FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, November 14, 2024 – The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is excited to announce the addition of two distinguished professionals, Dr. Michael Karassowitsch and Susan Speigel, to the RAIC Advisors to Professional Practice (RAPP). This update broadens the expertise guiding the RAIC’s ongoing initiatives to support architectural practice across Canada.
Since its inception in 2023, RAPP has engaged the knowledge and experience of subject matter experts, including architects, educators, and collaborating professionals, to develop and maintain resources that promote excellence in architectural practice. By providing insights into the evolution and challenges of architecture, the RAPP informs advocacy efforts and enhances practice advisory services offered by the RAIC.
The RAIC is proud to welcome these new advisors and looks forward to the contributions they will make toward strengthening the profession.
Michael Karassowitsch, Int’l Assoc. RAIC 
Dr. Michael Karassowitsch is an architect with almost 50 years of experience in three continents and is registered in multiple nations. He is dedicated to evolving the practice and profession of architecture through research in practice and in education. A native of Vancouver, Dr. Karassowitsch started building houses as a teenager. After gaining a diploma of technology from BC Institute of Technology, he worked around Vancouver and BC. He has worked and studied in Los Angeles and New York, graduating from the University of Oregon, and then the University of Columbia's GSAPP with a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design in 1990. He collaborated with Ralph Appelbaum Associates to redevelop the Corning Museum of Glass’s Innovation Galleries, originally designed by the renowned Wallace K. Harrison.
Dr. Karassowitsch has also been part of notable projects in Vienna. He led Die Hochhaus Studie, a project aiming to define high-rise planning for the City of Vienna with Coop Himmelblau. He has built models professionally, such as that of Schindler-Neutra's 1927 entry for the League of Nations, now in possession of New York's Museum of Modern Art. He has also worked with Hans Hollein and others, and in Venice and Hamburg.
Dr. Karassowitsch completed his doctorate in Vienna at the Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien on the practice of architecture. As part of his doctoral research, he travelled to Bengaluru, India and engaged in volunteer design work across the country. His doctoral thesis was titled The Goal in Architecture: The mutual claiming of one another of spirituality and architecture. He then taught architecture for 6 years in Delhi and Vellore. He continues to guide dozens of graduates as a doctoral supervisor at OCMS in Oxford UK. He is currently developing his research in practice in Canada and he serves locally on the Select Committee on Environment & Sustainability in Qualicum Beach.
Susan Speigel, FRAIC 
Susan Speigel, OAA Past President and OAA VP Chair of Policy and Government Committee, is an architect who has practiced in Toronto for over 30 years. She founded Susan Speigel Architect Inc. (SSA), a design studio rooted in community building and innovative thinking, to push forward actionable projects. Her current work crosses many practices and disciplines to create what she calls “Social Architecture in the Public Realm.” Speigel has been part of the core faculty at the Institute without Boundaries, George Brown College, for 15 years.
Speigel’s pioneering work includes pilot projects demonstrating her adept hand at executing a social architecture vision with a community of citizens and institutional stakeholders. Her consultative and collaborative approach has ushered in design strategies that generate funding models that fuel the cost of construction, and operating capital for educating and employing the local residential pool to maintain and grow with the design executions. Speigel’s innate ability to design with empathy through this multi-disciplinary approach has allowed for the creation of unique solutions in response to community concerns and global dialogues.
The RAPP is designed to address a wide array of professional needs, including:
- Management of Practice Queries: The RAIC has established a dedicated platform to address practice queries, providing architects with valuable insights and guidance to navigate complex industry challenges effectively.
- Maintenance and Creation of Standard Agreement Documents: Efforts are underway to streamline the process of creating standard agreement documents, ensuring clarity and consistency in contracts between architects and clients, as well as architects and consultants.
- Maintenance of Existing Publications: The RAIC is committed to maintaining the quality and relevance of existing publications such as the Fee Guide and CHoP (Canadian Handbook of Practice), serving as essential resources for industry professionals.
- Contributions to RAIC Publications: RAIC members are actively contributing to various publications including the bulletin, website, and social platforms, sharing expertise and insights to enrich the architectural discourse.
- Representation in Industry Groups: The RAIC continues to represent the architectural community in key industry bodies such as the Construction Industry Council, CCDC, FIRPAC, NRC, and PSPC working groups, advocating for the interests of architects nationwide.
- Support for RAIC Syllabus: The RAIC is dedicated to supporting the RAIC Syllabus, a comprehensive architectural education program designed to nurture the next generation of architects.
- Collaboration with RAIC Groups and Committees: Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, the RAIC actively collaborates and works alongside other RAIC groups and committees to leverage collective expertise and drive industry innovation.
- Collaboration with RAIC Staff: Close collaboration with RAIC staff members ensures alignment and synergy in achieving the institute’s overarching goals and objectives, fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism.
These initiatives underscore the RAIC’s unwavering commitment to advancing the architectural profession, promoting best practices, and fostering a vibrant and inclusive architectural community. By prioritizing professional standards, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the RAIC is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of architecture in Canada.
For more information on the RAIC and its initiatives, please contact: Practicesupport@raic.org.
About the RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization dedicated to representing architects and architecture since 1907. The RAIC is the only national voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada focused on providing Canada’s architectural community with the tools, resources, and education to elevate their practice. The RAIC is committed to showcasing how design enhances quality of life, while advocating for important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s purpose is to create a better world for all by empowering Canada’s architectural community. Through our work, the organization envisions a strong architectural community that is valued and empowered to create change. The RAIC’s national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.