Who We Are

Forging Resilient Spaces from Vision to Reality

Studio workspace

Our Story

Back in 2018, we started this whole thing with a pretty clear mission - make buildings that don't just look good but actually stand up to what nature throws at them. Living in BC, you see firsthand what wildfires can do. We've watched communities rebuild, and honestly, it changed how we think about design.

What began as three architects sketching ideas over too much coffee has grown into a team that's genuinely obsessed with fire-resistant, sustainable building. We're not about following trends - we're creating spaces that'll be around for generations, keeping people safe while respecting the environment.

Our Philosophy

01

Resilience First

Every project starts with one question: how do we make this last? We design for the real world, where climate challenges aren't just theoretical.

02

Material Honesty

We work with materials that perform under pressure. No gimmicks, just proven solutions that balance fire resistance with sustainable sourcing.

03

Human-Centered

Safety specs and building codes matter, but so does how people actually live in these spaces. We design for real life, not just inspections.

Meet the Team

The folks who turn blueprints into buildings and ideas into reality

Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Founder

Started my career rebuilding after the 2003 Okanagan fires. That experience showed me we needed to design differently. I've spent 15 years figuring out how to blend fire safety with beauty - turns out they're not mutually exclusive. When I'm not at the drafting table, you'll find me hiking the North Shore trails.

Marcus Rodriguez

Marcus Rodriguez

Sustainable Design Director

I came from the construction side, which means I know what works in theory versus what actually works on site. Got my green building certification in 2015 and haven't looked back. My job's making sure our fire-resistant designs don't compromise on sustainability - it's trickier than you'd think, but that's what makes it interesting.

Elena Kowalski

Elena Kowalski

Heritage Restoration Lead

Old buildings tell stories, but they also need to meet modern safety standards. I specialize in the balance - keeping historic character while upgrading fire protection systems. Did my master's thesis on post-war Vancouver architecture, and now I get to work on preserving it. There's nothing quite like seeing a century-old building get a second life.

James Park

James Park

Urban Development Consultant

Cities are getting denser, which means fire safety planning is more critical than ever. I work with municipalities and developers to integrate fire-resistant design at the planning stage - way easier than retrofitting later. Been doing this for a decade, and the conversations around resilient urban design have totally shifted. It's exciting work.

Our Approach

We don't do cookie-cutter designs. Every site has its own challenges - topography, climate exposure, local building codes. We spend time understanding the context before we even sketch the first line. Our process is collaborative, transparent, and honestly, pretty iterative. We believe good architecture comes from listening more than talking.

Fire-resistant design isn't just about materials - it's about smart planning, defensible space, and understanding how fire behaves. We've worked with fire departments, forestry experts, and insurance specialists to develop strategies that actually work. The result? Buildings that give you peace of mind without looking like bunkers.

Why Vancouver?

Vancouver landscape

This city sits between the ocean and forests, dealing with seismic risks and wildfire smoke every summer. It's the perfect testing ground for resilient design. Plus, Vancouver's building culture pushes innovation - there's an appetite here for doing things better.

Sustainable materials

BC has incredible timber resources, and we've pioneered ways to use mass timber in fire-resistant applications. The provincial building code is progressive, and there's strong support for green building initiatives. It's where we're from, and it's where we're building the future.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you're planning a new build, restoration, or just have questions about fire-resistant design, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in Touch