Project Case Studies

Real stories from the field - here's what we've been building, renovating, and bringing back to life across Toronto and beyond.

Riverside Residence exterior
Completed 2023

Riverside Residence

When the Harpers came to us, they had a 1960s split-level that was, let's be honest, pretty rough around the edges. Dark rooms, weird flow, and zero connection to that gorgeous ravine in their backyard.

We didn't tear it down though - instead, we reimagined the whole thing. Opened up the main floor, added floor-to-ceiling glass on the south side, and designed a cantilevered deck that feels like it's floating over the trees. The energy bills dropped by 60% too, which wasn't exactly the original plan but turned out pretty sweet.

Location Toronto, ON
Size 3,200 sq ft
Budget $875K CAD
Duration 14 months
Technical Highlights
  • Geothermal heating/cooling system
  • Triple-glazed European window systems
  • Reclaimed Douglas fir structural beams
  • Smart home integration with passive monitoring
Before renovation
BEFORE
After renovation
AFTER

Queen West Mixed-Use Hub

This one was a challenge from day one. A former warehouse that hadn't been touched since the 80s, sitting on a corner lot with massive potential but also massive headaches - structural issues, contaminated soil, the works.

We convinced the developer to go bold - ground floor retail, two floors of co-working space, and residential lofts up top. The trick was keeping that industrial character everyone loves while making it actually livable. Exposed brick stayed, old timber trusses got reinforced and showcased, and we punched in huge windows that completely changed the vibe.

Location Queen West, Toronto
Size 18,500 sq ft
Budget $3.2M CAD
Completion 2022
Key Features
  • Green roof with communal garden space
  • Rainwater harvesting for irrigation
  • Original 1920s brick facade preservation
  • Solar panel array generating 40% of building power
Queen West Hub exterior
Co-working space
Rooftop garden

Heritage Bank Restoration

Bringing a 1912 bank building back to life as a boutique hotel wasn't exactly straightforward, but it's probably the project I'm most proud of.

Heritage bank exterior
1912 Original Structure
Restored ceiling details

The Challenge

The building had been sitting empty for almost 15 years. Water damage, structural settling, and someone's bright idea to cover beautiful plasterwork with drop ceilings. We spent the first two months just documenting everything - every tile, every piece of molding, every window.

Working with heritage consultants meant every decision got scrutinized, but honestly, that's how it should be. You can't rush this kind of work.

The Solution

We restored the original banking hall as the hotel lobby - those 20-foot ceilings and marble columns are showstoppers. The vault became a wine bar, which guests absolutely love. Upstairs, we carefully inserted 24 hotel rooms within the existing structure without touching the exterior.

Modern HVAC and electrical got hidden in creative ways, and we managed to meet current building codes while respecting the original design intent.

24

Hotel Rooms

22mo

Construction Time

95%

Original Materials Saved

$4.8M

Total Investment
Conservation Approach

Plasterwork

Brought in specialists from Montreal who still know how to work with lime plaster. Every rosette and cornice got carefully restored using traditional methods.

Original Windows

Instead of replacing them, we refurbished all 47 original windows. Added interior storm windows for insulation while keeping the historic glass.

Period Lighting

Tracked down original light fixtures from architectural salvage yards, then rewired them to code. Added LED bulbs that mimic the warm glow of old incandescents.

Lakeshore Eco-Home
Solar installation
Interior detail

Lakeshore Eco-Home

Sometimes clients come in with a vision that's so clear, you just gotta help them nail it. The Johnsons wanted net-zero energy consumption, and they weren't messing around about it.

Built this place from scratch on a tight lakefront lot. Super-insulated envelope, passive solar orientation, the whole nine yards. It's been two years now and their energy bills are basically non-existent - they actually sell power back to the grid most months.

Performance Specs
Energy Use Net-Zero Annual
Blower Door Test 0.6 ACH50
Solar Array 12kW System
Water Usage 40% Below Average
Sustainable Materials
  • FSC-certified wood throughout
  • Recycled steel framing components
  • Low-VOC finishes and adhesives
  • Locally-sourced stone and timber where possible

Process & Approach

Every project's different, but there's a rhythm to how we work that keeps things moving forward without losing the details that matter.

Discovery Phase

We talk. A lot. Site visits, understanding how you actually live or work, figuring out what's realistic budget-wise. No cookie-cutter solutions here.

Design Development

Sketches turn into models, models turn into detailed drawings. We iterate until it feels right, not just looks right on paper.

Documentation

Getting permits, working through building code, coordinating with engineers. The boring stuff that prevents expensive surprises later.

Construction Admin

We're on site regularly, making sure what gets built matches what we designed. Things always come up - that's when experience matters.

Got a project in mind?

Whether it's a renovation, new build, or just an idea you're kicking around - let's talk about what's possible for your space.

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