Irina Nazarova, architect

 

I am an architect with 16 years of experience in both heritage buildings and new developments within a historical context.  My work spans cultural, commercial and public infrastructure projects.  Most recently I contributed to the re-design of the Lincoln Centre Philharmonic Hall by representing Heatherwick Studio in New York. 

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From 2008 to 2016, I worked at Foster + Partners, London, contributing as a designer to projects such as the Masdar Institute of Sciences and Technology and leading mandates within the larger masterplan of the Global Financial Centre in Shanghai.  I played a key role as a co-ordinator within a large multi-disciplinary team for the design of the metro system for the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and was made Associate in 2014.

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I acquired my professional experience in Quebec, Canada working on two major cultural projects - the Theatre of Vieux Terrebonne within the consortium of Atelier t.a.g / JLP architects and the performance venue of Dolbeau-Mistassini within the consortium of Paul Laurendeau / JLP architects.   I also sought to understand traditional methods of construction and worked with the office of l’Étude de Louis Brillant on projects of historic restoration such as the stained glass ceiling of the dome of the convent of the Sisters of Sainte-Anne, the restoration of the roof of the church of Saintes-Anges-Gardiens,  and the restoration of the wall of Maison de Mère d’Youville.  Together with Louis Brillant I was the designer of the stained glass windows of the Mount Royal Cemetery Chapel.  Through their pale palette of colours the windows let the external landscape be visible from within and create a superimposition with the image on the glass, blending contemporaneity and tradition.

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I opened i•on architecture studio in 2017. 

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Since that time I have worked with the organisation of Native Montreal on developing a vision of integration of indigenous and colonial architectural traditions, and with private clients on assessing the development potential of a site in the city of Longueuil.  I have submitted proposals for a public space to be dedicated to Montreal's women, the establishment of an observatory within the dome of Saint-Joseph Oratory and the restoration of the Westmount Historic Greenhouses.  I have also developed a series of bespoke objects designed to be 3D printed in unique copy for specific sites.

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