Michael James Carroll, a respected Canadian architect, educator and longtime contributor to Canadian Architect, has died at the age of 62. Carroll passed away on October 10, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in architectural design, education and research.
Born on April 30, 1964, in Springdale, Newfoundland, Canada, Carroll grew up in Baie Verte and Fortune Harbour. His passion for architecture led him to earn his professional degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1988. His design for infill development in a historic context in St. John’s, Newfoundland, earned recognition from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Carroll continued his academic journey at McGill University, where he received a post-professional master’s degree in architecture with honours in 1999. His research explored architectural drawings created by Michelangelo for the Laurentian Library and the Medici Chapel at San Lorenzo in Florence, reflecting his interest in architectural history and theory.
Throughout his professional career, Carroll worked with architectural studios in several cities, including London, Seville, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Halifax. He later became a founding partner of atelier BUILD, a Montreal-based design-build practice whose work received international recognition. In 2004, the practice won the Canadian Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture, and its projects were published and exhibited across Canada, the United States, Britain and Japan.
Carroll also made a lasting contribution to architectural education. He taught at Syracuse University and McGill University before joining the faculty at what was then Southern Polytechnic State University in Georgia in 2009. Following the institution’s integration into Kennesaw State University in 2015, he continued teaching architecture for 17 years in total. He also founded MAT_LAB, a materials library, laboratory and exhibition space, and designed the KSU Mini-Pavilion at Cobb County Safety Village, which served as a classroom for elementary school students.
Days before his death, Carroll received the Atlanta Design Festival’s “Design is Human” Award, a recognition of his work and contribution to the design community. He was also a longtime contributor to Canadian Architect, writing about architectural projects in Newfoundland, Montreal and other locations. In 2019, he was elected a full member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects, and in March 2026, he became a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Carroll is survived by his partner, Danny Smith; his twin sister, Michelle Babb, and her husband, Steve; his nephew, Douglas Babb; his niece, Ellen Babb; and Danny’s uncle, Gerald Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Elizabeth Carroll, and his brother, Patrick Carroll. His extended family across Canada and the United States also mourns his loss.
In his memory, the family has requested donations to the Dr. Marietta Monaghan Endowed Travel Scholarship at Kennesaw State University. The scholarship supports architecture students travelling for educational experiences, reflecting Carroll’s commitment to learning and the opportunities he helped provide for his students. His influence on architecture, teaching and the professional community will remain an important part of his legacy.
May Michael James Carroll rest in peace, and may his family, friends, colleagues and former students find comfort in the lasting impact of his life and work.