when listening and
learning become a craft
Grace Tyono
BArchSc | AIA New York | NCARB
ARCHITECT
DESIGNER
MAKER
About
Grace Tyono is an architect and project manager whose work sits at the intersection of design,
technical precision, and human experience. Her practice is grounded in Raymond Moriyama's
philosophy that before an architect draws, they must first learn to listen — a principle that shapes
how she leads and collaborates with clients and teams alike. With a background spanning design
development through construction administration, she brings a detail-oriented perspective that
keeps projects moving smoothly from concept to completion, paired with a strong aesthetic
vision shaped by her ongoing interests in art, music, ceramics, and textiles.
Grace is a maker at heart, drawn to the tactile process of designing and building with her own
hands. Based in Canada with years spent living in New York and travelling widely, she's
developed a sharp eye for craft, material, and cultural nuance that feeds directly into her design
instincts. This hybrid mindset — part architect, part craftsperson — shapes how she problem-
solves, with equal attention to big-picture vision and the small details that make a project truly
work.
Grace Tyono
Architect | Design & Project Manager
AWARDS
2020 | TD Garden
New England’s Best Sports/Entertainment Project
2018 | Utah Jazz Vivint Smart Home Arena
Best Sports/Entertainment: Vivint SmartHome Arena Renovation
2015 | Madison Square Garden, The Transformation, NYC
Engineering Excellence Award – Platinum
Execellance in Structural Engineering Award – Renovation
2014 | Madison Square Garden
Sports Facility of the Year
2014 | Gene Polisseni Center, Rochester Institute of Technology
LEED Silver Certification
2013 | Maple Leaf Gardens Ryerson Athletic Centre
Award of Excellence/ Buildings Redevelopment
Honour Maple Leaf Gardens with Award of Merit – William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship
2010 | Wadi Hanifah Resoration – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Gold Award – Natural Projects, Waterfront
2006 | Canadian War Museum – Ottawa, Ontario
Best Public Building
OAA Architectural Excellence Award
Award of Excellence in Urban Sustainability
2002 – 2007 | Toronto Reference Library Renewal (PH 2 thru 5)
OLA Library Architectural and Design Transformation Award 2015
1999 | Skinmarket, Los Angeles
ARIDO Gold Award
EXPERIENCE
2020 – Present
absolutgrace.ca | Collaborator | Designer | Maker
A listener, learner, problem-solver and craftsperson who also provides a variety of specialty services, including project management, organization, quality control review and interior design.
2008 – 2020
BBB Architects Inc. | Senior Designer | Project Manager
Designed and project managed time sensitive construction schedule with client, stakeholders, consultants and contractors to ensure on-time completion, from concept to occupancy, while maintaining design aesthetic and quality control within budget.
2001 – 2008
Moriayma & Teshima Architects | Architectural Intern | Project Manager
Led space planning, programming, and stakeholder coordination; managed tender documents, contract administration and consultant teams; supported master planning and urban-scale projects.
1998 – 2000
West 49 Parallel Design | Arch Technologist | Designer
Draftsperson on architectural and design documentation across all phases (concept through construction) for numerous new-build and renovation retail projects in Canada, US and Europe; contributed to designing the company portfolio.
EDUCATION
1997
Bachelor of Architectural Science, B.Arch. Sc
Ryerson University
Let's work together
Mail me
contact@absolutgrace.ca