Interior Design Faculty
RHONDA GERAGHTY, B.A., A.F.A. (Interior Architecture, France), IDEC, CHAIR , Interior Design Program
Rhonda is a graduate from the University of Toronto and earned her Associate Fine Arts Degree in Interior Architecture from the P.A.A. Ecole Des Beau-Arts in Paris, France. She is the joint owner of Domini Design Group Inc. an international design firm based in Toronto and has successfully completed a long list of commercial, institutional and residential projects in North America and Europe for clients including the Hilton and Delta Hotels, Revlon Canada, Sears Canada and World Vision for the U.N. Rhonda has been a passionate design educator since 1999, was awarded the title of “Distinguished Educator of the Year” and became Chair of the Interior Design program in February 2010. Courses taught: ID102 Fundamentals of Space Planning, ID103 Environmental Design 1, ID201 Interior Design 1, ID230 Professional Practice and ID311 Marketing Professional Services.
JACOB ALLDERDICE, B.A, B.E.D.S, M.Arch., M.U.D., Licensed Architect, LEED AP.
Jacob’s background includes a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Reed College, Portland Oregon. He trained as an editor at Scholastic Inc. in New York and taught English at Berlitz Academy in Tokyo. He received his Bachelor of Environmental Design and Master of Architecture degrees from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in Halifax. He interned with Steven Holl and with Edward Larrabee Barnes in New York, and has also worked in Halifax, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Toronto. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Design from the University of Toronto. He has taught at IADT in the Interior Design department since 2001, and in 2007 became coordinator of the Sustainable Architectural Technology program. Jacob is also a writer, with work published on the subject of architecture, urban design and the environment. Courses taught: IDS100 Introduction to Interior Design, ID241 Structures, ID201, 202 & 213 Interior Design 1, 2, & 3, ID102 Fundamentals of Space Planning, ID301, 302, & 303, Practicum 1, 2 & 3.
SUSAN ANDERSON, 4 yr. Diploma in Graphic Design, Venezuela. A graduate of the Institute of Design in Caracas, Susan did freelance work in textile design, worked as an assistant art director and as an editorial photographer’s assistant on location in Venezuela. She has worked in the industry as a carpet designer catering to a market niche in ‘one of a kind’ pieces as well as commercial applications. Her work has been published on covers of National trade magazines and has won an award in “Focus I Design” at the One of a Kind Canadian Craft Show. Courses taught: IDV120 Drawing and Colour Theory, IA111 Colour Theory, IA131 Elements of Design
MICHAEL ARGIRO, C.Tech, Member OACETT, AATO, OBOA (BCQ). Michael is a graduate of IADT with a CADD diploma. He has his Advanced Architectural Technology certificate from Ryerson University. He is self-employed as an architectural consultant, and teaches Ontario Building Code courses to code examiners and to members of the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario. Courses taught: ID304 Building Code
JOSEPH ASSAF, B.Sc. Joseph received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering in Syria and worked as an engineer for a general contracting company responsible for large government projects. He also qualified and worked as a certified Autodesk trainer, using CADD and MS Project, as an MCT Microsoft Certified Trainer, MCSE Microsoft Networking Systems, CIW Certified Internet Web Master, and Certified Instructor in Ecommerce, Photoshop and Flash, both in Syria and Saudi Arabia. He is currently working as a technical Trainer and Networking consultant. Courses taught: ID250 CADD 1, ID310 CADD 2, ID316 CADD 3, ID318 CADD 4
NAZILA ATARODI, M.Arch., M.U.D. Nazila received her Master of Urban Design Program from the University of Toronto (2008), where she was a recipient of the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award. She also holds a Master of Architecture degree from Tehran Azad University (2001). Nazila has studied and worked in several major cities including Tehran, Budapest, and Toronto. These experiences have given her a unique perspective on different types of architectural designs. She has also been involved in various renovation and interior designs projects. Courses taught: IDV121 Perspective and Rendering 1, ID130 Sketching and Rendering Interiors, ID117 Rendering & Perspectives, ID250 CADD 1.
LINA BARSOUM B.Sc., Architecture (Hons), M.U.D. Lina is a graduate from theAl-Petra Jordan University Jordan an obtained her Master of Urban Design from the University of Toronto. Lina has worked with Zeidler Partnership Architects, Parkin Architects and Hariri Pontarini Architects in Toronto. Lina brings with her unique variety of experience that includes award winning architecture. Courses taught: ID222, ID226, ID246 Architectural Detailing 1,2&3.
JOSEPH GERAGHTY, ARIDO, NCIDQ Cert., Dip. Civil Engr., Construction Management (Ire.) Cert. Construction Surveying, Construction Tech., (Eng), B.F.A. Interior Architecture, Ecole Des Beau Arts, Paris
Joseph is a qualified Interior Architect, Civil Engineer, Construction Technologist and Construction Manager. After completing many successful years in the building industry, Joseph branched off into the field of Interior Design receiving his B.F.A in Interior Architecture from the P.A.A. Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. In addition to teaching various design-related courses in France, Joseph has successfully completed residential, commercial, institutional and retail projects in England, Ireland, France, Spain and Canada. Joseph operates an industry-leading firm in Toronto. His clientele include Sears Canada, Revlon Professional, Toronto Hilton Hotel and Delta Hotels among others. Courses Taught: IDH110/IA131 Elements of Design, IDS101 Design Studio 1 – Spaces, ID102 Fundamentals of Space Planning, ID207 Textiles 2, ID202 Interior Design 2, ID201 Interior Design 1, ID241 Structures, ID140 Building Systems, ID305 / ID306 Building Construction 2 & 3, ID312 Project Management, ID313 20th Century Design.
MICHAEL GUIDO, B.A., M.Arch., OAA Intern Architect, OBOA Certified. With over 10 years of architectural and interior design expertise, complimented by a Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto, Michael has progressively gained insight and knowledge in low/high-rise residential, institutional and commercial work experience. Soon after achieving a Diploma in Architectural Design Technology & a Post Graduate Certificate in Facility Planning from Humber College in 1998, He accepted a position at Urbana Architects /HOK Canada, working as a Design Architect for several of their large residential and hotel winning competition entries, located in the Middle East as well as in Toronto. Michael is currently employed at York University, in the Facilities Services Division as an Architectural Designer, overseeing all design & construction within the campus. Courses taught: ID209 History of Interiors and Furniture, ID232Portfolio Design.
MICHAELA JONES, Ba.A.Sc. in Civ. Eng., M. Arch, OAA IAP, LEED AP. Michaela graduated in 1998 with a Master of Architecture from the University of British Columbia after completing her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering & Business Management at the University of Ottawa. She previously worked in multi-residential and commercial design at PDA architects for six years before joining Paula Bowley Architects Inc. in 2004. Her extensive experience with the management and production of all project phases includes; design development, working drawing production, preparation of tender documents and contract administration. Her combined technical and arts background contributes to her ability to communicate and coordinate with a range of consultants particularly within integrated design teams. Courses taught: ID317 Practicum Documentation, ID222 Architectural Detailing 1, ID137 Materials & Environment 1, ID121 Materials and Environment 2.
ANDREW LEGAULT, MMFA, ARIDO, IDC. Andrew is an interior design graduate of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts where he received an Arthur Lismer Memorial Fund Scholarship. He has held management positions for different leading design and architectural firms working as a director, project manager and designer for the past 28 years and is currently the principal of About Space Inc. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and publications including an ARIDO Gold Award in office interiors. His international work has been featured and profiled in Canada’s Contract and Canadian Interiors magazines. He has worked as an instructor for several colleges and information technology institutions covering a range of subjects from design theory to personal development skills, accelerated learning, and presentation skills. Courses taught: ID108 Fundamentals of Lighting, ID309 Applied Lighting Systems, ID112 Introduction to Drafting, IDT131/ID116 Architectural Drafting & Detailing
MARIA LUGOSI, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ Cert., LEED A.P. Maria is an alumnus of the three-year Interior Design program at the Academy in Toronto. She has held design positions with Atkinson + Design Inc., McKay/Wong Strategic Design, Dekko Studio Inc., and the Ehvert Group. Project experiences in corporate design include clients such as Unilever - Good Humor Breyers, AstraZeneca, Royal Bank of Canada, Trillium Gift of Life Network, and City of Brampton. Healthcare design projects include the Greater Niagara General Hospital, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute among others. She has worked on projects for the York District School Board and the Durham District School Board. At present Maria is employed at Kingsland Architects. Courses taught: ID119 Environmental Design 2, ID213 Interior Design 3, ID230 Professional Practice
REBECCA MUYAL, BAAID, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ Cert. After receiving a diploma in Interior Design from Mount Royal College in Calgary, Rebecca pursued her academic studies at Ryerson University where she earned her Degree in Interior Design. To further her knowledge she continued her education receiving certificates in Facility Management from Ryerson University and Construction Estimating from George Brown College. She owned her own design firm and has held planning, coordinating and management positions at Jerilyn Wright & Associates, Ryerson University’s Campus Planning, Toronto Hydro, and York University’s Campus Services and Business Operations. Rebecca has facilitated NCIDQ practice sessions for the past 8 years, and also holds various other volunteer positions with ARIDO. She chairs the Interior Design Advisory Committee at Georgian College. Courses taught: ID119 Environmental Design 2, ID102 Fundamentals of Space Planning, ID131 Elements of Design.
DONNA REDL, B. Ed., (Art & Industrial Design), Dip. Interior Design. Donna’s background includes an Education Degree specializing in Art Education and the Industrial Arts from the University of Saskatchewan as well as a diploma of Interior Design from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Donna runs a multi-dimensional business in the professional arts and design field, often collaborating with Architects, Interior Designers, Educators and a large client base, to bring to life interior spaces and one of a kind Artistic Statements. She is currently collaborating with small to mid-size organizations in building a body of creative workshop facilitation, providing creative guidance for individuals or teams. Courses taught: ID210 Visual Communications, ID219 Colour for Interiors
Dr. MAHA SALMAN, PhD, MSc., BSc. Arch, LEED A.P. Maha received her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Architecture from the University of Baghdad-Iraq and her PhD in Sustainable Architecture from the University of Huddersfield-UK, where she got The Vice Chancellor’s Award for an Outstanding Research Degree Thesis for a dissertation titled “Sustainability Potential of Traditional Architecture in the Arab World-with Reference to Domestic Buildings in the United Arab Emirates”. She has gained a professional experience in design and teaching interior design and architecture for a number of universities in different countries. Since her graduation, Maha has worked as a member of the teaching staff at the University of Baghdad, until 1996 when she joined University of Derna-Libya. Since 2002, Maha has worked in the United Arab Emirates as an architect and a professor until 2006 when she came to Canada. Maha has worked as an instructor at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. In addition to her work as an academic, Maha has worked as an architect and interior designer for different projects in Iraq, Libya, and the UAE. She has participated in several conferences and symposiums and conducted many researches and studies in the aspects of sustainability, environmental design, and vernacular architecture. Maha has been the receipt of various scientific recognition and merit awards from different institutions such as the “Best Paper Award for Innovation in Research & Practice for GCC Countries” from Institute of Urban & Regional Planning & Design of the American University in Sharjah-UAE. Courses taught: IDT130 Introduction to Drafting, ID308 Moving Spaces, ID317 Practicum IV-
DENISE SIMANIC, B.A., B.A. (Hum), M.A., M.Ed. Denise has been teaching a variety of college level general education, business and computer information systems courses for the past 28 years. She has a B.A. in English, and Honours B.A. in Humanities, a Diploma in IT, a Masters in English and another Masters in Education. Studies she began toward a PhD. In English are on hold while she pursues another Masters in Psychology. Courses taught: IA101 College English
GILBERT SEAH, B. Engr., MBA. Holding an honours degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration, Gilbert has over 20 years teaching experience at DeVry Institute of Technology and at RCC. He is currently working as the Business Manager at a Naturopathic Clinic that he opened with a friend. Interest includes cinema, travel and clubbing. Gilbert has film reviews currently posted on 4 websites. With regards to mathematics, he has taught all levels from preparatory to college level. Courses taught: IA102 Preparatory Math
ALEC STEINWALL, BA (Hon), MA (English Literature), PhD Candidate. Alec graduated from York University with an honours Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. He received his Master of Arts at Caster University, where he also worked as a Teaching Assistant. His Master’s thesis surveyed the field of Native Drama in Canada. He spent five years in the PhD program at York University, taking a one-year leave to create and teach two courses in Canadian Culture and Literature at Johannes Gutenberg University, in Mainz, Germany. During his studies at York, he also acted as a teaching assistant and occasional lecturer. He is currently researching for his dissertation. Alec has also spent most of his life as a visual artist, and has had work displayed in numerous shows in Toronto. Courses taught: ID205 History of Art 2
CECILIA NIN HERNANDEZ, B.E.D.S., M.Arch. Cecilia Nin Hernandez currently follows her passion for built heritage in her position as Cultural Heritage Coordinator for the City of Vaughan. In this position, her duties include identifying, researching and evaluating properties of architectural and/or historical significance, reviewing development applications and providing guidance to a public committee on the administration, assessment and maintenance of heritage structures and resources. Cecilia received her Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies degree in 1999 from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and her Master of Architecture degree from Dalhousie University in 2001. Through her university studies she cemented her interest in adaptive reuse, preservation and conservation of structures. Her thesis explored the adaptive reuse of a 1960’s office complex in Halifax, Nova Scotia, looking at it as a resource and analyzing its contemporary relevance within the City. Cecilia’s focus on the built form as a remnant of heritage and culture, lays the ground for the strategy needed to secure the structure’s continued relevance within its context, in turn having an impact on cultural and environmental sustainability. Courses taught: ART221 Conservation/Preservation
MARK E. WICKEN, BA. Mark is a marketing professional with over thirty years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His focus has always been on creative innovative thinking, organization, planning, execution and training through his strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency business, Mark has held senior account management positions at multinational agencies Leo Burnett, Foster, Vickers and Benson and Saffer Advertising and has been responsible for accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held Director of Marketing positions with Domino’s Pizza International and KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro in the Middle East. For the past six years Mark has been an executive search consultant and in 2002 started his own company, The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. Mark is a graduate of The University of Toronto, is married with two boys and lives in Toronto. He has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design since 1998. Courses Taught: IA200 Business Arts, ID311 Marketing for Professionals
