SOCIETY OF SOUTH ASIAN ARCHITECTS, CANADA
WHO
we
are
SOSA is a not-for-profit organization that embraces and aims to promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professions of architecture and design. SOSA was formed in 2021 by a small group of architects who identified the need for a community-based professional organization to represent the interests of South Asian architecture and design professionals in Canada.
WHAT
We
DO
SOSA’s focus is to support our communities by creating opportunities for mentorship, education, networking, and outreach.
Advocacy
mentorship
networking
outreach
By addressing the lack of diversity in the architecture and design industry and promoting inclusion, equality of opportunity, and equitable outcomes in public and private organizations and agencies for our communities.
By advising and guiding members (including new immigrants) about training & professional development opportunities.
SOSA is currently working to formalize its Mentorship Program.
By creating opportunities to develop professional relationships, strengthen connections, and share knowledge.
By engaging with Universities, Colleges and Community-Based Organizations (CBO) to encourage interest and careers in architecture and design and to build relationships for enhancing learning, civic engagement, and community networks.
Team
Tushar Negi
Executive Director
Aman Yousuf
Treasurer
Tejasi Gadkari
Director, Outreach
Kanika Kaushal
Director, Public Relations
Tushar Negi
Executive Director
Originally from Dehradun - a State Capital in North India close to the Himalayas, Tushar grew up in different parts of India due to his father's Military background. During this time and afterward, Tushar integrated with people of different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds (http://www.iccrindia.net/culture/). At 16 years of age, Tushar moved to New Delhi, India, to graduate from High School before attending Amity University to study a Bachelor's in Architecture in 2007. Tushar immigrated to Canada in 2015 to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Construction Project Management from Fanshawe College, London, ON.
Tushar has 10+ years of experience in designing, coordinating, and managing mixed-use, high-rise residential, and commercial/retail projects in Canada and India. He specializes in project management with expertise in taking on projects at the design development phase and preparing/administering contract documents. Currently working as a Manager of Design and Product Development, Tushar has several years of experience in residential master planning and suite designing combined with extensive knowledge of sustainable design practices. Tushar is a registered Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), and Council of Architecture, India (COA), certified LEED AP BD+C and WELL AP accredited professional.
Aman Yousuf
Treasurer
Aman is a Manager of Product Design and Development with over nine years of experience in the design & development of commercial projects. He has worked in the Middle East and Canada, with a focus on residential towers, office buildings, hotels, and retail malls.
Aman strongly believes in the innovation of ideas through an iterative design process. With a focus on design excellence, Aman’s goal is to collaborate with a team of expert Designers, Architects, and Developers to envision and construct outstanding built forms and spaces for the community.
Aman is one of the board executives at the Society of South Asian Architects. Additionally, Aman is taking on the role of the Treasurer, overseeing all financial transactions and fund-raising efforts. Aman is responsible for managing incoming and outgoing funds, financial reporting, and budget planning.
Tejasi Gadkari
Director, Outreach
Tejasi is an Architectural Designer at WZMH Architects where she is continuing her path to become a fully licensed Architect in Ontario. Tejasi has contributed to numerous public and mixed-use projects ranging in size and type that include Ontario Provincial Police detachments, courthouses, data centres, libraries and art galleries. Tejasi graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Building Science from Chandigarh College of Architecture, India in 2013. She is a recipient of three University Gold Medals and was featured in Macleans in 2018 for her contribution in one of the projects at WZMH Architects. She migrated to Canada in 2016 and has worked for firms based in Toronto and Kitchener while pursuing courses from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Kanika Kaushal
Director, Public Relations
Kanika is a licensed Architect from New Delhi, India where she co-founded Brickwood419 Design Studio which specializes in Architecture and Interior Design-Build projects. In 2014, Kanika migrated to Canada to pursue her M. Arch at the University of Waterloo where she was exposed to heritage architecture, research, and critical design thinking. During this process, she was intrigued by historic landscapes, the power of story-telling, and the interdisciplinary aspects of architectural education. Passionate about cultural landscapes, teaching, and mentorship, she worked as an Assistant professor in India and as a teaching assistant in Canada to guide and mentor students by focusing on the core areas of the profession and embedding a sense of responsibility towards society and the environment. At present, Kanika works as a Project Manager & Heritage Professional in Ontario, Canada. She has worked on a variety of projects throughout Ontario including heritage restoration, rehabilitation, and retrofits and their sustainable integration with new developments. Her role involves advocating for and managing historic sites that connect our present and future to our past. As an architect of South Asian origin, Kanika mentors newcomers who are design professionals that have immigrated to Canada or are students who are planning to immigrate and are seeking support to understand the architectural profession in Canada. She is a professional member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP), an Intern Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), and a member of the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (MRAIC).
Saachi Padubidri
Director, Media and Marketing
Nitesh Salwan
Manager, Strategic Foresight
Channa Weerasinghe
Administrator, Digital Communications
Saachi Padubidri
Director, Media and Marketing
With over nine years’ experience in Architectural Design, Planning & Detailing Saachi can provide solutions to a wide variety of projects ranging from high-rise residential to mixed use. Working with International design firms & a M.Arch degree from the AA School of Architecture, England, Saachi has demonstrated hands-on understanding of sustainable design practices, keeping site and climate specific environmental considerations while designing. As an Architect with a specialization in Sustainable Environmental Design Saachi’s work experience ranges from design and execution of buildings in different countries as well as research-led, evidence-based articles to support a carbon neutral and comfort driven future. Her paper on ‘User Adaptability and Comfort in Urban Outdoor Spaces’ is part of the PLEA 2017 publication. As part of the core design team, Saachi caters to striking a balance between the clients brief and a demanding city skyline. As a design principle it’s imperative the function of the building is considered primary and is a driving factor to be sustainable whilst still creating a prominent form.
Nitesh Salwan
Manager, Strategic Foresight
Nitesh is an Architectural Designer and Design Strategist, currently pursuing licensure as an Architect in Ontario. Over the last 7 years, he has gained and applied knowledge and skill sets in designing spaces that facilitate a spectrum of human activities in the public and personal spheres. His more recent roles revolve around the design and delivery of transit stations as well as sports and recreation projects. His keen eye for detail as an architect is complemented by an ability to think big-picture as a generalist, which he attributes to his education in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy at the Institute without Boundaries, Toronto. Nitesh strongly believes that the progress of an individual should reflect the progress of the community, and vice versa. With this ideology, he strives to provide guidance, advice and mentorship to international students and early-career professionals starting out with their journeys in the architecture and design industry in Canada.
Channa Weerasinghe
Administrator, Digital Communications
Channa is an internationally trained Architect refined with 12+ years of exposure within the Architectural industry in Sri Lanka. As the founder of his own freelance studio, over the past past 6 years he has gained vital experience on design, client handling and construction in a spectrum of projects ranging from mixed use towers to private dwellings. Apart from Architecture, his career narrative includes branding and communications work executed at a startup Advertising agency, design lecturing at an Architectural university and currently progressing in the Utility Engineering sector in Toronto. With the capacity to integrate the variety of skill and knowledge, Channa aims to contribute to the transitioning Architectural fabric of Toronto. As an aspiring writer, he truly believes in the power of words and people. And the absolute transformation that is a result of working together to achieve the inconceivable.
Upcoming Events
Events Calendar
January - December 2023
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY 10
sosa x beat //mix
JUL
AUG
OCT 26
SOSA X RAIC: LIVE PODCAST
NOV
DEC
Sosa annual
past events
Your support matters
SOSA is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organization that relies on its Sponsors for funding the continuous development of its programs, events, and services.
Our Sponsors are working with us hand-in-hand to break down the barriers that stand in the way of minorities & other underrepresented groups, and the challenges faced by new immigrants in the architecture and design profession in Canada.
Please email us at [email protected] if you would like to become a SOSA sponsor.
DIAMOND - Champion
PLATINUM - Advocate
GOLD - Partisan
SILVER - Patron
Become a MEMBER
SOSA's membership is open to anyone and everyone. Our membership is beneficial to those who are related to the building industry, particularly within the architecture and design professions.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Professional
$45/ Year
Student
$25/ year
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between Professional Membership and Student Membership?
Student Members enjoy the same benefits as Professional Members. To register, you must be enrolled as a student in a University/College program at the time of registration. You will need to verify your student status during the purchase process.
Q. When does my membership get renewed?
SOSA provides annual membership which renews automatically on the anniversary of your registration date. If you would like to avoid an automatic renewal on your membership, please email us at [email protected] at least 30 days prior to your renewal date. For Example, if you register yourself as a member on July 15, 2023, your annual renewal will occur on July 15, 2024. To avoid auto-renewal charges, email us latest by June 15, 2024.
