Our Story

Crafting Tomorrow's Landscapes Today

Studio workspace

How We Got Here

Look, we didn't start out wanting to revolutionize anything. Back in 2011, it was just me and my old drafting table in a cramped office on Dundas West. I'd spent years working for the big firms, designing glass towers that honestly... didn't feel like much.

The turning point? A client asked if we could design their home using reclaimed materials and passive solar heating. Most studios would've said no way, too complicated. But something clicked - why weren't we all building like this already?

Fast forward to today, and we're a team of twelve passionate designers, engineers, and urban planners who've realized that sustainable doesn't mean sacrificing beauty. Actually, it's the opposite. When you work with natural light, local materials, and the existing landscape instead of against it - that's when the magic happens.

We've done everything from laneway houses to commercial towers, but every project starts with the same question: how can this building give back more than it takes?

Our Philosophy

Not the corporate mission statement you'd expect

Buildings Should Breathe

We're kinda obsessed with natural ventilation. Every design starts with understanding wind patterns and thermal dynamics. Sounds nerdy, right? But it means our buildings don't just sit there using energy - they work with the seasons.

In Toronto's climate, you can't ignore winter. So we design spaces that capture every bit of sunlight from November through March, while staying cool in those brutal August weeks without cranking the AC to max.

Material Honesty

We don't hide what things are made of. Concrete looks like concrete, wood shows its grain, steel ages gracefully. There's something deeply satisfying about authentic materials doing their job without pretense.

Context Matters

Every site tells a story - the neighbors, the trees, the way water flows when it rains. We spend weeks just observing before we draw a single line. Cookie-cutter solutions? Not our thing.

Future-Proof Design

Buildings outlive us. So we design for adaptability - spaces that can change as needs evolve, materials that age well, systems that can be upgraded without tearing everything apart.

The Team

The folks who make it all happen

Marcus Brimval

Marcus Brimval

Principal Architect

Started this whole thing after getting tired of designing soulless office parks. Still can't draw a straight line without coffee.

Sarah Quinthar

Sarah Quinthar

Design Director

The one who makes sure Marcus's wild ideas actually work. Sustainability expert who proves green buildings can be gorgeous.

James Chen

James Chen

Senior Project Manager

Somehow keeps projects on budget and on time while maintaining his sanity. Former structural engineer with a gift for problem-solving.

Elena Rodriguez

Elena Rodriguez

Landscape Integration Lead

Believes every building should have a relationship with its surroundings. Her green roof designs are kinda legendary around here.

Our Journey

2011

The Beginning

Marcus opens up shop with one employee (himself) and a dream to do architecture differently. First project? A 900 sq ft laneway house that won a local design award.

2013

Team Grows

Sarah joins as partner after collaborating on a net-zero office building. Studio expands to five people and moves to Queen West.

2016

Recognition

Our mixed-use development in the Junction wins the OAA Award of Excellence. People start taking notice that sustainable can mean beautiful.

2019

Expansion

Launch dedicated sustainability consulting service. Team hits twelve people. Complete our first heritage renovation project - learned a ton about respecting history while adding modern efficiency.

2022

New Horizons

First commercial tower project breaks ground. It's got vertical gardens, rainwater harvesting, and enough solar panels to make us giddy. Also featured in Azure Magazine.

2024

Today

We're working on fifteen active projects ranging from residential to commercial. Still the same philosophy though - buildings that give back, designs that last, and spaces people actually wanna spend time in.

Studio workspace

Work With Us

We're always looking for talented folks who care about making buildings that matter. If you're passionate about sustainable design and aren't afraid to challenge conventions, we'd love to hear from you.

Current openings? Check back often or send us your portfolio anyway - we keep good designers on our radar.

Got a project in mind?

Let's chat about how we can bring your vision to life - sustainably.