Who We Are

The people shaping spaces that actually matter

Our Studio

Our Philosophy

We don't do cookie-cutter. Every building tells a story, and we're here to make sure it's worth telling - one that respects the land it stands on.

Started with a Sketchpad and Some Big Ideas

Back in 2009, three architects who were tired of seeing Toronto's landscape get cluttered with buildings that looked impressive but didn't really think about tomorrow decided to do something different. We met at a sustainability conference - yeah, those were less popular back then - and realized we all wanted the same thing: architecture that doesn't fight with nature but works alongside it.

Fast forward to today, and we've grown from that initial trio into a tight-knit crew of designers, engineers, and planners who genuinely care about what they're building. We've done everything from tiny laneway houses to commercial complexes that actually got LEED Platinum certification without selling our souls to bland design.

What keeps us going? It's that moment when a client walks into their finished space and gets it - really gets it. When they feel how the light moves through the day, how the materials tell their own quiet story, how everything just... fits. That's what we're after every single time.

"Buildings should enhance life, not just occupy space. We're not interested in making landmarks for Instagram - we want to create places people actually want to live and work in, decades from now."

Meet the Team

The folks turning blueprints into reality

Helena Dusk

Helena Dusk

Co-Founder & Principal Architect

Helena's got this uncanny ability to look at a site and see what it wants to become. Spent 8 years in Copenhagen before moving back to Toronto, and she brought that Scandinavian minimalism with her - but with warmth. She's the one pushing us to think about how a building will age, not just how it'll photograph.

OAA Registered, LEED AP BD+C

Marcus Reth

Marcus Reth

Co-Founder & Design Director

Marcus is our material wizard. He'll spend hours sourcing reclaimed wood or figuring out how to repurpose industrial elements in residential spaces. Before starting DRQ, he worked on heritage restorations across Ontario, which taught him that old and new don't have to fight - they can actually make each other better.

OAA Registered, Heritage Specialist

Amir Quinthal

Amir Quinthal

Co-Founder & Sustainability Lead

Amir's the reason we actually walk the talk on sustainability. He's obsessed with energy modeling and won't sign off on anything until he's sure it'll perform as promised. Background in environmental engineering means he speaks both languages - architect and scientist - which keeps the rest of us honest.

OAA Registered, LEED Fellow, Passive House Designer

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

Senior Project Manager

Keeps the chaos organized and makes sure we actually meet deadlines. Scary efficient.

David Okonkwo
David Okonkwo

Urban Planning Consultant

Former city planner who knows every bylaw and zoning quirk. Invaluable when things get complicated.

Lucia Marquez
Lucia Marquez

Interior Space Specialist

Makes sure the inside feels as good as the outside looks. Master of light and flow.

Jamie Sullivan
Jamie Sullivan

Junior Architect

Fresh perspective and digital native. Always finding new tools to make our workflow smoother.

How We Actually Work

We're not gonna lie - architecture takes time. But we don't waste yours. First meeting is always on us, just a conversation about what you're after and whether we're the right fit. No pressure, no sales pitch.

Once we're working together, you'll get regular updates - not just the polished stuff but the messy in-between too. We believe clients should understand why we're making the choices we're making. Sometimes that means explaining why your first idea won't work structurally, but we'll always find a way to capture the spirit of what you wanted.

1
Discovery & Site Analysis

We visit, we observe, we listen to what the place is telling us.

2
Concept Development

Sketches, models, conversations. This is where ideas get tested.

3
Detailed Design & Documentation

Getting into the nitty-gritty so builders know exactly what to do.

4
Construction Oversight

We're on-site regularly. Design intent matters right through to completion.

Our Process Design Process

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for a conversation about interesting projects. Even if you're just figuring things out, let's talk.