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
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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.
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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:
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They represent a generation of architects in Ontario who combine design excellence with sustainable and environmental awareness.
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Their work tends to be client-centered: tailoring homes to how people actually live, not just making a showpiece.
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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.
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.