About Us - AetherCrest Architecture | Vancouver Sustainable Design

Our Story

Started back in 2012 with three partners, a cramped office in Gastown, and way too much coffee. We've grown since then, but honestly, not much has changed - we're still caffeine-powered and a bit obsessed with making buildings that actually matter.

Vancouver's skyline keeps evolving, and we've been lucky enough to add our mark to it. What drives us? Creating spaces that work with the environment instead of fighting against it. Turns out, you can build tall without compromising on sustainability - who knew?

These days, we're about 40 people strong, ranging from fresh grads with wild ideas to veterans who've seen it all. The mix keeps things interesting, and the projects? They just keep getting better.

What We Stand For

Design philosophy sounds pretentious, but here's what actually guides our work every single day.

Green by Default

Every project starts with one question: how do we make this work with nature? Not around it, not despite it - with it. Passive cooling, natural light, local materials. It's not rocket science, just good sense.

People First

Buildings exist for people to use them. Sounds obvious, right? Yet so many designs forget this. We think about how folks actually move through spaces, where they'll linger, what makes them feel comfortable.

Context Matters

Each site has its own story. Weather patterns, neighborhood vibe, existing infrastructure - we listen to what's already there before we start drawing lines.

Long-Term Thinking

Trends come and go faster than construction schedules. We design for decades, not Instagram likes. Your building should age like good wine, not milk.

Honest Materials

If it's concrete, let it look like concrete. Wood should feel like wood. We're not big on fake finishes or hiding structural elements - there's beauty in authenticity.

Meet the Team

The folks who turn sketches into skylines and keep the coffee machine running.

Sarah Chen

Founding Partner & Lead Designer

Sarah's the one who won't stop until every angle is perfect. 15 years deep in high-rise design, she's got this uncanny ability to see the finished building while everyone else is still staring at blueprints.

Marcus Rodriguez

Partner & Sustainability Director

If there's a greener way to do something, Marcus has already researched it. Before "sustainable" was trendy, he was calculating carbon footprints and optimizing thermal envelopes. The guy lives and breathes LEED.

Jennifer Park

Partner & Urban Planning Lead

Jen thinks in neighborhoods, not just buildings. Her urban planning background means she's always asking how our projects fit into the bigger picture. Transit access? Community spaces? She's on it.

David Liu

Project Manager

Amara Singh

Interior Architecture Lead

Thomas Wright

Senior Architect

Elena Kowalski

Design Coordinator

How We Work

Collaboration Over Ego

Best ideas don't always come from the top. Our junior architects challenge the partners, engineers push back on designers, and honestly? That's when the magic happens.

Tech-Forward, Human-Centered

We use BIM, parametric modeling, all the latest tools. But technology serves the design, not the other way around. Sometimes the best solution comes from a napkin sketch over lunch.

Transparent Process

No surprises, no jargon-filled excuses. You'll know what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what it means for your timeline and budget. We're architects, not magicians.

Obsessive About Details

From door handles to drainage systems, it all matters. You probably won't notice when every detail is right, but you'd definitely notice if something's off. That's our job - making sure you don't have to notice.

Want to Build Something Great?

Whether you've got detailed plans or just a rough idea, let's talk about what's possible. No pressure, no sales pitch - just an honest conversation about your project.

Get in Touch