Quintharion Velros
Principal Architect & Founder
"Every building I design starts with a walk through the site - listening to what the land's trying to tell you. That's where the real architecture happens."
Crafting Tomorrow's Spaces with Nature's Wisdom
Look, I didn't get into architecture to draw pretty buildings. Started this practice back in 2009 because I was tired of seeing Vancouver's landscape being carved up without much thought for what comes next.
Growing up on Vancouver Island, I spent more time in the forest than in classrooms - which probably explains a lot. That connection to the natural environment? It's not some marketing angle for us. It's literally how we approach every single project. When someone comes to us wanting a building, we're thinking about how it breathes, how it sits in its environment, how it'll age over decades.
We've been at this for over 14 years now, and honestly, the work keeps getting more interesting. Started with residential projects - folks who wanted homes that weren't just boxes with windows. Now we're doing everything from commercial spaces to heritage restorations, and each one teaches us something new about balancing human needs with ecological responsibility.
Mission
We design buildings that don't fight their environment - they work with it. Simple as that. Every project's gotta make sense for the people using it AND the ecosystem around it.
Approach
Site-first thinking. We spend time understanding the land, the light, the water flow - then we design around what's already there instead of bulldozing through it.
What Drives Our Work
Material Honesty
Wood should look like wood. Concrete should act like concrete. We don't hide materials - we celebrate what they bring to the table.
Passive Design First
Before adding fancy tech, we get the orientation right, nail the thermal mass, work with natural ventilation. Old-school principles that still work.
Long-Term Thinking
We're designing for 50, 100 years out. That means adaptable spaces, durable materials, and systems that won't be obsolete in a decade.
Local Context
A building in Vancouver shouldn't look like it belongs in Phoenix. We design for the rain, the grey skies, the Douglas firs - all of it.
How We Actually Work
Here's the thing - every project's different, but our process stays pretty consistent. We kick things off with a proper site analysis (and yeah, that means actually walking the property in different weather, different times of day). Then comes the collaborative design phase where we're sketching ideas, building models, testing concepts against real-world conditions.
We're big on transparency. You'll always know where your project stands, what challenges we're working through, and why we're recommending certain approaches. Architecture's complicated enough without adding mystery to the mix. Plus, our clients usually have great insights - they know how they live and work better than we ever will.
Sustainability isn't a checkbox for us - it's baked into everything from material selection to mechanical systems. We've got partnerships with local suppliers who share our values, and we're constantly learning about new techniques and materials that can reduce environmental impact without compromising design quality.
14+
Years Experience
85+
Projects Completed
100%
Sustainable Focus
Our studio's right in the heart of Vancouver on Granville Street. It's a converted heritage space - felt right to practice what we preach. We've got a small but dedicated team, everyone brings different strengths to the table. Some of us are total tech nerds, others are material science geeks, and we've got folks who can sketch faster than most people can talk.
If you're thinking about a project and want to see if we're a good fit, just reach out. We'll grab coffee, talk about what you're envisioning, and be honest about whether we're the right team for the job. Not every project needs our approach, and that's totally fine - we'd rather refer you to someone better suited than waste your time.