Behind the Build: Janna Levitt - LGA Architectural Partners

Janna Levitt is a founding partner of LGA Architectural Partners and a respected leader in socially conscious architecture in Canada. Raised in a Toronto home filled with artists—her mother a celebrated ceramicist who participated in a short-lived federal program modeled on Japan’s National Treasures—Janna grew up surrounded by creativity, community, and cultural exchange.She attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and then studied Political Science and Cinema at the University of Toronto before shifting into architecture, graduating from U of T’s five-year Bachelor of Architecture program. As one of the few women in her cohort, she leaned on peer networks to navigate a challenging and often exclusionary academic environment—an experience that later informed her deep commitment to support and mentorship.Janna met her future business and life partner, Dean Goodman, while still in school. Frustrated with conventional practice models, they launched what is now LGA—grounded in collaborative values and public-serving work. Early commissions like Strachan House and the Native Child and Family Services headquarters set the tone: architecture that listens, adapts, and empowers.LGA has grown intentionally to around 40 staff, with projects spanning libraries, housing, adaptive reuse, and institutional work. She's taught at  Waterloo, Dalhousie and Daniels schools of Architecture  and has stayed closely connected to many of her former students. She’s also assisted in transitioning ownership to a new generation of partners.Janna and Dean developed and live in a new 5 unit condo on an existing single family site demonstrating an innovative  model of urban intensification and environmental care. Outside of work, she remains deeply engaged in the arts and maintains close relationships with clients, colleagues, and friends who—like her—believe in design as a generous, collective act.Curated Podcast Sponsors:Caplan's Appliances: https://caplans.ca/The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/Sound Solutions: https://www.soundsolutions.ca/Berman Stairs: https://bermanstairs.com/To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected] the Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_build_podcast

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