Marcus Ravenfall, Principal Architect
Look, I didn't start this firm because I wanted another cookie-cutter architecture practice. After spending 15 years working for some of Toronto's biggest firms, I got tired of seeing heritage buildings torn down when they could've been saved, and "green" projects that were green in name only.
Back in 2009, I took a leap. The economy was rough, but honestly? That made it the perfect time. People were finally asking the right questions - why build new when we can restore? Why waste resources when we can design smarter?
I grew up in Cabbagetown, surrounded by Victorian homes that'd seen better days. Watched my grandfather restore our family's row house brick by brick. That probably explains my obsession with heritage work. There's something about breathing new life into old bones that just... clicks for me.
These days, our team's grown to 12 talented folks who actually give a damn. We're not here to win awards (though we've picked up a few along the way). We're here because every building tells a story, and it's our job to make sure that story doesn't end prematurely.
I still sketch by hand first - call me old school, but there's something about pencil on paper that helps me think. My wife jokes that our house looks like an architectural museum, and she's not wrong. Can't help collecting vintage blueprints and architectural fragments from demolished buildings.
Whether we're restoring a 1890s warehouse or designing a net-zero office building, the goal's the same: create spaces that'll matter 100 years from now, not just next quarter.
Our Journey
The Beginning
Started the firm in a cramped office above a coffee shop on Queen West. Just me, a drafting table, and way too much ambition. First project? My neighbor's garage conversion. Hey, everyone's gotta start somewhere.
Heritage Focus
Landed our first major heritage restoration - the old Broadview Hotel. That project changed everything. Suddenly people realized we weren't just preserving buildings, we were preserving Toronto's identity. The work was brutal but worth every sleepless night.
Going Green
Got serious about sustainable design. Not the greenwashing kind - real, measurable impact. Completed our first LEED Platinum building and honestly learned more from that project's failures than its successes. Trial by fire teaches you quick.
Team Expansion
Moved to our current studio and brought on Sarah Quinthal as partner. Her urban planning background filled gaps I didn't even know we had. Started taking on larger mixed-use developments without losing our heritage soul.
Pandemic Pivot
Like everyone else, we scrambled. But it forced us to rethink how spaces work. Suddenly ventilation wasn't boring - it was critical. Started incorporating adaptive reuse strategies that'd work for changing needs. Silver linings, y'know?
Looking Forward
Now we're juggling 8 major projects, mentoring young architects, and pushing for better heritage protection policies at city hall. Still learning, still growing. The buildings keep teaching us if we're humble enough to listen.