Meet Chantal Aquin | Architect

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantal Aquin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chantal, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
There’s a picture of my mother, pregnant with me, standing in front of Habitat 67 in Montreal. It makes me believe that architecture starts influencing us early. Audacious, experimental, and pushing Montreal to another level, Habitat 67 may have always been there as a quiet example of architecture for me.
When we moved to Central America at a young age and my family began house-hunting, I started begging my parents to pick the weird ones—the homes that twisted, turned, or looked like they had a story to tell. One had no square edges; another followed the topography, moving up and down; one connected rooms without hallways. The one I liked the most was the one I got lost in.
Maybe I didn’t have the words for it then, but I was already drawn to spaces that told a story—places where design didn’t follow a formula, but followed feeling, memory, culture, or imagination.
Looking back, I understand why I chose to pursue my master’s degree at SCI-Arc. When I read about the program, it stood out as experimental—a place where students are encouraged to develop their own agenda.
Years later, I worked for Safdie Architects, learning the discipline behind the same boldness that continues to inspire me to this day. What began as a quiet influence in a photograph became a lived experience—a reminder that architecture can shape us long before we know how to shape it in return.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Although my business is still young—just 14 months in—nearly all of the projects I’ve secured have come through referrals, a testament to the trust I’ve built over more than two decades of experience, particularly in multifamily housing and residential high-rises. That kind of trust, earned over time, reflects what I believe is the foundation of lasting success: reputation, integrity, and a deep commitment to design excellence.

Throughout my career, I’ve led design efforts on a broad range of project types—commercial, mixed-use, healthcare, educational, urban, and interiors—with a particular passion for housing. One of my proudest moments was serving as the director of design for the largest mixed-use development in Downtown Los Angeles to date. Now, with my own practice, I’m carrying those experiences forward in new and exciting ways.

Transitioning from established firms to launching my own studio meant stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and proving myself in new capacities—not just as a designer, but as a leader, mentor, and entrepreneur.

What excites me most is the opportunity to design spaces that people call home. To me, every project is more than a structure; it’s about creating environments that enrich daily life. My business is built on passion, experience, and an unwavering dedication to thoughtful, high-quality design.

This journey is still just beginning—and I can’t wait to see where it leads.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whenever someone comes to visit, I tend to take them to the same places—it’s a little ritual at this point. I always start in Santa Monica, walking along the boardwalk to take in the vastness of the ocean framed by those iconic palm trees. There’s something grounding about beginning a trip by staring out at the Pacific.

Next, we head up to Pacific Palisades to visit the Sturges House by Frank Lloyd Wright—a smaller, more intimate cousin of Fallingwater. Perched quietly on a residential street, it stands out with a boldness rarely seen, a beautiful example of Wright’s genius nestled into the hillside.

Then it’s a slow drive down Sunset Boulevard, eventually cutting over to Wilshire, where I’ll point out a few buildings I’ve worked on—just in passing, nothing flashy. After that, we head downtown to the Bradbury Building. Beyond its iconic ironwork and cinematic glow, it’s also where I once worked, which makes it feel like revisiting an old friend.

For dinner, we stop at Manuela inside Hauser & Wirth Gallery—a perfect blend of art, food, and atmosphere. And if the night is clear, we’ll head up to the Griffith Observatory to watch the city sparkle below, every person and place reduced to a tiny glowing dot. It’s humbling and beautiful every time.

That’s my L.A.—a mix of light, memory, architecture, and wonder.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
They say it takes a village to raise a child — well, I believe it takes a community to raise an architect. I pursued my architecture studies as a single mother of two young children, and it was only possible because of the unwavering support of my family, who stepped in whenever and however they could. Then there were numerous educators who encouraged me throughout both degrees.
To my greatest surprise, everything changed when I started looking ahead as a recent graduate. Many prospective employers dismissed me when they learned I was a single mom — certain I wouldn’t be able to put in all the hours expected from an intern.
But then came Koning Eizenberg Architecture. They didn’t just see my situation; they saw my potential. They recognized the work I had done in school while raising two kids — and they gave me a chance.
Although I wasn’t there for long, that opportunity made a lasting impact. Brian Lane, the principal in charge at the time, became one of the most memorable teachers of my career. That was 26 years ago, and his guidance still resonates with me today.

Website: https://www.cara-architecture.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cara.architecture/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chantal-aquin-registered-architect-cara/

Image Credits
Portrait is by Monica Orozco, the others are by CARA. I have the rights and permissions to use all the photograph provided.