The people shaping spaces that actually matter
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.
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."
The folks turning blueprints into reality
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
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
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
Senior Project Manager
Keeps the chaos organized and makes sure we actually meet deadlines. Scary efficient.
Urban Planning Consultant
Former city planner who knows every bylaw and zoning quirk. Invaluable when things get complicated.
Interior Space Specialist
Makes sure the inside feels as good as the outside looks. Master of light and flow.
Junior Architect
Fresh perspective and digital native. Always finding new tools to make our workflow smoother.
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.
We visit, we observe, we listen to what the place is telling us.
Sketches, models, conversations. This is where ideas get tested.
Getting into the nitty-gritty so builders know exactly what to do.
We're on-site regularly. Design intent matters right through to completion.
We're always up for a conversation about interesting projects. Even if you're just figuring things out, let's talk.