Our Story

We're not your typical suit-and-tie architecture firm. We got our hands dirty, learned from mistakes, and figured out what actually works when you're trying to build something that lasts.

Founder at work

How We Got Here

Back in 2011, I was fresh out of UBC with a degree and honestly? Pretty naive about what it takes to actually build something meaningful. Spent five years at a big commercial firm downtown, which taught me the technical stuff but left me feeling kinda empty.

The turning point was this small renovation project in Kitsilano - nothing fancy, just helping a young family make their 1920s craftsman more livable. They wanted to keep the character but needed better insulation, proper ventilation, y'know, the basics. That's when it clicked: good design isn't about showing off, it's about solving real problems while respecting what's already there.

Started Jade Bastion Rise in 2017 with one laptop, a rented desk at a co-working space, and way too much coffee. The name? My grandmother used to say that jade grows stronger with time, just like good architecture should. The "bastion" part's about creating spaces that protect and shelter, and "rise"... well, that's aspirational, I guess.

The Journey So Far

Eight years of learning, building, and occasionally messing up

2006-2011

The Foundation Years

Studied at UBC's School of Architecture. Did summer internships where I mostly made coffee and printed drawings, but hey, everyone starts somewhere. Fell in love with Vancouver's mix of heritage buildings and modern sustainability challenges.

2011-2016

Learning the Ropes

Worked at Harrison & Associates downtown. Got to see how big commercial projects run - the good, the bad, and the bureaucratic. Earned my license in 2014, which felt like a huge deal at the time. Realized I wanted something different though, something more personal.

2017

Taking the Leap

Founded Jade Bastion Rise. First year was rough - lived off savings and three small residential projects. One client paid partially in homemade jam (long story). But I was finally doing work that mattered to me, designing homes that actually fit how people live.

2018-2020

Finding Our Groove

Started focusing on sustainable retrofits and green certifications. Completed our first LEED Platinum residential project in West Van - that one put us on the map. Hired our first full-time team member, Sarah, who's still with us and probably knows more about building codes than I do.

2021-2023

Growing Up

Expanded into commercial work - small office buildings, retail spaces with sustainability baked in. The pandemic actually taught us a lot about flexible spaces and air quality (who knew HVAC could be so interesting?). Team grew to eight people. Moved into our current office on West Pender.

2024-Present

Where We Are Now

Working on some projects I'm genuinely excited about - a heritage building restoration in Gastown, three net-zero homes, and a mixed-use development that'll be our biggest challenge yet. Still learning every day, still making mistakes (hopefully smaller ones), still trying to prove that good design and sustainability aren't luxuries.

What We Actually Believe

Look, we could fill this section with fancy words about "holistic approaches" and "design thinking," but that's not really us. Here's what we've figured out after years of doing this:

Buildings Should Age Well

Just like a good pair of jeans or that cast iron pan you inherited. We design for longevity, not trends. A building that needs replacing in 20 years isn't sustainable, no matter how many solar panels you stick on it.

Listen More, Talk Less

You know your space better than we ever will. Our job's to take what you need and translate it into something that actually works. Sometimes that means talking you out of things that look cool but make no practical sense.

Context Matters

Every site's different. Weather patterns, neighboring buildings, local materials, building traditions - all of it matters. Copy-paste architecture is lazy and usually doesn't work that well anyway.

Budget Isn't a Dirty Word

Good design happens within constraints, not despite them. We'll tell you straight up what things cost and where you can save money without compromising quality. Hidden fees and scope creep? Not our style.

Sustainable materials
Team collaboration

The Honest Truth

We're not the biggest firm in Vancouver, and we're probably not the cheapest. What we are is committed to doing work we're proud of, treating people fairly, and believing that every project - whether it's a kitchen renovation or a full commercial build - deserves thoughtful, sustainable design.

We mess up sometimes. We've had projects run over schedule, designs that needed major revisions, and client relationships that were... let's say challenging. But we own our mistakes, learn from them, and try to do better next time.

If you're looking for a firm that'll blow smoke about being "industry leaders" or promise you the world, we're probably not your people. But if you want someone who'll shoot straight, work hard, and actually care about making your project work? Yeah, let's talk.

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