The Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA) is a Toronto-based architecture and urban design studio dedicated to inclusive city building and the creation of beautiful spaces. Founded on the belief that architecture both shapes and is shaped by the contemporary condition, the studio is deeply engaged in research and the broader discourse of architecture's impact on culture, the environment and the shaping of cities. The studio was the recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts’ 2023 Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture, a travelling grant allowing the studio to explore sites of Black joy and community globally. SOCA was also a contributor representing Canada at the 2023 Venice Biennale of Architecture and had been awarded the 2023 Emerging Architectural Practice Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. SOCA had previously been listed in Wallpaper* Magazine’s 2021 directory of emerging architectural talent and selected as one of twenty emerging practices in Canada by Twenty + Change and Canadian Architect.

SOCA collaborates with clients in the institutional, non-profit, residential, arts, commercial and municipal sectors, working on projects that include new construction, adaptive reuse, renovations, additions and interior design. Our work also extends from exhibition design and public art to building feasibility studies.

Regardless of the scale, SOCA is passionate about the positive impacts of quality design. The studio pays close attention to detail and rigorously strives for craftsmanship throughout all phases of design and construction. Understanding that architecture requires intimate collaboration, we always begin by asking questions, exchanging ideas, and involving clients and all project team members to achieve design excellence.

The studio is led by Shane Laptiste and Tura Cousins Wilson, who have experience in residential, institutional, and civic architecture. Both Shane and Tura are founding members of BAIDA, supporting the future of Black architecture and design.

A Black-owned architecture practice, the Studio of Contemporary Architecture is a CAMSC Certified Supplier. We acknowledge that our work is located on the traditional territories of many Indigenous nations. Our office is located in the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in the Dish With One Spoon Territory.

Fabrice Doutriaux

With nearly ten years of experience navigating the space between technical precision and conceptual ambition, Fabrice approaches architecture as a civic and cultural act—one that requires empathy, dialogue, and a deep awareness of the histories and identities embedded in the built environment.

Originally trained in Québec and having studied and worked across Canada, Europe, and Australia, he draws from a wide range of perspectives. His interests lie at the intersection of heritage, collective memory, and community-led design. He is particularly invested in projects that give space to underrepresented voices and foster a sense of belonging.

In 2023, he completed a master’s in architecture at KU Leuven, where his thesis explored inclusive strategies for urban (re)development in Montréal. He joined SOCA in 2024, drawn to the studio’s commitment to equity, cultural storytelling, and architecture as a political and collaborative process. For Fabrice, design is not just about form— it’s about building relationships, shifting narratives, and imagining architectures of solidarity and shared futures.

Danny Wei

Danny Wei’s design approach is shaped by his upbringing as an immigrant in Canada, from living in high-rise apartment buildings in Scarborough to suburban neighborhoods in the Greater Toronto Area. Amid the frequent moves, it was the communal spaces - apartment courtyards, local parks, and community centres, that offered a sense of continuity and belonging. These places were vital to his experience growing up and continue to inform his interest in designing environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and enriching to everyday life.

Danny holds a Master of Architecture from McGill University and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Waterloo. He has worked with several New York-based firms including SO-IL, WXY Studio, and Yabu Pushelberg, contributing to a range of residential, hospitality, and urban projects. He is currently an Intern Architect with the OAA and working towards his licensure.