About Us - Gildraven Ionquinth Architecture

Our Story

Look, we didn't start this firm to tick boxes or chase trends. Back in 2012, three of us were sitting in a cramped Toronto cafe, sketching on napkins and complaining about how most architecture felt... disconnected. Buildings that ignored their context, designs that looked pretty but didn't actually work for the people using them.

So we figured, why not do something about it? Gildraven Ionquinth came from that conversation - a commitment to creating spaces that actually matter. Not just structures, but places where people can thrive, where sustainability isn't an afterthought, and where contemporary design meets genuine functionality.

Fast forward to today, we've grown from that napkin-sketch trio into a team of 17 passionate professionals. We've worked on everything from heritage restorations to cutting-edge commercial towers, but the core philosophy hasn't changed: design with purpose, build with conscience.

How We Think About Design

Philosophy's a big word, but here's what drives us every single day

Context Over Concepts

We spend more time understanding a site's history, climate, and community than we do pushing our own aesthetic agenda. Every location tells a story - our job's to listen first, then design something that belongs there. Not every building needs to scream for attention; sometimes the best architecture is the kind that feels inevitable.

Sustainable By Default

It's 2025 - sustainability can't be optional anymore. We integrate passive design strategies, renewable materials, and energy-efficient systems from day one. Not because it's trendy, but because we're designing buildings that'll outlast us. Our kids will inherit these spaces, and we take that responsibility seriously.

People-First Spaces

Architecture that doesn't consider how humans actually move, work, and live is just sculpture. We obsess over the tiny details - natural light patterns, acoustic comfort, intuitive circulation. The best compliment we've ever received? "I can't explain it, but this space just works." That's the goal.

Honest Materials

We're not fans of pretending concrete is marble or hiding structural elements behind unnecessary cladding. Materials should be themselves - celebrated for what they actually are. There's beauty in exposed timber beams, in weathered steel, in raw concrete. Authenticity resonates with people in ways that fakery never will.

Professional Credentials

We've got the certifications to back up the work

OAA Registered

Ontario Association of Architects

LEED AP Certified

Accredited Professionals

RAIC Members

Royal Architectural Institute

Passive House

Certified Designers

Meet The Team

The folks who turn ideas into buildings

Elena Gildraven

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Elena's the one who keeps us grounded. With 18 years in sustainable design, she's got this uncanny ability to see a site's potential before the rest of us even finish our coffee. She trained at Waterloo, spent five years in Copenhagen learning from the Scandinavian masters, and brought that sensibility back to Toronto. When she's not obsessing over thermal bridging details, she's probably hiking the Bruce Trail or advocating for better urban housing policy at city council meetings.

Focus: Sustainable Residential Design, Urban Infill Projects

Marcus Ionquinth

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Marcus handles the complex commercial stuff that makes the rest of us's heads spin. McGill grad, worked on some major institutional projects in Montreal before moving to Toronto. He's got this methodical approach - every detail documented, every code requirement anticipated. Sounds boring, but it's why our projects actually get built on time and on budget. Outside the office, he's restoring a century home in Cabbagetown and learning the hard way why heritage work is so damn difficult.

Focus: Commercial Architecture, Heritage Restoration

Sarah Chen

Senior Associate, Interior Architecture

Sarah's been with us for seven years and honestly, she's the reason our interiors actually feel livable. She's got this talent for spatial flow that you can't really teach. UofT architecture degree, ARIDO certified, and she's currently nerding out over biophilic design principles.

Jamal Robertson

Project Manager, Urban Planning

Jamal's the bridge between our design aspirations and reality. Ten years in construction before switching to architecture - that background makes him invaluable during coordination. He knows what'll actually work on site versus what just looks good on a rendering. Ryerson grad, loves cycling, hates site meetings that could've been emails.

Priya Sharma

Sustainability Consultant

Priya joined us three years ago from an engineering background, and she's transformed how we approach building performance. LEED AP, Passive House designer, and she's currently researching embodied carbon in mass timber construction. If there's a greener way to do something, she'll find it.

Daniel Kim

Design Technologist

Dan's our computational design wizard. Carleton grad who's way more comfortable in Rhino and Grasshopper than the rest of us. He's pushing parametric design tools to optimize everything from facade systems to daylighting. Young, ambitious, drinks way too much energy drinks.

Lisa Martinez

Associate Architect

Lisa's been in the Toronto architecture scene for 12 years and has seen it all. She's particularly skilled at navigating the OBC and getting tricky projects through permits. Also runs our mentorship program for interns - she's genuinely invested in developing the next generation of architects.

Plus 11 More

Designers, Technicians & Support Staff

Our full team includes talented junior architects, CAD technicians, administrative staff, and interns who bring fresh perspectives. Everyone contributes to the collaborative environment that makes our work possible. We're always growing and learning together.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for interesting conversations about interesting projects

Let's Talk