Marcus Krythborn
Started this studio back in 2011 with nothing but a laptop, too much coffee, and some sketches that honestly looked better in my head. What began in a cramped co-working space near Kensington Market has grown into something I'm genuinely proud of.
Principal Architect
BArch, OAA, LEED AP
Studied at Waterloo, spent a few years at a big corporate firm where everything felt kinda soulless, then decided to go out on my own. Best terrifying decision I ever made.
I'm not into designing buildings that look cool but don't work for the people inside 'em. Every project starts with conversations - lots of them. Sometimes my clients probably think I ask too many questions, but that's how you figure out what someone actually needs versus what they think they want.
These days we're a team of twelve, and yeah, we've done some projects I couldn't have dreamed about when I was starting out. But the approach hasn't changed - listen first, design second, obsess over details third.
150+
Projects Completed
14 Years
In Practice
"Architecture's gotta serve people, not the other way around. If a space doesn't make someone's life better or easier, we've missed the mark."
- Marcus Krythborn
Studio Philosophy
Look, we're not trying to win awards or get featured in fancy magazines - though that's happened a couple times and yeah, it's nice. What we're after is creating spaces that actually work for the people using them every single day.
What Drives Us
Listening Over Lecturing
You know your space and needs better than anyone. We're here to translate that into something that actually stands up and works. Had a client once who kept saying "modern" but really wanted cozy - took three meetings to figure that out, but we got there.
Context Matters
A building in Liberty Village shouldn't look the same as one in Rosedale. Every neighborhood's got its own vibe, history, and character. We design stuff that fits in while still bringing something fresh to the table.
Sustainability That Makes Sense
Not gonna greenwash things here - we push for sustainable choices when they're practical and within budget. Sometimes that means geothermal, sometimes it just means smarter window placement. Both matter.
Honest Process
Construction's messy, budgets get tight, timelines shift - it happens. We keep clients in the loop about everything. No surprises, no architect-speak that nobody understands. Just straight talk about what's happening and why.
Our Journey
Studio Founded
Started with small residential renovations and a lot of hustle. First office was literally a desk in a shared space on Dundas West.
First Commercial Project
Landed a boutique hotel redesign in Leslieville. Probably worked 80-hour weeks but learned more in those six months than the previous three years combined.
Team Expansion
Hired our first full-time staff beyond just contractors. Moved into a proper studio space on Queen West where we could actually spread out drawings without knocking over coffee.
Pivoting Through Challenges
Pandemic hit, adapted to remote collaboration faster than we thought possible. Discovered video walk-throughs and 3D models became even more valuable when you can't meet in person.
Urban Planning Focus
Started taking on larger urban development projects. Working at the neighborhood scale brings different challenges but same principles - gotta serve the people who'll live there.
Growing Forward
Team of twelve now, working on projects across Ontario. Still based in Toronto, still doing the same thorough process, just with more experience under our belts.
12
Team Members
8
Awards Received
95%
Client Satisfaction
3.2M
Sq Ft Designed
