About Us - Vina Mynr Quintal Architectural Domains

How This Whole Thing Started

Back in 2011, three of us were sitting in a cramped coffee shop on Bloor Street, sketching ideas on napkins. We'd all worked at bigger firms where everything felt... stiff. Like, every project had to fit into some perfect box, y'know?

So we said screw it, let's do our own thing. Started Vina Mynr Quintal in that same neighborhood, working outta a space that was basically a glorified closet. But hey, it was ours.

What We're Actually About

Here's the thing - we're kinda obsessed with how buildings can honor Canadian heritage while not looking like they're stuck in the past. It's tricky, but that's what makes it fun.

We design spaces where people actually wanna live and work. Not showpieces for magazines (though we've been in a few), but places with soul. Where you can spill coffee on the floor and it's not a disaster, where kids can run around, where life happens.

Our Philosophy (Without the BS)

We're big on sustainability, but not in that preachy way. It's just smart design. Why wouldn't you want a building that costs less to heat and doesn't waste resources?

Every project's different 'cause every client's different. Some folks want ultra-modern, some want cozy traditional vibes. We don't force our style on anyone - that'd be weird. Your space should feel like yours, not like you're living in someone else's vision.

Meet Some of The Team

Sarah Vina

Co-Founder & Lead Architect

Started drawing buildings when she was like 7. Now she's been doing this professionally for 15+ years. Sarah's got this knack for seeing potential in spaces that others write off. She's also the one who'll tell you straight up if your idea won't work - which honestly, you want that.

Marcus Quintal

Co-Founder & Urban Planner

Grew up in Montreal, moved to Toronto for school and never left. Marcus handles the bigger picture stuff - how buildings fit into neighborhoods, urban flow, all that. He's weirdly passionate about sidewalks and public spaces. In a good way though.

Nina Mynr

Co-Founder & Interior Specialist

The one who makes sure the inside of your building doesn't feel like a cold museum. Nina's all about functionality meeting comfort. She's saved probably a hundred projects from having kitchens in totally weird spots. Also makes a mean cappuccino, which is unrelated but appreciated.

David Kowalski

Senior Project Manager

Dave keeps everything on track. He's the guy making sure contractors show up, permits get filed, budgets don't explode. Not the flashiest job but absolutely crucial. Been with us since 2014 and we honestly don't know how we survived before that.

Priya Sharma

Sustainability Consultant

Priya joined us three years ago and leveled up our whole approach to green building. She knows every certification, every material, every technique. But she explains it in normal human language, which is rare for technical folks (no offense to technical folks).

James Liu

Heritage Restoration Lead

James is the guy you want when you're dealing with a building that's got history. He's restored some incredible heritage properties around Toronto. Super respectful of original design but knows how to make old buildings work for modern life. Bit of a history nerd too.

What Matters to Us

Honesty Over Hype

We'll tell you what's realistic. If something's gonna be expensive, we say so. If a timeline's tight, we're upfront. No point in sugar-coating stuff that'll come out eventually anyway.

Collaboration, Not Dictation

It's your building, your money, your life. We're here to guide and design, not to impose some vision you didn't ask for. Best projects happen when everyone's actually listening to each other.

Quality That Lasts

We're not interested in trendy stuff that'll look dated in five years. We design for longevity - spaces that'll still work and still look good decades down the line.

Respect for Context

Every neighborhood's got its own vibe. We don't plop the same design everywhere. A project in downtown Toronto shouldn't look like something meant for suburban Mississauga, y'know?

Environmental Responsibility

Not gonna get preachy, but yeah, we care about this stuff. Smart material choices, energy efficiency, minimal waste - it's just part of how we work now.

Continuous Learning

Architecture keeps evolving. New materials, new techniques, new regulations. We stay on top of it 'cause honestly, it's interesting and it makes us better at what we do.

Who We Actually Are