Behrang Fakharian
Founding Principal
Architect & Urban Designer, OAA, Ph.D., M.Arch
Behrang’s early foundation in visual arts cultivated a keen eye for detail and aesthetics, while his formal architectural and urban design experience evolved into an interdisciplinary approach that bridges creative work, scientific research, and material experimentation.
Behrang earned his Master’s degree from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris-Val de Seine (ENSAPVS). He pursued a PhD applied research fellowship at the University of Paris Sorbonne Pantheon, focusing on passive solar systems in the design of new towns and communities. He furthered his research through seminars and design studios at the École Spéciale d’Architecture (ESA) in Paris and the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Grenoble (ENSAG), home to the renowned CRAterre (International Centre on Earthen Architecture).
Alongside his research and teaching, he contributed to numerous large to medium-scale public infrastructures, cultural institutions, campus facilities, and master planning projects in Paris (France) and Toronto (Canada). His projects and articles were recognized in acclaimed magazines such as TerrAsia: Earthen Architecture in Asia (Mokpo, South Korea, 2011), Centralites #2 (Paris, France, 2013), archiSTORM #67 (Paris, France, 2014), VerSus: Sustainability and Earthen Architecture (Valencia, Spain, 2014), and Scroope 28: Concinnitas (Cambridge, UK, 2019).
Behrang’s multidisciplinary experience has significantly influenced his design methodology, blending artistic vision and diagrammatic thinking with material and technical innovations. This holistic approach to design became the foundation for establishing theme \ architecture & planning in 2020.
Navid Jamali
Intern Architect (OAA)
B.Sc., M.Arch, LEED Green Associate
Navid holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto and brings a diverse background in research and design, addressing the economic and environmental challenges of the built environment. Prior to joining our team, he contributed to award-winning residential and mixed-use projects, working through all phases of design and construction. His work has been recognized in prestigious publications such as Harvard Design Magazine (Issue No. 44, 2017) and the book Art and Architecture of the Middle Ages: Exploring a Connected World (Cornell University Press, 2022).
At our firm, Navid continues to push boundaries in construction documentation, energy efficiency, programmatic studies, and computational design, contributing his expertise to our current projects.
Lina Maria Sanabria
Designer
B.Arch, Dipl. Architectural Tech.
Lina is a former student of Behrang in the School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science (SETAS) at Centennial College, where she studied North American building systems and technologies. She previously earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia. Lina’s passion for design and productivity has earned her several architectural recognitions, including second place in the 2019 Solar Decathlon Latin America, seven awards for her Máquina Verde - El Arca project, and publication of her prefabricated temporary hospital design for the pandemic by Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 2021.
At our firm, Lina collaborates closely with our team, applying her creative visualization and technological expertise from early design development and approvals to construction documentation, bringing to life buildings that are thoughtfully designed, technically robust, and meticulously detailed.
Catarina Cerqueira
Technologist
Dipl. Architectural Tech.
Catarina joined our firm after completing her studies in Architectural Technology at Centennial College, where she initially developed her architectural skills under Behrang’s guidance. With experience in residential renovations and garden/laneway suite projects, Catarina brings a deep understanding of creating adaptable living spaces.
At our firm, Catarina continues to expand her expertise, focusing on wood-framing and mass timber construction for low-rise developments. Her approach combines precision with creativity, allowing her to deliver functional, aesthetically refined spaces that meet both the practical and design needs of each project.
Nathalie Castillo Espinosa
Technologist
Dipl. Architectural Tech.
Nathalie joined our team after completing her studies in the Architectural Program at Centennial College, where she was one of Behrang’s Design Studio’s students. With hands-on experience in producing detailed shop drawings and collaborating with trades and millwork design teams, she brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach, supported by a solid grasp of industry standards.
Nathalie demonstrates a high level of precision in her work, applying her expertise in BIM technology and computational design with meticulous attention to detail. Her passion for nature and commitment to addressing climate migration challenges shape her architectural vision, fuelling her enthusiasm for integrating sustainable practices into each project in which she’s involved.