Who We Really Are

Not your typical suit-and-tie firm. We're architects who actually care about what happens after the ribbon cutting.

The Story Behind the Studio

Look, I'll be honest with you. Xylon Quintharis started in 2012 because I was tired of seeing cookie-cutter buildings go up without anyone asking the hard questions. You know the ones - will this thing actually age well? Does it respect the neighborhood? Can the planet handle another glass box that bleeds energy?

After spending years at larger firms where sustainability was more buzzword than practice, I figured it was time to do things differently. Started small - just me, a drafting table in a cramped King West loft, and way too much coffee. Now we're a team of twelve who genuinely give a damn about leaving Toronto better than we found it.

We've messed up plenty along the way, learned from every mistake, and somehow convinced enough clients that good design doesn't have to cost the earth. Literally.

Meet the Founder

The person who convinced everyone this crazy idea could work

Xylon Quintharis

Xylon Quintharis

Principal Architect & Founder

Design Philosophy (Or How I Think About Buildings)

Buildings aren't sculptures. They're not art installations. They're living systems that people inhabit for decades, and nature has to deal with for centuries. That reality shapes everything we do here.

I grew up in rural Ontario where my grandparents had this old farmhouse - thick stone walls, strategic window placement, natural ventilation that worked better than most HVAC systems. Nobody called it "sustainable design" back then. It was just common sense. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that.

My approach isn't about cramming the latest green tech into every project. It's about understanding site conditions, respecting material properties, and designing with humility. Sometimes the best solution is low-tech. Sometimes it's cutting-edge. The building tells you what it needs if you're willing to listen.

Education

M.Arch, University of Toronto

B.A.Sc, Waterloo School of Architecture

Credentials

OAA Licensed Architect

LEED AP BD+C Accredited

"Every building should earn its place in the world. Not through flash or ego, but by working harder, lasting longer, and treading lighter than what came before."

The Team That Makes It Happen

Talented people who somehow tolerate my perfectionism

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

Senior Architect

Been with us since year two. Specializes in residential projects and has this uncanny ability to read clients' minds. M.Arch from McGill, LEED certified.

Marcus Osei
Marcus Osei

Project Manager

Keeps our timelines from becoming fantasy fiction. Background in construction management means he knows what'll actually work on-site. Saved us countless headaches.

Amelia Kowalski
Amelia Kowalski

Interior Space Lead

Makes sure our exteriors don't promise something the interiors can't deliver. She's got this gift for spatial flow that honestly makes the rest of us jealous.

Dev Sharma
Dev Sharma

Sustainability Director

Our environmental conscience. Former building science researcher who can explain passive house principles without putting you to sleep. Genuinely passionate about insulation.

Rachel Beaumont
Rachel Beaumont

Heritage Specialist

Handles our restoration work with reverence and practicality. Trained in heritage conservation, she knows how to honor history without getting stuck in it.

James Liu
James Liu

Urban Planning Consultant

Thinks in neighborhoods, not just buildings. His background in city planning helps us design projects that actually contribute to urban fabric instead of fighting it.

Priya Kapoor
Priya Kapoor

Technical Architect

Our BIM wizard and detail queen. If there's a technical challenge, she's already solved it three different ways and documented everything perfectly.

Thomas Bergeron
Thomas Bergeron

Junior Architect

Fresh perspective from Carleton's architecture program. Still has that enthusiasm we're all trying not to crush. Brings energy and questions that keep us sharp.

Studio workspace

How We Actually Work

Forget the stuffy architecture firm stereotype. Our studio's got exposed brick, standing desks, way too many plants, and a strict no-tie policy. We believe better spaces come from people who aren't miserable designing them.

Every project starts with listening. Real listening - not just nodding while mentally sketching. We spend time on-site, talk to neighbors, study sun patterns, test wind conditions. Sometimes we camp out for a day just to feel how a space breathes through different hours.

Our design process is collaborative chaos. Weekly critique sessions where hierarchy doesn't matter - if the intern has a better idea, we run with it. We sketch on whiteboards, build physical models, and yeah, use all the fancy software too. But tools serve ideas, not the other way around.

Let's Talk About Your Project

What Drives Us Forward

01
Long-Term Thinking

We're designing for the next 50 years, not the next magazine cover. Trends fade, good bones last.

02
Material Honesty

Concrete looks like concrete. Wood looks like wood. We're not big on fake finishes or pretending buildings are something they're not.

03
Environmental Accountability

Every building has a carbon footprint. We're obsessed with shrinking ours while making spaces people actually want to inhabit.

Ready to Start Something Real?

Whether you've got blueprints or just a napkin sketch, let's figure out if we're the right fit for your project.