Look, we've been at this for a while now, and honestly? We've learned that great architecture isn't about fancy jargon or following trends. It's about listening to what you need and making it happen in ways that just... work.
Whether you're building from scratch, rethinking an existing space, or just need someone to help figure out what's possible - we're here for it.
Your home should feel like yours, not like something out of a catalog.
We've designed everything from cozy laneway houses to sprawling family estates across Metro Vancouver. Each project starts with the same question: how do you actually want to live? Not how Pinterest says you should live, but what matters to you.
Maybe you need a mudroom that can handle three kids and a dog. Maybe you're tired of your kitchen feeling cramped. Or maybe you're starting fresh and want something that'll grow with you. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together.
From concept sketches to construction drawings
Making more out of what you've got
Maximizing your property potential
Duplexes, townhomes, and more
"We'd looked at probably a dozen architects before finding Selvarith. Most of 'em wanted to tell us what we needed. These folks actually listened. Our house feels like us, not like them."
- Margaret & Tom R., North Vancouver
Good commercial design pays for itself - that's not marketing speak, it's just true.
We've done retail spaces, office buildings, restaurants, clinics... you name it. And here's what we've learned: your space needs to work hard for you. It's gotta attract customers, make your staff want to show up, and handle whatever your business throws at it.
Plus, let's be real - Vancouver's got some strict codes and regulations. We know them inside out, which means fewer headaches for you when it comes to permits and approvals.
Spaces that draw people in
Where people actually want to work
Getting the most out of every square foot
Functional and calming spaces
Sometimes the bones are good, but the layout? Not so much.
We can't tell you how many times we've walked into a place and thought "this would be perfect if that wall wasn't there." Interior space planning is kinda like solving a puzzle - you've got fixed pieces (windows, doors, structure) and you're trying to make everything flow.
Whether it's reconfiguring an existing space or planning out a new one, we'll help you make every room count. No wasted hallways, no awkward corners that end up collecting junk.
"They helped us rethink our entire main floor. Same square footage, but it feels twice as big now. Magic, I swear."
- James K., Kitsilano
Being green shouldn't mean spending green (well, not too much anyway).
Here's the thing about sustainable design - it's not all solar panels and living walls. A lot of it is just... smart. Using passive solar heating so you're not cranking the furnace all winter. Picking materials that'll actually last. Orienting your building so you're not fighting the sun in summer.
We help you figure out which green strategies actually make sense for your project and your budget. Some of them pay for themselves pretty quick, others are more about doing the right thing. We'll be straight with you about which is which.
Lower bills, smaller footprint
Smart systems that just work
Local, durable, responsible
LEED, Passive House, and more
Old buildings have character - they just need someone who gets it.
Vancouver's full of beautiful older buildings that just need some love. Maybe it's a heritage home that needs updating without losing its soul. Maybe it's a tired commercial space that could be something special again.
Renovation work is tricky - you never quite know what you'll find when you open up those walls. But that's kinda what makes it interesting. We've dealt with enough surprises over the years that not much throws us anymore.
Working with the city to maintain historical character while meeting modern needs
Seismic retrofitting, foundation work, and bringing things up to code
Turning old warehouses into lofts, churches into offices - that kind of thing
When you want to keep the exterior but gut the interior
"Our 1920s craftsman was falling apart. They managed to save everything we loved about it while making it livable for our family. Wasn't easy, but they made it work."
- Patricia L., Strathcona
Because "trust me, it'll look great" only goes so far.
Look, blueprints are great if you can read them. Most people can't. That's where 3D visualization comes in - we can show you exactly what your project's gonna look like before anyone picks up a hammer.
It's not just pretty pictures either. We use these models to work through design decisions, catch potential issues, and make sure everyone's on the same page. Way easier to move a wall in the computer than after it's been framed.
Interior and exterior views that look like photographs
Move through your space before it exists
See different options side by side
For permits, approvals, or stakeholder buy-in
"Being able to see it before we committed was huge. We actually changed a few things based on the renderings that would've bugged us forever if we hadn't caught them."
Every project's different, but here's generally how things go down: