What We Actually Do

Look, we're not gonna throw fancy jargon at you. We restore old buildings that deserve better, design homes people actually wanna live in, and help cities grow without losing their soul. Been doing this for years, and we've learned a thing or two about what works.

How We Can Help You Out

Each project's different, honestly. But here's the stuff we're really good at – click on any service to see what it actually involves.

Heritage Building Restoration

Bringing century-old structures back to life while keeping their character intact.

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So here's the thing about old buildings – they've got stories, craftsmanship you just don't see anymore. We work with everything from Victorian-era homes to early 20th-century commercial spaces around Vancouver.

  • Structural assessment & planning
  • Original material sourcing
  • Period-appropriate detailing
  • Modern code compliance
  • Heritage designation support

We've spent years building relationships with craftspeople who still know how to work with lime mortar and hand-cut timber. It makes a difference.

Sustainable Residential Design

Custom homes that don't cost a fortune to heat and actually fit how you live.

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We're tired of seeing cookie-cutter designs. Your home should work for YOU – whether that's a multi-gen family setup, a work-from-home office that doesn't feel cramped, or just smart use of Vancouver's tricky lot sizes.

  • Site-specific passive solar design
  • Energy-efficient systems integration
  • Natural & local material selection
  • Indoor air quality optimization
  • Flexible space planning

BC's climate is perfect for sustainable design if you know what you're doing. We've got the data and experience to prove it works.

Commercial Architecture Planning

Spaces where people actually want to work, shop, or grab a coffee.

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Commercial projects are tricky – gotta balance aesthetics, functionality, budgets, and about a million regulations. We've done everything from boutique retail to mixed-use developments.

  • Space programming & flow analysis
  • Adaptive reuse strategies
  • Tenant improvement design
  • Accessibility compliance
  • Brand integration architecture

We get it – time is money in commercial projects. We keep things moving without cutting corners.

Urban Development Consultation

Helping cities grow without destroying what made them special in the first place.

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Vancouver's growing fast, and not all of it's been pretty. We work with developers and municipalities to create neighborhoods that people actually like living in – mixed-use, walkable, with some green space.

  • Master planning & zoning analysis
  • Community impact assessment
  • Transit-oriented design
  • Public space integration
  • Development feasibility studies

We've seen what works and what doesn't. Our advice comes from real projects, not just theory.

Green Building Certification

Navigating LEED, Passive House, and whatever else you need for incentives or peace of mind.

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Certifications can be a pain – tons of documentation, specific requirements, deadlines. But they're worth it if you're after grants, higher property values, or just wanna prove you're doing it right.

  • LEED certification guidance
  • Passive House consultation
  • Energy modeling & analysis
  • Documentation management
  • Commissioning coordination

We've shepherded projects through the whole process. We know which battles to fight and which hoops you just gotta jump through.

Historical Preservation Services

Research, documentation, and advocacy for buildings that tell our city's story.

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Not every old building deserves to be saved, but a lot more do than you'd think. We help figure out what's significant, document it properly, and make the case for preservation when needed.

  • Historical research & documentation
  • Heritage designation applications
  • Conservation plans
  • Archival photography & drawings
  • Grant application assistance

We've worked with the City of Vancouver and various heritage committees enough times to know the process inside and out.

Not Sure What You Need?

Honestly, most people aren't when they first reach out. That's totally fine. Give us a call or shoot us an email – we'll chat through your project and figure out what makes sense. No pressure, no sales pitch.

How We Usually Work

1
Initial Chat

Coffee, site visit, or video call – whatever works. We listen more than we talk at this stage.

2
Research & Concepts

We dig into site constraints, regulations, and start sketching ideas. You'll see rough concepts pretty quick.

3
Design Development

Refining the design based on your feedback. This is where it really starts coming together.

4
Construction Docs

All the technical drawings and specs. Then we help navigate permits and contractor selection.

Timeline varies by project – usually 3-6 months for design, plus however long construction takes. We stay involved through the build if you want us to.

Common Questions People Ask

Depends entirely on the project scope. Residential design fees typically run 8-15% of construction costs. Commercial projects vary more. Heritage work can be pricier 'cause of the research and specialized knowledge involved. We'll give you a clear proposal after our initial consultation – no surprise fees later on.

For small renovations? Maybe not. For new builds, additions, or anything heritage-related? Yeah, you really should. Architects are legally required for certain projects in BC anyway. Plus we're thinking about stuff contractors don't – energy efficiency, how spaces flow, future resale value, making sure it doesn't look dated in five years.

It's a whole different ballgame. You're working with materials and techniques that aren't standard anymore. There's research involved to understand the building's history and original construction. If it's designated heritage, you've got approval processes with the city. And you're balancing preservation with modern building codes and livability – can't just rip everything out and start over.

For a typical residential project, figure 3-4 months from concept to construction-ready drawings. Commercial and heritage projects usually take longer – maybe 6 months or more. Permitting adds time on top of that (not really in our control). We can work faster if there's a hard deadline, but rushing the design phase usually causes headaches during construction.

Absolutely – that's part of what we do. We prepare the permit drawings, submit them, and deal with any comments or revisions the city wants. Vancouver's permitting process can be... let's say interesting. We've been through it enough times to know what they're looking for and how to keep things moving along.