Who We Are

Crafting Tomorrow's Living Spaces with Nature's Wisdom

Quick Facts

Founded: 2012
Location: Vancouver, BC
Team Size: 18 professionals
Projects Completed: 150+
LEED Certified: 87% of projects

Our Story

Started in a cramped office near Granville Island back in 2012, we've grown into something we're genuinely proud of. It wasn't some grand plan—honestly, it began with three architects who were tired of seeing cookie-cutter developments pop up everywhere and wanting to do things differently.

Vancouver's always had this tension between urban growth and nature, right? We saw that as an opportunity rather than a problem. Our first project was a residential conversion in Kitsilano where the client wanted "green" but didn't know what that actually meant beyond some solar panels. That's when we realized there's a huge gap between what people want and what the industry was delivering.

These days, we're focused on two main things: sustainable urban design that actually makes sense for how people live, and residential architecture that doesn't compromise comfort for eco-credentials. We've learned the hard way that sustainability can't just be an add-on—it's gotta be baked into every decision from day one.

What sets us apart? Probably our obsession with context. A building in Mount Pleasant shouldn't look like it belongs in Coal Harbour. We spend a ridiculous amount of time just walking neighborhoods, talking to locals, understanding microclimates. Some clients think we're overthinking it, but that groundwork pays off when their building actually fits into the community.

Our Approach

01

Listen First

We don't show up with pre-made solutions. Every project starts with understanding what you actually need—not what we think looks cool.

02

Design Smart

Sustainability isn't about sacrifice. We find solutions that work for both the environment and your lifestyle without the trade-offs.

03

Build Right

We're involved through construction because that's where good designs can fall apart. Our team's there to make sure it gets built the way it was meant to be.

04

Stay Connected

The relationship doesn't end at handover. We check in, learn from how spaces are actually used, and that feeds into making our next project even better.

Our Philosophy

Architecture isn't just about buildings—it's about how those buildings shape the way people live, work, and connect with each other. We've seen too many projects that look amazing in renderings but feel cold and disconnected in real life.

That's why we're kinda obsessed with the human side of design. Sure, we care about clean lines and innovative materials, but what really gets us excited is creating spaces where people actually want to spend time. Spaces that adapt as needs change, that feel comfortable year-round, that don't cost a fortune to maintain.

And yeah, we take the environmental stuff seriously—not because it's trendy, but because it's the only responsible way to build anymore. Our kids are gonna inherit whatever we design today, and that weighs on us.

Leadership Team

Sarah Quintho

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Sarah's the one who pushes us to think bigger. With 20 years in sustainable design, she's been advocating for passive house standards since before they were mainstream in Canada. She's also weirdly good at spotting structural issues before engineers do.

Marcus Chen

Design Director & Co-Founder

Marcus brings the artistic vision but keeps it grounded. He's got this knack for blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship. Trained in both Vancouver and Copenhagen, he's constantly pushing materials in unexpected ways.

Elena Rodriguez

Sustainability Lead

Elena joined us in 2015 and basically transformed how we approach every project. She's certified in LEED, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge. Her superpower is finding eco-friendly solutions that don't blow budgets.

Awards & Recognition

We don't design for awards, but it's nice when the work gets noticed. Over the years we've picked up some recognition that we're pretty proud of:

• 2023 AIBC Innovation Award - Westside Residential Complex
• 2022 Lieutenant Governor's Award - Fraser Valley Community Hub
• 2021 Canadian Green Building Award - Net-Zero Office Development
• 2020 Urban Design Institute Recognition - Mixed-Use Revitalization Project
• 2019 Passive House Project of the Year - Kitsilano Townhomes

Community Involvement

Architecture happens in communities, so we try to give back where we can. It's not just about feeling good—we learn a ton from these experiences that makes us better at what we do.

Pro Bono Design Services

We dedicate around 5% of our time to non-profit organizations and community groups that wouldn't normally have access to architectural services. Last year we helped redesign a community center in East Van and a shelter in Surrey.

Educational Outreach

Team members regularly speak at UBC and BCIT, and we host student interns every summer. There's a real gap between what schools teach and actual practice, so we try to bridge that where we can.

Sustainable Building Workshops

We run quarterly workshops on sustainable building practices for homeowners and small developers. It's surprising how many people want to build green but don't know where to start or think it's too expensive.

Local Material Advocacy

We're part of a group pushing for better utilization of BC timber and stone. Shipping materials from overseas doesn't make sense environmentally or economically when we've got amazing resources right here.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you've got detailed plans or just an idea you've been thinking about, we'd love to hear about it. Coffee's on us.

Get In Touch