Unity Design Studio and The Canadian Canoe Museum

In this edition of AT THE MIC, we bring you an exceptional example of how Canadian architects are putting contemporary values into action today.

Our guests are Bill Lett and Michael Gallant, registered architects with Unity Design Studio. Unity is a high-ranked B Corp architecture firm with over 50 years experience designing many arts and culture venues, including the new Canadian Canoe Museum.

The Canadian Canoe Museum, located on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations in Peterborough, Ontario, has stewarded, for the last 27 years, the world's largest and most significant collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft. More than 600 in number, these watercraft and their stories have a pivotal role to play in understanding our past and our collective future.

Award-winning local architectural firm Unity Design Studio (formerly Lett Architects Inc.) assisted The Canadian Canoe Museum in realizing a creative vision for our waterfront home and campus.

Unity Design Studio’s dedicated professionals are passionate about creating connected, happier, and healthier communities. By blending architecture, design, strategy, and engagement, they collaborate to tackle today’s challenges and build resilience. They believe that lasting impact comes from working together, uniting diverse stakeholders around a shared vision to inspire meaningful, positive change.

Bill Lett has 25 years of experience and was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2018. He has led the design of major municipal, cultural, healthcare, and institutional projects across Ontario, working closely with diverse stakeholders, administrators, councils, and government agencies. Bill loves to seamlessly integrate buildings into their communities and is dedicated to transforming project delivery by embracing more collaborative design and construction models.

Michael Gallant leads Unity’s design direction. He has guided major projects across Ontario, while also serving on boards such as the Electric City Culture Council and Peterborough DBIA where he was chair from 2020-2023. Michael finds inspiration in client collaboration, aiming to create lasting impacts. He also supports Unity’s project teams, ensuring alignment with the studio’s values and strategic goals.

Unity Design Studio
Canadian Canoe Museum
Integrated Project Delivery Alliance