The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design is saddened to learn of the passing of former architecture instructor Ivan Stefan Saleff (MArch), OAA, MRAIC. Saleff died in Cobourg on July 22, 2026, at the age of 72, with his wife, Rosella Cornaviera, by his side.

Ivan was a highly respected professional member of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). He received his undergraduate degree in architectural science from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in 1982, and his master of architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985, where he made lasting friendships. He interned in the Philadelphia and NYC offices of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

When Ivan returned to Toronto, he built a small, lively and diverse practice. He was continuously involved in the practice and teaching of architecture and his work has been published in both national and international publications. After many years teaching at Ryerson he was recruited to the University of Toronto, where he served as a lecturer from 1999 to 2019. Ivan taught both elective studio and core building science courses in the MArch program. 

Ivan was a proponent of sustainability and was a pioneer of the “Tower Renewal” movement. He co-authored the “Tower Renewal Guidelines” with Professor Ted Kesik, which is now widely acknowledged as the definitive work on the rehabilitation of vintage high-rise housing. His architecture practice involved a diversity of residential, commercial and institutional projects across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Architecture was more than a passion for Ivan. He lived and breathed it. Every structure was interesting to him. He saw beauty in nature, numbers, shapes and textures. He was not impressed by trends or brands but could appreciate the intrinsic beauty of an object. Ivan was a wonderful person who was held in high esteem by his colleagues, students and clients. He will be greatly missed by all those he touched and especially all of those he educated in the architecture field.

A celebration of Ivan’s life will be held in the fall, in Cobourg, on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ivan’s memory may be made to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, in Cobourg, or to a charity of your choice.

The faculty wishes to extend its sincere condolences to Rosella Cornaviera and to everyone mourning the loss of an exceptional colleague and fellow human being.