About Us - Halvron Quintavorn Architecture

Our Story

Started in 2009, we weren't your typical architecture firm from day one. Halvron and I met during a heated debate at a sustainable design conference - he thought I was being too radical with my green building proposals, and I thought he was stuck in the past. Turns out, we were both kinda right and kinda wrong.

We realized there's this sweet spot between innovative sustainable practices and timeless architectural principles that nobody was really exploring. So we decided to figure it out ourselves. Our first project was a residential retrofit in Leslieville that nearly drove us crazy - but it also won us our first design award.

Fast forward to today, and we've grown from that two-person operation working out of a cramped Queen West loft into a team of twelve passionate designers, engineers, and planners. We've tackled everything from heritage restorations to cutting-edge commercial developments, always keeping that original mission in mind.

What hasn't changed? We still argue about design decisions, still believe that sustainable doesn't mean sacrificing beauty, and still get genuinely excited when a client walks into their finished space for the first time.

How We Think About Design

Context Matters

Every site has its own story - the neighborhood, the light patterns, even the way people move through the streets. We don't do copy-paste architecture. Each project starts with us actually spending time in the space, watching, listening, sometimes just sitting there with coffee. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this part.

Sustainability Isn't Optional

Look, we're not gonna preach about saving the planet - you've heard it all before. What we will say is this: sustainable design just makes better buildings. They cost less to run, they're healthier to live in, and honestly, they age better. We've been doing passive house designs since before they were trendy, and we're not stopping now.

It's Your Building, Not Ours

We've got strong opinions about design - that's why you're hiring us. But at the end of the day, you're the one living or working in the space. Some of our best projects came from clients pushing back on our initial ideas. That tension between our expertise and your vision? That's where the magic happens.

Details Define Everything

The big concept gets all the glory, but it's the details that you interact with every day. How a door handle feels, where the light hits in the morning, the acoustics in a room - this stuff matters. We spend probably too much time obsessing over these elements, but that's exactly why our buildings work.

Our Journey

A timeline of milestones, mistakes, and moments that shaped who we are

2009

The Beginning

Two architects with different philosophies decide to start a practice. First office: a 400 sq ft space above a Vietnamese restaurant. The pho smell was constant, but rent was cheap.

2011

First Major Award

Our Leslieville passive house retrofit wins the Ontario Association of Architects Sustainable Design Award. We're shocked. The client cried. We pretended we expected it all along.

2014

Team Expansion

Grew from 2 to 7 people. Moved to Queen Street West. Started taking on commercial projects. Also discovered that managing people is way harder than designing buildings.

2017

Heritage Certification

Completed advanced training in heritage building restoration. Turns out old buildings and new sustainable tech can be best friends - who knew? Started our heritage division.

2020

Pandemic Pivot

Like everyone else, we had to rethink everything. Started focusing more on residential wellness, air quality, and flexible spaces. Some of our best work came from this challenging period.

2023

Looking Forward

Team of 12, over 200 completed projects, and still learning every day. Currently exploring modular sustainable construction and adaptive reuse projects. The adventure continues.

The Team

The people who actually do the work

Halvron Quintavorn

Co-Founder & Principal Architect

Licensed since 2004. Specializes in commercial and urban planning. Has an unhealthy obsession with brutalist architecture and craft beer.

Sarah Chen

Co-Founder & Sustainability Lead

The sustainability guru. Passive house designer and LEED AP. Will debate you about thermal bridging over lunch.

Marcus Rodriguez

Senior Designer

Joined in 2014. Residential specialist with a background in fine arts. Makes incredible 3D renderings and even better espresso.

Priya Sharma

Interior Space Planning Director

Interior architect with an eye for detail that borders on scary. Can tell if something is 2mm off just by looking at it.

James O'Connor

Heritage Restoration Lead

Historian and architect. Knows more about Victorian-era construction than anyone should. Loves old buildings more than people.

Emma Thompson

Project Manager

The person who keeps us all organized and on schedule. Former engineer, so she actually understands how buildings work.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for an interesting project or a good conversation about design.

Let's Talk