Saarinen Balagengatharadilak
Email: s2balage@uwaterloo.ca
Biography
Saarinen is a Canadian born Artist, Architectural Designer & Educator. Born into a family of Artists, Sculptors and Builders from Sri Lanka that specialize in the Making of Hindu Temples, Saarinen continues to build on this Generational Legacy. He grew up painting Hindu Temples from the age of 15 alongside his Father in the Greater Toronto Area. It was in these temples that he first learned the grueling discipline required to master a craft and hone a skill. Inspired by the Art and Architecture of Temple building, he went on to Study Architecture at The Daniel’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design at the University of Toronto - Completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Architecture and Urban Studies with High Distinction and Master of Architecture receiving Honour Roll in the top ten percentile.
Having worked for several Architects during his 8 years at UofT he started an Architectural Design Consultancy upon graduation collaborating with Local Architects to Design Residential, Commercial & Institutional Projects. These projects range from Single Family Residences, Interior Retro Fits, Multi Family Developments, Student Housing and Office Buildings. His current research and focus is on the modernization of the craft and theory of Hindu Temple Construction and Yoga Centres in the North American Context.
Saarinen concurrently maintains a real estate practice helping families find housing in the GTA and has spent the last decade buying, selling, leasing, and advising on over $60 Million in Transactions. His particular set of skills in the arts in tandem with his experience in the Toronto real estate market has created a unique architectural practice. He has had the privilege of sharing his knowledge and expertise with students as a sessional instructor at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto.
Saarinen runs @Studio_Balagen - an Interdisciplinary Studio, from the West Don Lands at the mouth of the Don River.
Having worked for several Architects during his 8 years at UofT he started an Architectural Design Consultancy upon graduation collaborating with Local Architects to Design Residential, Commercial & Institutional Projects. These projects range from Single Family Residences, Interior Retro Fits, Multi Family Developments, Student Housing and Office Buildings. His current research and focus is on the modernization of the craft and theory of Hindu Temple Construction and Yoga Centres in the North American Context.
Saarinen concurrently maintains a real estate practice helping families find housing in the GTA and has spent the last decade buying, selling, leasing, and advising on over $60 Million in Transactions. His particular set of skills in the arts in tandem with his experience in the Toronto real estate market has created a unique architectural practice. He has had the privilege of sharing his knowledge and expertise with students as a sessional instructor at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto.
Saarinen runs @Studio_Balagen - an Interdisciplinary Studio, from the West Don Lands at the mouth of the Don River.
Teaching*
- ARCH 192 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- ARCH 193 - Design Studio
- Taught in 2025
* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.
Graduate studies
- Not currently accepting applications for graduate students