About Us - Xenoblade Horizon Architecture

Our Story

Look, we started this thing back in 2018 because honestly? We were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings going up everywhere with zero thought for what they're doing to the environment. Toronto's growing like crazy, and someone's gotta make sure we're not just stacking concrete boxes that'll be energy nightmares for the next 50 years.

The name? Yeah, it's a bit out there. We wanted something that felt forward-looking, kinda sci-fi but grounded. We're basically trying to build the future we actually wanna live in - not some dystopian concrete jungle, but spaces where nature and tech actually get along.

Started with just three of us in a cramped office on Queen West. Now we've got a proper team, and we've worked on everything from single-family homes to mixed-use developments. Still feel like we're figuring it out as we go, but that's half the fun.

How We Think About Design

2018 - The Beginning

Three architects walk into a bar... kidding, but we did meet at a sustainability conference and immediately started ranting about passive house standards. Decided to stop complaining and actually do something about it.

2019 - First Big Break

Landed a residential project in the Annex where the client actually wanted net-zero energy consumption. Finally! Someone who got it. That house became our calling card - it's still producing more energy than it uses.

2021 - Going Commercial

Made the jump to commercial projects. Turns out businesses are starting to care about their carbon footprint - whether it's genuine or just good PR, we'll take it. Our first office building retrofit cut energy costs by 40%. Numbers don't lie.

2023 - Expanding the Team

Brought on specialists in urban planning and environmental impact. Because let's face it, you can't just design a building in isolation anymore. The whole ecosystem matters - from the materials sourcing to how people actually move through the space.

2025 - Today

We're working on some pretty wild stuff now - mixed-use developments, urban revitalization projects, even consulting on city planning initiatives. Still feel like the scrappy underdogs though. And honestly? Hope we never lose that edge.

The Team

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started her career doing conventional corporate stuff, hated every minute of it. Now she's all about passive solar design and will talk your ear off about thermal mass if you let her. Runs marathons, somehow.

Marcus Thompson

Senior Architect & Co-Founder

The practical one. Keeps us from getting too crazy with the experimental stuff. Former contractor, so he actually knows how buildings get built - super valuable when you're trying to convince clients that yes, this will actually work.

Priya Malhotra

Urban Planning Director & Co-Founder

Came from city planning and got fed up with bureaucracy. She's the one making sure our buildings fit into the bigger picture. Also makes the best chai in the office, which is crucial during deadline crunches.

David Okafor

Environmental Impact Lead

Our resident data nerd. If you need lifecycle analysis or carbon calculations, he's your guy. Previously worked in environmental consulting, joined us because he wanted to actually see projects get built instead of just writing reports.

Elena Rodriguez

Interior & Spatial Design

Makes sure our sustainable buildings don't look like boring eco-boxes. She's all about biophilic design - bringing nature inside without it feeling forced. Has an embarrassing number of plants in her workspace.

Jamie Park

Junior Architect

Fresh grad who keeps us updated on the latest tech and materials. Currently obsessed with mycelium composites and parametric design. We're trying to rein in the enthusiasm just enough to keep things buildable.

What Drives Us

We're not trying to save the world single-handedly - that'd be pretty arrogant. But we do think buildings should work with the environment instead of against it. And yeah, they should look good too. Why choose between sustainable and beautiful when you can have both?

Every project we take on, we're asking the same questions: How can this use less energy? Where are the materials coming from? Will people actually enjoy being here? Can we make it last 100 years instead of 30? Sometimes clients think we're a pain in the ass with all the questions, but they usually thank us later when their utility bills come in.

Work With Us