Project Case Studies

Real work, real results - here's what we've been building for our clients lately. Each project's got its own story, challenges we've tackled, and solutions that actually worked in the real world.

Lakeview Residence Exterior
AFTER Complete Transformation
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Muskoka Lakeview Residence

Our clients bought this 1970s lakefront property thinking they'd tear it down, but after walking through it together, we saw potential hidden under all that wood paneling. Kept the bones, reimagined everything else.

LOCATION Muskoka, ON
COMPLETED August 2023
AREA 3,400 sq ft
ENERGY RATING LEED Gold
Key Features
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass panels facing the lake
  • Geothermal heating/cooling system
  • Reclaimed timber from original structure
  • Green roof on garage reducing runoff by 68%

"Working with the existing foundation saved about 30% on demolition costs and kept tons of concrete out of landfills. Sometimes the smartest design move is knowing what NOT to change."

Before renovation
BEFORE

Original dark interior with segmented rooms and limited natural light penetration.

During construction
IN PROGRESS

Structural modifications including removal of non-load bearing walls and window expansion.

After renovation
AFTER

Open-plan living space with unobstructed lake views and passive solar optimization.

Innovation Hub Exterior
COMPLETION March 2023
COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE

Waterfront Innovation Hub

Converting an old shipping warehouse into a modern tech workspace wasn't just about aesthetics - had to deal with contaminated soil, outdated electrical, and a roof that leaked in about seventeen places. But the location was perfect, and the client wanted to stay in the neighborhood they'd grown up in.

LOCATION Toronto Waterfront
PROJECT TYPE Adaptive Reuse
AREA 28,000 sq ft
CAPACITY 200+ workers
Technical Highlights
  • Curtain wall system with triple-glazed low-E glass
  • Rainwater harvesting for irrigation (15,000L capacity)
  • Original timber trusses restored and exposed
  • Solar panel array generating 40% of building power
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Keeping the existing structure meant we avoided producing roughly 850 tons of CO2 that would've come from demolition and new construction. Plus, we kept a piece of Toronto's industrial history alive.

Warehouse before
BEFORE
Original 1962 Warehouse

Abandoned for 8 years, significant structural concerns with roof integrity and foundation settling.

Office after
AFTER
Modern Collaborative Workspace

Flexible open spaces with acoustic treatments, natural ventilation, and biophilic design elements.

Heritage building
HERITAGE RESTORATION

Queen Street Heritage Revival

This 1889 Victorian storefront had been through a lot - a fire in the '60s, some questionable renovations in the '80s, and years of deferred maintenance. The heritage committee had pretty strict rules about what we could touch, which honestly made the project more interesting. Had to get creative with how we upgraded everything to modern standards while respecting the original character.

Original Build

1889 - Richardsonian Romanesque style, hand-laid brick facade

Restoration Complete

November 2022 - 14 month timeline

Intervention Level

87% original materials preserved and restored

Recognition

Heritage Toronto Preservation Award 2023

Restoration Specs
Masonry: Hand-cleaned 43,000 bricks
Windows: Custom replicas using original specs
Roof: Slate tiles sourced from Quebec quarry
Interior: Original pine floors refinished
Damaged facade
Deteriorated brickwork & missing cornices
Restoration work
Specialized masonry restoration process
Window restoration
Period-accurate window replacement
Restored details
Completed architectural detailing
URBAN PLANNING

Liberty Village Mixed-Use Development

When the city approached us about reimagining this underutilized industrial lot, they wanted something that'd actually work for the community - not just luxury condos nobody can afford. We spent months talking to local residents, small business owners, and community groups before putting pencil to paper.

Project Scope
Total Area: 4.2 acres
Residential Units: 285
Commercial Space: 42,000 sq ft
Green Space: 1.1 acres
Affordable Housing: 22% of units
Timeline: Phase 1 - 2024
Community Features
  • Public plaza with year-round programming space
  • Dedicated spots for local businesses (not chains)
  • Community garden and urban farming plots
  • Bike-share station and secure bike parking
  • Daycare facility with outdoor play area
Development overview
STATUS In Development - Phase 1
Planning model
Plaza rendering
Sustainability Targets

We're aiming for net-zero energy consumption across the entire development by 2028. Solar arrays on every rooftop, geothermal loops under the plaza, and a greywater system that'll reduce municipal water use by about 60%. It's ambitious, but we've done the math and it works.

89%
Less Carbon vs Conventional Build
INTERIOR SPACE PLANNING

Downtown Law Firm Redesign

Sometimes the hardest part isn't designing something new - it's convincing a client to let go of what they've always done. This law firm had been operating in the same stuffy layout for 30 years, and everyone hated it, but change is scary. We got 'em there eventually.

BEFORE - Traditional Layout
Old office layout
Issues We Found
  • Rigid corner offices wasting prime natural light
  • Junior lawyers stuck in windowless interior cubes
  • Zero collaboration spaces or informal meeting areas
  • Dated finishes and poor acoustic separation