Residential Designs | Crimson Quintaris Architecture

Real homes for real people

Look, we've been doing this for a while now, and here's what we've learned - the best homes aren't the ones that look perfect in magazines. They're the ones where you actually wanna spend time. Where your kids can make a mess. Where winter doesn't feel like a punishment.

We design houses that get our climate. Triple-pane windows aren't optional here, they're survival. Same goes for proper insulation, smart heating zones, and mudrooms that can handle wet boots and soggy jackets from October through April.

Our approach to residential work

Every family's different, right? Some folks want wide-open spaces, others need defined rooms. We're not gonna push some cookie-cutter solution on you. Our job's to listen, then figure out what'll actually make your daily life better.

Sustainability that makes sense

We're not gonna lie - going fully sustainable costs more upfront. But we've done the math with our clients, and over 10-15 years, those geothermal systems and solar panels actually pay for themselves. Plus, there's provincial rebates that help take the sting out.

Our passive solar designs are pretty clever too - angling windows so you get free heat in winter but don't turn your house into a greenhouse come July. Little stuff that adds up.

Kitchens that work

Honestly, kitchens can make or break a house. We spend stupid amounts of time thinking about workflow - where the fridge goes, how far you gotta walk with a hot pot, whether there's counter space for three people to cook together without bumping elbows.

Natural light's huge too. Nobody wants to chop vegetables under harsh fluorescents at 6pm on a Tuesday. We aim for windows positioned where you need 'em, plus good task lighting that doesn't make you feel like you're in a hospital.

Recent residential projects

Muskoka Retreat

3-season cottage converted to year-round living. The clients wanted to retire up there, so we basically rebuilt everything - proper foundation, serious insulation, radiant floor heating. Kept the lakefront views though, that's the whole point.

Leslieville Townhome

Narrow lot, big dreams. We went up instead of out - three floors, rooftop deck. The trick was getting light into the middle floor, so we added a two-story window wall in the stairwell. Works like a charm.

Etobicoke Passive House

Full passive house certification - these folks were serious about cutting energy costs. Super-insulated envelope, HRV system, the works. Their heating bill last winter? Under $200 for the whole season. Yeah, for real.

Bedroom sanctuaries

Proper blackout options, good soundproofing, and layouts that don't feel like shoebox hotels

Work-from-home spaces

Let's be honest, remote work's here to stay - we're designing offices that don't feel like afterthoughts

What working with us looks like

First meeting's always free - we'll grab coffee, you tell us what you're thinking, we'll tell you if it's doable. No sales pitch, just honest conversation.

If we're a good fit, we start with rough sketches and mood boards. Nothing's set in stone at this stage. We tweak things until it feels right, then move into proper drawings and permits.

Timeline? Depends on the project, but figure 4-6 months for design and permits, then however long construction takes. We stick around during the build too - somebody's gotta make sure the contractor isn't taking shortcuts.

Let's talk about your project

Stuff people usually ask us

Real talk - our design fees usually run 8-12% of construction costs. So if you're building a $500k house, you're looking at $40-60k for architectural services. That covers everything from initial concepts through construction administration. Smaller projects like additions might be a flat fee instead. We'll give you a proper quote after our first meeting once we know what you need.

Absolutely. If you've already got a contractor you trust, that's great - we'll work with them. We've got a list of builders we've worked with before if you need recommendations, but we're not gonna force anyone on you. The important thing's that everyone's on the same page from day one.

From our first meeting to breaking ground? Usually 6-8 months. Design phase is about 2-3 months, then permits take another 3-5 months depending on your municipality - Toronto's slower than some of the suburbs, just how it is. Construction timeline depends on scope, but figure 8-12 months for a full custom home, less for renovations.

Depends what you're doing. Knocking down walls, adding square footage, messing with the structure? Yeah, you need us - it's about safety and code compliance, plus the city's gonna want stamped drawings. Just updating finishes and fixtures? Probably don't need an architect, a good contractor can handle that. When in doubt, give us a call and we'll tell you straight up.

Oh yeah, there's money out there. Canada Greener Homes Grant can get you up to $5k for energy upgrades. Ontario's got additional programs too. We help clients navigate this stuff all the time - what qualifies, how to apply, which upgrades give you the best return. It's paperwork-heavy but worth it when you're getting thousands back.

Ready to start planning your home?

Whether you're building from scratch or rethinking what you've got, let's figure out what's possible. No pressure, just good conversation about what you actually need.

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