parties, galleries and theatrical/dance/ musical/trade shows.

- design of exterior and interior art installations.

graphic creation & brand story (identity) design

-designing custom graphic wall decals, wall & ceiling coverings, and backsplashes for residential and commercial.

-designing colour, look and feel of logos, graphics and interiors (including millwork) in alignment with brand design and story.

AI design

-production of AI visualizations and stories of your project design concept in graphic format, these are artworks of your project in and of itself. AI is a phenomenal tool that can be used to enhance unique designing and makes imagination and dreams a visual reality.

“i recently had the chance to work on a new store look, after 18 years at my little spot on queen east in the beaches.   i reached out to Sapphira, who i knew would be a great fit for the modern and fun energy of my space.   Sapphira was great in offering fresh ideas, and a detailed perspective.  in the time we worked together, she was kind and warm to work with, easing my stresses, which i appreciated so much.   she had a good grasp on design, and also the what’s current, and what’s next in design.   this made me feel good about having a space that would stand the test for a long time going forward.   i particularly loved her keen use of colour in a space.  her work with the city and permits was on time, and efficient”

boa boutique

Daphne Nissani (owner)

projects and clients at past architectural practices include: ontario collaboration centre event/conference and office renovation for the government of ontario investment services, various peel district school board schools renovations and additions such as vista heights public school, plum tree park public school, clark boulevard public school and kindergartens, office and lounge renovations at the greater toronto airports authority, UHN (university health network renovations) such as the nuclear medicine clinic at toronto general hospital and the spinal cord injury clinic at toronto western hospital, william osler health centre, TCHC toronto community housing corporation renovations at various downtown toronto locations, F45 milton, timbercreek community apartment amenity renovations, toronto public library, GO metrolinx ticketbooth prototype & newmarket station renovation, oracle office renovations, Bell & virgin mobile canada-wide corporate & franchise store tenant fit-up and renovations.

PAST PROJECTS & CLIENTS.

PRESS LOVE.

BE BOLD, BE FEARLESS

OFFICE DESIGN CONCEPT PROPOSAL downtown toronto, canada

LOFT 612 INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE downtown toronto

this 900 sf full loft renovation downtown toronto at king and spadina was done for an up-and-coming toronto performer who requested for performer elements in her loft. her bed area both served as a stage and vanity/dressing room on the reverse. the many mirrors provided more light and space as well as to aid during rehearsing. The bed also transformed into a stage, a great space for much entertaining on and off-stage.

my process is fun and collaborative and enables you to turn your idea into a visual language & story, it’s empowering.

SKETCHBOOK CLIPPINGS.

“i knew she was fabulous with style, and we are similar free spirits. I knew she would be a good fit for this.” it was absolutely a pleasure working with her.” said Nissani (owner, boa boutique) – quote from beach metro article by Alan Shackleton.

“ her multi-disciplinary, boundary defying and rebellious ARCHITECTURAL practice is incredibly refreshing and powerful. i admire her for not waiting for a movement, a well attended zoom panel or permission from the status quo within her sector to be exactly who she is.”

Jay Pitter, award-winning placemaker, author & adjunct urban planning professor

LOFT 101 RENOVATION the beaches, toronto, canada

This was a colourful, playful, passionate, and fun office design concept proposal for a global media marketing company’s downtown 8000 square foot Toronto office location. The concept was based on the “heart centre” as a community hub and place of collaboration. This central hub could be used as a gathering area, event space for entertaining or a mini office theatre to give presentations or to simply express oneself. It is a space designed for many choices, where areas of rest and autonomy exist as well as gathering or entertaining. A home away from a home and the freedom to be oneself.

this 1000 square foot live/work loft studio in the beaches, toronto throws all trends aside and combines both retro and modern elements into a new and whimsical design fusion. unusual and creative design includes custom oversized wall graphics, paint and colour elements which play with space. unique furniture placement contributes to the inner workings of this bold and beautiful space.

HOUSE 104 INTERIOR & EXTERIOR ALTERATION parkdale toronto, canada

“DREAMS OF GLASS”: ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN dream symbology

this historical toronto parkdale home’s renovation includes a facelift of the front and rear facades. the rear renovation will incorporate a new full height structural frame infill with glass to provide a new contemporary-look and light explosion of this once darker home. the 1200 square foot interior renovation includes a new, wood japanese inspired stair to provide access to its basement as well as provide transparency and contribute to the new open-concept space. the second floor design incorporates a new wet and zen room which tie into the home’s new peaceful feel.

A broken love story as depicted through 3D model and drawings of a dream and its symbology. The story of the dream took place in a building with entrances that were hidden from the facade and a glass door disguised as a window. The dream symbology was obscure and surreal based on a bride in search of her husband at a cryptic party and consisted of a monkey dancing on a bar top, a mysterious and beautiful french ambassador who co-existed in realms and the building the dream took place in a white hazy interior with blood stained window frames and flooring.