Our Mission

We focus our attention on the changes that affect the existing built and natural environment, to contribute to the preservation of the things that matter, answer pressing public policy questions, strengthen communities, and mitigate the impact of our actions on the environment. Our work is to offer strategies to preserve, rehabilitate, and retrofit the places that have significance for communities.

Our team of experts is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that align with the unique needs of each cultural place. Let us guide you towards a sustainable future that respects and enhances the rich DNA, potential, and vibrancy of your place.

About Cultural Spaces

Founded in 2015 by Christophe Rivet, Cultural Spaces first focused on sharing unique expertise in protected area policies and World Heritage nomination in Canada and abroad. In 2019, the firm co-founded EVOQ Strategies with EVOQ Architecture to focus on sustainability strategies. As of 2024, Cultural Spaces continues the vision of delivering innovative sustainability strategies initiated under EVOQ Strategies.

PEOPLE AND PLACES

(RE) IMAGINE THE EXISTING

Since 2015, Cultural Spaces has supported communities around the world in addressing the changes that affect them and that they aspire to. We’ve done this with an understanding that cultural spaces are areas that have been shaped by people and have in return shaped them. Our vision for the future of these places is sustainability as the outcome of strategies that integrate and balance social, economic, cultural, and environmental realities.

Meet the Team

Experience meets passion meets vision. This is what Cultural Spaces has to offer with its multidisciplinary team of professionals in all things sustainability. Whatever the challenge on a building, a landscape, a neighbourhood, our team and network of partners can look at your idea and guide you through change that matters. We are strategic thinkers that can translate ideas into action.


  • Founder

    Driven by the idea of meaningful change, of addressing the challenges of today of building on the assets that exist, and by leading through new ways of looking at problems. He doesn’t like waste, loves to improve things, and believes in the power of diversity.

    Also: he has a PhD in archaeology, a Masters in land use planning and heritage, and a BA in anthropology. He had a 15 year career at Parks Canada and Environment Canada and loved every minute of it. 25 years of involvement in international heritage activities and decades of policy work have shaped his perspective on pragmatic and principled change.

  • Tania Contrucci, M.A. ICOMOS

    Heritage Specialist

    Passionate about heritage preservation, sustainable solutions and driven by a commitment to positive change, Tania is dedicated to leveraging the past for a better future. With a diverse background working with numerous international heritage organizations, she combines academic rigour with practical experience to address contemporary challenges in heritage management. Tania holds a Master's degree in Archaeology and is completing a Master's in World Heritage Studies.

  • Valentina Samoylenko, M.A.

    Policy and Planning Specialist

    Valentina is first and foremost a curious being motivated by the will to understand the complexity of cultures and traditions. She is a designer by training and by interest, and loves creating new things out of old ones and new ideas building on existing ones. Intersecting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and urban policy analysis, Valentina possesses distinctive skills in connecting dots between disparate ideas. She brings strong visual communication skills to the table, is adept at simplifying complex issues into easily understandable representations, which facilitates effective dialogue and decision-making. She has a Masters in urban planning with a concentration in urban development and urban design and a bachelor degree in architecture.

  • Leanna Wigboldus, Ph.D. ICOMOS, CAHP

    Lead Researcher

    Fueled by a deep passion for heritage conservation, Leanna holds a PhD in World Heritage from University College Dublin. Her research focused on integrating traditional knowledge to enhance resilience in agricultural landscapes. She has been involved in numerous research projects with international organizations, including Heritage Malta, the Bornholm Museum, and the ICOMOS International Secretariat. Having worked in both the academic and private sectors, Leanna has a hands-on approach to safeguarding cultural and natural heritage. Additionally, she continues to be active internationally as the ICOMOS Focal Point for the Climate Heritage Network and as Scientific Work Coordinator for the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes.

  • Coming soon

    Business Development and Engagement Specialist

  • Abobakr Al-Sakkaf, Ph.D., ICOMOS

    Heritage Structure and Engineering Specialist

    With an extensive background in sustainability and heritage buildings, Abobakr is an expert on energy efficiency for buildings. He has carried out work in the Canada and abroad looking at models to assess the sustainability and energy efficiency of historic buildings. One of his current projects includes developing a holistic framework to evaluate the energy consumption of heritage buildings.
    Abobakr has a PhD degree in Building Engineering, a Master's in Architectural & Planning, and a B.Sc. double major in Architecture & Urban Planning. He had 10 years of experience in both academia and industry.

Meet Some of the People We Love Working With

  • Fergus MacLaren

    MAC-DUFF Tourism-Heritage-Planning

    sustainable tourism - planning

  • Georges Drolet

    EVOQ Architecture

    architecture - heritage

  • Chrystal Fuller

    Brighter Community Planning

    community planning