About us

At Aware Design Studio, we believe great design starts with listening. Every project is rooted in thoughtful collaboration with our clients, our trade partners, and the communities we work in. Whether we’re designing an adaptive renovation, a Net Zero home, or a lakeside retreat, our goal is the same: to create spaces that are intentional, personal, and built to support real life.

The name Aware reflects more than a mindset—it reflects a commitment. We approach every project with a wide lens and an open mind, considering everything from technical requirements and environmental factors to how a space feels at sunrise or ages alongside its occupants. True awareness in design means balancing building science with human experience, so the end result is not only functional, but intuitive, comfortable, and lasting.

Our process is as important as the final product: we work closely with clients to ensure they feel heard, supported, and excited every step of the way. As a studio, we’re deeply committed to giving back and building up—designing with sustainability in mind, advocating for accessibility, and strengthening the relationships that make our work possible. We’re proud to be part of a growing community of professionals who believe that better design leads to better living, and that home should always feel like yours.

Elsa Batten is the founder and principal designer of Aware Design Studio. With a background in business administration and environmental design, Elsa brings a rare blend of creativity, strategy, and care to every project. Her path into architectural design wasn’t linear—it was led by curiosity, shaped by experience, and rooted in a love for helping people feel more comfortable, empowered, and inspired in the spaces they live.

Raised in the country by capable, creative parents who modeled the value of hard work and gratitude, Elsa’s passion for design began with a desire to improve lives. She believes that a home should serve the people who live in it—not the other way around—and that thoughtful design can spark joy, foster connection, and support everyday living in beautiful, personal ways.

After studying design through George Brown College and OCAD U’s Environmental Design program, Elsa joined a residential interior design firm, where she realized her true calling wasn’t in selecting finishes, but in shaping the space itself. That realization led her to pursue her BCIN certification for Small Buildings, which she earned while gaining hands-on experience with a multi-award-winning design/build firm.

Elsa is a BCIN-certified architectural designer, a CHBA-accredited (Canadian Home Builders’ Association) Net Zero Home Builder/Renovator, and an Adaptive Home Specialist. She is dedicated to ongoing education and actively contributes to the advancement of the industry. Elsa serves on the board of directors for the Peterborough and Kawartha’s Home Builders’ Association and is a member of the Ontario Renovators Council through OHBA (Ontario Home Builders’ Association). She also participates in multiple committees, including:

• OHBA’s Ontario Renovators' Council Membership Subcommittee
• OHBA’s Ontario Renovators’ Council Education Subcommittee
• OHBA’s Under 40 Advisory Committee
• PKHBA’s Advocacy Committee
• PKHBA’s Women in Trades Committee
  

Her work is grounded in a belief that design can and should make life better for clients, communities, and the professionals who help bring each project to life.

Outside of work, Elsa stays inspired by the things that keep her grounded—her two spirited dogs, a close-knit circle of friends and family, time in the garden, and the quiet joy of making things by hand. It’s in these everyday moments that she finds the same care and creativity she brings to her work.