Portfolio

We believe that access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental human right. Guided by this principal, we take an integrated role with our clients through the design and construction of affordable housing solutions to support the dignity and inclusion of the individual while prioritizing long-term financial sustainability for our clients.

We have successfully completed affordable housing projects for clients such as Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes, the City of Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo Urban Native Wigwam Project, Kindle Communities, Ayr & District Citizens, and others. Through our work with these clients, we have developed an approach to affordable housing design that combines the funding priorities of affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility while addressing the specific needs of vulnerable populations, such as seniors, the working poor, those escaping abuse, individuals with development disabilities, and the Indigenous community.

Our Affordable Housing team provides expertise in accessible, and energy efficient design standards associated with a range of funding programs, such as CMHC, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and the City of Hamilton Grant program. Obtaining project funding is only the first part of the equation, however. Our designs strive to control maintenance and operational costs over the long-term to ensure affordable housing will remain affordable for those we serve.

At SRM, we believe that the learning environments have the power to shape student experiences, while supporting curiosity, wellness, and engagement. Our design philosophy is rooted in creating safe, inspiring and inclusive environments where all students and educators can thrive. We achieve this through an approach which emphasizes collaboration, clarity, and care at every stage.

For more than four decades, we have partnered with school boards across Southern Ontario to deliver a broad spectrum of education-focused projects. These range from strategic space planning and systems upgrades to major additions, renovations, and new construction.

Our commitment to solving each design challenge with care and precision ensures that the needs of educators, students, administrators, and the wider community are thoughtfully addressed. We also recognize the financial constraints within which schools operate, and this drives our team to develop innovative, practical solutions that are both visually compelling and fiscally responsible.

Our team has completed a wide range of heritage projects, including restorations, additions, and innovative adaptive reuse. We work closely with heritage consultants, municipal staff, and community members to navigate heritage conservation requirements and approvals.

We are skilled in balancing the technical demands of upgrading older buildings (such as accessibility improvements, energy performance, and life safety) with the need to maintain their historical integrity and material authenticity.

Our approach to heritage projects combines deep respect for the past with a thoughtful vision for the future. The result is a thoughtful blending of old and new to create spaces that honour their legacy while embracing renewed purpose.

SRM has a long-standing reputation for delivering successful institutional projects that balance functionality, longevity, and a deep sensitivity to the needs of users. For decades, we have partnered with institutional clients including faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, and community groups to design buildings that serve as lasting, meaningful assets within to serve their missions.

We understand that institutional buildings must perform at many levels: they must meet complex technical, regulatory, and operational requirements, while also fostering a sense of welcome, belonging, and trust. We strive to create environments that are accessible, durable, and adaptable over time, responding to evolving needs while respecting budgetary realities.

At SRM, our Interior Design approach is guided by the belief that subtle choices create meaningful impact. We consider not only how a space looks, but how it supports comfort, connection, and daily use.

We collaborate closely with Architectural and Engineering teams from the outset, aligning aesthetics with technical performance and constructability. Early coordination allows us to anticipate challenges, maintain design intent, and deliver spaces that feel thoughtful, cohesive, and purpose driven.

Our goal is to design environments that work beautifully, in both function and feeling.

SRM has a vast portfolio of successful condominium, purpose-built rental, and student housing projects located across Southern Ontario. Our clients range from small private developers are several large national scale developers including Skyline, Cantiro, IN8 Developments, Old Oak Developments, Farhi Developments, and others.  

On each project, our approach begins with a comprehensive understanding of our client’s operational requirements, marketing objectives, and long-term goals. Through collaborative dialogue, research, and spatial analysis, we translate these insights into clear, intentional programs that form the foundations of good design.

We understand that efficient space planning has a direct impact on a project’s pro forma by maximizing revenue-generating areas, improving operational efficiency, and reducing unnecessary construction costs. We work closely with our clients to align our design strategies with their business objectives, ensuring that every square foot is intentional and supports a strong return on investment.

Our firm has a proven track record in delivering high-performing office, industrial, and commercial spaces tailored to the unique needs of each client. From corporate headquarters and flexible workspaces to logistics hubs, manufacturing facilities, and mixed-use developments, we design environments that are as practical as they are visually compelling.

Every project begins with a clear understanding of operational goals. Whether it’s a custom office fit-out, a new industrial build, or a hybrid facility combining workspace with production or distribution, our team develops layouts that enhance workflow, maximize usability, and reflect brand identity.

We prioritize efficiency, durability, and long-term value, ensuring our designs align with budget, schedule, and maintenance expectations. The result: spaces that not only support day-to-day operations but also position our clients for long-term success in a competitive market.

Having merged with Michael Spaziani Architect Inc. in 2023, we are proud to offer Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Urban Design Expert Witness services. We have successfully represented a range of clients ranging from municipalities to private developers, and resident associations through mediations, as well as full contested hearings.

Our Expert Witnesses possess a deep understanding of urban design principles, planning policy, and the regulatory environment to provide clear, credible, and well-substantiated evidence in support of development applications.

We approach each case with professionalism, integrity, and a thoughtful design lens, helping to facilitate outcomes that are context-sensitive and forward-thinking.

SRM creates supportive, resident-focused environments across the full spectrum of seniors housing. Our work includes long-term care, memory care, retirement living, and senior apartments, with projects ranging from major campus redevelopments to additions, renovations, and master plans. We believe that life is about living, not aging, and our work reflects that philosophy through spaces that support comfort, connection, and everyday experience.

We approach seniors housing with a commitment to improving daily life for older adults and the people who support them. Our design work is grounded in research, evidence-based principles, and a strong understanding of how residents, families, and staff experience their environment. Through active involvement with associations such as AdvantAGE Ontario, the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, and the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, we stay engaged with evolving practices, design standards, and sector insights. This helps us bring clarity to early planning, strengthen coordination, and develop solutions that support resident well-being and meaningful community life.

Listening is central to our process. We work closely with operators to understand their program, operational goals, and the type of community they want to build. Our senior living team supports clients from early feasibility through schematic design, site planning, Ministry submissions, construction documentation, and resident-centred interior design. Throughout the process, we focus on clear communication, practical workflows, and design decisions that contribute to welcoming, comfortable spaces.

Our approach to seniors housing considers several core principles:

• Dementia-inclusive and human-scaled environments
• Warm, non-institutional settings that support dignity and independence
• Social connection through shared spaces that bring people together
• Strong visual and physical connections to nature and outdoor areas
• Practical and forward-looking technology integration
• Integrated architecture and interior design that supports cognitive and visual needs

These principles guide the way we plan, design, and communicate. They reflect SRM’s commitment to creating environments that support residents, families, and care teams, and to contributing positively to the communities we serve.

At SRM Architects, we bring extensive experience in designing purpose-built student housing that blends functionality, durability, and market appeal. Our designs are informed by a deep understanding of student lifestyles and the operational goals of our clients.

We prioritize efficient layouts, cost-effective construction strategies, and long-term maintenance considerations—ensuring each development performs reliably and remains attractive to tenants over time.

Our team is passionate about creating vibrant, community-oriented environments that support academic success and personal well-being. From amenity-rich common areas to thoughtfully designed private units, we help our clients deliver student residences that stand out in the market and meet the expectations of today’s students.

SRM Architects + Urban Designers has been an advocate of sustainable building practices for decades. In the 1990’s, SRM was the Architect on “Green on the Grand”, one of the first high-performance, energy efficient office buildings in Waterloo Region (and Canada). This pioneering project reflected our belief that good design should support both people and the planet. Today, we continue to encourage good stewardship of the environment by advocating for sustainable building practices whenever possible.

Our portfolio includes several highly sustainable buildings, including those which have achieved (or could achieve) LEED® certification, and buildings designed in line with Passive House principles. We leverage this knowledge and experience on each project, regardless of if the project is seeking a formal certification.

We take a practical and cost-aware approach to sustainability, working with our clients to identify meaningful interventions which balance long-term performance with short-term capital constraints. This includes reviewing the cost-to-benefit ratio of various design decisions, and starting with items which have little to no additional cost but significantly impact energy performance, such as building orientation and massing.

On each project, we ask targeted, informed questions to guide decision making. This includes an evaluation of pursuing formal certification, versus re-investing those costs elsewhere in the project. This process has helped our clients develop high-performance, energy-efficient buildings which meet their sustainability targets, in addition to their operational and financial goals.

Our urban design practice is rooted in the belief that well-designed public spaces and built environments are essential to creating vibrant, connected communities. We bring a multidisciplinary perspective which draws upon on our expertise in urban design, architecture, and interior design to shape places that are livable, inclusive, and resilient.

From master planning mixed-use developments, transit-oriented communities, to providing urban design briefs and block context plans for large scale residential developments, our urban design practice is based on a set of values that aim to reconcile achieving the aims of our clients, while creating new communities that can fit within and enhance the character of the built environment in which they are located.

We collaborate closely with municipalities, developers, and community members to craft context-sensitive solutions that can foster public life and a sense of community, and build on the unique characteristics of an area, while embodying high-quality, evidence-based urban design principles.