The Person Behind the Practice
Founded in 2009, born from a simple idea that good design shouldn't harm our planet.
Look, I'll be honest with you - I didn't start this firm because I had some grand vision or master plan. After spending nearly a decade at larger practices, I kept running into the same frustration: beautiful designs that completely ignored their environmental impact. It drove me nuts.
Growing up in Northern Ontario, I spent summers at my grandparents' cabin - no electricity, just clever passive design that kept it cool in summer and manageable in winter. That's where it clicked for me. Architecture isn't just about making something look good; it's about making spaces that actually work with their surroundings, not against them.
So I took the leap. Started small with residential projects, mostly renovations where clients wanted to reduce their energy bills (and yeah, save the planet too). Word got around that we could actually deliver on both fronts - spaces that felt amazing AND cut utility costs by 40-50%.
What surprised me most? How many people were hungry for this approach. We've grown from just me and a drafting table to a team of twelve talented folks who genuinely care about what we're building. Some of our early projects are now case studies in architecture programs, which is pretty wild to think about.
These days, we're juggling everything from lakefront homes to commercial spaces and even historic restorations - turns out old buildings have a lot to teach us about sustainability. Who knew?
Credentials & Stuff
- LEED Accredited Professional
- Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
- Ontario Association of Architects
- Certified Passive House Designer
- Master of Architecture, University of Waterloo
Project Milestones
The builds that shaped who we are
The Beginning
First Project: Rosedale Passive House
Our very first build - a gut renovation that became Toronto's second certified passive house. The clients took a huge chance on us, and we pulled all-nighters making sure every detail was perfect. Still drive by it sometimes.
Going Commercial
Liberty Village Design Studio
Our first commercial gig - a 12,000 sq ft creative workspace with a living green wall and rooftop garden. The developer was skeptical about the budget, but we came in under and the space leased out in three weeks. That's when things started getting busy.
Award Recognition
OAA Design Excellence Award
Won our first major award for the Beaches Net-Zero Home. Standing on that stage was surreal - imposter syndrome hit hard. But it opened doors we didn't even know existed. Client inquiries tripled overnight.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Queen West Historic Restoration
A 1890s warehouse conversion that taught us patience. Worked with heritage boards for 18 months just on approvals. Blending modern sustainable systems into historic fabric was like solving a 3D puzzle. Worth every headache.
Urban Scale Impact
Waterfront Mixed-Use Development
Our biggest project yet - a 45-unit residential complex with ground-floor retail. First time managing a team of consultants this size. Learned more about project management in six months than the previous decade. Still pinching myself that this actually happened.
International Recognition
Featured in Azure Magazine
Got the call that they wanted to feature our Muskoka Lake House as a cover story. Spent a week with photographers getting every angle perfect. Seeing our work on newsstands across Canada was unreal - my mom bought like twenty copies.
Looking Forward
Current: Multiple Major Projects
Right now we're juggling three commercial builds, two residential estates, and an adaptive reuse project that's honestly keeping us up at night (in a good way). The team's grown, the challenges are bigger, but the mission's still the same - just doing our part, one building at a time.
The Team That Makes It Happen
We're a tight-knit crew of twelve - architects, designers, project managers, and one very organized office manager who keeps us all in line. Everyone here brings something different to the table, which is exactly how we like it.
No massive egos, no corporate BS. Just folks who genuinely care about creating spaces that work for people and the planet. We've got early-career designers bringing fresh ideas and senior folks who've seen it all - the mix works.
Half the team bikes to work, we've got a communal veggie garden on the roof (it's a work in progress), and Friday afternoons usually involve sketching sessions over coffee. It's a good place to be, honestly.
Work With UsOur Approach in Numbers
What we've managed to pull off so far
87+
Projects Completed
42%
Avg. Energy Reduction
15
Industry Awards
98%
Client Satisfaction