Vaidila Banelis honoured at 2025 College of Fellows convocation
June 16, 2025A celebrated leader and visionary at Zeidler, Vaidila Banelis has been officially inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), one of the profession’s highest honours.
The induction took place on June 3, 2025, during the RAIC Conference on Architecture in Montréal, recognizing Vaidila’s exceptional contributions to Canadian architecture and his lasting influence on the built environment, the profession, and the communities we serve.
With nearly four decades at Zeidler, Vaidila has shaped the firm’s national and international presence through design excellence, mentorship, and a deeply collaborative approach. His leadership has been central to Zeidler’s evolution into a collaborative, multi-studio practice. Known for blending creative vision with technical experience, Vaidila’s work includes CF’s Calgary City Centre, the Rudy Adlaf Bridge at CF Toronto Eaton Centre with WilkinsonEyre and the ongoing Block 2 Parliamentary Redevelopment with David Chipperfield Architects.
Vaidila’s legacy extends far beyond the buildings he’s helped bring to life. As a leader, he inspires through trust, mentorship, and purpose—bringing clarity to complexity and fostering bold ideas. He has a unique ability to guide teams from vision to execution, translating ambitious concepts into impactful, built environments. His work has been widely recognized by the RAIC, OAA, and Canadian Architect, and through his leadership, he continues to advocate for innovation and meaningful collaboration across the industry. His induction as a Fellow honours not only a remarkable career, but an ongoing dedication to shaping communities through thoughtful, transformative design.
We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with Vaidila, and even prouder to follow his lead as he continues to guide our practice toward an ambitious, purpose-driven future.
Read more about this year’s RAIC Fellows.