About Us | Aerenthal Quinthos Architects

Look, we're not gonna feed you the usual spiel about "passionate visionaries" or whatever. Truth is, we started this firm back in 2012 because we were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings go up everywhere while everyone talked about sustainability like it was some distant dream. We figured someone had to actually do it, and it might as well be us.

Marcus Aerenthal

Co-Founder & Principal Architect

Spent the first decade of my career in Vancouver working on projects that looked great on paper but made zero sense environmentally. Had this moment in 2011 where I realized I was part of the problem, not the solution. So I packed up, moved to Toronto, and met Sienna at a sustainability conference where we both heckled the same presenter for greenwashing.

These days I handle most of our commercial projects and oversee the technical side - making sure buildings actually perform the way we promise. Got my LEED AP credentials, though honestly experience taught me more than any certification ever could.

When I'm not obsessing over thermal bridging details, you'll find me cycling along the waterfront or attempting to keep my balcony garden alive (ironic, I know).

Sienna Quinthos

Co-Founder & Design Director

My background's a bit all over the place - started in interior design, got frustrated with how disconnected it was from the bigger architectural decisions, so went back to school for architecture. Worked on residential projects across Ontario for years before teaming up with Marcus.

I focus mainly on our residential work and renovation projects, which honestly keeps things interesting because no two homes are ever alike. People think sustainable design means sacrificing aesthetics, but that's just lazy thinking. Some of our prettiest projects are also our highest-performing ones.

Outside the office, I'm probably at a salvage yard hunting for materials we can repurpose, or testing out new recipes (cooking and architecture have more in common than you'd think - it's all about balance and knowing when to break the rules).

The Rest of the Crew

We've got a team of eight full-timers now, which still feels surreal sometimes. Everyone here actually gives a damn about what we're building, which makes all the difference when you're deep into a complicated project at 7pm on a Thursday.

Our junior architects bring fresh perspectives (and keep us from getting too set in our ways), while our senior project managers have seen enough construction disasters to keep us realistic about timelines and budgets. We've also got two sustainability consultants on staff - not just checking boxes for certifications, but actually running building performance simulations and energy modeling.

Oh, and there's Reggie, our office dog. He's a terrible architect but excellent at reminding everyone to take breaks.

How We Actually Work

Here's the thing - we don't have some rigid 12-step process we force every project through. Every building's different, every client's different, every site has its own quirks. But we always start by listening more than talking, and we never pretend we have all the answers on day one.

Sustainability isn't an add-on for us, it's baked into every decision from the first sketch. We'll push back if something doesn't make sense environmentally, but we're also practical - perfect's the enemy of good, and a project that never gets built helps nobody.

What We Believe

Buildings should make people's lives better, not just look good in magazines. They should last, adapt, and not wreck the planet in the process.

What Drives Us

Honestly? Proving that good design and environmental responsibility aren't mutually exclusive. Every project that nails both feels like a small victory.

Why Toronto

This city's changing fast, and we want to be part of shaping that change thoughtfully. Plus, the bagels are pretty good.

Want to Work Together?

We're always up for a conversation about interesting projects. No idea's too weird, no question's too basic. Let's grab coffee (better than the conference kind, we promise) and see if we're a good fit.

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