Look, we're not gonna feed you the usual "award-winning, innovative" stuff. We're a bunch of design nerds who got tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings going up everywhere. Started this studio because Toronto deserves better – buildings that actually make sense for how people live today.
Illuminating Spaces, Defining Tomorrow
Back in 2009, three of us were sitting in a cramped apartment in Liberty Village, arguing about why so many new developments looked like they'd been designed by the same algorithm. We'd all worked at bigger firms, done the corporate thing, but something wasn't clicking.
The name? Yeah, it's a bit out there. "Quintharos" came from this old philosophy text one of our founders was reading – roughly translates to "fifth element" or something like that. We liked how it suggested there's always something more to discover in a space. The "Blazor" part was actually a joke that stuck. We were pulling an all-nighter, someone ordered pizza, and the delivery guy misread our street name. Somehow it fit the energy we wanted.
We're not trying to win every design award out there (though we've snagged a few when we weren't looking). What we're really after is creating spaces where people actually want to be. Buildings that don't just sit there looking pretty but work with the city, with the climate, with how folks actually move through their days.
"We've learned that sustainability isn't just about solar panels and green roofs – though we love those too. It's about designing buildings that'll still make sense 50 years from now, that adapt instead of getting demolished."
– From our design philosophy notesToronto's changed a lot since we started. We've been lucky enough to be part of that change, working on everything from single-family homes in the Beaches to mixed-use towers downtown. Each project teaches us something new about what this city needs.
Three architects, one shared studio space, and way too much coffee. First project was a residential renovation in Leslieville – client took a chance on us when nobody else would.
Moved to a proper office on Bay Street. Team grew to 12 people. Landed our first commercial project – a boutique office building in King West. Learned what "over budget" really means.
Pivoted hard into sustainable design. Got our LEED certifications, started consulting on urban planning projects. Realized this was what we should've been doing all along.
Won the Ontario Sustainable Design Award. Opened a satellite office. Started teaching workshops because we figured we should share what we'd learned the hard way.
32-person team, over 200 completed projects, and still learning. Working on some of our most ambitious sustainable urban developments yet. The apartment arguments continue, just with better furniture now.
No corporate bios here. Just real folks who care about what they do.
Co-Founder & Lead Designer
Spent 6 years at a big firm before realizing she hated it. Has this weird talent for seeing what a space could be before it exists. Obsessed with natural light – probably has measured the sun angle at every site in Toronto.
M.Arch, University of Toronto | LEED AP
Co-Founder & Sustainability Director
The guy who'll tell you exactly why your design isn't gonna work in February. Former civil engineer who switched to architecture because he wanted to "actually see results." Runs ultramarathons for fun, which explains a lot.
M.Arch, Waterloo | P.Eng | LEED Fellow
Co-Founder & Urban Planning Lead
The one who actually reads city bylaws for fun. Worked in urban planning for Vancouver before moving to Toronto. Can sketch a site plan faster than most people can open AutoCAD.
M.U.P, UBC | MCIP, RPP
Senior Project Manager
Keeps the chaos organized. Former construction site manager who knows every contractor's actual timeline versus what they promise. Doesn't accept excuses.
PMP | B.Arch, Ryerson
Interior Architecture Head
Scandinavian minimalist who somehow makes it work in Toronto. Has strong opinions about door handles. Previously designed retail spaces before deciding residential was more interesting.
M.Int.Arch, OCAD
Our team includes junior architects cutting their teeth on real projects, CAD wizards who make our visions buildable, interns who keep us honest with fresh perspectives, and support staff who keep everything running. Everyone here actually gives a damn about the work.
No smoke and mirrors. We'll tell you what'll work and what won't, even if it's not what you want to hear. Buildings should be straightforward about what they are.
Not just slapping solar panels on everything and calling it a day. We think about lifecycle, adaptability, and how buildings fit into their context for the long haul.
Architecture's for people, not Instagram. We care more about how a space feels when you're in it every day than how it photographs. Though we won't lie, we like when it does both.
Every project teaches us something. We're not afraid to try new approaches or admit when something didn't work. The day we think we know everything is the day we should quit.
Whether you've got a full project brief or just an idea you're kicking around, let's talk. We're always up for a good conversation about design.