Alain (Al) McCann

A Bit About Me

As founder and Managing Director of North South Studio, Al brings more than 36 years of experience spanning the building regulatory industry, facilities and project management, and architectural design and consulting in both Canada and New Zealand.

Al is a seasoned architectural designer and consultant whose career extends across municipal government, healthcare, education, and private practice, he has led the planning, design, and delivery of a broad range of residential, commercial, institutional, and light industrial projects. His work is characterized by a strong balance of creative design thinking and practical, code-compliant solutions, with a particular focus on clear documentation, constructability, and long-term building performance.

From early concept and site planning through to detailed construction drawings and field review, Al is closely involved at every stage, ensuring that each project remains aligned with the client’s goals, budget, and regulatory framework.

Beyond his role in private practice, Al has held senior positions within local government, education, and healthcare, including leadership roles in building departments and facilities/capital projects. In these capacities he has overseen plan review and inspections under the Ontario Building Code, managed large-scale capital programs, coordinated multi-disciplinary design and construction teams, and developed policies and processes to improve compliance, safety, and efficiency. He has also contributed to education and training at the college level, sharing his practical experience in building codes, construction practices, and project delivery with the next generation of building professionals.

This combination of architectural design expertise, deep regulatory insight, and hands-on operational and facilities management experience gives Al a rare, 360-degree view of how buildings are conceived, approved, built, and operated. He is adept at navigating complex approval environments, mediating between owner, authority, and contractor interests, and resolving technical challenges in a way that is both aesthetically refined and technically robust.

Al prefers substance over volume and brings a collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and a genuine passion for architecture that balances innovation with real-world functionality—consistently advocating for solutions that are buildable, durable, and in the long-term best interests of his clients.

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