About

At Starling Architects, we see architecture as a living dialogue—between people, place, and time. Our work is rooted in the belief that design is not imposed, but discovered: an emergent form shaped through collaboration, curiosity, and care.

Like the murmuration of starlings—those fluid, collective movements that defy hierarchy and embrace intuition—our practice thrives on the interplay of diverse voices and perspectives. We believe that the most resonant architecture arises not from singular authorship, but from shared vision. Each project is a constellation of ideas, constraints, and aspirations, brought into coherence through thoughtful design.

Based in Halifax Nova Scotia, we craft contemporary architecture that is grounded in context and elevated by intention. Whether designing a home, a workplace, or a public space, we approach each project with a deep respect for the land, the climate, and the communities we serve.

We are listeners, makers, and provocateurs. We ask questions that reach beyond the brief: How can a building foster connection? How can space hold memory? How can architecture move us—quietly, profoundly, and with purpose?

At its best, architecture is not static. It adapts, endures, and inspires. We strive to create work that is both poetic and pragmatic—spaces that resonate with clarity, restraint, and a sense of belonging.

Team

At Starling Architects, we work like a murmuration—each of us distinct in background and perspective, yet moving in concert toward a shared architectural vision. Our collaboration is not just a method, but a philosophy: that design excellence emerges through collective intelligence, mutual trust, and a deep respect for the built and natural world.

  • Will Snow

    TECHNOLOGIST CET, LEED AP

    William brings the grounding force of technical mastery to the studio’s creative flight. Born and raised in rural Newfoundland, he carries with him a deep appreciation for community, resilience, and craft. Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2004, he has contributed to a wide range of complex projects—from healthcare and hospitality to multi-unit housing and commercial developments. William’s strength lies in his ability to translate vision into buildable reality, ensuring that every detail is considered, coordinated, and executed with care. His presence in the murmuration is steady, thoughtful, and essential.

  • Jon Ellis

    PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT NSAA, MArch, BEDS

    Jon approaches architecture as both a craft and a cultural act. Trained first as a digital artist and animator, his work is grounded in visual clarity and conceptual depth. A native of Nova Scotia, Jon’s architectural journey has taken him across Atlantic Canada, shaping a portfolio that spans commercial, institutional, and residential projects. His graduate studies at Dalhousie University deepened his interest in sustainable design, passive systems, and the intersection of architecture with ecology. Jon brings a quiet rigor to the studio—balancing technical precision with poetic restraint.

  • Justin Cormier

    ARCHITECT NSAA, MArch, BEDS

    Justin believes that architecture should be both socially responsible and emotionally resonant. Raised in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, he brings a deep-rooted sensitivity to place and community. A graduate of Dalhousie University, he was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Gold Medal and the RAIC Honour Roll for academic excellence. Justin is known for his ability to distill complex ideas into elegant, modern forms—and for his vivid graphic storytelling that helps clients see not just what a building is, but what it can become. His work is guided by clarity, empathy, and a belief in the transformative power of design.

Philosophy

At Starling Architects, we design in dialogue—with each other, with our clients, and with the landscapes we inhabit. We believe that architecture is not authored in isolation, but discovered through the subtle choreography of collaboration. Like a murmuration of starlings, our studio moves with shared intuition: responsive, adaptive, and attuned to the shifting conditions of each project.

We are architects, technologists, and thinkers. But more than that, we are listeners. We listen to the land, to the light, to the needs that are spoken and those that are felt. Our work is grounded in the belief that buildings should not only serve, but inspire—that they should be generous in spirit and enduring in form.

Each member of our team brings a distinct voice, yet we are united by a common ethos: that architecture should be thoughtful, restrained, and rooted in place. We value clarity over complexity, purpose over spectacle, and beauty that emerges from coherence and care.

Together, we strive to create spaces that resonate—quietly, meaningfully, and with a sense of belonging.