Why We Do This
It's pretty simple, really - old buildings have soul. They've got stories embedded in every brick and beam. Tearing them down? That's the easy route. But bringing them back to life while making 'em work for modern needs? Now that's where the real magic happens.
We've been doing this since 2009, and honestly, the thrill hasn't worn off. Each project teaches us something new about respecting what came before while pushing toward what's next.
How It All Started
Back in 2009, I was working at a big corporate firm in downtown Vancouver - you know the type, all glass towers and identical office parks. Don't get me wrong, the work paid well, but something felt off. Then one weekend I wandered into this abandoned cannery in Steveston, and man, it hit different.
The way light filtered through broken windows, the massive timber posts still standing strong after a century... I couldn't stop thinking about it. Why were we building generic boxes when these incredible structures sat empty, waiting for someone to care?
Started with small restoration projects - learning the hard way about moisture barriers and heritage guidelines. Made plenty of mistakes, but each one taught me more than any textbook ever did.
By 2012, we'd built a reputation for being the folks who could handle the tricky stuff - the buildings other firms wouldn't touch 'cause they were "too complicated."
Our Evolution Timeline
2009
The Beginning
Founded the practice in a tiny office above a coffee shop on Commercial Drive. First project was converting an old print shop into artist studios - budget was tight, learning curve was steep, but we pulled it off.
2012-2014
Finding Our Groove
Landed our first major heritage restoration - the old Pacific Mills building. That project changed everything. We realized that sustainability and heritage work aren't separate goals, they're basically the same thing. Why waste resources building new when you can breathe life into what's already there?
2016
Getting Serious About Green
Got our LEED certification and started really diving into sustainable systems. Turned out old buildings are actually perfect for green retrofits - those thick walls provide amazing thermal mass, high ceilings mean natural ventilation works better. We were just helping 'em do what they were built to do.
2018-2020
Expanding the Team
Moved to our current digs on Granville. Brought on structural engineers who actually get excited about century-old timber frames, environmental consultants who love the detective work of figuring out what makes old buildings tick. The team grew to 12 people, all of 'em as obsessed with this stuff as I am.
2021-2023
Recognition & Growth
Won a few heritage awards that look nice on the shelf. More importantly, we completed our largest adaptive reuse project - the Waterfront Cannery complex. Eight buildings, 150,000 square feet, transformed into mixed-use space that actually works for the community. That one still makes me proud.
2024-Present
Looking Forward
Working on projects across BC now, but Vancouver's still home base. We're pushing harder into net-zero heritage retrofits and helping municipalities develop better adaptive reuse policies. The work keeps evolving, but the core mission hasn't changed - save the good stuff, make it better, pass it on.
What We're Really About
Honest Craftsmanship
We're not here to slap lipstick on a pig. If something's wrong, we'll tell you. If there's a better way to do it that costs less, we'll suggest that instead. This work's too important for shortcuts or BS.
Real Sustainability
The greenest building is the one that's already built - full stop. We focus on making existing structures perform better, not chasing certifications or greenwashing. Results matter more than labels.
Community First
These buildings belong to their neighborhoods. We spend time listening to locals, understanding context, making sure what we create actually serves the people who'll use it. Architecture shouldn't be an ego trip.
Working With Us
Look, we're not the cheapest option out there, and we're definitely not the fastest. Heritage and sustainable work takes time - there's no way around that. But if you care about doing it right, if you want a building that'll still be standing and relevant in another hundred years, then yeah, we should talk.
We tend to attract clients who get it - developers who see beyond the next quarter, nonprofits with limited budgets but big vision, municipalities trying to preserve their history. The best projects happen when everyone's aligned on the goal: create something meaningful that lasts.
Every project starts with us just walking the site together, talking through possibilities, being real about constraints and opportunities. No sales pitch, no fancy renderings yet - just honest conversation about what could be.
Let's Talk About Your Project