Bio:

The Great designer, Teri is a fervent advocate for exceptional architectural design within each community she serves. For over 24 years, she has thoughtfully and efficiently guided award-winning projects from pre-design through construction. In addition to being a founding Principal and Project Manager at EVOKE, she is currently serving as AIA/ALA Library Building Award Juror, 2021 – AIA Atlanta Residential Design Awards Juror, and as a AIA Triangle Board Member.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I was influenced by architecture at a very young age. In elementary school I was able to understand how a well-designed space could impact students’ discovery and learning. This learning environment sparked my curiosity about architecture.

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What do you do?

I am the Co-Founder and Managing Principal of EVOKE Studio Architecture. In addition to my role as owner of the firm, I am also a project manager for most of the projects in our office.

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What excites you in the work you do?

I love working with our clients to develop projects that celebrate their history and culture. Our name EVOKE means to us to draw out what is hidden, latent, or reserved. Which means we research and listen to develop designs that reflect our clients.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

I am inspired by my client’s stories. I am inspired by the talent that surrounds me in my partners and our entire EVOKE team. I am inspired by the many women that are coming up behind me because they are doing great things.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

My proudest achievement is being able to start my own architecture firm with my two talented partners, Edwin and Billy. I am proud of this because younger architects, especially BIPOC and women can be inspired to do the same.

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Featured Project Name: 

Emancipation Park

 

Featured Project Location: 

Houston, Texas

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2017

 

Role in Featured Project: 

Project Manager

 

Featured Project Description:

Emancipation Park is a 10-acre park purchased by four former enslaved people in 1872 in Houston’s historic Third Ward neighborhood. Until the 1950s it was the only public park and swimming pool in Houston open to African Americans. The new Emancipation Park is an inter-woven tapestry of buildings and landscape that celebrate the park’s rich history while embracing the present and future of its community. Teri Canada served as Project Manager with Previous Firm Perkins+Will.

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Photography Credit:

Mark Herboth

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Featured Project Name: 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center

 

Featured Project Location: 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2017

 

Role in Featured Project: 

Project Manager

 

Featured Project Description:

The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center stands as a beacon of hope and community near Dr. King’s birthplace. A 2-story tall circulation spine, filled with natural light from the clerestory above, connects the entries and creates a public pathway. The building lifts optimistically skyward at the main entry to announce its civic presence to the nearby MARTA station. Teri Canada, Project Manager for Design Architect – Previous Firm Perkins + Will and KAI – Architect of Record.

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Photography Credit:

Edwin Harris

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Featured Project Name: 

South Carolina State University Engineering/Computer Science Complex

 

Featured Project Location: 

Orangeburg, South Carolina

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2010

 

Role in Featured Project: 

Project Manager

 

Featured Project Description:

The new Engineering and Computer Science Complex includes classroom and laboratory spaces for
the colleges of science, mathematics, and engineering technology. Environmentally sustainable design strategies have been implemented for this design, which earned USGBC LEED® Gold Certification. The project consolidated teaching, research, and office spaces that were scattered in many older buildings on campus. Teri Canada served as Project Manager with Previous Firm Perkins+Will.

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Photography Credit:

Edwin Harris

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Featured Project Name: 

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

 

Featured Project Location: 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

2014

 

Role in Featured Project: 

Project Manager

 

Featured Project Description:

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, located in the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement in downtown Atlanta, is a museum dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. and the broader human rights movements worldwide. This embracing building has become a symbol of empowerment and a landmark in the South. This building earned the USGBC LEED® Gold Certification. Teri Canada, Project Manager for Design Architect – Previous Firm Perkins + Will and HOK – Architect of Record.

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Photography Credit:

Mark Herboth