About Us | Tavren Quest Architecture

Our Story

Back in 2008, we started Tavren Quest in a cramped office above a coffee shop on Queen West. Just three of us, a drafting table, and way too much ambition. Fast forward to today – we're a team of 24 designers, architects, and project managers who've shaped some of Toronto's most interesting spaces.

We've always believed that good architecture shouldn't just look impressive in magazines. It's gotta work for real people living real lives. That's why we spend so much time actually talking to our clients, understanding how they move through space, what frustrates them about their current setup.

Our approach isn't about following trends or pushing our aesthetic on everyone. It's about finding that sweet spot where form meets function, where contemporary design enhances daily living instead of complicating it.

Our Journey

Building excellence, one project at a time

2008

The Beginning

Founded by three architecture grads who couldn't find firms that matched their vision for livable, contemporary design. Started with small residential renovations and a lot of coffee.

2012

First Commercial Break

Landed our first major commercial project – a boutique hotel in the Distillery District. That project taught us more than any textbook ever could about deadlines, budgets, and stakeholder management.

2016

Sustainable Shift

Got serious about sustainable design. Brought on two environmental consultants and started integrating green building practices into everything we do. Not as a marketing gimmick – because it's the right thing to do.

2019

Heritage Expertise

Started specializing in heritage building restoration after falling in love with a Victorian brownstone project. Now we're known for respecting history while bringing old buildings into the 21st century.

2025

Today & Tomorrow

24 talented people, offices on Bay Street, and over 300 completed projects. But we're still that same team that values honest conversations, thoughtful design, and spaces that actually work for the people using them.

Meet The Team

The people behind the blueprints

Sarah Chen

Founding Principal

Sarah's the one who keeps us grounded. Licensed architect with 20+ years experience, specializes in residential projects where families actually want to live.

Marcus Rodriguez

Founding Principal

Marcus handles our commercial projects and somehow makes budget meetings entertaining. Master's in Urban Design, obsessed with how people interact with buildings.

Elena Kowalski

Founding Principal

Elena's our heritage restoration guru. Can spot original crown moulding from across a room. Believes every old building has stories worth preserving.

James Thompson

Lead Project Manager

James makes construction oversight look easy (it's not). Former contractor who switched sides, knows every trick in the book and keeps our projects on track.

Priya Sharma

Sustainability Director

Priya's the reason our projects actually walk the sustainability talk. LEED-certified, passionate about reducing carbon footprints without sacrificing design.

David Park

Senior Designer

David's got an eye for spatial flow that's almost supernatural. His interior planning makes spaces feel twice as big without moving a single wall.

Rachel Morrison

Commercial Design Lead

Rachel brings bold ideas to commercial spaces. Not afraid to push boundaries while respecting building codes and client budgets – a rare combo.

Tom Anderson

Technical Architect

Tom's the detail guy. Makes sure everything's structurally sound and code-compliant. Saves us from embarrassing mistakes and costly redesigns.

Recognition & Awards

Honored but not resting on our laurels

OAA Design Excellence Award

2024

Recognized for the Harbourfront Mixed-Use Development. The jury called it "a masterclass in balancing density with livability." We're still pretty proud of that one.

Canadian Green Building Award

2023

Our Passive House retrofit in Riverdale proved you can make a century-old home energy-efficient without gutting its character. Priya led that charge.

Toronto Urban Design Award

2022

The King West residential tower that doesn't look like every other glass box in the city. Took risks with the facade design – glad the jury got what we were going for.

Heritage Toronto Award

2021

For our sensitive restoration of the old Gooderham Building annex. Elena's baby – she spent months in archives researching original construction methods.

Azure Innovation Award

2020

Recognized for integrating smart home tech into heritage buildings. Turned out you can have automated climate control in a Victorian mansion – who knew?

Emerging Practice Award

2015

Okay, so we're not exactly "emerging" anymore, but this was huge for us back then. Validated that we were onto something with our approach to residential design.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you're planning a new build, renovation, or just have questions about what's possible – we'd love to hear from you.

Get In Touch