Gelanaz Hemati is a Toronto interior designer and founder of Gelanaz and Associates. Raised in Tehran, Iran, as the youngest of three siblings, her interest in construction was sparked by her businessman father, who built the family home and cottage. Though initially discouraged by a teacher, Gelanaz mastered painting step by step, eventually exhibiting her art and studying under the renowned Iranian master Katouzian, where she developed exceptional hand sketching skills. Driven by a love for math and art, Gelanaz earned her architecture degree with honors. At age 27, she began lecturing weekly at her alma mater on hand sketching and abstract design. Her early career included roles at a large urban design firm, head of design at a boutique studio, and 12 years as a partner with two university peers. Together, they designed numerous commercial and residential projects, including the permit expansion and interior design of an 800,000 square foot shopping mall featuring cinemas and multilevel underground parking. Inspired by a trip to London, Gelanaz moved to Canada at age 36. After obtaining permanent residency in Montreal, she relocated to Toronto and studied building envelopes at George Brown College to learn wood frame construction. She rebuilt her practice through local residential projects. During the pandemic, an Instagram post about an award ceremony introduced her to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, or NKBA. She joined, won an award within a two week deadline, served as a judge, and is now in her third year on the board. Today, her firm handles single family residential designs ranging from condos to an 11,000 square foot home. Highly active on site, Gelanaz communicates visually by sketching details directly onto drywall or plywood for tradespeople. Her personal interests include painting, morning reading, fitness, and exploring Ontario via road trips. Gelanaz & Associates Next Release: Acre Architects Sponsors: Caplan's Appliances The Doors Aquanta Pools To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@issuedforconstruction.ca Issued For Construction