Janna Levitt (Principal) is known around her office as “the Optimist” because she brings a positive energy to her work that draws the best out of people and circumstances. A trailblazer, she also seizes opportunities to find solutions for problems that spark her interest such as the Vermicondo – an indoor worm composter for urban dwellers.

In addition to her work as a practicing architect, Janna participates in ‘theoretical’ architecture/art-based projects. These have included installations at the Eye Review Gallery, the Union Station Gallery, the ‘House/Home’ exhibition at the Photo Eclipse Gallery, the Stellar Living Exhibition at Mercer Union and, most recently, ‘Sacred Space’ at the new Architecture Gallery at Harbourfront Centre for the Arts.

The firm is widely published nationally and internationally and is recognized as a leading design firm through awards such as the Governor General’s Gold Medal for Excellence in Architecture, several RAIC Gold Medals for Innovation in Architecture and Design Effectiveness awards, Canadian Architect, Ontario Association of Architects and Toronto Urban Design Awards. In 2010 the firm received a Best Of Year Interior Design award from the New York Interiors Magazine.

Janna is an active lecturer, critic, guest professor and jury member across the country. She was a member of the City of Toronto Public Art Commission between 2001 and 2007. Currently she is a member of the national Steering Committee of the RAIC for the Canadian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Janna also serves on the Professional Resource Committee of the Gallery TPW. Finally, Janna selected to join the founding committee of the Canadian arm of Cape Farewell, a British based foundation addressing climate change through the synthesis of art and science, Janna is a member of Ontario’s Bee Keepers Association, having a keen interest in apiary culture.