What We Actually Do

Look, we've been at this for years now, and honestly? We've learned that every project's different. Sure, we've got our core services listed below, but the real magic happens when we sit down with you and figure out what you actually need - not just what fits into a neat little box.

Architecture planning

Services That Evolved From Real Projects

We didn't wake up one day and decide what services to offer. Each one below came from actual client needs we encountered. Click any service to see what it really involves - no fluff, just the practical stuff.

Residential Architecture

From starter homes to custom estates


So you're thinking about building your dream home, or maybe just fixing up what you've got? We've worked on everything from cozy laneway houses to sprawling family compounds. The process usually starts with us walking your site together - yeah, actually being there matters more than you'd think. We'll talk about how you live, not just what rooms you need.

We handle the full scope: initial concepts, permit drawings, construction documentation, and we're around during construction when questions pop up (they always do). Vancouver's zoning can be a headache, but we've navigated it enough times to know the shortcuts.

  • Custom single-family homes
  • Multi-family residential buildings
  • Renovations & additions
  • Laneway houses & secondary suites
  • Heritage restorations

Commercial Building Design

Spaces that work as hard as you do


Commercial work's a different beast entirely. You've got different codes, different budgets, and let's be real - different stakes. We've done retail spaces where foot traffic patterns can make or break a business, offices where people actually want to show up, and mixed-use buildings that need to juggle competing demands.

What we bring to commercial projects isn't just technical knowledge (though yeah, building code compliance is kinda important). It's understanding how your space needs to function for your business model. We've sat through enough operations meetings to know that the devil's in the details.

  • Office buildings & workspaces
  • Retail & hospitality venues
  • Mixed-use developments
  • Tenant improvements
  • Adaptive reuse projects

Sustainable Design Consulting

Green building without the greenwashing


Okay, sustainability's become such a buzzword that it almost means nothing anymore. Here's our take: it's not about slapping solar panels on everything and calling it a day. Real sustainable design means thinking through material choices, energy systems, and long-term building performance from day one.

We can consult on existing projects or integrate these principles into new designs. Sometimes it's helping you navigate LEED certification, sometimes it's just making sure your building envelope actually works. Vancouver's climate is unique - what works in Toronto won't necessarily work here.

  • Energy modeling & optimization
  • LEED & green building certifications
  • Passive house design strategies
  • Material & resource selection
  • Retrofit consulting for existing buildings

Interior Space Planning

Making rooms that actually make sense


You know that feeling when you walk into a space and everything just flows? That doesn't happen by accident. Interior space planning is where we figure out how people actually move through and use spaces. It's part psychology, part geometry, part experience.

We're not interior decorators picking out throw pillows (though we can recommend people for that). We're talking about spatial relationships, circulation patterns, natural light, acoustics - the bones of how a space functions. Whether it's an open office that needs quiet zones or a home that needs to work for a family of five, we've probably tackled something similar.

  • Space programming & analysis
  • Furniture layouts & specifications
  • Lighting design coordination
  • Material & finish selections
  • Accessibility compliance

3D Visualization & Rendering

See it before you build it


Here's the thing about architectural drawings - most people can't read them. And that's totally fine! That's where 3D visualization comes in. We can show you exactly what your project's gonna look like before a single nail gets hammered.

These aren't just pretty pictures for your Instagram (though they do look good there). They're decision-making tools. Want to see if that window should be bigger? If the kitchen island works in that spot? If the exterior color scheme actually looks good on your building? We can show you, tweak it, and show you again.

  • Photorealistic exterior renderings
  • Interior visualization & walkthroughs
  • Virtual reality experiences
  • Material & finish mockups
  • Marketing imagery for developments

Project Management

Someone's gotta keep it all together


Let's be honest - construction projects can get messy. There's the architect, the engineers, the contractor, the city, the suppliers, and probably a few other people we're forgetting. Someone needs to make sure everyone's on the same page and the project doesn't go off the rails.

We can take on project management duties if you want one point of contact for everything. That means coordinating consultants, reviewing contractor work, handling change orders, and making sure what gets built actually matches what we designed. We've been doing this long enough to know where problems usually crop up and how to head them off.

  • Construction administration
  • Consultant coordination
  • Budget tracking & cost control
  • Schedule management
  • Site reviews & quality control
Project consultation

How We Actually Work Together

Every project starts with a conversation. Usually coffee, sometimes a site visit, occasionally just a phone call if you're in a hurry. We'll talk about what you're trying to accomplish, what you've got to work with, and yeah - what your budget actually is. No point designing something you can't afford to build.

From there, we'll put together a proposal that outlines what services you actually need. Maybe that's everything, maybe it's just parts. Some clients want us involved from initial concept through ribbon-cutting, others just need help with specific phases. We're flexible about it.

The timeline? Depends entirely on the project scope and complexity. A simple renovation might be a few months from start to permits. A ground-up commercial building could be a year or more. We'll give you realistic expectations upfront.

Questions People Usually Ask

Legally? Sometimes yes, sometimes no - depends on the scope. Practically? We'd say most people benefit from having one. We've seen enough DIY projects that ended up costing more to fix than they would've to do right the first time. Plus, we know the local building codes and zoning bylaws, which can save you a ton of headache.

Architectural fees typically run anywhere from 8-15% of construction costs, depending on project complexity. Some projects we'll do on an hourly basis, others are fixed fee. We're upfront about costs from the beginning - no surprises down the line. First consultation's free, so you've got nothing to lose by reaching out.

For a typical residential project, we're usually looking at 3-6 months from initial concept to permit-ready drawings. Commercial projects can take longer. The actual timeline depends on project complexity, how quickly you can make decisions, and how backed up the city permit office is. We'll give you a realistic schedule once we know what we're dealing with.

Absolutely. If you've already got a contractor you trust, great - we'll work with them. If you need recommendations, we know several good ones around Vancouver. The key is getting everyone on the same page early. Some of our best projects have been with contractor-client-architect teams that clicked from day one.