Who We Are
The people behind the projects, the stories behind the structures
The people behind the projects, the stories behind the structures
Founded back in 2011, Aether Quinthorn started in a cramped loft space on Queen West with just three architects, a shared drafting table, and way too much coffee. We'd spent years working for the big firms, churning out cookie-cutter designs that felt more about profit margins than people or the planet.
So we broke off and did our own thing. The name? Well, "Aether" represents that fifth element - the intangible space where creativity happens. "Quinthorn" was actually the name of the street where our first office sat, a little nod to our roots.
Fast forward to today - we're a team of 18 passionate designers, planners, and thinkers who've delivered over 200 projects across Ontario. We've grown, sure, but we haven't lost that initial spark. Every project still gets the same obsessive attention, the same "what if we tried this instead?" energy that started it all.
Projects Delivered
Years Experience
Team Members
The milestones that shaped who we are
Three architects, one vision - started in a 600 sq ft loft with second-hand furniture and unlimited ambition.
Landed the Riverside Community Center project - our first major public build that put us on the map in Toronto's architectural scene.
Shifted entirely to sustainable design practices. Got our LEED certification and never looked back - it's not just what we do, it's who we are now.
Expanded into urban planning after seeing how individual buildings fit into bigger neighborhood stories. Now we help shape entire communities.
Moved to our current King Street studio. Bigger space, bigger team, same obsession with creating buildings that actually matter.
We're not just drawing lines - we're shaping how people live, work, and connect
Every design decision runs through the sustainability filter. If it's not good for the planet, it's not good enough for us.
Buildings are for people, not portfolios. We design spaces that actually feel good to be in, not just look good in photos.
We're constantly testing new materials, techniques, and ideas. Some fail spectacularly - that's how you find what works.
The folks who turn ideas into actual buildings
Principal Architect & Co-Founder
Started drafting buildings on napkins in university and never really stopped. Obsessed with how natural light moves through spaces. You'll find her on site at 7am most days, coffee in hand, tweaking window placements.
Urban Planning Director & Co-Founder
Former city planner who got tired of red tape and bureaucracy. Brings that insider knowledge to every project. Can spot a zoning issue from a mile away and knows every bylaw loophole in the GTA.
Sustainability Lead
LEED-certified and proud. Keeps us honest on our green commitments and pushes for materials we've never heard of.
Senior Project Manager
The guy who makes sure things actually get built on time and budget. Master of the impossible deadline.
Interior Design Lead
Makes sure the insides match the outsides in vision and quality. Has an uncanny ability to predict trends before they happen.
Look, there's no shortage of architecture firms in Toronto. We get it. But here's what makes us different - we actually care about the outcome more than the invoice.
We'll push back if your idea won't work. We'll stay late tweaking details that nobody else would notice. We'll answer your calls on weekends because we're probably thinking about your project anyway.
Plus, we've been around long enough to know what works in this city. The climate challenges, the permit processes, the contractors who'll actually show up on time - we've learned it all the hard way so you don't have to.
Let's Talk About Your Project