from
the spoon
Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. Architects (GPA) is a Toronto based design firm made up of over 40 architects, led by principals Ralph Giannone and Pina Petricone. Expanding the edges of our discipline – we design strategically to foster social relationships, inventively using materials to enrich the senses, and creating places of quality that improve everyday experiences.
We engage at every scale and do not separate urban design from building from interior design strategy. Ideas drive our work regardless of project size or typology, and we believe every project significantly informs the conceptual and rigorous underpinning of the next.
to
the city
Italian Architect, Ernesto Rogers’ declaration “Dal cucchiaio alla città” (From the spoon to the city) coined in 1952 at the Charter of Athens explains what the typical approach of an architect should be: designing a spoon, a chair, and a lamp and in the same day working on a skyscraper. Whether designing furnishings or interiors, buildings, or new urban communities, we shape the city at every scale. Quality design is essential for the wellbeing and inclusion of every citizen. Durability is at the core of our mandate for the greatest positive impact, with the smallest carbon footprint.
GPA’s projects have been published all over the world and have been the recipients of prestigious design awards from programs including IIDA, Ontario Association of Architects, American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, Ontario Wood Council, Best of Canada, ID Best of Year, and Hospitality Design.
Space
We are strategic artisans.
Space
We are strategic artisans.
Since our founding in 1995, our projects have been published locally and internationally, and have received prestigious design awards from The American Institute of Architects, the Ontario Association of Architects,Urban Land Institute's Global Excellence, Canadian Interior’s Best of Canada, Interior Design’s Best of Year, IIDA and Hospitality Design Awards. Our relationships span decades, shaping places, brands and innovative concepts for understanding that architecture is everywhere.
Culture
Our culture focuses on the details
at every scale.
Culture
Our culture focuses on the details
at every scale.
Our culture focuses on the details at every scale.
Potential lives at the intersection of contradiction. We are fun and rigorous, professional and informal, big and small.
The culture at GPA is driven by our love of the work. We are known for our attention to detail, dedication to craft, and thoughtful approach, but we care as much about the big ideas. We have equal conviction that the best ideas come from a culture that promotes equity, inclusivity, and diversity.
History
Founded in 1995 by Ralph
Giannone and Pina Petricone
Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. Architects was founded in 1995 by partners Ralph and Pina, who both have roots in the Italian-Canadian community of Toronto. Partners in life and work, they share a natural talent for design. Both graduated from the University of Toronto with architecture degrees. Pina went on to do her masters at Princeton University, while Ralph worked at several of Toronto’s top firms.
Since starting their practice they have become thought leaders in the industry with an award-winning portfolio. Ralph’s unparalleled range of expertise from detailed environments to large scale urban design informs all of GPA with a passionate ‘spoon to the city’ philosophy. Pina holds a professorship with the Daniels School of Architecture at the University of Toronto where she has conducted several award-winning research projects alongside the design practice at GPA.
“We tailor the design to the client. This tailoring involves an extensive process of research and discovery of a project's requirements, an intimate involvement in program development and infusing this information into detailing on both the macro and micro scales.” – Pina Petricone
Approach
No two projects are the same
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to architecture. Instead, each project is carefully tailored to the context of the site, project parameters, and ambitions which shapes a unique experience that transcends typology and allows us to remain agile in our execution for every scale of design. Much like custom tailors, we believe ‘city is in the details’ where material expression ranges from planting to glazing to streets, to portals, to vaults, to light fixtures, to public art.