CAILEIGH MACKELLAR

Bio:

A Senior Associate at MJMA, Caileigh is a core member of the firm’s Interiors Architecture team. Since joining the firm in 2016, she aims to provide the most functional, sustainable, and meaningful solutions, no matter the project’s budget, size, and complexity. Caileigh has extensive experience with renovation and adaptive re-use projects as demonstrated by her work on the Princeton University Class of 1986 Fitness and Wellness Center and Square One YMCA.​

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I first learned about architecture as a child‚ my mom owned a furniture business when I was growing up and offered interior decorating services; she was always doing furniture layouts and I loved using her graph paper pad and sketching plans with her.

What do you do?

I am a Senior Associate and Architect at MJMA, an architecture and design firm in Toronto. I am a member of the Interior Architecture team which focuses on designing and detailing the interiors of our projects. I am also a mom to two young boys.

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What excites you in the work you do?

Constantly learning new things, solving new problems and doing this through drawing and designing. At MJMA, often project budgets may be constrained, and the ability to provide a high level of design with limited resources is an exciting challenge.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

Making pottery and weaving are technically challenging yet soft and beautiful, and I bring inspiration from those creative outlets into my profession. I am also inspired by Danish and  Japanese firms whose restraint brings an elegance to the built world.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Being promoted to Associate and then Senior Associate at MJMA. Both of these promotions occurred while I was on maternity leave with each of my kids, and the recognition of my contribution to the firm, even while on leave, has been very special.

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Featured Project Name: 

East Lions Community Centre

Featured Project Location: 

London, Ontario

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2021

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Role in Featured Project: 

Project Architect

Featured Project Description:

The East Lions Community Centre and Park Master Plan is a renewal of a mature park site that enhances its functionality and identity as a place for community. The approach here eschews the trend of consolidation and regionalization of infrastructure and the notion of "bigger is better" to implement a smaller scale second-generation re-investment into an established, mature, and walkable community.

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Photography Credit:

Scott Norsworthy