Our Projects - Gildar Valquinth Architecture

Residential Design

Cedar Grove Residence

West Vancouver, BC

We don't usually brag, but this one turned out pretty special. The clients wanted something that'd blend into the forest without losing that modern edge. Took us about eight months from initial sketches to breaking ground, and honestly? The hardest part was convincing them that less really is more when you've got those mountain views doing half the work.

3,200 sq ft

Living Space

LEED Gold

Certified

"They listened to what we actually wanted, not just what looked good in magazines. Our energy bills are basically nothing now."

- Margaret & Tom H., Homeowners

Est. 2023

Commercial & Urban

Hastings Street Mixed-Use Hub

East Vancouver, BC

This project threw everything at us - zoning debates, community consultations, budget adjustments. But working with the neighbourhood folks made it worth it. Ground floor's got retail and a community space, upper floors are affordable housing units. We squeezed in a green roof too, which wasn't in the original plan but the drainage engineer suggested it and... yeah, glad we listened.

Technical Highlights

42 residential units + 6,000 sq ft commercial
Passive ventilation system cuts HVAC costs by 35%
Rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation
Bike storage for 60+ bikes (Vancouver, right?)

Project Timeline

Design Phase: 14 months

Construction: 22 months

Completed: October 2023

More From Our Studio

Each project's got its own story - here's a few we're pretty proud of

Heritage Restoration

Gastown Warehouse Revival

Gastown, Vancouver

Turned a 1912 warehouse into modern loft spaces without losing that brick-and-beam character everyone loves. The heritage committee was super strict, but we figured it out.

Completed 2022

Units 12 Lofts

Sustainable Residential

Bowen Island Off-Grid Home

Bowen Island, BC

Clients wanted to live off-grid without giving up modern comforts. Solar panels, greywater system, the works. They're basically energy-independent now, which is wild.

"Best decision we ever made. The design's beautiful and it actually works."

- Jennifer K.

Commercial Interior

Yaletown Tech Office

Yaletown, Vancouver

Start-up needed flexible workspace that didn't feel like a typical tech bro office. Natural light, movable partitions, plants everywhere. They've since doubled their team size.

Space 4,500 sq ft

Budget Mid-range

Kitsilano Laneway House

Kitsilano, Vancouver

Vancouver's laneway housing rules opened up tons of possibilities, and this was one of our first. Small footprint but it doesn't feel cramped at all - high ceilings and smart window placement made all the difference. The owners rent it out now, which helps with their mortgage.

Design Features

Natural Light Optimization 95%

Space Efficiency 88%

Energy Performance 92%

Quick Stats

650

Square Feet

8mo

Build Time

1BR

Layout

2021

Finished

"We weren't sure about adding a laneway house, thought it'd be a headache. Gildar's team made it smooth, handled all the permit stuff, and now we've got rental income that actually covers our property taxes. Plus it looks way better than we imagined."

- David L., Property Owner

What Our Clients Say

Honest feedback from folks we've worked with

"Responsive, creative, and actually stuck to the budget. That's rare."

Sarah M.
West End Condo Renovation

"They got what we wanted before we even fully explained it. Felt like mind readers sometimes."

Patrick & Linda W.
North Van Custom Home

"The sustainability stuff isn't just talk - our heating costs dropped like crazy after the retrofit."

James C.
Commercial Building Upgrade

"Handled all the permit headaches. We just showed up for the fun parts."

Rita N.
Dunbar Addition

Our Process

Look, every project's different, but here's generally how we roll...

1

Initial Chat

Coffee or a call - we figure out what you actually need vs what you think you need. No charge for this part.

2

Design Phase

Sketches, revisions, 3D models. This is where we go back and forth until it clicks. Usually takes 2-4 months depending.

3

Permits & Approvals

The boring but necessary stuff. We handle the paperwork, you stay sane. City of Vancouver can be... particular.

4

Construction Support

We don't just hand off drawings and disappear. Site visits, contractor coordination, problem-solving when stuff comes up.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Got a Project in Mind?

Whether it's a full build or just figuring out if your idea's even possible - let's chat about it

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