Biography: Altius Architecture Inc.

Early Life & Formation

Altius Architecture Inc. is a Toronto-based firm, founded in the late 1990s initially as Altius Design Studio, and then incorporated formally. The founding partners met as students at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture. Over time, Altius established a reputation for designing custom homes, cottages, and interiors with strong attention to sustainability, materiality, and regional context.

Key People & Style

One of the leading figures at Altius is Cathy Garrido, who is a Managing Principal and one of the founders. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Waterloo, is LEED accredited, and is involved in both residential and interior design work. Another partner, Mike Lanctot, handles many of the project management and BIM (Building Information Modelling) roles.

The firm’s style combines modern and contemporary aesthetics with careful craftsmanship and sustainable design practices. Their homes often make use of honest, expressive materials, good daylighting, and spatial layouts that balance comfort and light. Altius works on custom homes, cottages (“lake cottages”), as well as urban residences, and places importance on energy performance (such as LEED and Passive House elements) in certain projects.

Notable Projects & Local Work

• Altius has completed a variety of custom homes and cottages across Ontario. Examples include Lakeview in the Beach, Don Mills House, Mimico Creek Residence, and other custom residences in both urban and rural settings.

• Their portfolio also includes work on interior spaces and commercial/residential mixed projects.

Their architect is popular in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and extends into the Durham Region (Ajax and Pickering) and beyond.

Why Their Work Matters

Altius is significant because:

• They represent a generation of architects in Ontario who combine design excellence with sustainable and environmental awareness.

• Their work tends to be client-centered: tailoring homes to how people actually live, not just making a showpiece.

• They also engage with new technologies (like BIM) and contemporary building practices, which helps ensure that the homes are efficient, durable, and in many cases more cost-efficient over the long term.

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Practical Note for Homebuyers

Even when buying a home designed by a well-regarded architect like Altius (or anyone), one should still get a professional home inspection in Ajax prior to purchase. Beautiful architecture and good design don’t automatically guarantee that everything—from structure and insulation to wiring and plumbing—is in perfect shape. An inspection helps uncover hidden defects or maintenance issues, and gives you peace of mind that you're making a sound investment.

Biography: Atelier SUN / Andrew Sun

Early Life & Philosophy

Atelier SUN is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary design studio founded by Andrew Sun. Sun’s studio works at the intersection of architecture, interior design, and furniture, and places a high value on storytelling, materiality, spatial sequence, and the emotional impact of spaces. The studio draws from both Canadian and Asian design influences, aiming for designs that are familiar yet unexpected.

Notable Works

• The Courtyard House in East York, Toronto: a new detached house characterized by a central, double-height courtyard. It uses natural materials, generous windows/skylight, and integrates outdoor/indoor light and space in creative ways.

• Harty House, Ajax, Ontario: This is a renovation of an ordinary 1980s “builder home” into a calmer, more minimal, and more refined dwelling. The project incorporates wood millwork, clean spatial reorganizations, floating stairs, subtle finishes, and a careful handling of excessive structural elements in the original house to make them feel part of the design rather than impediments.

Significance & Style

Atelier SUN is part of a recent wave of design firms that focus on renovation / adaptive reuse, interior architecture, and bespoke residences. Their approach emphasizes craftsmanship, material detail, light, and transforming existing homes to better suit how people live now, rather than always building new. They are noted for aesthetic restraint, clarity of space, and sensitivity to context.

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Why Buyers Should Inspect Any Home, Even Architect-Designed Ones

Even when a home has beautiful design, high end finishes, or comes from a well-known architect or design studio, there can still be hidden issues — with structure, wiring, plumbing, insulation, etc. Before buying any home, especially those with renovations or custom features, it's wise to get a professional home inspection in Ajax Ontario to uncover any problems that might be costly later. That protects your investment and ensures you’re getting not just beauty, but safety and functionality too.

Biography of Ron Thom (1923–1986)

Ron Thom was one of Canada’s most influential architects of the 20th century, known for his ability to merge modernist principles with warmth and livability in residential design. Born in Penticton, British Columbia, in 1923, Thom originally trained as a painter at the Vancouver School of Art before transitioning to architecture. This artistic background deeply informed his architectural style, giving his buildings a sculptural and expressive quality.

Thom began his career at the Vancouver firm Thompson, Berwick, and Pratt, where he quickly made a name for himself. His early residential projects helped establish the West Coast Modern movement, which emphasized natural materials, open interiors, and a deep respect for the surrounding environment.

One of his most admired works is the Copp House (1950s) in Vancouver, designed with dramatic use of wood, stone, and large windows to frame views of nature. His residential designs often combined comfort and artistry, balancing modernist geometry with organic warmth. Unlike many modernists who favored stark minimalism, Thom’s homes were richly textured, with fireplaces, wood paneling, and thoughtful detailing that made them both elegant and inviting.

Beyond homes, Thom also designed significant cultural and educational landmarks, including Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario (1964–1973), and Massey College at the University of Toronto (1963). These projects cemented his reputation as an architect who could blend form, function, and artistry.

Thom’s life was not without struggles—he was known for being both brilliant and temperamental—but his influence on Canadian architecture remains profound. His work demonstrated that modernism could be warm, human, and deeply connected to place.

For today’s homebuyers considering a Thom-designed house—or any architecturally significant residence—it’s important to remember that even great design needs practical assurance. A professional home inspection is an essential step before purchase, ensuring that hidden structural or mechanical issues don’t undermine the beauty and value of the property.

Ron Thom’s legacy lives on in the unique homes and institutions he created, as well as in the generations of architects inspired by his fusion of artistry and architecture.

Biography of Arthur Erickson (1924–2009)

Arthur Erickson was one of Canada’s most celebrated architects, renowned for his innovative and distinctly modernist approach to design. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1924, Erickson grew up surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the West Coast, which later influenced his architectural philosophy. After serving in World War II, he studied architecture at McGill University in Montreal, graduating in 1950.

Erickson’s work is internationally recognized, but in Canada he is especially remembered for his contributions to residential architecture. He designed homes that harmonized with the natural environment, often incorporating large windows, open floor plans, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. One of his most famous residential works is the Eppich House II (1988) in West Vancouver, a striking example of steel-and-glass design set against the lush coastal rainforest. Earlier, his Smith House (1964) on the Vancouver waterfront became a hallmark of West Coast Modernism, with its clean lines and panoramic views of the Pacific.

While Erickson also worked on large-scale projects such as Simon Fraser University (1963–1965) and the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1989), his residential designs are beloved for their ability to reflect both the individuality of the homeowner and the beauty of the Canadian landscape.

Beyond his architectural achievements, Erickson was also a teacher, mentor, and advocate for modern Canadian design. His career, however, was not without challenges, including financial difficulties in the later years of his practice. Still, his legacy endures in the form of iconic homes, public buildings, and a generation of architects influenced by his vision.

For homebuyers inspired by Erickson’s residential works—or by any notable architect’s designs—it is important to remember that even a masterpiece should be carefully assessed before purchase. A professional home inspection ensures that structural, electrical, and mechanical systems are sound, protecting both the investment and the homeowner’s peace of mind.

Arthur Erickson remains a towering figure in Canadian architecture, his designs continuing to shape the way Canadians think about living spaces that are both modern and deeply connected to their surroundings.