Studio VAARO

Founded by partners Aleris Rodgers and Francesco Valente-Gorjup, Studio VAARO is a Toronto-based architectural practice that synthesizes formalist rigor with experimental, research-driven methodologies. Both principals bring over a decade of international experience from acclaimed firms including Herzog & de Meuron, Johnston Marklee, and Renzo Piano Building Workshop, having contributed to large-scale cultural institutions, museums, and residential towers across Los Angeles, Switzerland, and Hong Kong before establishing their practice in Canada.

The firm's design philosophy centers on uncommon solutions that engage and endure, pursuing clear formal ideas that foster continuity from large-scale massing to intricate detailing. Their approach is rooted in exhaustive contextual analysis, studying local vernaculars and site-specific conditions to develop cogent architectural visions that respond intelligently to their surroundings. The firm sculpts space through deliberate manipulation of light and shadow, volume and void, creating moments of beauty that elevate both functional performance and experiential quality.

The firm's experienced professional team: led by Partner and Co-Founder Aleris Rodgers (Architect NY, NCARB) and Partner and Co-Founder Francesco Valente-Gorjup (Architect, OAA), with project team including Shengjie Qiu and Liam Hall. Aleris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Harvard University and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and serves as Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Francesco holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and English Literature from the University of Toronto and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and serves as Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Materiality plays a central role in their work, with natural materials and tactile finishes reinforcing broader spatial objectives. Their iterative, investigative process applies equally across typologies, from single-family residences to multi-unit buildings, commercial spaces, and custom furniture. Registered in Ontario and New York State, Studio VAARO maintains unwavering commitment to strategic problem-solving, clear communication, and skillful project management, delivering projects that fulfill programmatic, timeline, and budgetary requirements while challenging conventional typologies.

Through thoughtful understanding of formalist research and contextual innovation, and values of environmental responsiveness, buildability, and contextual sensitivity, Studio VAARO has established itself as a significant contributor to contemporary architecture, creating architectural works that are both rooted in place and embrace global design standards. The practice has gained recognition for its commitment to design excellence, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard of spatial and experiential integration.