About Our Team | Quintario Natural Vale Architects

Our Story

So here's the thing - we started this studio back in 2011 because we were tired of seeing cookie-cutter buildings that ignored their surroundings. Every project felt like it could've been anywhere, you know?

We figured there had to be a better way. A way where a building actually enhances the landscape instead of dominating it. Where you walk into a space and it just feels right because it's working with natural light, airflow, and the rhythm of the seasons.

Fast forward to now, and we've designed over 170 projects across Ontario. Residential homes that breathe, commercial spaces that don't waste energy fighting against nature, and interiors that make people feel connected to the outdoors even when they're inside.

We're not about following trends. We're about creating spaces that'll still make sense 50 years from now.

How We Actually Work

No corporate jargon, just honest design principles we live by

Listen First

We spend way more time listening than talking in those first meetings. Your site has a story, and we need to hear it before putting pencil to paper.

Site-Specific Design

That tree line? The way the sun hits in winter? The prevailing winds? All of it matters. We're designing for that specific piece of earth, not some generic lot.

Material Honesty

Wood should look like wood. Stone should feel like stone. We're not big on fake finishes or materials pretending to be something they're not.

Long-Term Thinking

Sure, we could save a few bucks now, but what's it gonna cost you in 10 years? We design for durability, adaptability, and actual sustainability.

Meet the Team

The folks who turn sketches into buildings

Elena Quintario, OAA, LEED AP

Founding Principal Architect

Elena's the one who started this whole thing. Graduated from Waterloo with a thesis on passive solar design that actually got published, which was cool. She spent 8 years at a big downtown firm before realizing she wanted to do things differently.

She's got this uncanny ability to read a site - like, she'll walk a property for 20 minutes and come back with ideas that just click. Been a registered architect with the OAA since 2009, got her LEED accreditation in 2012, and she's the reason half our projects come in under energy code minimums.

When she's not at the studio, you'll find her hiking the Bruce Trail or sketching in her garden in Leslieville.

Marcus Vale, OAA, B.Arch

Principal Architect & Design Director

Marcus joined as partner in 2014, bringing his background in commercial architecture and a serious knack for making complex building systems actually work. He's the technical brain who figures out how to execute Elena's vision without breaking physics or the budget.

Toronto born and raised, went to U of T for his B.Arch, then spent time in Vancouver working on mixed-use developments. He's registered with the OAA and honestly gets way too excited about building envelope details and thermal bridging solutions.

Outside work, he's restoring a 1920s bungalow in the Beaches and proving that old buildings can meet modern performance standards.

Saanvi Mehta, OALA, M.L.A

Landscape Architect & Site Integration Lead

Saanvi came on board in 2017 and completely changed how we approach projects. She's got her Masters in Landscape Architecture from Guelph and she's registered with OALA. Before joining us, she was doing ecological restoration work up north.

She's the one who'll tell you that retaining wall idea is gonna mess with the natural drainage pattern, or that moving the building 3 meters east saves four mature trees. Her site plans don't just look pretty - they actually enhance the local ecosystem.

She's big into native plant species and runs weekend workshops on rain garden design. Also makes a mean chai.

Jordan Chen, IDC, NCIDQ

Interior Designer & Spatial Planning Specialist

Jordan joined in 2019 fresh from winning some award for a net-zero cottage interior. He's certified with the Interior Designers of Canada and passed his NCIDQ exams on the first try, which apparently doesn't happen often.

What sets him apart is that he thinks about how people actually live in spaces, not just how they photograph. He's obsessed with natural materials, proper daylighting, and creating interiors that age gracefully instead of looking dated in five years.

Huge vintage furniture nerd. Spends his weekends hunting estate sales for mid-century pieces, and yes, his apartment looks amazing.

Plus Our Extended Team

We've also got three junior designers, two architectural technologists, a project coordinator who keeps us all on track, and Milo, the office dog who's surprisingly good at client meetings.

Everyone here actually cares about this work. We're not just churning out buildings - we're trying to prove that thoughtful, sustainable design doesn't have to be a luxury. It should be the baseline.

Our Credentials & Affiliations

Look, certifications aren't everything, but they show we've put in the work and we're committed to staying current:

Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) - All our principal architects are registered and in good standing
LEED Accredited Professionals - Multiple team members with green building credentials
Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) - For integrated site design
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) - Active members and contributors
Canada Green Building Council - Because we practice what we preach
Passive House Canada - Trained in high-performance building standards

We're also fully insured and carry professional liability coverage, which is probably boring but important if you're hiring us.

Want to Work Together?

If you've got a project that needs someone who actually cares about the site, the environment, and creating something that'll last - let's talk. We're always up for a good challenge.

Get In Touch See Our Work