Where It All Started
Look, I'll be straight with you - starting an architecture firm wasn't some grand plan I had since childhood. It kinda just happened after years of working at big corporate studios where every project felt like pushing paper through a machine. Same glass boxes, same soulless atriums, same disconnect from the actual earth beneath our feet.
Back in 2018, I walked away from a comfortable position at one of Toronto's flashiest firms. People thought I'd lost it, honestly. But there was this nagging feeling I couldn't shake - buildings shouldn't fight against nature, they should work with it. Simple as that.
Started Jade Bane Quest Architecture from a cramped desk in my apartment on Queen West. The name? It's a bit unusual, yeah - Jade for growth and balance, Bane for transformation (not the comic book guy), and Quest 'cause that's literally what this is. A quest to prove that modern spaces can be both stunning and responsible.
Fast forward to now, we've got a proper studio, a team of seven incredibly talented folks who actually give a damn, and projects that make me excited to wake up in the morning. We've completed over 60 builds across Ontario and Quebec, each one teaching us something new about how humans and nature can share space without compromise.
Jordan Bane, Principal Architect
Founder & Design Lead since 2018
What We're Actually About
Our mission isn't wrapped up in fancy corporate speak. We design buildings that don't suck the life out of their surroundings. We create spaces where people feel good, where energy bills don't make you cry, and where your grandkids won't curse your name for the carbon footprint you left behind.
How We Actually Work
Every project starts with listening, not sketching. We spend more time understanding your needs than trying to impose our aesthetic vision.
Materials That Matter
We source locally whenever possible, work with reclaimed materials often, and never spec something just because it's trendy.
The Philosophy Behind It All
Nature Isn't Decoration
Too many architects treat green features like garnish on a plate - something you sprinkle on at the end to make it look good. That's backwards. From day one of design, we're thinking about passive solar gain, natural ventilation, how rainwater moves, where shadows fall. This stuff isn't add-on, it's foundational.
Beauty Through Honesty
I've never understood hiding structural elements behind false walls or covering beautiful materials with unnecessary finishes. If a beam does good work, let it show. If the wood's got character, don't paint over it. Modern doesn't mean sterile - it means stripping away the unnecessary to reveal what's essential.
Long-Term Thinking
We're designing for 50, 100 years down the line. That means buildings that can adapt as needs change, materials that age gracefully rather than just falling apart, and systems that future owners can actually maintain without needing a PhD in building science. Your building should get better with time, not become someone else's demolition problem.
Community Context
Every site has a story - the neighbours, the history, the way people move through the area. We don't parachute in with some signature style and call it a day. What works on Queen West won't work in Rosedale, and what makes sense in downtown Toronto is all wrong for a lakeside property. Context isn't a constraint, it's inspiration.
The Team
We're a small crew, and that's intentional. Seven people who know each other's work styles, can argue productively about design choices, and won't let anything slide just to meet a deadline. We've got specialists in structural engineering, landscape integration, interior optimization, and green certification - but everyone here can sketch, draft, and talk directly with clients.
No account managers or layers of bureaucracy. When you work with us, you're working with the people actually designing your space. Some of our best ideas have come from site visits where the whole team shows up, walks around, and notices things that never show up on survey drawings.
We hire people who've actually built things with their hands, who've traveled and seen how other cultures approach shelter, who get excited about new materials and construction techniques. Architecture schools teach theory - we're looking for people who want to make real things in the real world.
Recognition & Certifications
We don't design for awards, but it's nice when peers recognize the work.
LEED Accredited
All principals hold LEED AP credentials, three team members are Green Building Specialists
Ontario Association
Full members of the Ontario Association of Architects since 2018
Design Awards
Three Toronto Urban Design Awards, two Canadian Green Building Awards
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
Whether you've got detailed plans or just a vague idea that won't leave you alone, let's grab coffee and chat about it.
Get In Touch