About Us - Harbor Quinthyra Architecture

How We Got Here

Started in 2002 with just three of us in a cramped office overlooking Burrard Inlet. We were young, ambitious, and maybe a bit naive about how challenging it'd be to convince developers that sustainable coastal design wasn't just some hippie dream.

Thing is, we grew up here. We've watched the shoreline change, seen storms reshape beaches, and witnessed firsthand what happens when you build without respecting the water. That's not just professional knowledge - it's lived experience.

Over the years, we've expanded from residential projects to major commercial developments, but we've never lost that initial passion. Every marina, every waterfront home, every heritage restoration - they all get the same attention we gave our very first beach house in Horseshoe Bay.

These days, we're a team of 24 people who genuinely love what we do. Some of us are surfers, others are sailors, a few just like long walks on the seawall. But we all share this deep respect for the coastline and the communities built around it.

Our Journey

A couple decades of learning, building, and occasionally getting our feet wet

2002 - The Beginning

Three architects, one vision, and way too much coffee. We opened our doors in West Vancouver with nothing but a passion for coastal design and a stubborn belief that we could do things differently.

2007 - Going Green Before It Was Cool

Completed our first LEED-certified waterfront home. People thought we were crazy spending extra on sustainable materials, but that house has weathered every storm since without breaking a sweat.

2012 - Branching Out

Landed our first major commercial marina project. Went from designing homes for families to creating entire waterfront communities. The learning curve was steep, but we loved every minute of it.

2016 - Heritage Matters

Started our heritage restoration division after seeing too many beautiful old waterfront buildings get demolished. Now we spend half our time convincing people that you can make old buildings sustainable without losing their soul.

2020 - Weathering the Storm

Like everyone else, we figured out how to work remotely. Turns out designing coastal architecture from your own coastal home office has its perks. Also learned that virtual site visits just aren't the same as feeling the wind and hearing the waves.

2024 - Still Going Strong

We're now a team of 24, working on projects from Victoria to Prince Rupert. Every project still gets that same hands-on approach we started with. We've just got better coffee now.

Meet the Team

The folks who make it all happen

Sarah Mikkelsen

Founding Partner & Lead Designer

Grew up in a fishing family in Steveston, so yeah, she knows boats. Spent 15 years at a big firm before deciding corporate architecture wasn't her thing. Now she splits her time between designing marinas and teaching sustainable design at UBC.

David Chen

Founding Partner & Structural Lead

The guy who makes sure our designs don't fall into the ocean. Worked on bridges for a decade before switching to buildings. He's got this uncanny ability to look at a coastline and just know how the land moves. Also makes terrible dad jokes.

Emma Thornton

Heritage Restoration Specialist

Joined us in 2015 after working with Parks Canada. She's saved more historic buildings than we can count. Got into this work after watching her childhood library get torn down. Pretty sure she has X-ray vision for finding original materials hidden behind drywall.

Marcus Okoye

Environmental Impact Director

Marine biologist turned architect - yeah, he took the long route. But having someone who actually understands tide pools and fish habitats has saved our bacon more times than we can count. He won't let us build anything unless the local ecosystem gets a thumbs up.

Lisa Patel

Urban Planning & Zoning Lead

Spent years working for municipal governments, so she knows every bylaw and regulation like the back of her hand. She's the reason our projects actually get approved. Patient as heck too, which you need when dealing with city hall.

James Rodriguez

Project Manager & Site Coordinator

Former general contractor who switched sides. He's the bridge between our designs and the people actually building them. Knows what'll work in the real world and what's just pretty on paper. Also keeps us on budget, which nobody likes but everybody needs.

What Drives Us

Look, we could throw around fancy words like "synergy" and "paradigm shifts," but that's not really our style. Here's what actually matters to us:

Respecting the Water

The ocean was here first, and it'll be here long after we're gone. Every design needs to work with the tides, not against them. We've seen too many projects fail because someone thought they could outsmart Mother Nature.

Building to Last

Quick and cheap isn't our thing. We design buildings that'll still be standing when your grandkids need them. Sure, it costs more upfront, but try explaining water damage to your insurance company and you'll get why we're picky about materials.

Community First

Waterfront developments affect everyone - the people who live there, the folks who fish there, the kids who play on the beach. We spend a lot of time just talking to people about what they actually need. Sometimes the best design comes from listening.

Honest Work

If something won't work, we'll tell you. If there's a better way to do it, we'll show you. We're not here to win awards - though we've won a few - we're here to create spaces that people actually want to be in.

Want to Join Us?

We're always looking for talented people who care about coastal design as much as we do. Whether you're fresh out of school or bringing 20 years of experience, if you get excited about sustainable building and don't mind getting sand in your shoes during site visits, we should talk.

We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, and probably the best office views in Vancouver. Plus, you'll actually get to see your designs built, which is cooler than it sounds.

Current openings and all that formal stuff are on our contact page. Or just shoot us an email - we're pretty casual about these things.

Get in Touch

Our Story Runs Deep