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Architect and new mom, Siobhan Sweeny is fired up about creating sustainable, complete communities....with a little art, song and dance on the side.
What I create in 10 words or less:
Sustainable, Complete Communities-- and also art, food, and song!
Ever since I can remember I’ve had a pencil in my hand. I’ve also always been surrounded by inspiring, thought provoking people.
My mother is an interior designer turned art teacher, and my father is an architect, and entrepreneur who founded Sweeny&Co Architects Inc, the firm I work with him at.
I knew at a very young age that my life would be heavily involved with, and influenced by the Arts. Drawing, painting, dancing, and singing have always been where I find joy. But I resisted becoming an architect at first. I was fearful knowing how harrowing architecture school is after hearing my parents’ and their friends’ stories. I was also afraid of the lifestyle that came with being an architect and seeing first-hand how much time and energy the profession requires of you. My dad convinced me to work at his firm the summer after I finished high school, and after that summer I knew. It was undeniable, I found my people.
Eight and a half years of Architecture school, five plus years of experience, and four huge ExAC exams later, I am now working with Sweeny&Co Architects on some of the most exciting projects in the country! McMaster University’s brand-new McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery is one of those dream projects. I’ve had the exceptional opportunity of working on this project since day one. From working with an incredible team on the winning competition entry, early feasibility studies and design concepts, to now actually choosing the finishes for the all gender washrooms and detailing how the feature stair is going to be built – it has been an extraordinary journey! I am so proud and excited to see it getting built.
I am also working with an awesome team on three super cool hotel sites in the downtown Toronto core. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to work on hotel buildings with a visionary client. Architecture and design are a lot like solving a puzzle – and this is so true with a hotel typology. You have to work out where guests will circulate but also where staff will circulate. Fine dining and sleek restaurants, with intricate back kitchens, laundry, break rooms etc. There’s so much to consider.
I am so glad I went into Architecture. The profession still has a long way to go with work-life balance, and valuing itself enough to fight for proper fees etc. but I truly believe I am actively contributing to making the world a better place. I am so passionate about building sustainably, which means more than selecting recycled materials. It means adding density and creating complete communities. Complete communities are walkable, dense communities that use up less of our precious farmland and resources. I also advocate for artists and creatives in Toronto by advocating for more housing of every kind! We must say yes to new developments so that we aren’t displacing our innovators—driving them out of town because residences aren’t affordable any more. There is so much work to be done, and I’m fired up.
I truly believe we are all creative in some capacity. To be human is to be creative. Creativity to me is as much about exploring artistic mediums as it is about problem solving.
Seeing the bigger picture. It’s kind of funny I’m saying this because I’m also a very detail-oriented person. But I learned this skill very quickly in architecture school. After my first all nighter at the start of school, I realized my body was not cut out for numerous sleepless nights, so I quickly learned to take a step back, refocus on the end requirements/deliverables, and then make decisions and plan accordingly to get it all done in the time constraints. Big picture thinking is a tool I use for everything to gain perspective. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
“I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life—and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”
This quote by Georgia O’Keefe has always stuck with me. I relate to it so much. Just because I have put myself out there doesn’t mean I am not afraid. I know, it’s easier said than done - but I have not and will not let my anxieties hold me back.
That, and life is too short to be taken seriously. I always remind myself to laugh it off and remember to have fun.
All my real life heroes have this in common:
They lead by example and mentor in a constructive way. They are people who believe so much in you that you truly want to go that extra mile so that you don’t let them down.
The summer I was 19 turning 20 I went on an exchange program through the University of Toronto to live in Esteli, Nicaragua. I lived with a host family I’d never met before and worked as an art teacher. I didn’t speak a word of Spanish but upon arriving, enrolled in a two-week Spanish class and hit the ground running. Those three months were a truly invaluable learning experience for me. I was so humbled by living in a foreign land, in a foreign language, and I gained so much understanding for anyone speaking a second language somewhere that isn’t their home.
I don’t know if this is a “talent” per se but what I would give to be one of those people who falls asleep in 30 seconds? Falling asleep has never been something I’ve been very skilled at, despite it being at the very top of my wish list.
My kiddo is 8 and a half months old and her personality is coming through more and more. She does this hilarious thing where if she loves what she is eating or if she’s even just excited about the prospect of food coming soon – she scrunches up her nose and mouth and heavily snorts/breathes. It’s hilarious and apparently very hard to describe.
I am forever grateful to be living in a country with parental leave. Spending this time with my kid, getting to slow down and shift into motherhood has brought me immense joy.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cheryll for a few years now and I’m always left feeling more motivated and invigorated every time we talk. Her planning practice focuses on human rights and equity and what that looks like in the built environment. She works tirelessly to improve relationships between people, institutions and land, and I am in awe of her resilient spirit and determination to make Toronto a better place for everyone.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cheryll for a few years now and I’m always left feeling more motivated and invigorated every time we talk. Her planning practice focuses on human rights and equity and what that looks like in the built environment. She works tirelessly to improve relationships between people, institutions and land, and I am in awe of her resilient spirit and determination to make Toronto a better place for everyone.
Tiffany is an artist and designer, author, television host and multi-disciplinary Creative extraordinaire. Everything she touches turns to glitter, rainbows and positive energy. Tiffany is so humble, so hard working, and so generous with her time, energy, and talents. Her unapologetic use of colour is truly inspiring – but so is her infectiously joyful personality.
Tiffany is an artist and designer, author, television host and multi-disciplinary Creative extraordinaire. Everything she touches turns to glitter, rainbows and positive energy. Tiffany is so humble, so hard working, and so generous with her time, energy, and talents. Her unapologetic use of colour is truly inspiring – but so is her infectiously joyful personality.
This Collective of Creatives inspires me constantly. Although based in Toronto, our team is made up of out-of-the-box thinkers from all over the world. We share brainstorming sessions but also food, beers, music, laughter and fun. I’m always looking forward to what’s next for our firm, the opportunities and projects just keep getting more and more exciting.
This Collective of Creatives inspires me constantly. Although based in Toronto, our team is made up of out-of-the-box thinkers from all over the world. We share brainstorming sessions but also food, beers, music, laughter and fun. I’m always looking forward to what’s next for our firm, the opportunities and projects just keep getting more and more exciting.
Sarina and my mother met in lamaze class a few months before I was born, so I’ve known her all my life. She is a true creative in every sense of the word. A dancer, film maker, musical theater performer, director, show creator, fitness app founder and content creator, mother, world traveler, and wonderful human. Sarina is truly an inspiration to dream bigger and never be afraid to pivot or reinvent yourself.
Sarina and my mother met in lamaze class a few months before I was born, so I’ve known her all my life. She is a true creative in every sense of the word. A dancer, film maker, musical theater performer, director, show creator, fitness app founder and content creator, mother, world traveler, and wonderful human. Sarina is truly an inspiration to dream bigger and never be afraid to pivot or reinvent yourself.