About Us - Crystal Quinthor Architecture

Our Story

Started back in 2011 with just three of us and a rented office space that honestly needed some serious work. We've come a long way since then, but we're still the same people who'd rather sketch ideas on napkins over coffee than sit through another corporate meeting.

Vancouver's always been home, and it shows in what we do. The mountains, the ocean, the way light hits buildings differently here - it all feeds into our work. We're not trying to copy what works in Dubai or Singapore. This is West Coast design, through and through.

Our thing? Buildings that don't fight the environment. Spaces where people actually want to spend time. None of that sterile, look-but-don't-touch stuff. We've learned that good architecture happens when you listen more than you talk, and when you're honest about what'll work and what won't.

How We Actually Work

No cookie-cutter solutions here

We Listen First

Sounds basic, right? But you'd be surprised how many architects just impose their vision. We start every project by understanding how you live, work, or do business. What bugs you about your current space? What makes you happy? Sometimes the best ideas come from those conversations.

Sustainability That Makes Sense

We're not gonna throw every green buzzword at you. Solar panels aren't always the answer. Sometimes it's about proper insulation, smart window placement, or using local materials. It's about making choices that'll save you money and reduce impact without turning your project into a science experiment.

Design That Lives With You

Trends come and go. We've seen enough 'revolutionary' design fads crash and burn. Instead, we focus on spaces that age well, that you can adapt as your needs change. A house shouldn't feel outdated in five years just because Instagram moved on.

Real Budget Talk

Let's be upfront about costs from day one. We've all heard horror stories about projects that doubled in price. We break down what things actually cost, where you can save, and where you really shouldn't cut corners. No surprises halfway through construction.

Meet The Team

Crystal Quinthor

Principal Architect, MAIBC

Founded the firm after spending way too many years at big corporate studios. Crystal's got this knack for seeing potential in spaces everyone else writes off. She's usually the one asking "but why can't we?" in meetings.

Marcus Reid

Senior Architect, LEED AP

Our sustainability guy, though he'd cringe at that title. Marcus worked on environmental projects across BC before joining us. He's the reason our buildings actually perform as well as they look, not just on paper.

Sarah Tanaka

Design Director

Came from interior design but quickly proved she could handle full architectural projects. Sarah's got this eye for how spaces flow and feel. She's saved us from plenty of "looked good on paper" disasters.

David Park

Project Manager

The guy who keeps everything from falling apart. David's done construction management for fifteen years and knows every contractor worth calling in the Lower Mainland. When timelines slip, he's the one getting things back on track.

Elena Mora

Architectural Technologist

Our technical wizard. Elena turns sketchy ideas into actual buildable plans. She's caught more potential problems in the drawing phase than we can count. Also makes the best coffee in the office.

James Wu

Junior Architect

Fresh energy straight from UBC. James keeps us current with new building tech and isn't afraid to challenge the "we've always done it this way" thinking. His 3D renderings are honestly better than most of ours.

Our Space

We practice what we preach. Our studio in Gastown is in a renovated heritage building - we kept the exposed brick and timber, added proper insulation and efficient systems. It's bright, comfortable, and yeah, we actually enjoy being here.

There's usually music playing, someone's dog wandering around, and way too many coffee cups on desks. Come visit sometime. We're almost always around, and we've got a decent espresso machine.

1250 West Hastings Street, Suite 420

Vancouver, BC V6E 2M4

What We're About

The stuff that actually matters to us

Local Impact

We source materials locally when it makes sense. Supporting BC mills and suppliers isn't just good PR - it reduces shipping emissions and keeps money in our community.

Honest Relationships

We're gonna be working together for months, maybe years. Might as well be straight with each other. If something's not working, let's talk about it. If we can't deliver what you want, we'll say so.

Continuous Learning

Building codes change, materials improve, climate challenges evolve. We're always taking courses, attending conferences, testing new approaches. The day we think we know it all is the day we should retire.

Quality Over Awards

Sure, we've won some design awards and they look nice on the wall. But what matters more is when clients call us back for their next project, or when they refer their friends. That's the real validation.

Want to Work Together?

Let's grab coffee and talk about what you're planning. No pressure, no sales pitch - just a conversation about whether we're the right fit for your project.

Get In Touch