Mark’s work is grounded and restrained. He is drawn to simple forms and natural materials, and to the idea that carefully considered work does not need to announce itself. It is quiet in its making, but has a lasting effect.

With the studio since 2019, Mark helps lead the delivery of complex single-family homes and cottages, contributing thoughtful design and leadership across all phases of a project. His interest in architecture extends beyond buildings into the act of making, where furniture becomes a way to explore ideas through a more immediate and tactile process.

Mark holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of British Columbia, where he received the Faculty Design 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 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. She is currently pursuing licensure with the Ontario Association of Architects.

B AS, M Sc

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

Inspired by the profound impact the built environment has on people’s lives and interactions, Nic earned a Master of Architecture with honours from the University of Waterloo. They are passionate about residential design’s ability to translate ideas into tangible, inhabitable spaces. As the studio’s BIM Lead, Nic oversees the development of digital 3D models, ensuring accuracy and clarity throughout the construction process.

Outside the studio, Nic’s creative instincts move between music, painting, jewellery making, and sewing. A quiet but enduring fascination with physics and astronomy continues to shape how they see the world, deepening their curiosity about the underlying systems that inform both nature and design.

B AS, M Arch

Katie brings a keen sensitivity to how people interact in shared and private spaces, and to how residential architecture can enrich daily life. Prior to joining Akb, she contributed to several prestigious academic and institutional projects across Ontario. She holds a Master of Architecture from McGill University, graduating on the RAIC Honour Roll, and a Bachelor of Architectural Science earned with distinction. At Akb, Katie is also involved in interior design and in the studio’s marketing and communications initiatives.

Her interest in architecture was first shaped through movement, as well as a lifelong passion for film and visual arts. As a trained dancer, she has an inherent understanding of the symbiotic relationships between space, motion, and stillness, and continues to draw on this awareness in her approach to architecture.

B ArchSc, M Arch

The son of a carpenter, Christopher had an early introduction to the craft of construction and the art of architecture. This foundation provided him with a deep consideration for detail design and constructability; qualities that continue to fuel his curiosity about the architectural process and its complex work flows.

From construction through finish and occupancy, he is interested in how trades build, how designers interpret space, and how users ultimately experience space. Christopher completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. He is currently working toward his OAA licensure.

B ArchSc, M Arch

Kim’s work is shaped by care, craft, and an enduring interest in the human experience. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Science (Honours) from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master of Architectural Science from TU Delft in the Netherlands. Her graduate thesis was pre-selected for the 2025 BK Archiprix and exhibited at TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture.

Her design practice centers on residential spaces as intimate and evolving reflections of those who inhabit them, and on the reciprocal exchange through which space absorbs identity and memory. Beyond the studio, Kim is an avid maker, with a growing focus on photography, textile arts and graphic design. She is currently advancing her technical proficiency in 3D modelling and preparing to pursue OAA licensure.

B ArchSc, M ScArch

Laura Vilbiks brings a strong interest in the relationship between built heritage, cultural identity, and residential design. She holds a Master of Science in Architecture from the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, where she studied Architecture and Urban Planning with minors in Planning, Heritage and Conservation. Her master’s thesis received a Special Award from the National Heritage Board of Estonia in 2024.

Laura’s design approach is in shaping everyday routines and choreographing movement through space. She is particularly inspired by cinematography and the way atmosphere is constructed through sequences and moments. Before joining Akb, Laura gained experience in architecture, interior design and academia while living in Estonia. She is also drawn to furniture design, appreciating the craft of creating objects that are quietly impactful.

B ArchSc, 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