Our Story

Forging Architectural Excellence Through Fire and Form

Our studio workspace

Who We Really Are

Look, we're not gonna pretend we started in some garage with a dream and a sketchpad. But what we did start with was a genuine frustration with how industrial and commercial spaces were being designed - cookie-cutter, wasteful, and honestly pretty uninspiring.

Based here in Vancouver, we've spent years figuring out how to make buildings that actually work with their environment instead of against it. It's not rocket science, but it does take some serious commitment to doing things differently.

Our approach? Think of industrial design principles - strong, functional, honest materials - but reimagined through a sustainable lens. We call it forging because that's literally what we do: we take raw ideas, apply heat and pressure (deadlines help), and shape them into something solid.

180+

Projects Completed

94%

LEED Certified

15+

Years Experience

How We Got Here

Not your typical timeline - just the milestones that actually mattered

2010

The Beginning

Started with three architects and one shared belief - that industrial spaces didn't have to be environmental disasters. Our first project was a small warehouse conversion in East Van. Learned more from that one building than four years of school.

2013

First Major Break

Landed a 50,000 sq ft commercial redesign in Burnaby. The client took a chance on us, and we delivered Canada's first net-zero industrial facility in BC. That project put us on the map and proved sustainable doesn't mean compromising on functionality.

2016

Expansion & Recognition

Moved into our current Georgia Street studio. Same year we picked up our first industry award - not gonna lie, that felt pretty good. Team grew to 12, and we started getting calls from across Western Canada.

2019

Pivoting Focus

Made a conscious decision to go all-in on sustainable design. Turned down projects that didn't align with our environmental standards - scary move financially, but it defined who we are. Started our green building consultation service to help other firms make the switch.

2022

Post-Pandemic Evolution

Like everyone, we had to rethink workspace design. This actually opened up some fascinating opportunities in adaptive reuse projects - turning empty office towers into mixed-use spaces. Our contemporary residential division really took off during this period.

2025

Today & Forward

Currently working on our most ambitious project yet - a complete urban district redesign that'll set new standards for sustainable urban planning in Canada. Team's at 23 people now, and we're still learning something new with every project.

Our Design Philosophy

We don't believe in design manifestos or complicated theories. Here's what actually guides our work:

Function First

Buildings need to work. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often this gets forgotten in favor of looking cool. We design for the people who'll actually use the space every day.

Environmental Honesty

Greenwashing drives us nuts. If we can't make a project genuinely sustainable, we'll tell you upfront. We track actual energy usage, not just projected numbers.

Material Truth

Steel should look like steel. Concrete like concrete. We're not hiding structural elements behind fancy facades - those raw materials are part of the aesthetic and the story.

Adaptive Thinking

Buildings outlive their original purpose. We design with future flexibility in mind - what's a warehouse today might be lofts tomorrow. Plan for change, don't fight it.

The People Behind The Projects

No corporate headshots here - just the folks who actually do the work

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started this whole thing after getting fed up with traditional firms. Twenty years in, still gets excited about solving tricky spatial problems. Recently obsessed with mass timber construction.

Marcus Wei
Marcus Wei

Lead Industrial Designer

Came from mechanical engineering background, which explains why our buildings actually work mechanically. Huge advocate for prefab construction. Can probably tell you more about HVAC systems than you ever wanted to know.

Emma Kowalski
Emma Kowalski

Sustainability Director

Joined us in 2018 after working on LEED projects across North America. She's the one who actually crunches the numbers and keeps us honest about our environmental claims. Doesn't tolerate greenwashing, period.

Dev Sharma
Dev Sharma

Contemporary Design Lead

Our residential guru. Has this uncanny ability to understand how people actually want to live versus how architects think they should live. Trained in India and Toronto, brings perspectives you won't find elsewhere.

Zara Mitchell
Zara Mitchell

Urban Planning Specialist

Newest addition to the leadership team. Spent years working with city planning departments, so she knows the bureaucratic maze better than anyone. Makes sure our grand visions can actually get approved and built.

Our Team
Plus 18 More

The Rest Of The Crew

Junior architects, interns, project managers, and support staff who make everything happen. Every project's a team effort - these five just happen to be the loudest. Come by the office sometime and meet everyone.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for interesting challenges. Whether you've got a project in mind or just want to chat about sustainable design over coffee, drop us a line. We don't bite - well, Marcus can be grumpy before his morning espresso, but otherwise we're friendly.