Behind the Build AD: Kevin Weiss - Weiss Architecture & Urbanism

Born in Medicine Hat and raised across the Prairies, Kevin Weiss grew up moving from city to city, an experience that shaped his appreciation for stability and place. A competitive 1500-metre runner in his youth, he also spent countless hours drawing, experimenting with printmaking, and silkscreening at home. Those creative roots eventually steered him toward architecture, where mentors like Barry Sampson and Ian MacDonald helped sharpen his eye and discipline.Kevin’s curiosity for how things are made has followed him since childhood—whether knocking on the door of his first house decades later, building fences during a recession, or uncovering forgotten architectural details hidden above old ceiling tiles. He carries a genuine love for craft, from Victorian brickwork to the precise hands of masons and builders he collaborates with.When he’s not working, Kevin has played masters lacrosse for years and still treasures playful design challenges, like the colourful Winnipeg warming hut inspired by a classic cartoon. Now with his kids grown and living on the East Coast, he finds new rhythms in a quieter home while continuing to chase the spark of discovery that first pulled him toward making things.Full Bio:Kevin Weiss is an architect based in Toronto and the founder of Weiss Architecture and Urbanism, established in 2012. Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and raised across the Prairies—including Redcliff, Calgary, Vancouver Island, Richmond, and Winnipeg—his early experiences of constant relocation shaped his appreciation for grounded and enduring architecture. Alongside competitive running in the 1500 metres, Weiss nurtured a long-standing interest in drawing, printmaking, and silkscreen work, which helped steer him toward studying architecture.He began his architectural education at the University of Manitoba before moving to Toronto, where he attended the Ontario College of Art—now OCAD University—before transferring to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture. Influential mentors such as Barry Sampson and Ian MacDonald shaped his development as a designer, and Weiss later worked with both. He also spent multiple periods at Diamond and Schmitt Architects, contributing to institutional work including the Detroit Symphony Hall addition under Don Schmidt.Before launching his own practice, Weiss was a partner at Larkin Architect, contributing to projects such as St. Gabriel’s Parish, Kingsway College School, and Regis College. Since founding Weiss Architecture and Urbanism, he has completed a diverse range of public-sector and residential work, including long-term collaborations with the Toronto District School Board. His projects span technically complex school additions, science lab restorations, and custom homes that emphasize contextual sensitivity, craft, and thoughtful detailing.Weiss values a collaborative and hands-on design process, embracing opportunities for playfulness and innovation. His studio’s conceptual explorations include an award-recognized Winnipeg warming hut installation inspired by the classic “portable hole” cartoon and an OAA landscape competition proposal developed through analog model-making. Curated Podcast Sponsors:Caplan's Appliances: https://caplans.ca/The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/Aquanta Pools: https://aquanta.caTo connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected] the Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_build_podcast

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