We're Not Your Typical Studio
Honestly, we've spent the last decade proving that sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing beauty. It's kinda the opposite, actually.
Honestly, we've spent the last decade proving that sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing beauty. It's kinda the opposite, actually.
Look, we started Onyx Arquin Thoros back in 2013 with a pretty straightforward goal - create spaces that people actually want to live and work in, while not completely destroying the planet in the process. Seemed obvious to us, but the industry hadn't quite caught up yet.
Based in Toronto's design district, we've had the privilege of working on everything from heritage restorations to cutting-edge commercial towers. Each project taught us something new, pushed our boundaries a bit further. Some succeeded beyond our wildest dreams, others... well, let's just say we learned what NOT to do next time.
What sets us apart isn't some fancy philosophy or award-winning manifesto. It's simpler than that. We listen more than we talk. We sketch before we render. We visit sites at dawn to understand how light moves through spaces. And yeah, we're probably a bit obsessive about material sourcing - our suppliers can confirm that.
Every building tells a story. We just make sure it's one worth telling - that respects its context, serves its people, and doesn't cost the earth everything it's got.
The team's grown from three of us huddled around a drafting table to a multidisciplinary group of twenty-seven designers, engineers, and project managers. But we've kept that same scrappy energy - that hunger to do things better, smarter, more thoughtfully.
After hundreds of projects and countless late nights, these are the things we've genuinely mastered.
We don't bolt on green features as an afterthought. Environmental considerations are woven into every decision from day one - materials, orientation, systems, the whole package. It's not extra work; it's just how we design.
Whether it's a downtown condo or a heritage restoration, we're obsessed with making sure our buildings belong where they are. Not in a boring way - in a "yeah, that makes total sense there" kind of way.
Sounds obvious, right? But you'd be surprised how often buildings forget they're for people. We design for how humans actually move, work, live, and feel. Not just how they look on a rendering.
Pretty sketches are great, but making things actually work? That's where the real challenge is. We geek out on structural innovation, energy modeling, and construction logistics. Yeah, we're fun at parties.
Forget the rigid five-phase process diagrams. Real projects are messy, iterative, and full of surprises. That said, here's what you can generally expect:
We start by listening. A lot. Your needs, your constraints, your vision, your budget reality. We visit the site multiple times, research the context, and probably ask way too many questions.
Then we explore - sketches, models, digital studies. We test ideas, challenge assumptions, and aren't afraid to throw stuff out if it's not working. This phase is equal parts exciting and frustrating.
Once we've got a direction, we refine it obsessively. This is where we work with engineers, cost consultants, and specialists to make sure it's buildable, affordable, and code-compliant. The boring-but-crucial stuff.
During construction, we're in the trenches with contractors, solving problems as they come up. Because they always come up. And honestly, some of our best ideas happen when we're forced to adapt on site.
Projects Completed
Industry Awards
Client Satisfaction
We've been fortunate enough to receive recognition from organizations like the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Toronto Urban Design Awards, and the Canadian Green Building Council. That stuff's nice - our parents are proud, we can put logos on the website.
But honestly? The real validation comes when a client sends us photos five years after completion showing how they're still loving the space. Or when we walk past a building we designed and see it buzzing with life. That's the good stuff.
Got a project in mind? Or maybe just want to chat about what's possible? We're always up for a good conversation.
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