Tom Staniszkis

Tom Staniszkis is a Polish-Canadian architect whose five-decade career has significantly impacted residential, institutional, and urban projects throughout British Columbia. He began his architectural studies at the Warsaw Polytechnic before immigrating to Canada in 1966, where he completed his education at the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture in 1971. After a broad internship (1971–1979) with prominent firms including Henriquez and Todd Architects and Diamond/Myers, he opened his own practice in 1979, specializing in residential design. In 1984, he merged with Derek Neale to form Neale Staniszkis Architects, which later evolved into Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams Architects (NSDA), today recognized as a leading Vancouver architectural practice. Under Tom’s leadership, NSDA developed a diverse portfolio, including health care facilities and major urban design projects. Notable works include Cornerstone and The Hub at UniverCity (Simon Fraser University), Miramar Village in White Rock, the Metroplace, Silver, and Maywood towers in Burnaby’s Metrotown district, and The Jervis (a mixed-use condominium/social housing development) in Vancouver. Although he is no longer a partner, Tom remains engaged with NSDA in design and advisory capacities. Parallel to his practice, he has maintained strong academic commitments as a lecturer and thesis advisor at UBC’s School of Architecture. His career is defined by a commitment to urban livability and creating places that offer enduring design quality.