About Us - Quinta Vornel Thos Architecture

Our Story & What We're About

Look, we're not gonna bore you with the usual "established with a vision" stuff. Truth is, Quinta Vornel Thos started because three of us got tired of seeing buildings that just... didn't care. About people, about the environment, about actually working the way they're supposed to.

Based right here in Toronto since 2011, we've been designing spaces that don't fight against nature or the folks using them. Residential projects where families actually wanna spend time together. Commercial buildings that employees don't dread walking into every morning.

Sustainability isn't some trendy add-on for us - it's baked into everything we do from the first napkin sketch. We've learned the hard way that fighting the climate instead of working with it just costs everyone more money and headaches down the line.

Real talk: We've made mistakes, learned from them, and we're still learning every single project.

What We Actually Believe In

Design That Breathes

Buildings shouldn't just sit there looking pretty in photos. They need to adapt, respond to seasons, let natural light do the heavy lifting. We've seen too many gorgeous-looking spaces that nobody actually wants to be in.

Honest Materials

We're big on using stuff that'll actually last and materials that don't pretend to be something they're not. Local suppliers when possible, because shipping marble from halfway across the world for a Toronto project? C'mon.

Listening First

Yeah, we've got design degrees and years of experience. But you're the one living or working in the space. We've learned our best projects happen when we shut up and actually hear what clients need, not what we think they should want.

Budget Reality

We won't design you a dream home that costs three times what you actually have. That's just setting everyone up for disappointment. Better to nail a realistic project than compromise a fantasy into mediocrity.

Meet The Folks Behind The Blueprints

We're a mixed bunch - architects, designers, project managers, and a couple people who just understand buildings better than anyone we've met. Different backgrounds, different perspectives, same commitment to not cutting corners.

Marcus Thorn

Principal Architect

Been designing for 18 years, still gets excited about solving spatial problems. Has strong opinions about window placement that he'll happily share over lunch. Believes every project teaches him something new, even the tough ones.

Elena Vasquez

Sustainability Director

Came from environmental science, pivoted to architecture because she wanted to actually do something about building efficiency. Won't let us specify anything without running the lifecycle analysis first. We're better for it.

James Okoro

Design Lead

Trained in Nigeria and Canada, brings perspectives we wouldn't have otherwise. Makes models by hand before jumping into software because he says you catch problems faster. Usually right about that.

Sarah Chen

Project Manager

Keeps the rest of us organized and on schedule. Has a scary-good memory for every detail discussed in meetings three months ago. Contractors respect her because she knows construction as well as they do.

David Kowalski

Interior Specialist

Focused on how spaces actually feel when you're in them. Not just aesthetics - circulation, acoustics, the way light moves through rooms at different times. Makes spaces comfortable in ways most people don't consciously notice.

Priya Sharma

Technical Coordinator

Handles all the documentation that makes sure designs actually get built right. Detail-oriented doesn't begin to cover it. Has saved us from costly mistakes more times than we can count by catching issues before construction starts.

How We Actually Work

Every project's different, but our process stays pretty consistent. We start with conversations - lots of them. Site visits where we just observe and take notes. Understanding context, constraints, opportunities.

Then comes the fun part: sketching, modeling, testing ideas. We'll show you options, explain trade-offs honestly. Some clients know exactly what they want, others need help figuring it out. Both are fine.

Documentation phase is where Priya earns her keep. Every detail gets specified, every measurement triple-checked. Contractors appreciate clear drawings - means fewer expensive surprises mid-build.

During construction, we're involved as much as you need us to be. Some clients want weekly site meetings, others trust us to handle issues as they come up. Communication's key either way.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Why Toronto?

This city's got character, diversity, challenging climate, and clients who actually care about good design. Plus the mix of old and new architecture keeps things interesting. We've worked across Canada, but Toronto's home for a reason.

The building code keeps us sharp, the winters make us think hard about thermal performance, and the neighborhoods each have their own vibe we gotta respect. It's a good place to practice architecture if you're paying attention.