Last updated: January 2024
Look, we get it - privacy policies can be a slog to read through. But here at Crystal Quinthor Architecture, we actually care about your data and how it's used. So we've tried to keep this straightforward and honest. If you've got questions after reading, just give us a shout at info@crystalquinthor.info.
Who We Are
We're Crystal Quinthor Architecture, based out of Vancouver, BC. We're a small team passionate about sustainable contemporary design, and we're not in the business of selling your info to anyone. That's not how we roll.
Our office:
1250 West Hastings Street, Suite 420
Vancouver, BC V6E 2M4
Phone: (604) 555-0187
What Information We Collect
When You Contact Us
If you reach out through our contact form or send us an email, we'll collect basic stuff like your name, email address, phone number (if you provide it), and whatever you tell us about your project. We need this to actually respond to you and understand what you're looking for.
When You Work With Us
Once we start working together on a project, we'll naturally collect more detailed info - property addresses, project specifications, budget details, and any other relevant stuff needed to design and manage your build. This is all pretty standard for architectural work.
Website Usage Data
Like most websites, we collect some technical data when you visit - things like your IP address, browser type, pages you visit, and how long you stick around. This helps us understand what's working and what isn't on our site. We use cookies for this, but nothing invasive.
How We Use Your Information
We're pretty straightforward about this:
- To respond to your inquiries and discuss potential projects
- To design, plan, and execute architectural projects you've hired us for
- To send you updates about your project (if you're a client)
- To improve our website and services based on how people use them
- To comply with legal requirements - permits, building codes, that sort of thing
- To send occasional updates about our work (only if you've opted in, and you can unsubscribe anytime)
We won't bombard you with marketing emails or sell your data to third parties. That's a promise.
Who We Share Information With
Here's the deal - sometimes we need to share certain info to get your project done right:
- Project collaborators: Engineers, contractors, and consultants who are directly involved in your project
- Legal requirements: Government bodies, building departments, and permitting offices when required by law
- Service providers: Cloud storage, email services, and other tools we use to run our business (they're all bound by confidentiality agreements)
We don't share your personal information with random marketing companies or data brokers. Never have, never will.
Your Rights Under Canadian Privacy Law
Under Canadian privacy legislation (including PIPEDA), you've got some solid rights:
- Access: You can ask to see what personal information we have about you
- Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it
- Deletion: You can request we delete your information (with some exceptions for legal or contractual obligations)
- Withdrawal of consent: You can change your mind about how we use your data
- Complaints: If you think we've mishandled your info, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at info@crystalquinthor.info or give us a call.
How Long We Keep Your Data
We don't keep your info forever. Here's generally how it works:
- Inquiries that don't turn into projects: We keep these for about a year, then delete them
- Active project files: We keep these for the duration of the project plus several years after completion (required by professional regulations and liability insurance)
- Completed projects: Architecture firms in Canada are required to retain project records for at least 6-10 years depending on the province and project type
- Financial records: Tax laws require us to keep these for 7 years
Once we no longer need your information, we securely delete or destroy it.
Security Measures
We take reasonable precautions to protect your information. Our systems use encryption, secure servers, and access controls. Only team members who actually need access to your info get it. That said, no system is 100% hack-proof, so we can't guarantee absolute security - but we do our best to stay on top of it.
Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website uses cookies - those little text files that help the site remember you and understand how you use it. We use them for:
- Essential cookies: These keep the site functioning properly
- Analytics cookies: These help us understand visitor behavior and improve the site
You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site might not work as smoothly if you do.
Third-Party Links
Our website might link to other sites - suppliers, partners, or resources we think are useful. Once you click through to another site, this privacy policy no longer applies. We'd recommend checking out their privacy policies too.
Changes to This Policy
We might update this privacy policy from time to time as our practices evolve or laws change. When we do, we'll update the date at the top of this page. If there are significant changes, we'll let you know more directly - probably via email if you're a client or have been in touch with us recently.
Questions or Concerns?
If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, we're here to chat. Seriously, we'd rather you ask than worry about it.
Get in touch:
Email: info@crystalquinthor.info
Phone: (604) 555-0187
Address: 1250 West Hastings Street, Suite 420, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M4
Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
If you believe we've violated your privacy rights, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca or 1-800-282-1376.