About Us - Silvanth Quintavix Architecture

Who We Really Are

Look, we're not gonna feed you some polished corporate spiel about being "industry leaders" or whatever. Truth is, we started this whole thing back in 2009 because we were frustrated with how many firms treated heritage buildings like they were disposable.

Based right here in Vancouver, we've spent years figuring out how to make old structures work for modern life without stripping away what made 'em special in the first place. Yeah, we do new builds too - residential, commercial, the works - but there's something about breathing new life into a century-old building that just hits different.

Our approach? It's pretty straightforward. We listen more than we talk, we sketch before we render, and we actually visit sites instead of relying on drone footage. Call us old-fashioned, but that's how you catch the details that matter.

How We Got Here

It's been quite a ride, honestly

2009 - The Beginning

Started with just three of us in a cramped office on Water Street. Our first project was restoring a 1920s warehouse in Gastown - we probably made every mistake in the book, but we learned fast. That building's still standing and looking pretty good, if we say so ourselves.

2013 - Expanding Our Horizons

Won our first major commercial bid and realized we needed more hands on deck. Brought in specialists for sustainable design - back then it wasn't trendy yet, just made sense. Started experimenting with green roofs before half the city caught on.

2017 - Heritage Recognition

Got recognized by the Heritage Vancouver Society for our work on the old Imperial Building. That one was tough - original terra cotta facade was crumbling, but we managed to preserve about 80% of it. The owner actually cried when we finished. Those moments stick with you.

2020-2021 - Pivoting Through Chaos

Yeah, the pandemic hit us like everyone else. But it forced us to rethink how spaces work - suddenly everyone cared about ventilation and flexible layouts. We pivoted hard into adaptive reuse projects, turning empty retail spaces into mixed-use developments.

2024 - Today & Tomorrow

We're 15 years in now with a team of 23 talented folks. Currently juggling heritage restorations, sustainable new builds, and urban planning projects across BC. Still in Vancouver, still sketching on site visits, still figuring things out one project at a time.

Our Philosophy (Without the Fluff)

We've got three things we won't compromise on, no matter what

01

Context Matters

Every building sits somewhere specific, with its own history and neighborhood vibe. We're not gonna plop the same glass box design everywhere and call it a day. Your site tells us what it needs - we just gotta listen.

02

Build It To Last

We're kinda tired of buildings that look dated after five years. Good design ages well because it respects materials, proportion, and honest craftsmanship. We're designing for the long haul, not just for Instagram.

03

Sustainability Isn't Optional

This isn't a marketing thing for us - it's literally how we approach every single project. Energy efficiency, material sourcing, passive design strategies... it's all baked into our process from day one. The planet's not getting any younger, y'know?

The People Behind The Projects

We're a mixed bunch, and that's kinda the point

Marina Delacroix

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Marina's the one who keeps us honest about heritage details. She's spent more time in city archives than most people spend on social media, and her eye for period-appropriate restoration is honestly kinda scary-good.

James Thornhill

Design Director & Sustainability Lead

James came from environmental engineering before switching to architecture. He's the reason half our projects end up with passive cooling systems and rainwater harvesting. Gets genuinely excited about insulation specs.

Yuki Nakamura

Senior Project Manager

Yuki's basically why our projects actually finish on time. She's got this sixth sense for potential problems and can wrangle contractors like nobody's business. Also makes the best coffee in the office.

Plus 20 More Talented Folks

Our team includes architects, designers, urban planners, interior specialists, and a couple of interns who keep asking "why don't we just..." questions that sometimes turn into our best ideas. We're always learning from each other.

What Working With Us Actually Looks Like

We're not gonna lie - architecture projects can be messy, stressful, and way more complicated than anyone expects. But here's how we try to make it less painful:

Real Talk: We'll tell you upfront if something's not feasible or if your budget needs adjusting. No surprises six months in.
Regular Check-ins: We're big on communication. Weekly updates, site visits you're welcome to join, and we actually answer our phones.
Collaborative Process: It's your building at the end of the day. We'll push back if we think something's a bad idea, but we're designing for you, not our portfolio.
Problem Solving: Things go sideways sometimes. When they do, we focus on solutions instead of finger-pointing.

"They actually listened to what we wanted instead of imposing their vision. Rare find in this industry." - Former client review

Want to Work Together?

We're always up for chatting about new projects - whether it's a full restoration, a ground-up build, or just bouncing around ideas. Coffee's on us.

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