Kristin’s passion for travel is evident in her project portfolio, which spans everywhere from the Yukon to Houston to Germany. However, no matter where the project, Kristin brings her keen insight on the human experience with the built environment. She says, “I love to imagine people moving through space - their sequence of motion, their views inside to out, outside to in, and how they might engage with the experience of light and materials that we choreograph. This is my favourite aspect of architecture, as it begins during the concept stage and you pursue this thought until the building is fully realized – always centering the human experience.” As a lead designer at Martin Simmons Sweers, Kristin’s work crosses a range of sections from heritage restoration to community spaces to residential. Prior to moving to Waterloo Region, Kristin worked at Kobayashi + Zedda Architects in Whitehorse, Yukon. There she developed her expertise in stakeholder consultation, northern architecture, and working with local indigenous communities. She also worked at Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering in Stuttgart, Germany. There, she developed a strong understanding of advanced structural and façade design for architecture with complex geometry and high-performance requirements. Her projects included international work in the United States, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum in Los Angeles. In addition to her work as a project manager at Martin Simmons Sweers, Kristin is a design studio adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo, School of Architecture in Cambridge. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys taking cross-Canada road trips where she finds inspiration and relaxation.

“Can we create a sense of discovery, a moment of joy, or a feeling of tranquility through our design? For me, architecture really all comes down to attention and intention – I try to make this central to my design approach.”