about

Svima is an architecture and art studio that creates metamorphic spaces and artworks.

practice

Prompted by the changing context of cities and our precarious relationship with the environment—be it the natural, built, or digital environment—we build futures that are optimistic and rooted in artistry.

In an era of mass construction, we create lasting works that embrace the hand of the craftsperson.

In a time of environmental crisis, we learn from nature and ecology to find a new resilience. In a time of housing strain, we seek equity through designs that provide plentiful access to air, light, and greenery.

With a critical eye, from the city-scale to the minute interior detail, we are committed to elevating the lived experience for everyone.

partners

ANAMARIJA KOROLJ

OAA M.Arch

Anamarija is a registered Architect working across the fields of architecture, interior design, industrial design, graphics, and art. Passionate about high-quality and well-designed housing, she produced a work-live proposal that was chosen to exhibit with Team Canada at the 2014 Venice Biennale in Architecture (curated by Rem Koolhaas) as part of Arctic Adaptations with Lateral Office.

Before co-founding Svima, Anamarija worked on high-rise multi-unit residential projects in Singapore, China, Germany, and Canada. Anamarija holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) with honours, and is a sessional lecturer at the University of Toronto and the Toronto Metropolitan University. She has published in MIT’s journal Design Issues.

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Sessional Lecturer, University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Sessional Lecturer, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Faculty of Communication and Design

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architects-Alliance, Toronto

WOW Architects, Singapore

LEON LAI

OAA M.Arch

Leon is a registered Architect. As the recipient of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Graduate Medal, Leon earned his Masters of Architecture from the University of Toronto and his undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo.

Driven by a belief that art and architecture are important catalysts for social engagement and well-being, Leon strives to create enduring designs that are rooted in context and artistry. Before co-founding Svima, Leon worked with internationally acclaimed practices around the world including Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and KPF in New York, and Henning Larsen Architects in Copenhagen, Denmark. Leon is the Manager of the Design Review Panel at Waterfront Toronto.

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Sessional Lecturer, University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo, School of Architecture

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Henning Larsen Architects, Copenhagen

SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), New York

KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox), New York

Giannone Petricone Associates, Toronto

Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect, Toronto

expertise

Irreplaceable places

We specialize in the creation of spaces that transcend functionality to become enduring expressions of human experience and aspiration. Our spaces inspire, provoke thought, and evoke a sense of wonder. The places we create resonate deeply with those who inhabit them. We do not see ourselves only as designers of buildings, but as stewards of human experience.

Metamorphic spaces

We use the word ‘metamorphic’ to describe our work— meaning ‘marked by change.’ Like living organisms, our spaces and artworks breathe and evolve. From fluid, organic forms that evoke a sense of movement and flow to immersive sensory experiences that challenge perception and redefine spatial boundaries, our works serve as catalysts for exploration and self-discovery. At the heart of our practice is a commitment to pushing the boundaries of architectural expression.

Sublime Beauty

We use the dynamic interplay of light, form, and materiality to craft environments that defy convention and provoke thought. Whether designing something as small as a utensil or piece of jewellery, or something as large as a space, home, or institution, every aspect of our designs is thoughtfully considered and meticulously executed, with results that exude warmth, character, and depth.

Uniquely Canadian Designs

Canadian heritage and identity serve as the cornerstone of our creative ethos. Our spaces celebrate Canada’s diversity and innovation. We infuse each project with a sense of place, sustainability, and inclusivity that reflects the essence of what it means to be Canadian.