The People Behind The Plans
We're not your typical suit-and-tie firm
Look, we started this studio back in 2011 because we were honestly tired of seeing beautiful old buildings get torn down for another glass box. There's gotta be a better way, right? That's what we thought.
Vancouver's got this incredible architectural heritage - buildings that tell stories, that have character. But we're also living in 2024, dealing with climate change and urban density issues. So we figured, why not do both? Preserve what matters while designing new spaces that don't wreck the planet.
What started as three architects sharing a cramped office on Granville has grown into a team of 17 passionate folks who actually give a damn about what we create. We've messed up along the way, learned some hard lessons, but that's kinda the point - we're always evolving.
Every building's got a soul, whether it's been standing for 100 years or it's just a sketch on paper. Our job isn't to impose some grand vision - it's to listen. To the site, to the neighbourhood, to the people who'll actually use the space.
Sustainability isn't a buzzword for us, it's just... common sense? We're designing buildings that'll be around for decades. Making them energy-efficient and environmentally responsible isn't optional, it's literally the baseline.
And yeah, we care about aesthetics too. Beauty matters. Spaces should make you feel something. But not at the expense of functionality or the environment.
Principal Architect & Co-Founder
Elena's the one who keeps us honest. Trained in Prague before moving to Vancouver in 2008, she's got this incredible eye for detail that's honestly borderline obsessive (in a good way). She's led over 40 heritage restoration projects and won't compromise on quality - which drives contractors crazy but produces amazing results.
When she's not in the studio, you'll find her kayaking around False Creek or arguing with city council about building codes. She's passionate about making architecture accessible and breaking down the elitist attitudes that plague this industry.
Director of Sustainable Design
Marcus joined us in 2015 after getting fed up with greenwashing at larger firms. He's the guy who calculates the carbon footprint of every material choice and somehow makes it actually interesting. His master's thesis on adaptive reuse strategies in dense urban environments basically became our playbook.
He's convinced we can retrofit 80% of Vancouver's older buildings instead of demolishing them, and he's spent the last five years proving it. Also makes the best coffee in the office, which honestly might be his most valuable contribution.
Urban Design Lead
Priya's our urban planning wizard. She thinks in neighbourhoods, not just buildings. Before joining us, she worked on community-centered design projects in Toronto and Mumbai, and she brought this whole perspective about how buildings interact with public space that honestly changed how we approach every project.
She's particularly passionate about affordable housing and making sure our designs serve actual communities, not just developers' profit margins. She's also teaching a course at UBC, which means we get first dibs on talented interns.
Senior Project Manager
James is the reason projects actually get finished. He's got 22 years of construction experience and has seen every possible thing that can go wrong on a job site. Which means he's excellent at preventing disasters before they happen. His calendar is terrifying but somehow he's never missed a deadline.
He's also surprisingly funny for someone who spends half his day reading building codes. Grew up in Winnipeg, moved here for the mountains, stayed for the architecture scene. His dog Duke is our unofficial studio mascot.
We've got junior architects, CAD specialists, an administrative coordinator who actually runs this place (hi Sarah), interns who bring fresh ideas, and consultants we work with regularly. Everyone brings something different to the table.
What connects us? We're all kinda obsessed with buildings. And we genuinely believe architecture can make cities better, more livable, more sustainable. Maybe that sounds idealistic, but honestly, why else would you do this job?
Let's Work TogetherBuildings don't exist in a vacuum. We study the neighbourhood, the history, the culture. Sometimes the best design decision is the one that feels like it was always there.
Every material choice matters. Every energy system matters. We're not perfect but we're trying to leave things better than we found them.
Fancy renderings are great but we care most about how spaces feel when you're actually in them. Does it work? Does it inspire? That's what counts.