About Us - Pyro Soul Verse Architecture

Who We Are

Started back in 2012 out of a cramped loft on Queen West, we've grown from a two-person operation into Toronto's go-to firm for buildings that actually matter. Yeah, we do the whole contemporary sustainable thing, but it's not just a marketing line for us.

Look, the planet's burning up and buildings are a huge part of that problem. We figured if we're gonna design spaces where people live, work, and hang out, they better be spaces that give back more than they take. That's not idealism - that's just common sense wrapped in some really good design.

Our crew's made up of folks who genuinely care about this stuff. Architects who've gotten their hands dirty with passive house certifications, engineers who nerd out over thermal bridging, and designers who can make a net-zero building look absolutely stunning. We've learned a ton since those early days, mostly from projects that pushed us way outside our comfort zone.

Our Journey

From sketch to skyline

2012 - The Beginning

Launched with nothing but a laptop, a dream, and way too much coffee. Our first project? A tiny laneway house that somehow ended up in Canadian Architect magazine. We didn't sleep for three months but learned more than four years of school ever taught us.

2015 - Going Green (For Real)

Got serious about sustainability after visiting a Passivhaus in Germany. Came back and basically redesigned our entire approach. Started incorporating proper building science into everything we touched. Some clients thought we'd lost it, but the ones who stuck with us? Their energy bills dropped by 70%.

2018 - Growing the Team

Finally moved into a proper studio space and brought on five incredible people who shared our vision. Started tackling commercial projects and realized sustainable design scales beautifully. Won our first industry award, which was cool, but honestly the best part was seeing our buildings actually perform the way we'd calculated.

2021 - Heritage Meets Modern

Started restoring heritage buildings with sustainable upgrades. Turns out old buildings and new technology get along great when you respect both. These projects taught us patience and humility - you can't rush history, but you can help it thrive in the present.

2025 - Today & Tomorrow

We're now a team of 18 passionate people working on projects across Ontario. Every building we design has to hit net-zero energy, it's non-negotiable. We're also mentoring younger firms because honestly, we need more architects who care about this stuff. The climate crisis isn't slowing down, so neither are we.

What Drives Us

The stuff that keeps us showing up every day

Real Sustainability

Not the greenwashing kind. We're talking measured energy performance, actual carbon reduction, and buildings that'll still be relevant in 50 years. Every project gets the full treatment - energy modeling, lifecycle analysis, the works.

Human-Centered

Buildings are for people, not Instagram. Sure, our projects photograph well, but they're designed around how humans actually live and work. Natural light, thermal comfort, acoustic quality - the stuff that makes spaces feel right even if you can't quite put your finger on why.

Honest Innovation

We try new things, but not for the sake of being trendy. Every innovation has to solve a real problem or improve performance. Sometimes the best solution is a 200-year-old building technique. Sometimes it's cutting-edge tech. We let the project tell us what it needs.

Community Impact

Buildings don't exist in a vacuum. They shape neighborhoods, affect local ecosystems, and become part of the urban fabric for decades. We take that responsibility seriously, working with communities to create spaces that actually serve the people who'll use them.

Meet The Team

The folks making it happen

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Founder

Started this whole thing in 2012 after getting fed up with firms that talked green but didn't walk it. Licensed architect with a borderline obsessive interest in building science. Spends way too much time on job sites, which drives the contractors nuts but catches problems before they become expensive. Still does the occasional site measure because staying grounded matters.

Marcus Thompson

Design Director

Joined us in 2015 with a portfolio that made everyone else's look boring. Has this uncanny ability to design buildings that are both gorgeous and incredibly functional. Certified Passive House designer who somehow makes energy efficiency look sexy. Known for sketching entire building concepts on napkins during lunch meetings.

Priya Sharma

Sustainability Lead

Our secret weapon for hitting those ambitious energy targets. Mechanical engineer by training but really more of a building performance wizard. Runs energy models in her sleep and can tell you exactly why your mechanical system is underperforming just by looking at utility bills. Makes sure we're not just designing pretty buildings but ones that actually work.

James Park

Senior Architect

Been with us since 2017 and handles our most complex projects without breaking a sweat. Heritage restoration specialist who treats old buildings with the respect they deserve while dragging them into the 21st century performance-wise. Has saved more historic facades than anyone we know. Somehow always stays calm during permit reviews.

Elena Rodriguez

Interior Design Lead

Joined in 2019 and immediately elevated our interior game. Has this gift for understanding how people actually use spaces rather than how we think they should. Sources materials like she's on a treasure hunt - always finding sustainable options that don't look like they're trying too hard. Her project binders are works of art themselves.

David Okonkwo

Urban Planning Consultant

Our newest addition as of 2023, bringing 15 years of city planning experience. Helps us navigate the political and regulatory maze that is Toronto development. Actually understands how buildings fit into neighborhoods and has the community engagement skills to back it up. Makes zoning bylaws almost interesting, which is honestly impressive.

Why Work With Us?

We're not gonna promise we're the cheapest or the fastest. But if you want a building that performs exactly as predicted, looks incredible, and won't be obsolete in ten years, we're probably your people.

Transparent Process

You'll know exactly what's happening at every stage. No mysterious architectural jargon, no surprise budget items. We treat you like the intelligent person you are and explain our decisions in plain English.

Performance Guarantee

We stand behind our energy predictions. If we say your building will hit a certain performance level, we'll work with you until it does. That's not standard in this industry, but it should be.

Long-Term Thinking

We design for a 50-year horizon minimum. That means thinking about maintenance, adaptability, and climate resilience from day one. Your building should still be functioning beautifully when your grandkids are around.