Our Work

The Story

Working on this one was kinda surreal—our clients wanted something that'd basically heat itself through a Toronto winter. They weren't messing around with the energy targets either. We ended up doing triple-glazed windows throughout, super-insulated walls that are honestly thicker than most people expect, and a heat recovery ventilation system that's smarter than my phone.

The tricky part? Making it look good while keeping that airtight envelope. Nobody wants their house to look like a science experiment. So we played with different volumes, added these deep window reveals that create amazing shadow play, and picked materials that'd age gracefully—cedar cladding mixed with smooth stucco panels.

Best moment was when the blower door test came back and we'd absolutely crushed the passive house standard. The homeowners now spend less on heating than most people spend on coffee in a month.

Details

Location: Rosedale, Toronto
Year: 2024
Size: 3,200 sq ft
Type: Single Family Residence
Certification: Passive House Certified
Energy Use: 85% reduction vs. baseline

The Story

This building needed to do a lot—office space for a growing tech company, street-level retail that'd bring some life to the block, and honestly it had to fit into Queen West without screaming "corporate takeover." The existing structure was from the 70s and hadn't aged particularly well.

We kept the bones but reimagined pretty much everything else. Added a glass atrium that floods the co-working spaces with natural light, installed a green roof that's become the go-to lunch spot, and carved out these collaboration zones that don't feel forced. The façade's this combination of reclaimed brick from the original building and floor-to-ceiling glass that changes character throughout the day.

What's cool is seeing how the tenants have made it their own. There's always something happening in that atrium—exhibitions, pop-up markets, even yoga sessions before work hours.

Details

Location: Queen West, Toronto
Year: 2023
Size: 42,000 sq ft
Type: Mixed-Use Commercial
LEED: Gold Certified
Features: Green roof, solar array

The Story

Urban planning projects can drag on forever with committee meetings and revisions, but this one had real momentum from day one. The city wanted to transform this underused stretch of waterfront into something residents would actually use year-round, not just during those three weeks of actual summer we get.

We designed a series of connected spaces that flow into each other—there's a performance pavilion that hosts free concerts, a wetland area that handles stormwater naturally, elevated boardwalks through native plantings, and these flex spaces that work for winter skating or summer markets. The whole thing's about 15 acres but it doesn't feel overwhelming.

The native plant palette was crucial. We worked with local ecologists to bring back species that used to thrive here before development. Now you've got these incredible bird migrations stopping through, and the community's totally embraced it. Kids doing science projects, folks bringing their morning coffee down to watch the sunrise—it's become exactly what public space should be.

Details

Location: Toronto Waterfront
Year: 2024
Size: 15 acres
Type: Public Space / Urban Park
Awards: Ontario Planning Award
Features: Wetland restoration

The Story

Heritage work is always a balancing act, but when you're dealing with a building that's got 150 years of history, you really feel the weight of it. This was part of the old Gooderham & Worts complex—massive timber beams, original brick walls that're like three feet thick, and these cast iron columns that've been holding things up since confederation.

Our clients wanted a modern home but they totally got why the building's character mattered. We spent months documenting everything, figuring out what could stay and what needed serious intervention. Ended up exposing and reinforcing the original timber ceiling, cleaning 15 layers of paint off those brick walls, and integrating contemporary insertions—glass mezzanine, sleek kitchen pod, minimalist steel staircase—that clearly read as new.

The heritage committee was actually thrilled with our approach. We weren't trying to fake any "olde worlde" aesthetic or erase the building's evolution. It's honest about what's original and what's 2023, and that tension makes it interesting to live in.

Details

Location: Distillery District
Year: 2023
Size: 2,800 sq ft
Type: Heritage Conversion
Built: Original 1870s
Recognition: Heritage Award

The Story

Building in Muskoka comes with its own rulebook—you've gotta respect the landscape, work with the granite outcrops, and design something that doesn't scream at the lake. The old cottage here was charming but basically falling apart, and the family wanted to rebuild for multi-generational use without losing that cottage vibe.

We broke the program into three connected pavilions that step down the site following the natural topography. Main living space opens completely to a screened porch that's honestly where everyone hangs out, guest wing tucks into the trees for privacy, and there's a floating deck that cantilevers over the water. Everything's low-slung, clad in local wood that'll silver beautifully, with these deep overhangs for shade and rain protection.

The geothermal system was a no-brainer given the bedrock, and we did solar panels that sit flat so they don't mess with the roofline. Family's been using it year-round—apparently it's amazing for winter getaways when the lake freezes solid.

Details

Location: Lake Muskoka
Year: 2022
Size: 3,600 sq ft
Type: Seasonal Residence
Systems: Geothermal, solar
Materials: Local cedar, stone

The Story

Interior architecture can be trickier than starting from scratch sometimes—you're working within someone else's shell, dealing with mechanical systems you can't move, and trying to carve out space that feels intentional. This penthouse had decent bones and killer views, but the layout was choppy and the finishes were very 2005.