About Us | Blazeward Realm Architecture

How We Got Here

Started in a cramped office above a coffee shop on Granville Street - true story. Three architects who were frankly tired of watching buildings go up that nobody actually wanted to spend time in.

We figured there's gotta be a better way to do this. Turns out, when you actually listen to what people need (wild concept, right?) and combine that with sustainable practices that aren't just greenwashing, you end up with spaces folks actually love.

Fast forward to 2025, and we've worked on over 180 projects across BC. From laneway houses in Kitsilano to commercial towers downtown. Each one taught us something new, and yeah, we've made our share of mistakes along the way.

Years Running

180+

Projects Done

Awards Won

🌱

Actually Sustainable

Not just solar panels slapped on for show. We're talking passive house standards, real carbon reduction, materials that won't end up in a landfill.

💬

Honest Conversations

We'll tell you when your budget doesn't match your Pinterest board. Better to have that chat upfront than halfway through construction.

🎨

Function First

Pretty's great, but if you can't actually live or work in the space comfortably, what's the point? Form follows function, always has.

🤝

Real Collaboration

You know your needs better than we ever could. We bring the technical know-how, you bring the lived experience. Magic happens in between.

⚡

Forward Thinking

Building for today's climate crisis means thinking about tomorrow. Every decision we make considers the next 50 years, not just the next inspection.

🏘️

Community Minded

Buildings don't exist in a vacuum. How does your project affect the neighborhood? The street? The folks walking by? We think about that stuff.

180+

Completed Projects

89%

Energy Reduction Avg

Team Members

100%

Client Satisfaction

The Folks Behind It All

We've got architects, designers, sustainability nerds, and a couple people who just really love spreadsheets. Takes all kinds.

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect

Been with us since day one. Spent 8 years at a big corporate firm before realizing she'd rather work on projects that actually matter. Coffee addict, LEED AP, won't shut up about mass timber construction.

Marcus Thompson

Lead Designer

Joined in 2015 after doing his Master's in Copenhagen. Brings that Scandinavian minimalism but makes it work for West Coast living. Also our go-to guy for heritage restoration projects.

Priya Malhotra

Sustainability Director

Environmental engineer turned architect. If you want to know the carbon footprint of literally any building material, she's your person. Bikes to work year-round, even in February.

David O'Brien

Project Manager

Keeps our projects on track and on budget, which honestly is harder than it sounds. Former contractor so he knows when we're designing something that's gonna be a nightmare to actually build.

Zoe Martinez

Interior Space Planning Lead

Moved up from California in 2018. Has this uncanny ability to make small spaces feel huge. Obsessed with natural light and won't compromise on it, which we love.

James Wu

Urban Development Consultant

Knows Vancouver's zoning bylaws better than anyone. Spent 6 years at City Hall before joining us. When he says something won't get approved, he's never been wrong yet.

Recognition & Stuff

Look, we don't do this for the awards, but it's nice when people notice the work. Here's some of the recognition we've gotten over the years.

2024

Lieutenant Governor's Award

For innovation in sustainable residential design - our Dunbar Passive House project that actually achieves net-zero energy.

2023

AIBC Innovation Award

Recognized for adaptive reuse of the old Strathcona warehouse into a mixed-use development that kept 87% of original structure.

2023

Vancouver Heritage Foundation Award

For restoration of the 1912 Richardson building on Commercial Drive. Took three years but worth every minute.

2022

Canadian Green Building Award

Our False Creek office complex that uses 78% less energy than code minimum. Geothermal heating, green roof, the whole deal.

2021

BC Wood Design Award

Six-story mass timber residential building in Mount Pleasant. First of its kind in the neighborhood, won't be the last.

2020

SAB Emerging Firm Award

When we were still the new kids on the block. This one meant a lot because it came from our peers.

Working With Us

Here's the deal - we're not gonna blow smoke about being the best firm in Canada or whatever. What we can tell you is that we'll actually listen to what you need, give you honest timelines and budgets, and design something that works for how you actually live or work.

Every project starts with a proper conversation. Not a sales pitch - an actual conversation about what you're trying to accomplish and whether we're the right fit to help you get there. Sometimes we're not, and that's okay. Better to figure that out over coffee than six months into a project.

We're big believers in the design process. Sketches, models, revisions, more revisions. Takes time, but you end up with something way better than if we'd just thrown together some plans after one meeting.

Let's Talk About Your Project

We're Not Your Typical Firm