Ember Quinthold Studio

Who We Are

Real people creating spaces that actually work for how folks live and do business

Our Design Process

Our Story

Started back in 2011 when three of us got tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings going up around Toronto. We figured there had to be a better way - one that didn't sacrifice the planet for profit or ignore what people actually need from their spaces.

Fast forward to today, and we're a tight-knit crew of twelve designers, planners, and restoration specialists who genuinely love what we do. Yeah, we've won some awards and worked on projects that made the local papers, but honestly? The best part is seeing clients walk into their finished space and just... light up.

We're based in the west end on Queen Street, which keeps us grounded in the community we serve. You'll find us grabbing coffee at the corner cafe or sketching ideas over lunch at the market. That's how we roll - connected, accessible, and always thinking about the next challenge.

See Our Work

How We Think About Design

Listen First

Every project starts with shutting up and actually hearing what you need. Not what we think looks cool or what's trending on design blogs. Your space, your rules.

Built to Last

We're not interested in designing buildings that'll need major overhauls in ten years. Quality materials, thoughtful construction, and timeless choices that age well.

Planet Matters

Can't design for the future if there isn't one, right? Sustainability isn't an add-on for us - it's baked into everything from material selection to energy systems.

Context Counts

Buildings don't exist in a vacuum. We pay attention to the neighborhood, the history, the street vibe. New doesn't have to mean out of place.

Meet the Team

Sarah Quinthold

Sarah Quinthold

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started drawing buildings when I was seven and never really stopped. Spent fifteen years at big firms before breaking out to do things differently. My thing? Making commercial spaces that don't feel sterile. When I'm not sketching, I'm probably cycling the waterfront trail or hunting down vintage furniture.

Marcus Chen

Marcus Chen

Sustainability Director & Co-Founder

Got into green building before it was the cool thing to do. Started out in engineering, switched to architecture when I realized that's where real change happens. My obsession is finding ways to slash energy use without making buildings look like science experiments. Also make a mean dumpling.

Elena Rodriguez

Elena Rodriguez

Heritage Restoration Lead & Co-Founder

Old buildings have stories, and I'm basically their translator. Trained in both architecture and historical preservation because I couldn't pick just one. Nothing beats the puzzle of bringing a century-old building into the 21st century while respecting what made it special. Weekend warrior at estate sales.

James Patterson

James Patterson

Senior Designer

Residential projects are my jam. I've designed everything from laneway houses to sprawling family compounds. Love making small spaces feel huge.

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma

Interior Planning Specialist

The inside matters just as much as the outside. I handle the flow, the light, the feel of spaces. Trained in architecture and interior design.

David Kim

David Kim

Construction Administrator

I'm the bridge between beautiful drawings and actual buildings. Making sure what gets built matches what we designed - details matter.

Lisa Kowalski

Lisa Kowalski

Commercial Design Lead

Offices, retail, mixed-use - that's my world. Spent years figuring out how to make workplace design actually support how people work today.

Thomas Wright

Thomas Wright

Design Associate

Fresh perspective on every project. Tech-savvy and always pushing us to try new modeling techniques.

Maya Okafor

Maya Okafor

Junior Designer

Passionate about accessibility and universal design. Every space should work for everybody.

Robert MacLeod

Robert MacLeod

Technical Coordinator

Detail nerd. I'm the one making sure all the pieces actually fit together in real life.

Jennifer Wu

Jennifer Wu

Office Manager

Keep this place running smoothly so the designers can do their thing. The organized chaos wrangler.

What Drives Us

Look, architecture isn't just about pretty buildings - though we do enjoy making things look good. It's about creating spaces where life actually happens, where businesses thrive, where communities come together.

We've been doing this long enough to know there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Every project teaches us something new, every client brings a different perspective, every site has its own quirks. That's what keeps it interesting after all these years.

The Toronto architecture scene can be pretty competitive, but we'd rather collaborate than compete. We share knowledge, refer work to other firms when it's not our specialty, and genuinely celebrate when other studios do great work. Rising tide lifts all boats and all that.

Let's Talk About Your Project Our Sustainability Approach

Want to Join the Team?

We're always keeping an eye out for talented designers, coordinators, and specialists who share our values. Send us your portfolio and let's see if there's a fit.