The Studio
Studio MMA is an architectural design studio founded in 1999 by Vouli Mamfredis and Rob Miners, two architects in practice since 1984 and 1987 respectively. Their experience as project leaders for institutional, corporate, commercial and residential projects provides a solid foundation for their work.We’ve won numerous awards for our work and had the honour of sending one of the three projects that represented Canada at the 2005 Sustainable Building Conference in Tokyo. We were on one of twelve winning teams selected to build a project for EQuilibrium, a nationwide initiative to build net zero energy healthy homes. We’ve built three stores with Mountain Equipment Coop, a business at the forefront of green construction, and we’ve completed many new homes, additions and green renovations, including the first LEED certified home built for Habitat for Humanity in Canada.We are passionate about design and craftsmanship, and committed to quality and sustainability. We bring our passion and commitment to all our projects, large and small.
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Design Philosophy
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Sustainable Design
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Press & conferences
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Awards & distinctions
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Community Involvment
We believe that architecture should express, support and inspire the people who use it. The creation of well-proportioned spaces, the appropriate choice of materials, the consideration of light, craftsmanship and attention to detail are the tools that lead to a successful project.
We support the principles of sustainable development and encourage choices that favour energy efficiency, durability, effective use of the site and orientation, occupant health and comfort and the responsible use of resources. An integrated approach to sustainable design takes into account all of the project goals and priorities, including budget and schedule.
Our work methodology is founded on teamwork. We find that a collaborative project process is not only more satisfying; it leads to better results. As such, we believe in the active participation of architects, clients, contractors and other professionals at every phase of the project and encourage the exchange of information and ideas from all team members.
Studio MMA maintains that the principles of sustainable development are fundamental to the practice of architecture. Sustainable strategies are tools in the creation of inspired and successful architectural solutions. We are committed to their integration in our practice and in our projects.
Our commitment to green buildings extends to research and education, advocacy and promotion. Studio MMA is a member of the Canadian Green Building Council. Both Vouli Mamfredis and Rob Miners are LEED Accredited Professionals.
Click here for more information on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Key issues:
‣ Site selection and development;
‣ Preservation of natural resources;
‣ Water efficiency;
‣ Energy efficiency and renewable energy;
‣ Indoor environmental quality;
‣ Materials: durable, healthy, salvaged, recycled, renewable;
‣ Waste management;
‣ Innovative techniques and practices
Press
‣ Rénover vert coute-t-il plus cher?
La Presse-Mon Toit, February 12th, 2011
‣ La nouvelle frontière linguistique à Montréal
Radio-Canada – Le téléjournal 18 h – October 18th, 2010
‣ Grandeur et misère de LEED (pages 17-24)
Formes – Vol.5 no.3 – 2009
‣ Liberté d’association – Les panneaux intermédiaires
Esquisses – Vol.20 no.3 – September-October 2009
‣ Construction durable: L’indispensable ralliement
Formes – Vol.4 no.3 – 2008
‣ Table ronde sur les toitures vertes
Esquisses – Vol.4 no.18 – November-December 2008
‣ L’abri énergie / PowerHouse
enRoute – Air Canada – April 2007
‣ La maison verte en quelques briques
La Presse – October 7th, 2006
‣ Efficacité énergétique: les moyens (pages 44-46)
Formes – Vol.2 no.1 – February-March 2006
‣ Capitaine Réno (pages 44-47)
La Maison du 21e siècle – Vol.12 no.4 – Autumn 2005
Conferences
‣ Mountain Equipment Coop à Longueuil : Consommation responsable
Presentation for the Mardis Verts conferences of the Ordre des Architectes du Québec
Montreal, February 21st, 2012
Speakers : Vouli Mamfredis, architect from Studio MMA, atelier d’architecture, and Roland Charneux, engineer from Pageau Morel.
‣ MAQ Café des Architectes : Réinventons la ruelle
Presentation for the Maison de l’Architecture du Québec
Montreal, November 2nd, 2011
‣ Green building design
Presentation for the Beaconsfield Environmental Advisory Committee (BEAC)
Beaconsfield, March 9th, 2011
‣ GreenCafe : La Construction peut-être profiter de l’industrie du recyclage?
Presentation for the Emerging Green Builders (EGB) of the Quebec Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council
Montreal, March 9th, 2011
‣ Concilier construction verte et mission sociale – Maison Habitat pour l’humanité LEED
Presentation for Cataléthique
Montreal, February 10th, 2011
‣ Les Habitations Vertes au Québec
Presentation pour le Quebec Chapter of CaBGC and Écohabitation
Montreal, December 8th, 2010
‣ Net Zero Energy Buildings
Presentation for a RAIC course (Royal Architectural Institute of Canada)
Montreal, November 11th, 2010
‣ EQuilibrium, une maison saine dans un environnement sain
Participation in a panel discussion at Contech 2007
Montreal, November 28th, 2007
‣ The Built Environment and Greenspaces
Participation at Montreal’s 4th Citizen Summit – The Right to the City!
UQAM, Montreal, June 2nd, 2007
‣ Can we afford to build green? Can we afford not to?
Facilitation of a round table at Contech 2006
Montreal, November 22nd, 2006
‣ Rénovations durables
Discussion group of the City of Westmount
Westmount, November 21st, 2005
‣ L’application des 3R c’est pour maintenant
Presentation for Construction Specifications Canada
Montreal, September 21st, 2005
‣ Sustainable architecture – A case for green buildings
Presented at CEGEP John Abbott College
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, March 15th, 2004
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT COOP STORE – LONGUEUIL
2010 – Trophées Contech – Finaliste – Bâtiment Industriel-Commercial-Institutionnel et Développement Durable
ABONDANCE MONTREAL
2007 Gagnant du concours Maison EQuilibrium de la SCHL
2009 Gagnant du prix « The “closest to net-zero energy” production home builder of the year » – du Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition
2010 Gagnant du Léonard 2010 de l’AICQ, catégorie « Bâtiment – Mécanique-électricité »
2010 Trophées Contech Lauréat pour Pratique Novatrice – Habitation et Développement Durable
2010 Trophées Contech Prix de Distinction en Développement Durable – Habitation et Développement durable
L’AUDACIEUX
2006 Trophée Contech Mention pour Pratique Innovatrice – Développement Durable
2006 Trophée Contech Mention pour Pratique Innovatrice – Habitation
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT COOP STORE – MARCHÉ CENTRAL
2005 Défi des bâtiments écologiques / Conférence SB05 à Tokyo / Représentant canadien
2005 OAQ Prix d’excellence en architecture / Mention en développement durable / Finaliste
2005 Grands Prix du Génie / Conseil québécois / Catégorie bâtiment
2005 ASHRAE Prix de technologie / Excellence en génie / bâtiment commercial
2005 Prix d’efficacité énergétique du Canada / Mention honorable
2004 AQME Gala Energia / Prix du Jury / Bâtiments Verts
2004 ICCA Mention honorable / Bâtiments verts
2004 Commerce Design Montréal / Grand Prix du Jury
2004 Prix du Forum efficacité énergétique / Île de Montréal (secteur PME)
2003 Trophée Contech pour Développement Durable
Habitat for humanity
Studio MMA has been involved for several years with the non-profit group Habitat for Humanity, an organization that helps low-income families to become homeowners in exchange for their involvement in the construction of their home and providing a no-interest mortgage. Rob Miners is the former Vice-president and Director of the Construction Committee for the Montreal affiliate, and was also the architect for the three duplexes built between 2006 and 2011, including two in the borough of Mercier/Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and one in the Southwest borough. The entire team of Studio MMA is proud to have participated in the construction of the houses on the building site each of those years. Our most recent project for Habitat for Humanity Montreal received a Gold certification from LEED® Canada for Homes, a first for the organization in Canada. Studio MMA is proud that its involvement in the management of the affiliate and in the design of the new homes contributed to the “greening” of Habitat for Humanity Montreal.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity, click here.
Promotion of Sustainable Development
Studio MMA is committed to sharing its knowledge and experience and since its inception has been involved in the education of the general public and other professionals. In the domain of sustainable development, Studio MMA has been called upon to provide television and radio interviews, to lead round-table discussions, to give conferences in Cegeps, universities and professional milieus, to give presentations to the general public and municipal committees, to give guided tours of its green buildings, and is often cited in the press regarding our projects and sustainable development in general. In our effort to keep abreast of innovations, discoveries and new information in the realm of sustainable development, Studio MMA dedicates a portion of its time to research on green products, processes and innovative projects. We are a member of the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC), Quebec Chapter.
St James the Apostle Church
Studio MMA volunteered a percentage of our time in our collaboration with the church et the various social and environmental organisations involved in a study to integrate a rooftop vegetable and flower garden on the roof of the church and its rectory.
Le Nichoir
Studio MMA volunteered our time in the fundraising efforts for this project, and has committed itself to making a monetary donation to the organisation for the construction of the building.
La Rue des Femmes / Herstreet
Studio MMA volunteered a percentage of our time to help this non-profit organisation that assists homeless women and woman in distress. We have also made a monetary donation to the organisation to help with the delivery of their services, and we have provided visibility to the organisation which has attracted additional donors.
Our team
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Vouli MamfredisVouli Mamfredis, Architect, MOAQ is a LEED® BD+C accredited professional and a founding partner of Studio MMA. She has more than 38 years experience as an architect on a variety of project types and sizes. Vouli has given conferences and been invited as an expert panelist and adviser on sustainable design for more than 13 years, and was co-president of the Committee for technical and sustainable design at the Order of Architects between 2003 and 2008. She is passionate about strategies that contribute to a liveable city. -
Rob MinersRob Miners, Architect, MOAQ is a LEED® BD+C accredited professional and a founding partner of Studio MMA. Rob has more than 35 years experience as an architect on a variety of project types and sizes. Between 2004 and 2009, Rob was the Vice-president of the Board of Directors and the Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity Montréal, an international non-profit organization building affordable homes for families in need in Montreal. Rob has given several conferences on sustainable design and helped Habitat for Humanity Montreal build its first LEED Gold certified house.
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Godefroy MeyerGodefroy Meyer, Partner Architect, MOAQ has more than 20 years of experience as an architect and architectural technician. Driven by a passion for architecture in all its forms, Godefroy has participated, both individually and in teams, in several design and architectural competitions, for which he has been both a finalist and an award winner. He is also involved with teaching in the architecture program of the Vieux-Montréal Cégep.
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Alexie L SéguinAlexie L Séguin, architect MOAQ, has more than 5 years of experience. She received her Master of Architecture degree from the Université de Montréal after studying abroad at École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Versailles. Working at Studio MMA since 2018, her passion is focused on small residential projects and high quality design.
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Jean-Denis MiletteJean-Denis Milette, architect MOAQ, has received his Master of Architecture degree from Université de Montréal after studying abroad at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. After working in various offices both in Switzerland and Montreal during the last 5 years, he joined Studio MMA where his interest focuses on atypical projects.
