At the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on April 15, the OAA honoured its newest Members of Long Standing—individuals who have achieved the milestone of 50 years of membership with the OAA, contributing to Ontario’s built environment and its architecture profession.
Among this year’s honourees was Henry Schefter.
A Cornell University architecture graduate of 1963, Henry began his career with John M. Johansen in Connecticut before moving to Toronto in 1968 to work with John Andrews on notable projects like the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Cameron Offices in Belconnen, Australia. He later co-founded a practice with Charles Simon while teaching at the University of Toronto and Waterloo. In 1979, he partnered with Alistair McCallum, eventually establishing Henry Schefter Architect Inc.
In 1995, Henry founded FORREC U.S. Inc., specializing in entertainment architecture. Over 25 years, he served as Architect of Record for U.S. projects and led international designs, gaining expertise in waterparks, theme parks, and entertainment centres. Retiring from FORREC in 2020, he now focuses on independent work.
Henry’s portfolio includes three Center Parcs in France, Beijing’s Happy Magic Watercube, Costa Caribe Port Aventura in Spain, Universal Studios’ Port of Entry in Orlando, the Wilderness Adventure Ride at Ontario Place, Cranberry Village in Collingwood, the Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst, and Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
To learn about the work of other Members of Long Standing, from this year and previous, click here.