Archinect
Erik Sziraki

Erik Sziraki

Toronto, ON, CA

 

About 

Erik Sziraki is a graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, having completed both a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) and Bachelor of Environmental Studies (B.Env) degree.  Having lived and worked in both Canada and Australia, Erik has a broad understanding of different approaches to building codes, accessibility legislation and construction methodology.  

AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE  (2008-2013)

During his stay in Australia, Erik worked with award winning firm Architectus and Richard Kirk Architect on a variety of public project types.  His experience with both firms instilled in him a deep appreciation of sub-tropical modernism.  A key theme he has taken with him, is the permeability of the interior/exterior divide and the relationship that landscape and architecture have with one another.

CANADIAN EXPERIENCE (2000-2008)

After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Erik spent four years working with the highly acclaimed Canadian practice of Diamond + Schmitt Architects, followed by the firm of Black and Moffat Architects.  

 

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Erik's professional skills cover the gamut of architectural practice, spanning the full range of a project's life from preschematic design to post occupancy.

Highlights of Erik's skillset are:

• establishing preliminary budget and projected team hours with project principle;
• team coordination as well as consultant coordination;
• monitoring project budget and team hours with project principle;
• conducting preliminary site investigations gathering existing documentation and conducting field measurements;
• preparing client reports and liaising with the client with regard to design and budget;
• reviewing documents for building code and accessibility compliance;
• preparing documents (drawings and specifications) for authority approval, tender and construction;
• conducting and coordinating client, consultant, and contractor meetings;
• reviewing tender bids, preparing bid recommendation to clients, conducting field reviews during construction;
• reviewing contractor progress claims, issuing certificates of substantial completion;
• responding to contractor requests for information and preparing architect’s instruction/request for variation (extra).

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Architectus Inc., Brisbane, AU, Architect

Architect

Architectus is an award winning mid sized national architectural practice in Australia, with a history of innovative modern projects. The Brisbane office specializes in civic and institutional projects and injects a sense of place into each of their projects by implementing sub-tropical design principles.

Select projects:
Sunshine Coast University Hospital - Kawana, Australia

Sep 2012 - May 2013
 

University of Queensland, Brisbane, AU, Tutor - School of Architecture

Tutor for the Arch3221 course in Construction Documentation. The course objective was to prepare a set of tender ready documents based on a design by their course peers:

• discussed and reviewed student work during course hours;
• provided guidance and advice on materials, methods, and documentation standards
• evaluated and graded final submission by students;

Nov 2010 - Nov 2012
 

Suters Architects, Brisbane, AU, Architect

Project Architect

Suters Architects is a mid sized Australian architectural practice with a strong history of delivering exceptional retail and hospital projects.

Select Projects:
Woolworths retail store - Canberra, Australia
Southport Radiology Clinic - Southport, Australia
Edward Street Retail Mall - Refurbishments - Brisbane, Australia

Role and responsibilities:
• managed a team of architects and designers on demanding mid sized retail and public projects, coordinating construction drawings, schedules and specifications;
• coordinated with the joint venture architect and principle consultants;
• reviewed and coordinated building code and accessibility issues with authorities;
• conducted field measurements and produced drawings for documentation.

Apr 2012 - Sep 2012
 

Richard Kirk Architect, Brisbane, AU, Architect

Architect

Richard Kirk Architect is an award winning boutique architectural practice that specializes in landmark projects and has an exceptional record of delivering unique context sensitive design. Their body of work consists of numerous competition winning projects including an array of new buildings at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.

Select Projects:
Queensland University of Technology - Creative Industries Precinct Phase II

Role and responsibilities:
• established preliminary space requirements and volumetric relationships;
• translated preliminary design sketches into conceptual massing;
• coordinated project requirements for performance spaces with a team of specialist consultants;
• produced presentation drawings for client submissions;
• coordinated with the environmental design consultant.

Nov 2010 - Dec 2011
 

Architectus Inc., Brisbane, AU, Architectural Graduate

Project Architect or team leader/member on a number projects

Select projects:
CSIRO - Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology - Block R North
University of Queensland - Colin Clark Graduate Learning Centre, Australia
Queensland Emergency Operations Centre - Brisbane, Australia

• managed a team of architects and designers on demanding mid sized retail and public projects, coordinating construction drawings, schedules and specifications;
• conducted field investigation and measurement for renovation work;
• prepared client reports and submissions for authority approval;
• produced drawings and renderings for use in client and authority submissions;
• produced and issued tender and construction documents;
• reviewed tender bids and prepared Architect's advice on bids;
• conducted site reviews of construction progress and issued certificates of payment;
• answered RFIs and issued Change Notices and Architect's Instructions;
• reviewed projects for certificate of practical completion and final completion.

May 2008 - Nov 2010
 

Black and Moffat Architects Inc., Toronto, ON, CA, Intern Architect

Project Architect - (Intern)

Black and Moffat is a small architectural practice that specializes in historic restoration and adaptive reuse. The firm has worked on a substantial number of historically significant churches in Toronto, Canada. In addition to their ecclesiastical portfolio the firm also has a large number of office and government projects completed.

Select Projects:
Timothy Eaton Memorial Church - Toronto, Canada
Toronto Waterworks High Level Pumping Station Upgrades - Toronto, Canada
Dominion Building Adaptive Reuse and Renovation - Toronto, Canada

• worked within a small team of 5 including the two principals/partners;
• conducted preliminary site investigation and measurement;
• prepared client reports and submissions for authority approval;
• produced drawings and renderings for use in client and authority submissions;
• produced and issued tender and construction documents;
• reviewed tender bids and prepared Architect's advice on bids;
• conducted site reviews of construction progress and issued certificates of payment;
• answered RFIs and issued Change Notices and Architect's Instructions;
• reviewed projects for certificate of practical completion and final completion.

Nov 2004 - May 2008
 

Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc., Toronto, ON, CA, Intern Architect

Architectural Graduate

Diamond and Schmitt Architects are an award winning medium sized practice of architects, interior designers, graphic designers and planners. Under the direction of Jack Diamond and Donald Schmitt the company has grown to become one of the preeminent design firms in Canada, undertaking a wide variety of public, private and commercial projects.

Sep 2000 - Nov 2004
 

Education 

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, CA, BArch, Architecture

Professional architecture degree, studies included:

• architectural design;
• landscape design;
• cultural history and iconography;
• structural design and analysis;
• building engineering systems including mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustic;
• environmental design;

Sep 1998 - Sep 2001
 

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, CA, Bachelors, Bachelor of Environmental Studies

Pre-professional architecture degree, studies included:

• architectural design;
• landscape design;
• cultural history and iconography;
• structural design and analysis;
• building engineering systems including mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustic;
• environmental design;

Sep 1994 - Sep 1998
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills