Who We Really Are
Not your typical suit-and-tie firm. We're architects who actually give a damn about what we're building and why it matters.
Our Philosophy
Look, we're gonna be straight with you. Architecture isn't just about making pretty buildings—though yeah, we do that too. It's about understanding that every structure we design impacts real people's lives for decades.
We started Embervex Quinthor because we were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter designs repeated across every city. Toronto's got character, y'know? Our buildings should reflect that, not fight against it.
Sustainability isn't a marketing term for us—it's literally in our DNA now. We've been pushing green building practices since before it was trendy. When clients come to us wanting something that'll look good but destroy the environment, we're not afraid to push back. Sometimes that means losing projects. Worth it.
Every project starts with questions, not answers. What's the neighborhood need? How do people actually move through space? What'll this look like in 50 years when trends have shifted? We spend more time listening than sketching in those early meetings.
What Drives Us
Honest Conversations
No jargon, no BS. If something won't work, we'll tell you. If there's a better way that costs less, we'll suggest it even if it means less profit for us.
Community First
Buildings exist in neighborhoods. We actually talk to the people who'll live around our projects. Radical concept, apparently.
Future-Proof Design
Trends fade. Good design lasts. We're building for 2075, not just 2025.
Environmental Responsibility
Climate change is real, and construction's a huge part of the problem. We're obsessed with finding solutions that actually work, not just look good on paper.
Our Journey
2009 - The Beginning
Started with 2 people, one office above a Vietnamese restaurant on Dundas. The smell of pho permanently embedded in our first blueprints. Landed our first residential project through pure persistence and probably annoying determination.
2012 - Recognition
Won our first OAA Award for a mixed-use building in Leslieville. That project put us on the map. Suddenly people were returning our calls. Growth happened fast—maybe too fast, but we managed.
2015 - Going Green
Completed our first LEED Platinum project. Realized we couldn't go back to conventional building methods. Made sustainability non-negotiable for all future projects, even when it meant turning down work.
2018 - Expanded Team
Moved to our current space on Queen West. Hired 8 more architects and designers who shared our vision. Built a studio culture around collaboration and honest critique—not always comfortable, but it makes the work better.
2020 - Pandemic Pivot
COVID hit, and everything changed. Spent months rethinking how public spaces work, how buildings need better air systems, how work-from-home shifted residential needs. Tough times, but forced us to innovate in ways we wouldn't have otherwise.
2022 - International Recognition
Our adaptive reuse project in the Distillery District won the Canadian Green Building Award. Started getting inquiries from other cities. Still Toronto-focused, but it's nice to know the work resonates beyond our backyard.
2024 - Today
Team of 15 passionate people. Over 80 completed projects. Still learning, still pushing boundaries, still refusing to compromise on what matters. The work's gotten more complex, but the mission hasn't changed.
Recognitions & Awards
OAA Design Excellence Award
2012, 2017, 2021
Canadian Green Building Award
2022
Toronto Urban Design Award
2019
Heritage Conservation Award
2020
LEED Excellence in Design
2015, 2018, 2023
AZ Awards Finalist
2021
Working Here
Our studio's not for everyone. We debate things—sometimes loudly. Everyone's expected to challenge ideas, including ours. It's not hierarchy-based; the best idea wins regardless of who said it.
We've got flexible hours 'cause inspiration doesn't follow 9-to-5. Some folks are morning people, others do their best work at midnight. Remote work's fine when it makes sense, but there's something about being together that sparks better collaboration.
Friday afternoon critiques are sacred. We review the week's work, tear it apart, build it back up. Sometimes it stings, but everyone leaves better at what they do. Plus we usually grab drinks after, so there's that.
Wanna Work Together?
If you're looking for architects who'll actually listen and create something meaningful, let's talk.
Get In Touch