Section Architects specializes in the design of highly technical spaces for life sciences, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. We deliver innovative design solutions that integrate challenging building demands with complex user needs, advanced engineering and equipment requirements, and regulatory requirements. From life sciences and laboratory environments that support the flow of discovery, to process-driven controlled spaces for industry, to clinical and patient care spaces for healthcare: Section Architects’ work helps clients turn complex requirements into clear, buildable solutions that support research, care, and production.

With more than a decade of experience designing complex projects for public sector and industry clients throughout Ontario and across Canada, Section's experienced design leaders and dynamic team of professionals are recognized for our collaborative, intentional approach to project delivery. Through a structured, proven approach to design, technical coordination, and project management, we skillfully capture the unique needs of each project, and develop responsive, forward-looking design solutions rooted in our extensive expertise and understanding of industry best practices. From programming to project visioning to facility commissioning and beyond, we have supported the success of some of Canada's life sciences, healthcare, and industry leaders, including University Health Network, University of Toronto, Baycrest, Eurofins, ROM, Sinai Health, and LifeLabs.

Section Architects’ focus on projects with complex and detailed programme and process needs means we are often engaged to solve facility challenges that can seem too complicated to achieve. We thrive on these challenges. We work with our clients to gain an in-depth understanding of project goals, constraints, technical requirements, and operational needs. We align these needs with our understanding of the facility type, best practices, specialized regulatory standards, and technical design and engineering requirements. Through clarity of concept, we create design solutions, phasing approaches, and implementation planning driven by your unique process, with the aim of resolving even the most complex challenges

Through Section Architects’ robust, structured, and tested project processes and systems, we capture technical and functional user requirements, test them continuously throughout the project against our design resolutions, and develop precise design and construction documentation to guide implementation. Our process supports collaborative coordination with project partners to deliver an elegant integration of complex architectural and engineering requirements, along with responsive oversight during construction to help ensure the delivered project is consistent with the project envisioned.

Our design solutions are developed through the lens of sustainability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness. We take a forward-looking approach to resolving facility challenges by layering in an understanding of how the facility may grow and change. We blend our understanding of our clients’ goals with knowledge of current and future trends to consider circulation flows and equipment placements that can support expansion, furniture and finishes that support adaptability, and systems strategies that integrate long-term sustainability. We create spaces that build toward the future.

Section Architects was founded in 2019 by Principals Mike Nally and Dave Saunders to provide full-service architectural design for complex buildings. Mike and Dave built the practice on more than a decade of prior collaboration across life sciences, healthcare, and complex technical projects, with experience in academic and post-secondary environments that align with this work. Since its founding, Section Architects has grown into a diverse team of talented design professionals and project leaders, delivering renovations, fit-outs, and new-build projects in complex facilities across Canada.

Mike and Dave bring complementary experience delivering challenging projects through all phases, from early planning through complex approvals, implementation, and commissioning. Their background includes work within large, multi-stakeholder delivery models, including P3 projects, joint ventures, and integrated consultant teams, where clear coordination, disciplined documentation, and accountable leadership are essential. Grounded in deep knowledge of the technical and regulatory requirements of healthcare, laboratory, and advanced manufacturing environments, they lead projects with a focus on fully resolved design, effective technical coordination, and practical execution.

Today, Section Architects continues to grow, supporting clients across Toronto, the GTA, and Eastern Canada with a focus on life sciences, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. We deliver complex renovations, fit-outs, and new-build projects for public sector hospitals and universities, as well as private sector start-ups and established organizations, with project size and technical complexity increasing as client needs evolve.

Much of our work occurs in occupied, operational facilities. We are on multiple vendor-of-record lists for major institutional clients across the GTA, which supports repeat work within active clinical, research, and manufacturing environments where continuity of operations is critical. This experience has strengthened our ability to plan phased construction, coordinate complex building systems and equipment, and work closely with stakeholders to minimize disruption.

Building long-term relationships with clients and engineering partners, we bring deep subject-matter expertise in controlled environments, laboratories, clinical spaces, and specialized manufacturing to support clear, coordinated design outcomes and reliable implementation. Looking ahead, we remain focused on delivering high-performing facilities that are resilient, adaptable, and ready for what comes next.