To celebrate and honour RAIC volunteers, we are pleased to introduce you to Carmen Tocchini, MRAIC.
Thank you, Carmen!
Questions:
1. Why did you decide to become an architect?
My decision to become an Architect began in my early teenage years while working with my late father in our garage which we turned into a small workshop. As a hobby, we built furniture and art pieces, and it became our way of spending time together in his final years. He taught me to appreciate the built environment, to value the act of making, creating with our hands, and bringing meaning and joy to others. He was a scholar who loved history and culture, and from that, I learned the importance of leaving the world better than we came into it. That sense of altruism stayed with me. From our projects, I was fascinated by how our surroundings could elevate human experience and influence our way of being and even evolve our future. In many ways, choosing architecture was my way of honouring his legacy and carrying forward the values he instilled in me.
2. How long have you been an RAIC member and what do you see as the value of your membership?
I’ve been an RAIC member since 2019, and its value lies in being part of a national community of like-minded Architects. It’s one of the few platforms in Canada where one can contribute to advocacy on a national scale, whether that’s improving working conditions, strengthening professional standards, or expanding opportunities for learning and growth, the RAIC actively pushes for change and modernization within the profession. Its commitment to elevating architectural practice, supporting continuous education, and addressing systemic challenges aligns closely with my own values and the way I approach leadership and practice.
3. Why do you volunteer for the RAIC?
I volunteer for the RAIC because I want to contribute to the profession’s positive change. Serving on the Continuing Education Advisory Committee aligns with the work I’ve always been committed to: teaching, mentoring, and supporting emerging architects. I spent my early years in the profession navigating discrimination and hardship, and even though it’s changing, that experience shaped both my resilience and my understanding of my own voice within the field. Because of that, sharing what I’ve learned feels like an ethical responsibility. If I have something meaningful to contribute and the ability to give back, not doing so would go against my own principles. Our regulatory body expects architects, through their code of ethics, to act with integrity, honesty, competence, and a commitment to mentorship, and I take those expectations genuinely. I want what I give back to serve as building blocks for others, impacting architects to create meaningful work, drive positive changes, and ultimately go further than I ever could. I hope that it becomes a continual cycle where each generation feels the same responsibility to contribute and lift the profession forward.
4. What do you find most challenging about working as an architect?
The most challenging part of working as an architect is helping others recognize the value of what we do. Projects are often driven by tight schedules and limited budgets, which can diminish the importance of the creative, analytical, and iterative processes that define our work. On top of that, many clients and entities expect extensive expertise and problem solving without fair compensation—and sometimes with none at all. I strive to do good work, provide real value, and act with integrity on every single project I work on, but that respect is not always reciprocated. This imbalance is exactly why I advocate strongly for our profession: architects deserve to be valued for the depth of knowledge, responsibility, and care we bring to stakeholders on every project.
5. Why is this area of advocacy important to you?
The areas of advocacy that matter most to me are policy advisory and education. architects work within policies shaped by multiple and sometimes competing, agendas that don’t always prioritize long term public well-being. Advocacy allows us to question these frameworks, surface blind spots, and bring forward perspectives that may not be inherently visible, helping ensure the built environment serves people equitably and responsibly. In parallel, the profession has become increasingly siloed; where architects were once master builders with broad, integrated understanding, currently the field appears fragmented into specialized niches, limiting the holistic thinking that has long defined the architectural practice.
This is why continuing education is vital. Without professional development, you risk being confined to narrow roles that overlook the interconnected nature of our work. Continuous, holistic learning preserves the breadth of understanding needed to lead with insight, empathy, and responsibility. In this way, advocacy and education reinforce each other where both elevate awareness, strengthen the profession, and ensure architects remain equipped to contribute meaningfully to society, which reflects how I approach my own practice and leadership.
6. What do you think will most change/shape practice over the next five years?
I believe building technology and automation are poised to reshape architectural practice over the next five years by fundamentally changing how we design, coordinate, and deliver projects. While AI often dominates the conversation, I see it as one part of a broader technological shift; an advanced tool that strengthens, rather than replaces, architectural judgment when used thoughtfully. The real change comes from embedding these tools directly into workflows to reduce repetitive tasks, improve quality, precision, and minimize errors and omissions. Automation in modeling, documentation, and building analysis will accelerate design iteration, enable earlier performance testing, and produce more accurate, coordinated outputs. At the same time, assisted technologies: from generative design engines, real time simulation tools, and advanced construction technology, will support more economical, viable, and environmentally responsible solutions that enhance occupant comfort and experience. Together, these advancements free architects to focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and design leadership while raising the overall standard of practice.
7. What role do you see the RAIC and architects playing in terms of climate action, truth and reconciliation, equity and justice, procurement reform, among other issues that matter?
The RAIC brings architects together from across Canada and provides a national platform to address complex issues with a wide range of voices, expertise, and regional perspectives, leading to stronger, more informed responses that reflect the realities of communities across the country. This collective approach is especially important as we advance climate responsive design, advocate for policies that reduce environmental impact, and recognize that architects have a direct role in shaping Canada’s climate trajectory through design decisions, building science, material choices, and long-term planning. Through its education offerings, the RAIC also promotes the integration of meaningful community collaboration, greater equity and justice within the profession, and procurement reform that prioritizes quality, innovation, and fair working conditions. Its national reach makes it possible to share knowledge, identify gaps, and build momentum for systemic change, work that is far more effective when done together than in isolation.
8. What advice would you have for those looking to get more involved in advocacy causes related to architecture?
People looking to get involved in advocacy should start by learning about the issues shaping our profession and then connect with others who are already engaged. Getting additional certifications, joining committees, attending RAIC events, and contributing to local or national initiatives are practical ways to build momentum. Advocacy is most effective when it’s collaborative, informed, and grounded in a genuine commitment to improving the profession and the communities we serve.
9. How do you incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion in your work environment, the built environment and your volunteer work?
I incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating a fair and transparent work environment where people are supported based on their strengths and given equal access to opportunities, mentorship, and learning. As someone who is Rick Hansen Foundation accessibility certified, I bring a universally focused lens to every project, prioritizing universal design so spaces that work for people with different abilities, age, backgrounds, and needs. In my volunteer and professional work, I carry these same principles forward by listening first, amplifying underrepresented voices, and advocating for policies and pathways that help the profession better reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
10. What do you like to do outside of architecture?
Outside of architecture, I’ve been nurturing a long-standing passion for automotive mechanics, especially in the motorcycle engineering field. I’m currently enrolled in the School of Transportation at Centennial College to deepen my technical skills. I spend my time restoring and modifying vintage motorcycles, with a particular interest in rebuilding and tuning engines, turning them into Café Racers. It’s a hands-on creative outlet that lets me disconnect from the pace of architectural work while still building, refining, and problem solving in a way that feels deeply satisfying.