Igniting Innovation Through Timeless Architecture
We're not your typical architecture firm. Started in a converted warehouse space back in 2012, Embercrest Born came from a simple idea - buildings should work with the environment, not against it. What began as two friends sketching concepts over coffee has grown into a team that's reshaping Toronto's architectural landscape.
Look, we've seen enough cookie-cutter buildings to last a lifetime. That's exactly why we started this practice. Every project we take on gets the same treatment - we dig deep into what makes the space tick, who's gonna use it, and how it can give back more than it takes.
Toronto's been our home base since day one, and honestly? This city's taught us everything. The mix of historic gems and modern innovation here pushed us to find that sweet spot between respecting what came before and pushing boundaries forward.
We've done everything from ground-up residential builds to complete commercial overhauls, and the thread that ties it all together is sustainability. Not the checklist kind - the real deal where every decision counts.
Principal Architect & Co-Founder
Spent my first five years out of Waterloo working at a big corporate firm, which taught me exactly what I didn't want to do. Architecture shouldn't feel like an assembly line. I'm obsessed with natural light and airflow - probably because I grew up in a house with terrible ventilation. These days, you'll find me sketching on napkins during client meetings or climbing around construction sites in steel-toes. Got my LEED certification in 2015 and haven't looked back.
Principal Architect & Co-Founder
My background's a bit unusual - studied engineering before switching to architecture at UofT. That technical foundation means I'm always thinking about how things actually get built, not just how they look on paper. I grew up helping my dad renovate old homes in the Beaches, so there's something about breathing new life into existing structures that just clicks for me. I handle most of our commercial projects and the structural problem-solving that keeps Sarah from pulling her hair out.
Senior Interior Architect
Joined the team three years ago after freelancing for way too long. Interior spaces are where people actually live and work, so getting them right matters more than most folks realize. I'm all about materials that age well and layouts that make sense for how people actually move through a space. Previous life included stints at design firms in Vancouver and Montreal, but Toronto's energy won me over. Also our team's unofficial plant coordinator - there's green in every corner of our office now.
Sustainability Consultant
I'm the numbers guy who makes sure we're not just talking about sustainability but actually achieving it. Background in environmental science before pivoting to green building consulting. Came on board in 2018 when Embercrest Born decided to make sustainability central to everything, not just a side offering. I run the energy modeling, material lifecycle assessments, and basically keep everyone honest about our environmental impact. When I'm not crunching data, I'm probably at a Raptors game or biking the waterfront.
We spend more time listening than talking in those initial meetings. Your space, your vision, your constraints - that's where the real project starts. No templates, no one-size-fits-all solutions.
Every line we draw serves a function. Beautiful? Absolutely. But also practical, sustainable, and built to last. We're not interested in architecture that falls apart after a magazine photoshoot.
Construction's where good designs can go wrong. We stay involved through the whole process, working directly with builders to solve problems as they come up. Site visits aren't optional here.
We're designing for decades, not trends. Energy efficiency, adaptable spaces, materials that age gracefully - these aren't extras, they're the baseline. Your building should get better with time, not worse.
Projects Completed
Years Experience
LEED Certifications
Client Satisfaction
We're pretty straightforward about what matters to us. Sustainability isn't a buzzword - it's how we evaluate every material choice and design decision. Quality beats quantity every time, which is why we keep our project load manageable.
Collaboration's huge too. We work with some of the best engineers, contractors, and consultants in Toronto because good architecture is a team sport. And honestly? We believe in being real with clients. If something's not gonna work, we'll tell you upfront.
This city's given us so much, so we try to give back. Pro bono work for community projects, mentoring students from local architecture programs, and staying involved in making Toronto a better place to live and work.
Got something in mind? We'd love to hear about it over coffee.
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