Our Story

Soaring Beyond Conventional Design

Our workspace

How We Got Here

Started back in 2012 with just three of us cramped in a tiny office off Commercial Drive. We'd spend nights arguing over sketches, fueled by too much coffee and this weird belief that buildings could actually make people feel something.

Fast forward to now - we're still arguing over sketches, honestly. But somewhere along the way, we figured out our groove. Turns out people appreciated our approach of not treating every project like it needs to win awards or look like it belongs in a magazine nobody reads.

Vancouver's a tough city to build in. Weather's moody, regulations are... let's say interesting, and everyone's got an opinion. But that's exactly why we love it here. Each project teaches us something we didn't know before.

What Drives Us

Architecture shouldn't just look good in renders. It needs to work for actual humans doing actual things.

Real-World Thinking

We don't design in a vacuum. Every space we create has to handle the mess and chaos of everyday life - whether that's a busy restaurant kitchen or a family home with three kids and a dog.

Honest Materials

We're not big on hiding what things are made of. Concrete can be beautiful. Steel has character. Wood ages in interesting ways. Why cover that up with stuff that pretends to be something else?

Long-Term Sense

Buildings stick around for decades. We try to design them so they won't look dated in five years or fall apart in ten. Sustainability isn't a checkbox - it's just common sense when you're creating something permanent.

The People Behind The Projects

We're a mixed bunch - some of us came from big corporate firms and got tired of the politics, others started in construction and wanted to understand the 'why' behind the building. What we share is this slightly obsessive attention to detail and a genuine interest in how spaces affect people.

Team member

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect

Spent 8 years at a heritage preservation firm before joining us. She's the one who can look at a 1920s building and figure out how to make it work for modern office space without destroying what makes it special. Also makes killer dumplings for team lunches.

Team member

Marcus Oladipo

Design Director

Came to us from Lagos via London. Has this incredible eye for how light moves through spaces throughout the day. He's saved more than one project by suggesting we flip the entire layout around. Terrible at returning phone calls though.

Team member
Priya Sharma

Interior Specialist

If a space feels awkward, Priya can tell you why in about 30 seconds. She's got this knack for spatial flow that's honestly a bit spooky. Weekend rock climber, which probably explains the problem-solving skills.

Team member
James Ko

Project Manager

Former contractor who got his architecture degree at 35. Keeps us grounded when our designs get too ambitious. If James says something can't be built, we listen - he's usually already tried it three different ways.

Team member
Emma Bergstrom

Sustainability Lead

Joined us straight out of grad school three years ago and immediately started challenging everything we thought we knew about green building. In a good way. She's made us way better at our jobs.

Why Vancouver?

This city's got personality. Rain 200 days a year means we can't ignore weather. Mountains and ocean mean views matter. Diverse neighborhoods mean one-size-fits-all doesn't work here.

We've designed spaces from Kitsilano to Commercial Drive, from Yaletown condos to Burnaby warehouses-turned-offices. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, its own challenges, its own opportunities. That variety keeps things interesting.

Our process

How We Actually Work

First meeting's always casual - coffee, no pressure. We want to hear what you're actually trying to accomplish, not what you think architects want to hear. Sometimes the best projects come from conversations that go off on tangents.

Then we dig in. Site visits, measurements, way too many photos. We'll talk to your neighbors, check out similar buildings, spend time in the space at different times of day. Sounds excessive, but you'd be surprised what you learn.

Design phase is collaborative - we'll show you sketches early, even the rough ones. Rather fix problems on paper than halfway through construction. We use 3D models now, which helps, but sometimes a quick cardboard mockup tells you more than any render.

Construction can be chaotic. We stay involved because stuff always comes up - unexpected conditions, supply issues, better ideas. Good relationships with builders matter way more than perfect drawings.

Some Honest Numbers

Since 2012, we've done a fair bit of work around Vancouver and beyond.

87

Completed Projects

12

Awards (not that we're counting)

2.1M

Sq Ft Designed

94%

Clients Who Come Back

Want to Work Together?

We're always up for interesting projects. Whether you're renovating a heritage house or building a new commercial space, let's grab coffee and see if we're a good fit.

Get In Touch