Veronica Madonna

Veronica is an esteemed Canadian Architect with nearly two decades of experience, having worked alongside leading architectural firms. She is licensed by both the Ontario Association of Architects and the Manitoba Association of Architects, showcasing her professional expertise. In 2020, Veronica was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, an esteemed honour acknowledging her exceptional contributions to the architectural profession.

Veronica Madonna is an award-winning Canadian architect and researcher whose work bridges architectural practice with impactful, industry-focused research. With over two decades of experience, she is licensed by the Ontario Association of Architects and the Manitoba Association of Architects and was named a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2020—recognizing her outstanding contributions to the profession and to sustainability in the built environment.

Veronica’s career is defined by her commitment to integrating research into architectural practice. She has led and contributed to several national research initiatives, including the Canadian Guide to Mid-Rise Wood Construction, advancing industry-wide knowledge of wood technologies and low-carbon building systems. Her current research includes work on Advanced Forest-Based Biomaterials in the Building Industry and feasibility studies exploring the Holistic Benefits of Mass Timber Workforce Communities and Mass Timber Schools, positioning her as a leading voice in the development of innovative and sustainable construction models for rural and regional Canada.

Prior to founding Studio VMA Inc., Veronica was a Principal at Moriyama & Teshima Architects, where she led the design of award-winning, sustainability-focused buildings for major institutions across the country. Her leadership on landmark projects such as Limberlost Place—a ten-storey mass timber and net-zero carbon academic building for George Brown College—and the Honey Bee Research Centre for the University of Guelph, have earned international recognition, including the World Architectural News Design Award and the Architectural Review Future Project Award for Sustainability.

At the core of Veronica’s work is a belief that research-driven design can transform communities. She approaches each project as an opportunity to engage deeply with context—social, cultural, environmental—and to advance regenerative, inclusive, and resilient built environments. Her practice reflects a commitment to craft, collaboration, and systems thinking, ensuring that architectural solutions are both visionary and grounded in real-world application.