As principals of our architecture firm, we draw on diverse backgrounds, maintaining professional licensure in both Canada and Japan. At the core of our success is a collaborative ethos, fostering a robust team spirit within our highly efficient studio. Global partnerships with specialists enhance our visionary approach, exemplified in collaborations like the Ports 1961 Shanghai flagship store—a showcase of glass façade technology inspired by the iceberg concept. Each project is a dynamic platform for reinvention, allowing exploration of innovative materials through collaborative efforts with manufacturers, artists, and craftspeople.

Our team, recognized for collaborative and innovative design, strives to exceed expectations, pushing creative boundaries. Groundbreaking solutions result from converging ideas, achieved by close collaboration with clients and consultants, ensuring harmony in functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.

  • Eiri Ota, a licensed First Class Architect in Japan and the principal of UUfie, holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Musashino Art University. Born in Paris and trained in Japan, Ota brings a unique international perspective to his work, particularly in cultural, residential, and commercial projects. His educational background and diverse experiences enable him to navigate design challenges across various scales, from overarching concepts to intricate details.

    Commencing his career at Jun Aoki and Associates in Tokyo in 2003, Ota independently led the realization of several commercial and hospitality projects. Notable among these are Louis Vuitton Namiki (Japan), White Chapel (Japan), and Go-Sees Hiroo (Japan). His proficiency extends globally, with contributions to master planning and development projects in China (Quindao Bath Project) and the United Kingdom (Visitor Centre at Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), showcasing his capabilities from concept design to construction administration.

    In 2009, Ota co-founded UUfie with Irene Gardpoit in Tokyo before relocating to Toronto, Canada. During his tenure, he collaborated with the renowned interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg (2011-2013), contributing to transformative projects such as Hudson’s Bay Yorkdale (Canada), Lane Crawford Shanghai (China), Park Hyatt Hangzhou (China), Mount Nicholson Residence (Hong Kong), and Four Seasons Hotel Restaurant (Japan).

    As the principal designer and architect at UUfie, Ota fosters strong relationships with collaborators and consultants. Currently engaged in diverse projects, including a residential endeavor in Michigan and a studio complex in Ontario, Ota contributes to academia as a visiting critic and lecturer at esteemed Canadian universities. Presently, he serves as a sessional professor at the University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

  • Irene Gardpoit, the principal of UUfie, is an accomplished Canadian architect known for her expertise in art, design, and architectural complexities. Holding a Bachelor Degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto, Irene has established a global presence, collaborating on projects spanning North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

    During her tenure from 2003 to 2009 at the Tokyo studio of Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Arata Isozaki, Irene led projects for the Aga Khan Foundation. Her contributions encompassed the design of educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, as well as key roles in the development of the University of Central Asia Library and Landmark, and the Qatar Education City Convention Center in Doha. Notably, Irene served as the lead architect for Hara Museum ARC in Japan, a contemporary art museum nestled in a scenic rural landscape.

    In Canada, Irene played an integral role in KPMB Architects' successful proposal for the Athletes' Village at the 2015 Pan American Games, earning recognition through the 2012 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence and the 2013 CUI Brownie Award for Best Overall Project.

    Collaborating with Eiri Ota, Irene contributed significantly to UUfie's recognition for design excellence, garnering accolades for the firm. This collaborative partnership continues to make meaningful contributions to the architectural landscape, blending innovation, intelligence, and creativity in transformative endeavors.