As a child growing up, I was fascinated by the world around us. I wanted to become an astronaut so that I could explore our planet from a different perspective. As I made my way through elementary school, often bored and wanting to be outside, I started to realize that math and science was how we tried to explain our world.
In high school, I was still intrigued by the idea of space exploration but my skills were developing in the applied math and sciences—and shop/woodworking class. I was fortunate enough to have a high school with a CNC machine, where I first learnt AutoCAD, Version 12. When it came time to apply for university, I focused on civil engineering programs with geomatic options, so I could still follow my dreams of space and play with satellites. However, that all changed when I started taking courses in structural engineering.
I was immediately hooked on the idea of creating buildings.
When I completed my undergrad, I started working for an engineering firm designing cement factories around the world. A lot of my job was travelling to different sites throughout the United States and Canada, and shorter stints in Panama, Poland, and Ukraine, where I was fortunate enough to observe my designs being created. The ability to see the construction of your designs is invaluable engineering experience—it helps hone the skills necessary to create better designs.
Circa 2007 - Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, USA - Standing inside North America’s largest cement kiln
Circa 2014: Harleyville, South Carolina. Standing in front of a large steel connection, which must be this size because of the huge seismic forces.
Circa 2015: Exshaw, Alberta — Canada’s largest cement plant. Walking along a steel beam at 100m in the air with only my safety harness to protect me.
I realized early in my career that an undergraduate was not sufficient for my future development in the field of building design. I pursued a Masters of Engineering at the University of Toronto, specializing in structural engineering. During my masters, I had another epiphany when I took a course that was called “Building Sciences.” This course merged my work experience with my theoretical knowledge of building design. After the completion of the masters, I continued my studies by taking the Certificate Program for Building Sciences at the University of Toronto.
I have now worked on over 350 residential and commercial projects throughout the GTHA. Outside of the GTA, I have worked on Canada’s largest cement plant in Exshaw, Alberta and North America’s largest cement single line kiln in Ste. Geneviece, Missouri.
I started Tignum Design and Engineering Inc. in 2013, focusing on providing clients with structural engineering services. Much has changed since those early days and today Tignum is a multi-disciplinary firm offering clients a full range of building design services. Yet I knew I still wanted to be able to do even more for my clients. I expanded my vision and founded Contignum, which offers clients the ability to Design-Engineer-Build.
EDUCATION
Ryerson University - B.Eng. - 2006
University of Toronto - M.Eng. - 2010
CERTIFICATES
Professional Engineer - Ontario (P.Eng)
Certified Welding Inspector - Level 1 to CSA W47.1/W59
Building Science Specialist (BSS)
CISC - Accredited Steel Connections Designer - Conventional Construction
CISC - Accredited Steel Inspector
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies - Building Science
Osgoode Law School Professional Development - Certificate in Construction Law
Osgoode Law School Professional Development - Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies, Boards and Tribunals
“I’m changing the game by offering clients the opportunity to Design>Engineer>Build.”
