Who We Are

Crystallizing Vision into Architectural Reality

Crystallith Quinthor Studio

How It Started

Back in 2009, I found myself sketching building facades on napkins during a cafe meetup with my old university roommate. We were both tired of cookie-cutter designs that lacked soul, y'know? That's when we decided to do something about it.

Started small - a residential renovation here, a boutique office there. But we had this obsession with how light moves through crystal structures. Sounds kinda nerdy, but watching how a prism bends light kept showing up in our sketchbooks. Eventually, it became our thing.

Fast forward fifteen years, and we're still chasing that same fascination. Our Toronto studio's grown from just the two of us working out of a cramped Queen West loft to a full team of designers who get genuinely excited about geometry and natural light patterns.

We've done everything from high-rise condos to heritage restorations, and honestly, each project teaches us something new. That's what keeps it interesting.

Our Design Philosophy

Light as Material

We treat natural light like it's another building material - not just an afterthought. Every project starts with understanding how sunlight'll move through the space throughout the day. It's about creating moments, not just rooms.

Form Meets Function

Pretty designs that don't work? That's just art, not architecture. We're obsessed with making spaces that look stunning but actually enhance how people live and work. No compromises there.

Honest Materials

If it's concrete, let it be concrete. If it's wood, let it breathe. We're not big on hiding what things are made of. There's real beauty in authenticity, and clients feel that difference.

Context Matters

Dropping a building into a neighborhood without considering what's around it? That's lazy. We spend serious time understanding the context - history, culture, landscape - before sketching anything.

What We Actually Do

Six core services that we've refined over the years

Residential Architecture

From single-family homes to multi-unit developments, we create living spaces that reflect how people actually want to live - not some magazine ideal.

Commercial Building Design

Office spaces, retail environments, mixed-use buildings - we design workplaces where people don't dread showing up Monday morning.

Interior Space Planning

The shell's important, sure, but how the inside flows? That's where life happens. We obsess over every square foot.

Sustainable Building Consulting

Green building isn't optional anymore. We help clients navigate certifications, energy efficiency, and material selection without the greenwashing.

Heritage Building Restoration

Old buildings have stories. We preserve that history while making them work for today. It's detective work meets design.

3D Architectural Visualization

Blueprints confuse people. Our photorealistic renders help clients actually see their future space before breaking ground.

Our design process

How We Work

Forget rigid processes and endless meetings. We keep things fluid because every project's different. That said, there's a rhythm we've found works.

First couple weeks? We're basically sponges - listening, asking questions, walking the site at different times of day. You'd be surprised what you notice at 7am versus 4pm.

Then comes the fun part - conceptual design. Lots of sketches, some wild ideas, and slowly narrowing down to what feels right. We involve clients early here because their feedback shapes everything.

Once we nail the concept, it's into technical drawings, permit wrangling (yeah, that part's not glamorous), and working with contractors who actually care about craft.

Throughout construction, we're on-site regularly. Details matter, and sometimes you gotta make calls in real-time when something unexpected comes up - which it always does.

Why Toronto?

Look, we could've set up shop anywhere, but Toronto just made sense. The city's got this incredible mix of Victorian heritage and modern ambition that keeps us on our toes.

Plus, Canadian winters force you to think differently about building performance. When it's -20 outside, your design better work or people notice real quick. That constraint actually makes us better architects.

The diverse neighborhoods here - each with their own character - mean we never fall into a design rut. What works in the Distillery District won't fly in Yorkville, and that's exactly the kind of challenge we're here for.

Recognition & Credentials

We're proud of these, but honestly, our best validation is when a client moves into their space and it just clicks.

OAA Certified

Ontario Association of Architects

LEED Accredited

Sustainable design professionals

RAIC Members

Royal Architectural Institute

Design Awards

Multiple regional recognitions

Let's Talk About Your Project

Got an idea brewing? Or just curious if we're the right fit? Either way, we're happy to chat over coffee.