We are honored to have Kyra Clarkson host an intimate BEAToronto Talk on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. This session will be held in-person, starting at a MODERNest home for a tour and gathering at Standard Shop afterwards for the talk & networking. Event schedule and location details below.
BEAToronto is a volunteer-run organization made up of architects, designers, leaders, and entrepreneurs creating opportunities for community-building, advocacy, networking, and mentorship.
BEAToronto Talks are a series of discussions held at the offices of Architects across the city. Hosts will share their learned experience.
BEAToronto Talks qualify for OAA Structured Learning hours
Kyra and her husband founded MODERNest Inc. in 2011 in response to what they saw as limited choices in Toronto’s housing market for people wanting a modern aesthetic but without the time, budget or inclination to commission a custom-designed home themselves. By creating quality, honest and inspiring homes with a modern spirit, they aspire to strengthen communities and revitalize the urban fabric.
She will explain the motivation behind the creation of MODERNest, describe how they established their business model and illustrate how an architect’s skills and experience is uniquely suited to take on the challenge of developing housing.
MODERNest has built six houses to date, with House 7 on the way.
About Kyra Clarkson:
Kyra is the founder of Kyra Clarkson Architect Inc., a design-oriented architecture studio started in 2007 with a focus on creating warm, modern houses that sit thoughtfully in the fabric of the city. Every project aims to bring natural daylight into the core of the space, employ true and honest materials, create fluid connections between the interior and the landscape, and exhibit an elegant simplicity in all details.
Kyra is also the co-founder of MODERNest Inc., an architect-driven development firm with a mission to build moderately priced houses with a modern sensibility. In reaction to the typical neo-traditional homes being built in the city, they saw a market for high-quality, honest, and inspiring homes that express a modern spirit.
MODERNest Inc. has built six houses to date, and has been recognized in several publications, including Canadian Architect, The Globe and Mail, Monocle Magazine and Dwell.
Kyra has lectured on the topics of “Architect as Developer” and “Building the Infill House Alternative.” In 2022 she participated in a ULI technical advisory panel providing strategic advice to the City of Toronto on multi-unit housing zoning policy.
Kyra is a member of the Ontario Association of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and the Toronto Society of Architects. She holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto and an M.Arch from Yale University. She was elected to the College of Fellows of the RAIC in 2022, and is currently Vice-Chair of the Advisory Panel of BEAToronto.
About Kyra Clarkson Architect Inc.
KCA is a design-oriented firm with a focus on urban residential architecture. Every project aims to bring natural daylight into the centre of buildings, to foster a sense of connection between spaces, and to maintain a consistent simplicity in all details. We believe that the most successful projects are those where the we are able to engage in a holistic design process, taking on everything from the base building to the interiors to the landscape beyond.
More about KCA: https://www.kyraclarksonarchitect.ca/
About MODERNest Inc.
MODERNest was founded in response to downtown Toronto’s need for mid-market contemporary houses. Kyra Clarkson and her partner Christopher Glaisek believe that there are limited choices for people wanting a modern aesthetic who don't have the time, budget or inclination to commission a custom-designed home themselves.
A MODERNest house is developed from their shared desire to create high-quality, honest, and inspiring homes that express a modern spirit. They select sites that allow homeowners to easily take advantage of the best that this city has to offer. They focus on getting the basics right - good rooms, large windows, plenty of closets, hardwood floors, strong connections between inside and outside, and a positive relationship of the house to its surroundings. In doing so, MODERNest aspires to strengthen communities, revitalize the urban fabric, and be good neighbours.
More about MODERNest: https://www.modernest.ca/
Location
House Tour: 101 Robinson Street (corner of Manning and Robinson), Toronto, ON M6J 1L8
Standard Shop: 145 Tecumseth St., Toronto, ON M6J 2H5
Event schedule:
6:45 - 7:00 pm Meet at the house
7:00 - 7:30 pm House Tour
7:30 - 8:00 pm BEAToronto Talk at Standard Shop
8:00 - 8:30 pm Networking Reception
