About Us - Blaze Valorium Architecture

Our Story

Look, we didn't start Blaze Valorium to become just another architecture firm filing away in some glass tower. Back in 2012, a couple of us were sitting around frustrated with how urban development was going - cookie-cutter boxes, zero soul, and don't even get me started on the sustainability theater we kept seeing.

We wanted to create spaces that actually matter. Buildings that people remember not because they're weird for the sake of it, but because they genuinely enhance how folks live and work. Started small with a residential project in Leslieville - the client took a huge chance on us - and we've been building momentum ever since.

Today we're deep into mixed-use developments across the GTA, always pushing for better sustainability practices without the greenwashing nonsense. Our team's grown to fifteen talented folks who actually care about this stuff, and honestly, we're having the time of our lives solving complex urban challenges.

130+

Projects Completed

13

Years Running

15

Team Members

How We Think About Design

Philosophy's a big word, but here's what drives us every single day.

Context First

Every site tells a story. We listen to the neighborhood, the history, the people who'll actually use the space. Can't design in a vacuum.

Real Sustainability

Not the marketing kind. We're talking passive design, local materials, buildings that'll last generations without draining resources.

Bold Choices

Safe is boring. We push boundaries but always with purpose. Every bold move needs to earn its place in the design.

Human Scale

Buildings should feel good to be around. We obsess over how light moves, how spaces flow, how people actually experience our work.

The Journey So Far

From a shared desk to leading urban projects across Toronto.

2012

The Beginning

Founded by three architects fed up with conventional practice. First office was literally above a print shop on Queen West.

2015

Breaking Ground

Completed our first commercial project - a mixed-use building in the Junction. Won a Toronto Urban Design Award and suddenly people were paying attention.

2018

Expanding Vision

Moved to our current studio space. Team grew to eight. Started focusing heavily on sustainable urban development consulting alongside our design work.

2021

Major Milestone

Landed our biggest project yet - a 12-story mixed-use development in Liberty Village. Also got serious about heritage restoration work.

2025

Today

Fifteen strong team, multiple ongoing projects, and still hungry to push what's possible in sustainable urban design.

Meet The Core Team

The folks who keep this ship sailing in the right direction.

Marcus Chen

Principal Architect

Co-founder with 18 years under his belt. Obsessed with passive design and won't shut up about building envelopes at parties.

Sarah Kowalski

Design Director

Co-founder who brings the bold. Background in urban planning means she sees the bigger picture while nailing the details.

David Osei

Sustainability Lead

Joined us in 2016 and revolutionized how we approach green building. LEED AP who actually walks the walk.

Emma Rousseau

Senior Project Manager

The reason our projects actually finish on time. Seven years managing complex builds with grace and an impressive collection of hard hats.

Raj Patel

Heritage Specialist

Our secret weapon for restoration projects. Knows Toronto's architectural history better than most historians and it shows in his work.

Mia Thompson

Interior Design Lead

Makes sure our buildings feel as good inside as they look outside. Five years creating spaces people actually want to spend time in.

Want To Work With Us?

We're always up for a conversation about challenging projects that need fresh thinking.

Let's Talk