Who We Are

Real people designing spaces that actually matter

Our Story

Look, I'll be straight with you - we didn't start this practice to win awards or show up in magazines (though that's been a nice bonus). Back in 2012, I was working at one of those big corporate firms where everything felt like it was designed by committee, and honestly? The soul was missing.

Started Emberlynn Throne Architecture in my garage - yeah, total cliché, I know - but it was the only way to do things properly. Wanted to create spaces that didn't just look good in renderings but actually made sense for the people using them. And here in Vancouver, with our relationship to nature being so intense, it felt criminal to design buildings that ignored what was right outside the window.

We've grown since then, thankfully moved out of the garage, but the approach hasn't changed much. Every project starts with listening - really listening - to what our clients need, not what we think looks cool. Though sometimes what they need AND what looks cool align perfectly, and that's when the magic happens.

These days we're a team of twelve, and I couldn't be more proud of the work we're putting out there. It's real, it's thoughtful, and it doesn't apologize for caring about the planet.

Design Philosophy

We believe buildings should work WITH their environment, not against it.

There's this tendency in architecture to impose your vision on a site, force it to bend to your aesthetic. But honestly? That's lazy. The best designs come from understanding what's already there - the light patterns, the wind, how people naturally move through space, what the neighbors are doing.

Sustainability isn't a checkbox for us, it's literally woven into every decision. Not because it's trendy but because it's the only thing that makes sense anymore. Our grandkids are gonna be using these buildings, y'know?

13+
Years of Practice

Our Approach

Team collaboration

Collaboration Over Ego

Your project isn't about us showing off. It's about creating something you'll love coming home to - or working in - for decades. We bring expertise, you bring the lived experience. Together we figure it out.

01
Context Matters

Every site tells a story. We spend time understanding the neighborhood, the history, the natural features before we even sketch a single line.

02
Materials with Purpose

We're picky about what goes into our buildings. Local sourcing when possible, longevity over trends, and yeah - beauty matters too.

03
Honest Budget Talk

No surprises, no hidden costs. If something's gonna blow your budget, we'll tell you upfront and find alternatives that work.

Journey So Far

2012

The Beginning

Founded the practice with three core principles: sustainability first, client collaboration, and no BS design.

2015

First Major Commercial Project

Landed a mixed-use development in Kitsilano. Proved we could scale up without losing our values.

2018

Heritage Restoration Focus

Started specializing in breathing new life into Vancouver's older buildings. Turns out there's real beauty in preservation.

2021

Sustainability Certification

Became certified Passive House designers. Geeked out hard on building science for about two years straight.

2025

Where We Are Now

Team of twelve passionate folks, 100+ completed projects, and still learning something new with every build.

The Team

We're architects, designers, project managers, and building nerds who genuinely care about getting it right. Coffee consumption is high, attention to detail is higher.

Team collaboration
Design Studio

Our design team brings together different perspectives and specialties. From residential experts to commercial specialists, everyone contributes to making projects better.

Site visit
Project Management

The folks who keep everything on track, on budget, and make sure what we designed actually gets built the way it's supposed to. Unsung heroes, really.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you've got detailed plans or just a rough idea, we'd love to hear about it.

Get In Touch