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Chai Rodriguez B.Arch
Designer

A smiling woman with dark hair wearing a black turtleneck shirt.

Chai sees architecture as a way to shape experiences, designing spaces that are engaging, adaptable, and deeply connected to the people who use them. She approaches each project with a balance of technical precision and creativity, always looking for ways to push boundaries while staying true to context and user experience. At Studio North, she brings together design intent and technical execution, ensuring that projects are not only well-crafted but also thoughtful, efficient, and buildable. From concept development to detailed drawings, she helps translate ideas into architecture that feels both purposeful and considered.

A modern house with large windows, a sloped roof, and a landscaped front yard with plants, shrubs, and flowers, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Chai earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Saint Louis University in the Philippines and is a licensed architect with the United Architects of the Philippines. She later pursued a Diploma in Architectural Technologies at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, refining her expertise in construction methods, building systems, and the Canadian regulatory landscape. Her education, grounded in both design theory and hands-on application, has shaped her ability to create spaces that are responsive to both place and people.

Interior view of a modern room with wooden paneling, a built-in window seat with cushion, large windows with wooden frames, a potted plant on the window ledge, and a carpeted floor.

Her experience spans custom residential homes, adaptive reuse projects, and site-sensitive design solutions. Before joining Studio North, she worked extensively in the Philippines, designing homes on complex sites, from steep slopes to densely forested landscapes. This background gave her a deep understanding of how architecture can work with, rather than against, its environment. She is also a licensed Master Plumber, bringing a holistic approach to design that considers infrastructure and systems as integral parts of the built space.

At Studio North, Chai has contributed to projects that embrace transformation and adaptation, such as the Knorr Renovation Project, where she navigated existing conditions and integrated new elements with sensitivity and precision. Her ability to think both spatially and technically strengthens Studio North’s approach to craft, sustainability, and thoughtful design. She is particularly interested in how local climate, materials, and building codes influence Canadian architecture and is always expanding her knowledge to design spaces that are efficient, human-centered, and well-adapted to their surroundings.

Modern house exterior with a wooden deck, two armchairs, potted plants, and large windows, with a garden and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Interior view of a modern, minimalist home with terrazzo flooring, wooden accents, built-in shelving, and a potted plant by a large window.

Outside the studio, Chai is always up for a good design conversation, whether mentoring students, admiring architectural details while exploring with friends, or sketching ideas over coffee. She finds inspiration in nature, yoga, and the little moments that often go unnoticed. To her, good design isn’t just about big gestures but about noticing the details that make everyday life feel just right.

Open-concept living room and kitchen with beige walls, light wood flooring, white sofas, a beige round chair, a white coffee table, a wooden dining table, bar stools at a kitchen island, and built-in wooden shelves on the wall, illuminated by natural light from large windows.