About Us - Gildara Tonquinthos Architecture

Who We Really Are

Honestly? We're a bit obsessed with how buildings can change lives. Started this whole thing back in 2012 because I kept seeing the same cookie-cutter designs everywhere I looked.

The name comes from my grandmother's side - she'd always say spaces should feel like they're hugging you, not just sheltering you. That stuck with me through every late night at architecture school and every impossible client brief since.

We've grown from a one-person operation in a cramped Queen West studio to a team that actually gets what sustainable design means beyond just slapping solar panels on everything. Don't get me wrong, we love solar panels, but there's so much more to it.

Our approach isn't revolutionary or anything - we just listen more than we talk, sketch more than we render, and visit sites way more often than architects typically do. Yeah, it's less efficient, but you can't understand a space from behind a computer screen.

How We Think About Design

Not a manifesto, just what we've learned works

Materials Matter

We've spent years testing materials, sometimes literally standing in buildings during different seasons to see how they perform. Local materials aren't just trendy - they make sense economically and they age better with our climate.

People First, Always

Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many designs forget about the humans who'll actually use the space. We think about the mom carrying groceries, the kid doing homework, the couple hosting friends - real moments, not magazine shots.

Light Changes Everything

Toronto's got moody weather and we've learned to work with it instead of fighting it. Natural light isn't just about saving electricity - it's about mood, health, and making January slightly less brutal.

Build for the Long Game

Trends fade fast but good design lasts decades. We're creating spaces that'll still work when your kids are grown, when your business doubles, when your lifestyle shifts. Flexibility isn't optional anymore.

The Team Behind the Blueprints

We're a mixed bunch - different backgrounds, different obsessions, same goal

Gildara Tonquinthos

Principal Architect

Started this journey after realizing corporate architecture wasn't for her. Still can't walk past a building without mentally redesigning it. Coffee addict, terrible golfer, obsessed with Portuguese tile work.

Marcus Chen

Senior Design Lead

Joined us from Vancouver in 2016. Has an uncanny ability to visualize spaces in 3D without software. Previously worked on commercial towers but found his calling in human-scaled projects. Cyclist, foodie, sketches everything.

Sarah Okonkwo

Sustainability Director

She's the reason our projects actually hit sustainability targets instead of just talking about them. Background in environmental engineering. Makes spreadsheets look exciting and has converted half the office to composting.

James Murphy

Project Manager

Keeps us on schedule and on budget, which is basically like herding cats. Former contractor who switched to architecture after realizing he wanted to be involved earlier in the process. Knows every building code by heart.

Amira Patel

Interior Space Specialist

Bridges the gap between architecture and daily living. Has strong opinions about kitchen workflows and bathroom layouts - and she's usually right. Trained in both architecture and psychology, which explains a lot.

David Kowalski

Technical Architect

The detail guy. If there's a technical challenge, David's already thought through three solutions before you finish explaining the problem. Started as a draftsman, worked his way up through pure determination and precision.

How We Actually Work

Our process isn't fancy but it's honest. First meeting's always at your site - yeah, even if it's just an empty lot. We need to feel the space, see the light, understand the neighborhood vibe.

Then comes the sketch phase where we throw around ideas without worrying about perfection. Some of our best solutions came from napkin drawings during lunch meetings.

We involve you way more than typical firms do because, let's face it, you're gonna live or work in this space, not us. Your input isn't a courtesy - it's essential.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Why Toronto?

This city's architecture scene is wild right now - in a good way. There's room for experimentation while still respecting the heritage buildings that give neighborhoods their character.

We've watched this city grow and change, sometimes for better, sometimes not. Our goal is to contribute to the "better" part - buildings that fit their context instead of fighting it.

The diversity here means we're constantly learning from different cultural approaches to space and living. A Portuguese family uses their home differently than a Korean one, and both are different from a young professional couple.

Being based on Queen West keeps us connected to the pulse of what's happening. It's touristy now but still has that creative energy that drew us here in the first place.

Want to Work Together?

We're always up for interesting projects - residential, commercial, renovations, new builds. If you care about quality and sustainability, we'll probably get along.

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