When the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) grants an Honorary Membership, it signifies a career dedicated to shaping the built environment. But what happens when that honoree is a structural engineer? How does an engineer gain recognition from Canada’s foremost architectural institution?
In 2025, Hassan Saffarini, P.Eng., Ph.D., PMP, LEED AP, CAHP, received this distinction—not only as an accomplished engineer, but as a professional who has seamlessly integrated engineering and architecture throughout his career to elevate design excellence and technical innovation. Since 2006, only three engineers have received the Honorary Membership, including Hassan.
The RAIC Honorary Membership is awarded annually to individuals who have provided valuable and distinguished service to the architectural profession, upholding the RAIC’s objectives and values. It is typically granted to individuals who may not qualify for regular membership but whose contributions have significantly impacted the profession. Hassan’s recognition reflects decades of dedication to integrated design, problem-solving and leadership in architecture and engineering, demonstrating how full collaboration between architects and engineers drives innovation and creates enduring design solutions that shape the industry.
An Engineer with an Architect’s Mindset
Established in 1938 by John B. Parkin, NORR’s legacy as an integrated architecture and engineering firm dates back to the 1960s—a structure that received immediate acceptance from clients and enriched the design process immeasurably. This belief in a multidisciplinary design approach made NORR a natural home for Hassan’s philosophy of integration, which he has applied throughout a career spanning over 35 years across multiple continents.
Since earning his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, he has been a leader in large-scale structural solutions, historic preservation and innovative architectural integration. Joining NORR in 2007, he quickly advanced to Principal, Structural Engineering, North America, playing a pivotal role in shaping landmark projects.
As a Senior Project Manager, he led the Queen’s Park Renewal Study—a billion-dollar multidisciplinary renovation involving numerous disciplines and engaging 12 sub-consultants in addition to NORR’s four architectural and engineering disciplines. “Project management is an art that requires awareness of all contributors—what they bring forward, how they interact, and how to ensure alignment for a successful outcome. Working in silos never achieves that,” said Hassan. His leadership on this and other projects, backed by his PMP accreditation, exemplified his ability to bring together architects, engineers and multiple professionals to achieve a cohesive vision.
Pushing the Boundaries of Integrated Design
Hassan’s approach to engineering is rooted in the belief that architecture and engineering are inseparable. The RAIC recognized him not only for his technical contributions, but for his commitment to holistic design principles.
His cross disciplinary collaboration has made him an invaluable partner. His interest and experience gained him the accolade of a Canadian Heritage Professional to go along with a rich career of working on major infrastructure and urban planning projects to iconic and vital building projects. A culmination of this experience and skill was applied to the Union Station Revitalization Project where his innovative design allowed the construction of a million-square-foot concourse beneath a century-old heritage building and 12 fully operational live rail tracks. This balance of preservation, engineering ingenuity and architectural vision exemplifies Hassan’s approach—and underscores the power of multidisciplinary collaboration.
Reflecting on his career, Hassan points to the revitalization of the transportation hub as a defining moment. “The Union Station Revitalization Project was one of the most complex and rewarding experiences of my career. It was technically challenging, but more importantly, it had a significant societal impact, which I take immense pride in,” reflected Hassan.
He also acknowledged broader industry shifts toward collaborative models. “Some clients prefer the traditional separation of architecture and engineering, but we are seeing a growing movement towards Integrated Project Delivery, where designers, builders and clients work together with shared responsibility and risk. This model emphasizes the need for architects and engineers to work more closely than ever,” he explained.
Beyond Projects: A Commitment to Education, Research and Sustainability
Hassan’s impact extends beyond the buildings he has helped create. As an adjunct professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, he mentors students, guiding them through complex problem-solving that bridges theory and practice. “I encourage them to never stop learning. No two projects are identical, and every unique challenge demands deliberate reflection, research and problem-solving,” he advised. His commitment to continuous learning has shaped not only his own career but also the careers of countless young professionals, both in his professional role and as a professor.
His work in forensic investigations, including the structural failure analysis of the Algo Mall collapse, has helped in establishing industry benchmarks for forensic engineering. Additionally, he serves as the Heritage Structural Engineer on the RAIC Alexandra Bridge Replacement Project’s Independent Review Panel, where he applies his knowledge in both heritage and structural engineering to uphold the project’s integrity, aligning with the RAIC’s principles and the interests of Canadians. He has authored over 27 published papers and presented at major architectural and engineering conferences, contributing to the industry’s understanding of integrated design. As a thought leader, Hassan explores the transformative potential of AI in structural engineering in his Insight Article, AI at the Brink of Transforming Structural Engineering, highlighting his commitment to ongoing research and forward-thinking perspectives.
Hassan also leads NORR’s participation in the Structural Engineering Institute’s SE 2050 Challenge, a program aimed at achieving net-zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. This initiative aligns with broader industry strategies in sustainable engineering and is supported by the Embodied Carbon Action Plan (ECAP), focusing on education, lifecycle analysis and transparent reporting to meet these goals.
What This Honor Means for the Industry
Hassan’s RAIC Honorary Membership is not just a personal achievement, it is a statement about the evolving nature of architectural and engineering collaboration. It reinforces the notion that great design is not confined by discipline but rather flourishes through the symbiotic relationship between architecture and engineering. “Every project has its uniqueness. To get it right, you must anticipate, communicate and collaborate. The best projects come from a synergy between all disciplines,” said Hassan.
As the industry continues to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, Hassan’s recognition by the RAIC underscores the importance of dismantling traditional silos. His ability to think like an architect while maintaining the rigor of an engineer has shaped some of Canada’s most complex projects, leaving a lasting impact on both fields, and fostering a built environment where architecture and engineering converge as one.
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