About Ryerson

Biographies: The Core Master Planning Team

BRUCE KUWABARA (KPMB): Bruce Kuwabara has over thirty years of experience in the discipline of architecture. An exceptionally prolific and versatile designer, Bruce is known for his commitment to creating architecture that supports the sustainability of cities.

He contributes master planning expertise and community consultation experience with his work for the University of Minnesota, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and University of British Columbia’s new Okanagan campus.

He has also designed a number of the firm’s recent Toronto projects, including the Gardiner Museum, the Celia Franca Centre at Canada's National Ballet School and the Centennial HP Science and Technology Centre. In 2005, Bruce became the first Chair of Toronto's Waterfront Design Review panel.  He is the recipient of the RAIC 2006 Gold Medal.  The medal recognizes Kuwabara’s contribution to the profession of architecture and is Canada’s highest honour bestowed by the profession on an individual.

MARIANNE MCKENNA (KPMB): Marianne McKenna combines design acumen with exceptional team management skills, and she has expertise in planning, program verification, and quality control for large projects involving multiple stakeholders.

In 1991, Marianne directed the award winning Master Plan for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, followed by a series of strategic historic and interior renovations, including the Ettore Mazzoleni Concert Hall. Her work for the Conservatory is now culminating in the design and construction of the new Telus Centre for Performance and Learning.

Marianne was also partner-in-charge of the new Engineering / Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Academic Complex at Concordia University, which creates a new presence for the University within Montreal urban core. Additional projects include the McGill University Genome Quebec Innovation Centre and the Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery.

RENÉE DAOUST (DL): Renée Daoust, principal of the firm DAOUST LESTAGE inc., acts both as project and design architect. Her double training in architecture and urban planning gives her the ability to oversee projects from the urban design phase to the architectural aspects.

Recently, she was the principal in charge and design partner for the Quartier international de Montréal (preliminary phase and strategic development) and for the CDP Capital Centre (the main building in the Quartier international de Montréal). She has also been selected to envision the redevelopment of the Société Radio-Canada/CBC Headquarters in Montreal as well as the redevelopment and requalification of a former federal penitentiary in Laval and the surrounding historical town center.

Renée is a Member of Toronto’s new Waterfront Design Review panel and received a Fellowship from the Institute of Urban Design of New York in 2005.

KEN GREENBERG (Greenberg Consultants Inc.): Architect and urban designer, Ken Greenberg has played a leading role on a broad range of assignments in highly diverse urban settings in North America and Europe. Ken is the former director of urban design and architecture for the City of Toronto and partner of Urban Strategies Inc. Current efforts include the interim role of Chief Planner at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and developing a master plan for the urban campus of Boston University. Past projects include numerous master plans that create a synergistic relationship between campus and city, including such institutions as the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University and the University Cultural Corridor in Detroit. While a partner with Urban Strategies Ken’s projects included master plans for the University of Toronto and Trinity College in Hartford.

RANDY M. GRIMES (IBI Group): Director of IBI Group’s Real Estate Research Practice, Randy Grimes has been involved in assisting many public and private sector clients with respect to realizing value on the real estates assets. He has pioneered the use of proposal calls in assisting public sector institutions particularly colleges and universities to realize value on the real estate assets including work on behalf of York University, Seneca College, Algonquin College and Sheridan College to name just a few.