Open Architecture Collaborative Canada
Your Community, Your Vision, Our Energy.
What if neighbourhood spaces grew from the people who live with them every day?
At Open Architecture Collaborative Canada (OACC), we believe cities become more just when the people who live in them meaningfully shape the spaces they share.
We advocate for places shaped by and for people; spaces that evolve through everyday use, and collective imagination. This kind of urban life is a little messy, and that’s exactly where its strength lies.
What We Do
OACC cultivates participatory planning, and placemaking initiatives that advance equity and people-centred approaches to shaping and using of shared urban spaces.
Based in Toronto, OACC brings grassroots groups, mission-driven organizations, and planning and design practitioners to explore how shared spaces can reflect the aspirations and lived experiences of the people who use them, and how these places can be collectively stewarded over time.
Our Approach
At OACC, we work alongside communities and organizations to explore possibilities for equitable and resilient neighbourhoods.
Through collaborative processes, we support early-stage ideas and grassroots initiatives as they evolve into viable projects through strategic guidance, partnership development, resource identification and the practice of placekeeping.
By building on communities’ strengths and lived experiences, we help create conditions where shared spaces are collectively shaped, cared for, and stewarded over time.
Our Vision
A future where people shape and steward the places they share, creating resilient, equitable, and inclusive urban environments for collective well-being.
Our Mission
We cultivate the conditions for change-making ideas to emerge, enabling communities to shape, activate, and steward the shared spaces of their neighbourhoods.
Our Services
Strategic Advisory
Guidance for community-based groups navigating complex spatial challenges and activation of shared spaces.
Participatory Planning
Designing and facilitating collaborative processes that bring communities, partners, and stakeholders together to explore possibilities for equitable and inclusive shared spaces.
Project Development
Helping initiatives move from concept to implementation, including partnership coordination, funding identification, and project oversight.
Training & Learning Programs
Designing and leading workshops, learning labs, and educational experiences that build knowledge and skills in participatory planning, placemaking, and community-led stewardship.
Resource Navigation
Connecting grassroots groups and mission-driven organizations to relevant supports, funding opportunities, and institutional resources.
Our Values
Equity
We recognize that inequities are often embedded within the spaces of our cities. Our work begins with acknowledging these realities and supporting processes that challenge structural barriers to access, participation, and belonging.
Inclusion
We approach each project with humility and curiosity. Listening to diverse voices and lived experiences allows richer perspectives to emerge and creates pathways toward shared value.
People-Centered
People are experts in their own experiences. We prioritize the voices of those most affected by spatial decisions and honour the everyday knowledge communities bring to conversations about place.
Excellence
We are committed to thoughtful, high-quality work that reflects care, rigor, and integrity in every collaboration.
Co-Powerment
We recognize that privilege can unintentionally reproduce inequalities. Rather than “empowering” others, we work through processes of co-powerment, where trust, shared learning, and mutual accountability guide our collaborations.
Innovation
We challenge conventional thinking and explore new ways of imagining and shaping the spaces where community life unfolds.
Who We Are
We are a collective of socially-minded architects, designers, planners, urban practitioners, and change-makers who care deeply about how shared spaces shape everyday life. Our work creates opportunities for people and communities to meaningfully participate in conversations, actions, and stewardship of the places where they live, work, and play.
Our Journey
OACC continues to co-power changes and grow to better respond to the communities we serve. Read more below about our journey as an organization and our future.
Our Team
Behind our actions is our team of co-creators
Afsaneh Tafazzoli, Director of Strategic Partnership
Afsaneh is a registered architect and strategic partnership director at Open Architecture Collaborative Canada. She has been formally trained as an architect, urban designer and sustainable environmental designer in Canada, UK & Iran.
Marveh Farhoodi, Director of Programs
Marveh is a co-creation consultant in projects that aim sustainable development of local communities. Started her career as an architectural designer back home, she grew to be a project manager and co-founded her design studio.
Talayeh Shomali, Executive Director
Talayeh is a public legal education expert and community engagement leader with 20 years’ experience in project management, program development, and equity focused community engagement in not-for-profits. She is skilled at translating complex legal and social policy for stakeholders and strengthening strategic organizational capability.
Shagufta Sadique, Communications & People Specialist
Shagufta is an experienced learning development and communications professional skilled in implementing organizational people-centered programs, inclusive communications, and human rights‑based community engagement. She focuses on building culturally safe work environments, strengthening partnerships, and designing learner‑centered solutions that advance equity and organizational capacity.
Your Action
We are building a community of change agents and we want to know how we can have you among us!
I want to Join the community
Become part of the OACC collective and connect with others who share a passion for equity in the built environment. As a member, you’ll participate in collaborative projects, learning-by-doing experiences, and community gatherings with fellow changemakers.
I want to do a Project with OACC
Let’s explore possibilities together. We collaborate with organizations and community partners who are interested in activating underused spaces or navigating complex spatial challenges around equity, access and inclusion.
I want to hear your Updates
Subscribe to our newsletter, Impact Bite to receive updates from the OACC community, including new ideas, resources, events, and opportunities to engage with projects shaping more inclusive urban spaces.
I want to Fund your community projects
Support the growth of initiatives that advance equity and access in our shared spaces. Your sponsorship or donation helps us incubate new projects, engage more communities, and expand the impact of participatory placemaking efforts.
Collaboration with communities is the key to our success.
Contact
Let’s chat! Fill out the form below to connect with us about our services, projects and volunteer opportunities.
Can’t access the form? Email us directly: toronto@openarchcanada.org.
We’ll message you shortly.
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