Women Changing Architecture recognizes Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg

July 21, 2026

Women Changing Architecture highlights the contributions of 32 architects from Ontario and Québec to contemporary practice, including KPMB founding partners Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg.

Recently published by UQAM’s Centre de Design and written by Louise Pelletier with co-authors Lisa Landrum, Jennifer Esposito, and Jonathan Tourangeau, the anthology showcases the diverse approaches, scales, and issues addressed by each architect throughout their careers.

In 1987, Marianne and Shirley founded KPMB with Bruce Kuwabara and Thomas Payne. In the decades since, Marianne has shaped some of North America’s most significant educational and cultural institutions, while Shirley has led major projects emphasizing social impact and public benefit.

“When we established KPMB, we were quite aware that we were designing an alternative to the ‘master architect’ model by creating a partnership based on a platform of diversity. Now, after 40 years of practice, empowering others to lead, to make decisions, and to drive change is still a critical endeavour,” says Marianne. “The practices featured in Women Changing Architecture demonstrate that there’s no single model for architectural leadership, and that the profession is stronger when it embraces women’s voices.”

In 2015, Shirley co-founded Building Equality in Architecture Toronto with Brigitte Shim and Betsy Williamson. The grassroots organization was formed to promote systemic change and centre diverse perspectives within architecture.

“I’m thrilled to see the publication of Women Changing Architecture. As a co-founder of BEAT, it’s deeply rewarding to see the work of so many talented women architects in Ontario and Québec celebrated,” says Shirley.

Before becoming a book, the project began as an exhibition. It was presented at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2024, the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in 2025, and Laval University in 2026.

Women Changing Architecture is available through Swipe Design.

(Image: Kian Tang)