About
I am a passionate and innovative Architectural Designer driven by a deep curiosity about people, cultures, and the ways we experience the built environment. Growing up between different languages and cultures has shaped both my personal perspective and my approach to design. Through learning Turkish, English, Italian, and most recently Spanish, I have come to appreciate how language influences the way we think, communicate, and connect with one another. This understanding has strengthened my belief that design itself is a universal language—one capable of transcending boundaries and creating meaningful experiences.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have gained experience in both architecture and interior design through internships and professional practice. These opportunities allowed me to challenge my creative and technical abilities while learning from accomplished architects and designers across a diverse range of projects. Each experience has reinforced my commitment to thoughtful, user-centered design and continuous learning.
I believe architecture exists at the intersection of art and science—a discipline that balances creativity, technical rigor, and human experience. This philosophy inspired me to establish STEAM, an interdisciplinary student organization at the University of Toronto that brought together students from diverse academic backgrounds to foster collaboration, innovation, and creative problem-solving. Leading this initiative strengthened my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while deepening my appreciation for the value of diverse perspectives.
For me, architecture is more than creating functional spaces; it is an opportunity to positively influence how people live, work, and connect with their surroundings. I strive to design environments that are not only practical and beautiful but also inspiring, memorable, and conceptually meaningful. Through thoughtful design, I aim to create spaces that enrich everyday life and contribute positively to the communities they serve.
Education:
The New School, Parsons School Of Design, Masters of Architecture, NAAB-Accredited. Impact Entrepreneurship Minor Graduation 2023
University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, Canada, Graduated 2021, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Specialist in Architectural Studies
Liceo Italiano, I.M.I Istanbul, Turkey , Graduated 2016
The New School, Parsons School of Design, Summer Program for Architecture, USA June-July 2015
Experience:
Intern Architect, Jeremy Aranoff Architect, Toronto, Canada, November 2025 - Present
Intern Architect, DS STUDIO, Toronto, Canada, April 2025 - September 2025
Intern Architect, HATCH Architecture, Toronto, Canada, September 2023-April 2025
Intern Architect, Jet Architects, Toronto, Canada, June-September 2022
Intern Architect, Tezol Insaat, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2020 - January 2022
Architectural Designer, VELUX Competition, Toronto, Canada, March-June 2020
Architectural Designer, Turner Fleischer, Canada, February - March 2020
Intern Interior Designer, Zeynep Fadillioglu Design, Turkey, 2019
Intern Architect, DOME + Partners, Turkey, June-July 2018
Assistant, Nancy Azarbad Design, Turkey, June - August 2017
Contact:
E-mail Adress: mina@minaonaystudio.com
Linkedin: Mina Onay