Our Story

Where Tranquility Meets Innovation in Design

How We Got Here

Look, we didn't start out thinking we'd become Toronto's go-to studio for blending old-world charm with cutting-edge sustainability. It kinda just happened, honestly.

Back in 2011, our founders were sitting in a cramped Queen West coffee shop, sketching renovation ideas for a century-old warehouse on napkins. That project turned into something special - we managed to keep the building's soul intact while making it energy-efficient enough to impress even the toughest green building certifiers.

These days, we're still doing the same thing, just with better coffee and a proper drafting table. Every brick we preserve, every solar panel we integrate, it's all about finding that sweet spot where history and innovation shake hands.

We've learned that the best buildings don't shout - they whisper stories while quietly reducing their carbon footprint. That's our jam.

What Drives Us

Respect for What Came Before

There's something about walking through a building that's stood for 100+ years that just hits different. We're not about tearing down and starting fresh when we can work with what's already there. Old structures have character you just can't fake, and preserving them isn't just our job - it's honestly a privilege.

Building for Tomorrow

Climate change isn't some abstract concept when you're designing buildings that'll be around for decades. We're constantly testing new materials, studying passive heating systems, and yeah, sometimes geeking out over insulation specs. If we can cut a building's energy use in half while making it more comfortable? That's a win we'll take every time.

Real Talk with Clients

We're not gonna pretend we have all the answers or speak in architectural jargon that nobody understands. Our best projects happen when clients feel comfortable pushing back on our ideas. You know your space better than we do - we just know how to make your vision work structurally and sustainably.

Urban Spaces That Work

Cities are living organisms, and every building we design affects the neighborhood around it. We think a lot about pedestrian flow, natural light on sidewalks, and how our projects fit into Toronto's evolving streetscape. Good architecture should make the whole block better, not just one lot.

The People Behind the Plans

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Founder

Started this whole thing after getting fed up with cookie-cutter commercial projects. Now spends her days advocating for adaptive reuse and occasionally arguing with structural engineers (in a friendly way).

Marcus Thompson

Sustainability Director

Former mechanical engineer who switched to architecture because he wanted to design systems that actually made sense. Knows more about heat pumps than anyone you'll ever meet. Probably owns too many houseplants.

Elena Rodriguez

Heritage Preservation Lead

Grew up in a Victorian row house and developed a slight obsession with original moldings. Can date a building by its brickwork and isn't afraid to fight city hall when heritage buildings are threatened.

James Park

Senior Designer

The guy who makes our wild ideas actually buildable. Has a knack for finding creative solutions when budgets get tight. Drinks way too much espresso during deadline weeks.

Aisha Patel

Visualization Specialist

Turns our sketches into photorealistic renderings that actually help clients understand what we're proposing. Former game designer who decided buildings were cooler than virtual worlds.

David O'Connor

Project Manager

The organized one who keeps us on schedule and under budget. Has a spreadsheet for everything. Somehow stays calm when contractors call with "unexpected discoveries" during demolition.

Our Journey So Far

2011

The Beginning

Founded in a tiny office above a Queen West bakery. First project was that warehouse conversion we mentioned - took way longer than expected but turned out pretty great. Learned a lot about dealing with century-old foundation issues.

2014

Heritage Recognition

Won our first preservation award for restoring a 1920s bank building in the Distillery District. Started getting calls from property owners who actually cared about maintaining historical integrity. This felt like validation.

2017

Going Green

Completed our first net-zero energy commercial building. Spent months fine-tuning everything from window placement to HVAC systems. The utility bills still make us smile. Officially became LEED accredited around this time too.

2019

Team Expansion

Moved to our current Suite 800 location because we literally ran out of desk space. Brought on specialists in sustainability and heritage work. Started feeling less like a scrappy startup and more like an actual studio.

2021

Urban Planning Focus

Landed a contract to help redesign a neglected downtown neighborhood. This was bigger than individual buildings - we were shaping how people moved through and experienced public spaces. Kinda intimidating but incredibly rewarding.

2023

Breaking Ground

Started construction on our largest mixed-use development yet - combining residential units, retail space, and preserved heritage facades. It's the kind of project we dreamed about back in that coffee shop. Should be complete by late 2026.

2025

Today

Working on projects across Toronto and beyond. Still obsessed with finding that balance between old and new, between preserving history and building for the future. Still drinking too much coffee and debating the merits of different window systems.

How We Work

Every project starts with a lot of listening. We'll walk the site with you, ask probably too many questions, and start sketching ideas right there. Our process isn't super rigid because honestly, every building and every client is different.

We use a mix of traditional drafting and cutting-edge 3D modeling - whatever helps you visualize what we're proposing. You'll get realistic renderings, not just abstract floor plans, because we've found that really helps with decision-making.

Throughout construction, we're on-site regularly. Not micromanaging contractors, but making sure the vision we all agreed on actually gets built. Things always come up - weird structural surprises, material delays, budget adjustments - and we handle them as a team.

The best part? Seeing you walk through the finished space for the first time. That never gets old.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you're restoring a heritage building or planning something brand new, we'd love to hear what you're thinking.

Get in Touch