Meet the Team

Our group has a long history of leadership, design, and execution of laneway houses in Toronto. As architects, developers, planners, and community leaders, our experience in developing a generative framework for laneway suites make us the ideal team for realizing this exciting new housing typology.

• Alex Sharpe

  Co-Founder, Entrepreneur, Developer

  As an undergraduate student, Alex studied business with a major in real estate and housing. His education and career experience developing residential and commercial real estate has enhanced his knowledge of urban economics and the impact of regulation on land uses, both of which play a critical role in the development of cities.

  In addition to his role at Lanescape, Alex is a real estate developer and founder of a luxury shared office co-working company.

• Andrew Sorbara

  Co-Founder, Developer

  Andrew began his career working as a planner in the private sector, and for the Committee of Adjustment at the City of Toronto. His initiatives have sought to advance design quality, product innovation and in doing so, creatively test the real estate market in Toronto.

  Andrew is a private residential developer in Toronto, and Chair of the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation (TPFP), an independent partner organization of the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry, and Recreation division. The TPFP is developing and implementing program initiatives with assistance and funding from Toronto City Council.

• Craig Race

  Co-Founder, Architect

  Craig’s design process focuses on environmental and contextual sensitivity. His skill in crafting buildings that fit sensitively into their surroundings has engendered a passion for laneway development. His career has been enriched by practice in both Italy and Portland. It was during his time on the West coast that laneway housing was conceived as a legitimate housing concept, allowing Craig to become intimately familiar with the advantages and challenges of this emerging housing typology.

  In addition to his role at Lanescape, Craig operates an architecture and development practice focused on environmentally-conscious, contextually sensitive residential design.

• Kenan Elsässer

  Architectural Designer

  Born and raised an East-ender, Kenan’s fondness for architecture and urban design began with exploring Toronto’s neighbourhoods. Kenan earned his Bachelor of Architectural Science at Ryerson University, where he honed his passion for small-scale housing in a local context. His diverse professional experience ranges from the construction and renovation of detached residences to the design of townhouses and mid-rise developments. Kenan employs a refreshing approach to creative problem-solving while seeking to blur the traditional boundaries of urban planning, architecture and digital media.

  Kenan is responsible for managing Lanescape’s project planning, preliminary design phases in addition to community outreach efforts and video media production. Kenan’s unique skill-set is a key asset to our practice as we continue to push the envelope.

• Nicole Legatov

  Interior Specialist

  Nicole is a future graduate of George Brown College’s Interior Design Technology Program.  Nicole’s design sensibility is centered on human interaction and tailoring living environments to their occupants. Her work negotiates a fine line between personalizing space and facilitating flexible use, which is crucial to planning the small footprints of laneway suites. Nicole melds her expertise in barrier-free design, acoustics, and materiality to create unique, functional, and ecologically responsible spaces.

  Nicole’s role at Lanescape is focused on developing our interiors, including preliminary planning, finish selection, and preparation of construction documents.  Her multi-faceted role also extends to management of our social media and community outreach efforts. Nicole’s technical proficiency, alongside her keen eye for visuals makes her an invaluable asset to our team.

• Paolo Jabile

  Architectural Designer

  Paolo’s passions lay in innovative detail-oriented architecture, heritage conservation and urban design, melding perfectly with Lanescape’s body of work and the overarching philosophy of our practice. As an undergraduate student at Ryerson University’s Department of Architectural Science, Paolo explored unique housing typologies in Europe, complimenting his knowledge of urban design with an enthusiasm for innovative construction process and techniques. Since graduating, his professional experience has centered on the design of single family dwellings with a keen interest in navigating the challenges and opportunities of creative urban infill development.

  With his thorough knowledge of construction detailing, processes and materiality, Paolo is a key member of our production team responsible for preparing materials for zoning review, permit applications, and tender/construction documentation.