Talbot was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In 1989, he attended Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia and received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Philosophy. In 1992, he attended Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. In 1993, he enrolled at the Faculty of Architecture at the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) where he received a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies in 1995 and graduated with a Masters in Architecture as a Sexton Scholar in 1997. He was the recipient of the American Institute of Architects Medal and Certificate for Highest Academic Standing in his graduating class, and was awarded a traveling fellowship to study architecture in Italy.
As part of the Co-op Program, Talbot worked at Brian Mackay-Lyons Architecture and Urban Design and also abroad at the office of Shin Takamatsu in Berlin, Germany. In 1997, he joined the firm of KPMB in Toronto where he gained experience in design of institutional buildings.
In 1999, Talbot returned to Halifax to accept a position with Brian MacKay-Lyons Architecture Urban Design as project architect for the Dalhousie Faculty of Computer Science Building. While at Brian MacKay-Lyons Architecture Urban Design, Talbot contributed to projects that have won numerous awards and have appeared in many international publications.
In 2005, Talbot partnered with Brian to form MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Limited. With Talbot’s interest in public architecture and constant search for design excellence, the partnership was a natural fit. The firm now enjoys many exciting international public commissions. Talbot’s ability to integrate client and user needs with award winning architectural design is exemplified by the success of several award winning projects.
Since 1996, Talbot has taught design and technology studios at The Dalhousie University Faculty of Architecture. He has also taught at Syracuse University, the University of Arkansas and in 2004, along with Brian Mackay-Lyons, was appointed to the Ruth and Norman Moore Chair at Washington University at St. Louis.