About Us - Jade Phyr Quinthor Architecture

Our Story

Started back in 2011 with just three of us cramped in a tiny office on Queen West. We were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings going up around Toronto - soulless boxes that ignored the environment and the people who'd actually live in 'em.

So yeah, we took a risk. Built our practice around something that wasn't exactly mainstream back then: designing spaces that work WITH nature instead of against it. Got laughed out of a few pitch meetings, won't lie. But then we landed our first project - a residential build in Leslieville that cut energy consumption by 60%. Word spread from there.

Now we're a team of 15, and every single person here brings something different to the table. What ties us together? We're done with architecture that treats sustainability like a checkbox or a marketing gimmick. It's just how we build, period.

How We Work

No two projects look the same because no two sites are the same

01

Listen First

We spend way more time asking questions than showing drawings. Your space, your needs, your vision - that's where everything starts.

02

Site Analysis

Every location tells a story - sunlight patterns, wind flow, existing ecosystems. We dig into all of it before sketching a single line.

03

Design & Iterate

Lots of back-and-forth here. We'll push sustainable solutions, but it's gotta work for your lifestyle and budget too.

04

Build & Support

We don't just hand off plans and disappear. From permits to final walkthrough, we're there making sure it comes together right.

Meet The Team

The folks making it happen

Jade Quinthor

Principal Architect & Founder

M.Arch, LEED AP BD+C, OAA

Started this whole thing after getting frustrated with the industry's slow uptake on green building. Studied at Waterloo, spent five years at a big firm learning what NOT to do, then branched out. Still gets way too excited about passive house design and won't shut up about triple-pane windows at parties.

Marcus Phyr

Senior Urban Planner

M.U.P, MCIP, RPP

The guy who thinks about how buildings fit into neighborhoods, not just lots. Background in urban geography from UBC, worked on transit-oriented development out west before joining us. Believes cities should be for people, not just cars - and he's got the bike commute to prove it.

Sienna Okoye

Design Lead & Sustainability Specialist

M.Arch, LEED AP, Passive House Designer

Came to architecture through environmental science, which gives her a different lens on things. Obsessed with biomimicry and material innovation - always testing out some new sustainable building product. Her projects consistently hit energy targets that make engineers do double-takes.

David Chen

Heritage & Restoration Architect

M.Arch, OAA, Heritage Specialist

The one who nerds out over century-old construction techniques. Trained in both modern and traditional methods, which is rare. He's saved more than a few heritage buildings from the wrecking ball by showing owners how to adapt them for today while keeping their character intact. Total soft spot for Victorian-era craftsmanship.

Amara Singh

Interior Architecture Lead

B.I.D, ARIDO, NCIDQ

Thinks about how spaces actually FEEL, not just how they look in renderings. Started in hospitality design, which taught her a lot about creating environments people want to be in. Now applies that to residential and commercial work. Her motto? "Beautiful means nothing if it doesn't work."

Thomas Bergeron

Project Manager & Construction Liaison

B.Arch.Sc, PMP, OAA

The guy who keeps projects from going off the rails. Worked in construction management before switching to architecture, so he knows what's actually buildable vs. what looks good on paper. Speaks fluent contractor and isn't afraid to get his boots muddy on-site. Our secret weapon for staying on budget and schedule.

What We Stand For

Look, we could throw around words like "visionary" or "cutting-edge" but that's not really us. Here's what actually matters to our team:

Honest sustainability - Not greenwashing, not token gestures. Real measurable impact on energy use and carbon footprint.
Context matters - Buildings should respond to their surroundings, not impose on them. We're designing for specific places, not Instagram feeds.
People first - Fancy design is pointless if spaces don't support how people actually live and work. Function isn't a dirty word around here.
Long-term thinking - We design for decades, not trends. Buildings should age well and adapt as needs change.
No BS - You'll get straight answers from us, even when they're not what you wanna hear. It saves everyone time and money in the long run.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you've got detailed plans or just a rough idea, we'd love to hear what you're thinking. Coffee's on us.

Get In Touch