Mark joined our studio in 2019 after a decade of experience executing residential, institutional and retail projects at distinguished firms across Canada. As an Associate, he leads the delivery of ambitious single-family architectural projects, bringing his adept technical and project management skills to all Akb initiatives. Dedicated to process and efficiency, Mark plays a pivotal role in developing systems that enhance overall productivity and maximize team efficacy.

Mark holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto, earning recognition for outstanding research and design with the Faculty Design Graduation Award and the Faculty Thesis Award.  Mark also achieved a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of British Columbia, where he received the Design Merit Award.

B ENDS, M Arch

Donald Peckover has over 18 years of experience working on single-family homes, including off-grid cabins, urban renovations, and vacation retreats. His strong technical background is reflected in his practical eye for detail and a pragmatic sense of design.

Drawn to the personal and warm nature of residential architecture, he creates spaces where people feel at home for years to come. Each project reflects his commitment to optimizing occupant health and comfort through the thoughtful use of natural materials, passive design strategies, and sustainable technologies.

Donald holds a Bachelor of Architectural Science from Toronto Metropolitan University and has completed the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Syllabus Program, a nationally recognized path to architectural licensure. Additionally, he has extensive training and certifications from Passive House Canada and the Canada Green Building Council.

B ArchSc, LEED AP

Nicole Chmielinski trained in Canada and earned her Master of Architecture at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. She came to Akb with a wide range of international experiences at Heitler-Houstoun Architects in New York and Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten in Rotterdam. Her diverse knowledge crosses all design phases and derives from contributing to the design of single-family homes as well as public and commercial buildings. As Project Lead, she is responsible for bringing a project to life, from initial concept to execution and completion.

B AS, M Sc

Inspired by the profound impact the built environment has on people’s lives and interactions, Nic Puersten was drawn to pursue architecture from an early age and received their master’s degree with honours from the University of Waterloo in 2022. They are passionate about residential design’s ability to transform dreams and ideas into inhabitable, interactive spaces.

B AS, M Arch

Katie Krolak brings a keen sensitivity to how people interact in shared and private environments and how residential architecture can enhance the joy of daily routines. Before joining Akb, she was involved with several prestigious academic institutional projects in Ontario. She received her master’s at McGill University, graduating on the RAIC honour roll and her Bachelor of Architectural Science earned with distinction. Katie first discovered her passion for architecture through movement. As a trained dancer, she has an inherent understanding of the symbiotic relationships between space, motion and stillness.

B ArchSc, M Arch

Since earning his master’s degree at the highest standing from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Sacha has pursued his interest in harmonizing beauty, craftsmanship and function in architecture and in considering landscape as an essential design element. He brings more than five years of practical experience in residential design, gained in Canada and Portugal, at the studio of Aires Mateus, and in Auckland at Patterson Associates. Sacha is currently pursuing his license with the Ontario Association of Architecture.

B Arch, M Arch

Ning’s career is marked by diverse experiences. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Melbourne, Australia, she holds an undergraduate degree from Monash University and a postgraduate degree from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, Scotland. Her professional career began at an architecture studio in Shanghai, and later, a bespoke practice in London specializing in residential homes and city art commissions. Ning’s passion for architecture stems from early experiences with family projects, where she developed a love for the intricate details of spatial dynamics and the transformative power of design.

B Arch, Dip Arch (M Arch)

A natural problem solver, Julia plays a vital role in optimizing the atelier’s business operations, streamlining everything from project management and workflow systems to contract negotiations. She brings deep expertise from managing large-scale projects at international design studios, including Yabu Pushelberg. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University and over 15 years of experience in the design industry, Julia bridges the worlds of business and creativity with precision and grace.

B Comm

As a communications specialist, Catherine shapes the language that reflects the studio’s creative vision and process. With a background in Fine Arts from Queen’s University, she launched her career as an arts journalist in Toronto and Tokyo. A former Editor-in-Chief of Azure magazine, her work has appeared in such prestigious international architecture and design publications as Architectural Record and Domus. Catherine is deeply engaged in Toronto’s design community, serving as a long-time board member of DesignTO and as a former trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

B FA

Heather Purcell has over 20 years of experience leading finance teams in private and public businesses, primarily in the professional service and e-commerce space. Her focus is on building financial infrastructure to support growing project-based businesses and working with leadership teams to improve business performance.

CPA, CMA, M BA