About Us | Ignithral Quinthor Architectural Domains

Our story isn't what you'd expect

Started back in 2011 when three of us were pretty tired of designing the same generic glass boxes that seemed to dominate every proposal meeting. We'd sit there thinking - there's gotta be a better way to do this, right? So we quit our cushy corporate gigs and set up shop in a cramped office on Bay Street.

Fast forward to today, and we've grown to a team of 23 passionate designers, engineers, and planners. What hasn't changed? Our obsession with making sure every project actually contributes something positive to Toronto's urban fabric instead of just filling space.

We're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers. Architecture's evolving fast, especially with climate challenges breathing down our necks. But that's kinda what gets us out of bed - figuring out how commercial spaces can actually work WITH the environment instead of against it.

How we actually work

Forget the fancy corporate speak - here's what really guides our process when we're sketching, planning, and building.

Listen first, design second

We spend a lot of time just talking to people - the ones who'll actually use the space. Clients sometimes think we're stalling, but you can't design something meaningful without understanding the real needs, not just the ones in the brief.

Sustainability isn't optional

It's 2024. We don't get to pretend buildings don't have massive environmental footprints anymore. Every project goes through rigorous environmental assessment - and yeah, sometimes that means telling clients their initial vision needs rethinking.

Context matters more than ego

Sure, we all want to design the next iconic building. But forcing a design that doesn't fit its neighbourhood? That's just bad architecture. We dig deep into the local history, the existing urban patterns, what makes that particular spot special.

Iteration beats perfection

Our first draft is usually pretty rough, honestly. We iterate constantly, bring in different perspectives, test assumptions. The best solutions we've come up with happened around revision 15, not revision 1.

Meet some of the team

We're a pretty diverse bunch with different backgrounds, but we all share this weird obsession with making cities better.

Sarah Mendelsohn

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

M.Arch, OAA, LEED AP BD+C

Sarah's the one who keeps us honest about our environmental commitments. Got her masters from Waterloo and spent 8 years at a big firm before deciding to do things differently. She's annoyingly good at spotting design flaws before they become expensive problems.

Marcus Okonkwo

Urban Planning Director & Co-Founder

M.Pl, MCIP, RPP

Marcus brings the big-picture thinking. He's worked on urban development projects across three continents and has this uncanny ability to see how a single building fits into larger city systems. Also makes terrible coffee but we tolerate it because he's brilliant.

Jennifer Park

Heritage & Restoration Lead

M.Arch (Conservation), OAA

Jen's got this amazing talent for making old buildings work for modern needs without destroying what made them special in the first place. Studied conservation at Carleton and worked on some of Toronto's most iconic heritage restorations. She's saved more architectural history than most people know exists.

David Tremblay

Sustainable Systems Architect

M.A.Sc, P.Eng, LEED Fellow

David's the engineering brain behind our sustainability claims. He can calculate thermal loads in his head and has forgotten more about building systems than most people ever learn. Joined us from an engineering consultancy because he wanted to integrate sustainability from day one, not retrofit it later.

Priya Sharma

Senior Interior Architect

B.Arch, IDC, ARIDO

Priya's got this gift for understanding how people actually move through and use spaces. She's transformed some pretty bland interiors into places people genuinely enjoy being in. Started with us as an intern six years ago and quickly proved she's one of the best spatial thinkers we've got.

Tom Kowalski

Project Coordination Manager

B.Arch Tech, PMP

Tom's the guy who actually makes sure things get built. He deals with contractors, manages timelines, and somehow keeps multiple complex projects running smoothly. Used to work in construction before switching to the design side, which means he knows when we're designing something that's gonna be a nightmare to build.

What we're really about

Look, we could fill this section with corporate mission statements and buzzwords, but that's not really us. Here's the truth - we think architecture has gotten too disconnected from the people and communities it's supposed to serve.

Every building we design is gonna be around for decades, maybe centuries. That's a huge responsibility. We're not just creating spaces for today's needs - we're shaping how future generations experience their city. That thought keeps us up at night, honestly.

We've turned down projects that didn't align with our values. Projects where the client just wanted the cheapest box possible, or where environmental concerns were treated as annoying obstacles. Yeah, it's cost us money. But we sleep better knowing the buildings we put our name on actually contribute something meaningful.

We're constantly learning, constantly questioning our assumptions. The field's changing fast - new materials, new technologies, new understandings of how buildings impact mental health and community. Staying curious isn't optional in this business.

Wanna work with us?

We're always up for interesting projects and conversations. If you've got something that needs thoughtful design and genuine environmental consideration, let's talk.

Get in touch