Our Work

Real projects, real challenges, real solutions—each one taught us something new about building better.

Lead Architect

Jade Flare Quintho

Founder & Principal Architect

After spending way too many years looking at concrete boxes pretending to be buildings, I started this practice with a simple idea—what if we actually listened to the land before we built on it? Turns out, that approach resonates with people who're tired of the same old formula. We've grown from sketching ideas on coffee-stained napkins to leading some of Vancouver's most thoughtful sustainable projects.

LEED AP BD+C Passive House Designer AIBC Member

Journey & Milestones

2023
Vancouver Sustainability Award

Recognition for Innovation in Green Building

Honestly didn't see this coming—our Kitsilano Net-Zero project got recognized by the city council. The project pushed every boundary we knew, and yeah, there were nights I questioned our sanity. But seeing it actually work? That's why we do this.

2022
Expansion to Commercial Sector

First Large-Scale Mixed-Use Development

Took on our first commercial project—a mixed-use development in Gastown. It was terrifying, honestly. Going from residential to commercial meant learning a whole new language of codes and regulations. But our sustainable approach translated beautifully, and now we're fielding calls from developers who actually care about doing it right.

2020
Passive House Certification

Advanced Training & Specialization

Spent six months deep-diving into Passive House standards. The math alone nearly broke me, but understanding how air movement and thermal bridging really work changed everything about how we design. Now it's not just about slapping on solar panels—it's about making buildings that barely need energy in the first place.

2018
Studio Launch

Founded Jade Flare Quintho Architecture

Left the safety of a big firm to start this crazy adventure. Started with one desk, a used drafting table, and more coffee than any human should consume. First client was a friend who trusted me with their backyard studio—tiny project, huge responsibility. That little 200 sq ft space taught me more about client relationships than any corporate gig ever did.

2015
LEED Accreditation

Professional Development & Certification

Got serious about the green building movement. LEED certification was eye-opening—suddenly all those "eco-friendly" claims people threw around had actual metrics behind them. Started seeing buildings as living systems rather than just shelter, and that perspective shift stuck with me.

2012
Professional Registration

Architectural Institute of British Columbia

Finally got those letters after my name. Years of intern hours, exams that tested everything from building codes to sketching under pressure. Walked out of that final exam feeling like I'd run a marathon, but holding that registration certificate made every late night worth it.

Featured Projects

Each project here represents a collaboration—between us, our clients, the site, and honestly, sometimes just stubborn determination to solve problems nobody thought had solutions.

Kitsilano Net-Zero Residence
Residential

Kitsilano Net-Zero Residence

Vancouver, BC • 2023 • 3,200 sq ft

This one kept us up at night—in a good way. The clients wanted a family home that literally produced more energy than it consumed. Sounds simple until you're dealing with Vancouver's rainy climate and a narrow lot. We ended up designing a building envelope so tight it could probably survive in space, combined with a solar array that tracks the sun better than my cat tracks a laser pointer. The geothermal system was a beast to integrate, but now their monthly energy bills are negative. Yeah, the utility company pays them.

Net-Zero Energy Passive House Certified Geothermal Heating
Gastown Adaptive Reuse
Commercial

Gastown Heritage Adaptive Reuse

Vancouver, BC • 2022 • 12,000 sq ft

Turning a 1908 brick warehouse into modern office space while keeping heritage inspectors happy? That was an adventure. We exposed original timber beams that'd been hidden for decades and integrated modern HVAC into century-old walls without destroying what made the building special.

Whistler Mountain Retreat
Residential

Whistler Mountain Retreat

Whistler, BC • 2021 • 2,800 sq ft

Building on a 30-degree slope at elevation meant getting creative. The home cantilevers over the hillside like it's floating, and the triple-glazed windows frame views that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. Snow load calculations were intense—this thing can handle whatever winter throws at it.

West End Housing
Urban Development

West End Community Housing

Vancouver, BC • 2021 • 45,000 sq ft

Affordable housing doesn't mean boring boxes—that was our mantra here. Sixty-two units designed around shared gardens and community spaces because people actually need to, y'know, interact with their neighbors. We pushed for prefab construction to keep costs down, and integrated solar panels that feed into a shared microgrid. The project proved you can build affordable, sustainable, and beautiful all at once. The city planners were skeptical at first, but the community response shut down any doubts pretty quick.

LEED Gold Prefab Construction Community Microgrid
False Creek Restaurant
Commercial

False Creek Waterfront Restaurant

Vancouver, BC • 2020 • 4,500 sq ft

The chef wanted diners to feel like they're eating on the water without actually being on a boat. We designed floor-to-ceiling glass that opens completely in summer, reclaimed wood from old Vancouver piers for the bar, and a living wall that doubles as a herb garden for the kitchen. The acoustic challenges were wild—trying to keep it lively but not loud enough that you can't hear your date.

Laneway Studio
Residential

Mount Pleasant Laneway Studios

Vancouver, BC • 2019 • 600 sq ft each

Vancouver's laneway housing program let us experiment with compact living. These eight units pack full kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping lofts into spaces smaller than most people's garages. The trick was making them feel spacious through smart lighting, high ceilings, and windows placed exactly where they needed to be. They rent out before we even finish the final walkthrough.

Got a project in mind?

Whether it's a complete overhaul or just an idea scribbled on a napkin, let's talk. We're always up for a good design challenge—and honestly, the weirder the better.

Start a Conversation