Experienced Multi-Hyphenated : Visual Storyteller, Architectural and Lighting Designer and Curator.
Clarisa has been quietly observing her surroundings since early childhood, sharpening her eye and exploring a range of perspectives. Ever-curious as to how we engage with our environments, she has developed a particular understanding of space, an intrigue of controlled or organic form, and of how these elements impact our emotional experiences. She is sensitive to the way light plays on relief and flat surfaces. She analyzes structure and notices the tiniest of details, observing a material’s abundance of features, and appreciating the rightness of a colour and texture.
Upon completing her Masters in Architectural Lighting at Parsons, she immediately took life by the horns when she arrived in Canada. Her first commission, an office space in Toronto, afforded her the space to create without limitation, to truly integrate function and form in an operable, commercial setting. She felt increasingly motivated by an ambition to express herself, by passion, and an innate need to create.
Llaneza’s work evokes that of the masters who have inspired her: Le Corbusier for his commitment, John Pawson for his minimalism, Peter Zumthor for his modest timelessness, Tadao Ando for his love of natural materials and Axel Vervoordt for his austere design approach.
Increasingly sought after for her signature style, she is constantly creating and materializing projects of varying content and scale. The quality of her designs and her mastery of space management, have made her stand out from the crowd both in Toronto and abroad. Her attention to detail and refined touch are highly appreciated where an “art de vivre” is of the utmost importance. A number of commercial spaces and private residences have been marked with the seal of her incomparable elegance.
Each job, regardless of size, takes shape after a long gestational period, bolstered by research into texture, composition, colour, ambience, context and history. She solidifies this impressionist reflex through bold choices and strong creative direction.
Nothing escapes her eye. She is resourceful, having gained inspiration and curatorial experience in her work with artists and designers across cultures and geographies. She designs furniture and lamps for her architectural spaces to reintroduce beauty and intention to the object, thus participating in the story of the architectural whole.
Clarisa currently lives in Cabbagetown with her husband Stephen and their son Henri.
