Bio:

Dani Kastelein is a registered citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario whose kinship ties trace from the Red River, Georgian Bay and Drummond Island. Dani is a great Intern Architect with over five years of experience across design, project coordination, and Indigenous engagement. Their work focuses on community-led design, integrating Indigenous knowledge systems to create spaces grounded in cultural connection and relationship to land, place and its people.

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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 grew up watching family build decks, boats, and furniture. That love of making led me to this path. Later, working in credential assessment, I met newcomers pursuing education in Canada, which pushed me to return to school and study architecture.

 

What do you do?

I’m a  Métis  Intern Architect, illustrator, and crafter. I work across design and coordination, helping translate ideas, stories, and community needs into built form while balancing budgets, technical requirements, and project delivery.

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What excites you in the work you do?

I’m most excited by co-created Indigenous projects where stories shape space. I enjoy translating knowledge into built form while navigating constraints. This leads to a lot of problem solving ensuring that every project teaches me something new.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

I’m inspired by people: my family, mentors, and colleagues, especially Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders. Their generosity and patience shape my practice. I’m also inspired by small wins and people who keep perspective through every step.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Nokom’s House. I managed day to day coordination, facilitated Indigenous engagement, developed ideas, and reviewed materials with the client. This project reinforced for me that architecture is about relationships, connection to place and people.

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Featured Project Name: 

University of Guelph's Nokom's House

 

Featured Project Location: 

University of Guelph Arboretum

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2026

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Role in Featured Project: 

Project Coordinator and Designer

 

Featured Project Description:

Nokom’s House at the University of Guelph Arboretum is a land-based centre for learning, research, and gathering. Designed with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, researchers, and Indigenous participants, it supports reciprocal relationships between people, place, and ecology. Nestled in a grove of trees, the modest building provides spaces for gathering, teaching, and reflection, carefully grounded in its natural landscape and the values that shaped its making.

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Photography Credit:

Renders created by Dani Kastelein