Projects That Matter

Here's the real deal - buildings we've poured our hearts into, mistakes we've learned from, and spaces that actually work for people who use 'em daily.

The Distillery Heritage Restoration

This one was a real challenge, honestly. The 1880s warehouse had been sitting empty for 15 years - roof leaking, windows gone, the whole nine yards. Owner wanted to turn it into mixed-use space without losing what made the building special in the first place.

We spent three months just documenting the original brickwork patterns and timber joinery before touching anything. Found some surprises too - original cast iron columns hidden behind drywall from a bad 1960s renovation. Those became the centerpiece of the main retail floor.

Timeline

Planning: 8 months
Restoration: 14 months
Completed: March 2023

Scope

Area: 12,400 sq ft
Budget: $2.8M
Type: Heritage Restoration

Distillery heritage building exterior
Key Features
  • Original 1880s facade preserved
  • Exposed timber beams restored
  • Modern HVAC hidden in design
  • Energy efficiency increased 60%
Before We Started
Before restoration interior

Roof damage had let water in for years. Floor joists were compromised in three sections.

After Completion
After restoration interior

Same space, totally different vibe. Natural light floods in through restored windows.

Project Timeline Breakdown
Planning & Permits
Structural Work
Finishing
Months 1-8
Heritage assessments, permits, structural engineering
Months 9-16
Foundation repair, timber restoration, new systems
Months 17-22
Interior fit-out, final inspections, handover
Section drawing
Section Drawing

Shows how we inserted new floor levels while keeping the original structural rhythm intact.

During construction
Mid-Construction

The messy middle phase where everything looks worse before it gets better. That's just how it goes.

Building at night
Night View

Lighting design was crucial - wanted to highlight the architecture without being flashy.

Riverside Eco-Housing Development

We pitched this project as "affordable housing that doesn't look like affordable housing" - and somehow got the green light. Twenty-four units designed around a shared courtyard, solar arrays on every roof, and geothermal heating that actually works in Canadian winters.

The developer was skeptical about the green tech initially - worried about upfront costs. But we ran the numbers together, showed 'em how utility savings would offset construction premiums within 7 years. They're believers now.

Real Talk from the Site

"Had to redesign the whole drainage system midway through when we realized the initial plans wouldn't handle spring runoff properly. Cost us three weeks, but sleeping better knowing it's done right." - Project Lead Notes

Solar panel installation
Shared courtyard space
Riverside housing development
Project Stats
Units:24 residential
Completed:September 2022
Timeline:18 months
Energy Rating:LEED Gold
Cost Savings:42% below utility baseline
Sustainable Features
  • Geothermal heating/cooling system
  • Rainwater collection for irrigation
  • Passive solar design orientation
  • Triple-glazed windows throughout
  • Green roof on common building
  • EV charging stations
Construction Progress Timeline
Phase 1
Month 1-3

Site Prep
Excavation, foundations, geothermal wells

Phase 2
Month 4-9

Structure
Framing, roofing, envelope sealed

Phase 3
Month 10-15

Systems & Interiors
Mechanical, electrical, finishes

Phase 4
Month 16-18

Completion
Landscaping, final inspections, occupancy

Church conversion exterior

St. James Church Adaptive Reuse

Converting a 1920s church into office space without destroying its character? Yeah, that kept us up at night for a while. The community had strong feelings about it - understandably - so we held four public consultations before finalizing the design.

Kept the sanctuary volume intact as the main workspace. The old pews? Repurposed 'em into meeting room furniture. Stained glass windows stayed exactly where they were. Added a modern glass box at the rear for bathrooms and services - clearly contemporary so there's no confusion about what's original and what's new.

94%

Original fabric retained

$1.9M

Total project cost

11 mo

Construction period

45

Workstations created
Original church interior

Before: Original sanctuary showing deterioration and outdated systems

Technical drawings

Planning: Technical drawings showing structural interventions and new insertions

Converted office space

After: Contemporary workspace respecting historical architecture

Lessons from This One
  • Community input isn't just bureaucracy - residents caught a drainage issue we'd missed
  • Original acoustic plaster on the ceiling? Way better than anything we could've installed new
  • Budget 20% more time for heritage approvals than you think you need, then add another week
  • Sometimes the "temporary" construction solutions end up working better than your fancy planned ones

Other Projects Worth Mentioning

Queen West retail
Queen West Retail Renovation

Took a tired 1970s storefront and opened it up. Literally - removed the whole front facade and replaced it with floor-to-ceiling glass. Landlord was nervous, but foot traffic increased 35% in the first month.

Completed: June 2023
2,800 sq ft
Residential addition
Bloor West Residence Addition

Family needed more space but didn't wanna move. Added a two-storey extension that somehow looks like it was always there. Used matching brick from a demolished building three blocks over.

Completed: November 2022
850 sq ft addition
Restaurant interior
Liberty Village Restaurant

Fast-track project - design to opening in 4 months. Exposed everything: ductwork, concrete, wiring. Made it look intentional instead of unfinished. The chef calls it "honest architecture" which we'll totally steal for marketing.

Completed: August 2023
3,200 sq ft
Office renovation
King Street Office Reconfig

Company wanted "flexible workspace" - which usually means removing all the walls then realizing you need privacy. We kept some walls, just made 'em moveable. Works way better than open-plan chaos.

Completed: February 2023
5,600 sq ft

Got a Project in Mind?

Look, every project starts somewhere - usually with more questions than answers. That's normal. We're pretty good at figuring this stuff out together, so let's grab coffee and see if we're a good fit for what you're trying to do.

Let's Talk About Your Project