Dave, founder of Sprout Studios, is very fortunate to have combined two of his life’s passions into a viable business: architecture and the environment. As an avid outdoorsman, Dave is forever on the water or in the woods camping, fishing, snowshoeing – or anything else that allows him to enjoy nature. This love of the outdoors has proven to be an advantage in site planning for rural waterfront properties. Academically, Dave excelled in the architecture program at Ryerson University which led him to designer positions at several Toronto-based architectural firms. Dave made the move to Muskoka for better fishing (seriously) and to work as a designer and project manager for one of the region’s most prestigious lakefront home builders. Dave has a huge respect for the skilled trades that go into building a home and as a result of years of learning from these experts in the field, he now has the rare architectural skill of being able to deal with the most technical building aspects of a design in a way that makes their execution on site efficient and understandable to the trades doing the job.
Nick is the newest member of the Sprout Studios team, joining in late 2010. He brings with him valuable experience in both the construction trades and in the architectural world. Nick lives with his wife and adorable daughter, in a home he designed and built. Nick drew from his work experience to build his family home, and now draws from his own home-building experience every day. A graduate of Ryerson University’s architecture program with years of experience in architectural firms, Nick strives to bring a unique and creative design element to each project with consideration for the subtle nuances of both site and program and as well, the economic, historic and environmental issues. With Nick’s extensive experience and unquestionable design talents, he is an exciting and innovative complement to the Sprout Studios team.
Brooke joined Sprout Studios in 2009 as an Architectural Technologist. Fortunate enough to have been born and raised in Muskoka, Brooke has local experience, which has proven to be invaluable time and time again as she seems to know everyone in Muskoka! She is a meticulously detailed drafter and passionate designer. One of the assets Brooke brings to the team is her great functional relations skill and her uncanny ability to situate internal spaces in relation to one another in a way that seems instinctive while maintaining a harmonious relationship with exterior spaces. The result of this natural, functional dynamic provides a cohesive design of the outdoor and indoor spaces. Brooke received an Ontario College Advanced Diploma from the Sheridan College-Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning with high honours.
Hailey (the canine) ironically heads our human resources department. She is by far the most energetic member of our team and goes out of her way to greet clients and contractors warmly when they visit the office. On site, Hailey has proven to have an amazing ability to locate wildlife (particularly squirrel and chipmunk, though occasionally skunk). She thoroughly inspects shorelines and has no issue getting wet if the need arises for retrieving timber samples from the lake. She is agile and has the ability to navigate through the thickest brush to help locate property boundaries. Hailey is an all-around asset to the office.