SEPTEMBER 25-28, 2025
Vancouver Convention Centre West
In the Studio with
Omar Gandhi
Architect
Welcome to In The Studio
Welcome to In The Studio, where IDS asks a series of quick-fire questions to a celebrated member of the design community.
We caught up with Omar Gandhi, who founded the award-winning eponymous practice, Omar Gandhi Architects. A past speaker and participant in IDS, Omar has worked on projects across Canada, including Toronto’s Prime Seafood Palace, the Schlotfeldt Residence in British Columbia, and the upcoming Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
How many people work in your studio?
We have about a dozen people total spread across our two studios. There are also some remote team members in western Canada.
What’s your favorite thing about your studio?
My home studio is different from my company’s studios, because it is a home I designed for myself. It is located on the ground floor of a wonderful neighborhood in the North End of Halifax. It is bright, open and also private. The company’s primary studio, located on the Halifax Waterfront, is situated in the Port of Halifax area which is steeped in history and is filled with creatives. The view of the harbour is unmatched in the city. Our Toronto studio is in a historic brick building in Parkdale.
What is the most inspiring object in your studio?
My home studio is filled with books, models, sketches and art. I have a few nice piece including a print by Canadian artists Sara Cwynar, Jordan Bennett, Dan Climan and Jonah Samson that bring me a lot of joy and inspiration.
Favourite piece of furniture in your home studio?
I recently purchased an antique armchair by Arne Norell which is made of rosewood, black leather and straps. It's comfortable and extremely sexy.
Favourite music artist to work to?
Interpol NYC.
Favourite piece of stationery that you can’t live without?
The backside of any receipt that happens to be on my desk.
Adobe or AutoCAD?
Fat dull pencil.
Zaha Hadid or Frank Gehry?
Zaha Hadid.
Strangest thing you have designed?
A bracket for a handrail.
What has been the biggest change in your work since you started designing?
I learned how to trust the process of not knowing, and then gradually figuring it out.
How to you get out of a creative rut?
I walk away.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their career?
I would tell them to take note of all of the things they promise that they will never do. And never sell out on those values.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to play shortstop for the Blue Jays.