About
Founded in 2018, SUPRBLK studio was established with a vision to design spaces for people – places that bring delight, functional beauty, and make a lasting impact.
Our name reflects our design philosophy: “SUPER” represents our commitment to purposeful and thoughtful designs that exceed expectations, while “BLOCK” speaks to our focus on materials, craft, and a strong connection to place. Together, they describe our approach to shaping our clients’ vision into architecture and interiors that deliver enduring value.
We combine critical thinking with creative problem solving to uncover design opportunities that deliver both strong architectural outcomes and real value for our clients. Our teaching and research also inform the studio’s work, strengthening our methods and supporting efficient project delivery.
The studio’s work has been widely recognized through awards and publications, including features in The New York Times, Dwell, Architectures À Vivre, Dezeen, Maine Home and Design, Wallpaper, Detail, and others.
Sara L’Espérance
Director
BAS, M.Arch, PgDip / NSAA, ARB
Sara is a registered Canadian and UK architect with a deep interest in housing, community-centred design, and the ways people live. Her work is equally driven by the everyday and the unexpected — particularly the “in-between” and overlooked spaces of the city, where playfulness and delight often emerge.
This focus is reflected in SUPRBLK projects such as The Turquoise House (two homes and a studio) and The Green Machine (a flexible work–live–play interior), where housing and interiors are designed as connected, adaptable environments. Alongside practice, Sara brings this perspective to her role as an Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University’s School of Architecture, leading students in the analysis of urban conditions and the design of mixed-use residential proposals.
Before co-founding SUPRBLK, Sara worked with internationally recognised practices including Ian Ritchie Architects and Fletcher Priest Architects, contributing to housing, cultural, and public-realm projects in London, England. She also led research initiatives focused on affordable housing and the potential of underutilized urban land.
Sara completed her undergraduate degree in architecture at Carleton University, then moved to London to study at The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL), where she earned her Master’s degree in architecture and a Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice & Management.
Outside the studio, Sara is an active member of the architectural community and currently serves as Inclusivity Chair on the BEAA Executive Committee (Building Equality in Architecture — Atlantic Division). She also plays ringette with the Halifax Hurricanes, bakes elaborate cakes for her daughter, and hikes with her family and dog.
Michael Putman
Director
ArchTechDip, BAS, M.Arch, PgDip / NSAA, ARB
Michael is a registered Canadian and UK architect who believes architecture can be both deeply contextual and joyfully experiential. His work is shaped by distinct narratives that hone the design of each project – creating spaces that invite interpretation, reward curiosity, and remain grounded in place.
This ethos guides SUPRBLK’s approach across cultural, commercial, and adaptive-reuse projects, including The Biscuit Factory (a live–work conversion) and The Chapel (reimagining a heritage property). Michael brings this focus into his role as an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University’s School of Architecture, where he teaches a graduate Adaptive Reuse design studio, creates installations, and leads research exploring how existing buildings can be reimagined to better serve communities.
Before co-founding SUPRBLK, Michael worked as a Project Architect with Haworth Tompkins in London, England, a Stirling Prize-winning practice recognized for exceptional theatre and adaptive reuse projects. His experience includes landmark theatre and cultural projects such as the Bush Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, and Battersea Arts Centre.
Michael studied Fine Arts in Toronto before completing a diploma in Architectural Technology, followed by undergraduate and graduate architecture degrees at Carleton University in Ottawa, ON. He later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Practice & Management at The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL). This combination of arts, technical expertise, architectural thinking, and practice management continues to shape his approach – balancing imagination with rigour.
Outside the studio, Michael is an active member of the architectural community and previously served on Council of the NSAA (Nova Scotia Association of Architects). He also plays badminton, enjoys camping with his family and dog, and is slowly expanding his German vocabulary.
Awards & Publications
10/25 Dwell / The Green Machine
05/25 Architizer A+ Awards / The Green Machine
01/25 Dwell / Suprblk Studio
11/24 Home World Design / The Green Machine
10/24 Detail / Building in Existing Contexts feat. The Biscuit Factory & The Chapel
10/24 Archiportale / The Green Machine
06/24 NLA: The Home Reimagined / The Green Machine – Winner Event Presentation
06/24 The New York Times / The Green Machine – Living Small
05/24 NLA Don’t Move, Improve Awards / The Green Machine – Best Compact Design
05/24 Wallpaper / The Green Machine
05/24 Dezeen / The Green Machine
05/24 Evening Standard / The Green Machine
05/23 Maine Home and Design Magazine / The Barn-Door Studio – Cover Page
01/22 Detail Magazine / Suprblk Studio Interview
01/22 Detail Magazine / The Chapel
04/20 Detail Magazine / The Biscuit Factory – Densification Publication
01/20 Architectures À Vivre / The Biscuit Factory
10/19 East London Homes / The Biscuit Factory
10/19 New Atlas / The Biscuit Factory
01/19 Dezeen / The Biscuit Factory
01/19 NLA – Don’t Move, Improve Awards / The Biscuit Factory
01/19 Dezeen Awards / The Biscuit Factory
12/18 Grand Designs Magazine / The Biscuit Factory
11/18 The Sunday Times Newspaper / The Biscuit Factory
10/18 Evening Standard Newspaper / The Biscuit Factory