About Us - Ignis Flamecrest Architecture

Our Story

Look, we started Ignis back in 2012 because we were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter buildings popping up everywhere. Toronto deserves better than bland boxes, right?

The name "Ignis" came from a late-night brainstorming session (too much coffee involved). We wanted something that captured our approach - bold, energetic, transformative. Fire shapes and reshapes, and that's exactly what we do with spaces.

We've grown from three people working out of a cramped office on Dundas to a team of fifteen passionate designers, architects, and project managers. But honestly? We still have that same energy we had on day one.

Our work spans from cozy residential projects where we're literally redesigning someone's life, to massive commercial builds that'll change Toronto's skyline. Each project gets the same attention - whether it's a 500 sq ft condo renovation or a 50,000 sq ft office complex.

Meet the Core Team

Michael Thornton

Principal Architect & Founder

Started sketching buildings at age six, never really stopped. Got my degree from Waterloo, worked for some big names before realizing I wanted to do things differently. I'm obsessed with how light moves through spaces - spend way too much time thinking about it, honestly.

When I'm not at the firm, you'll find me hiking the Bruce Trail or attempting to perfect my sourdough recipe.

Sarah Chen

Lead Design Director

I joined Ignis in 2014 after getting frustrated with corporate architecture that prioritized profit over people. My focus? Making sure every space we design actually works for the humans using it. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Outside work, I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and have an embarrassing collection of houseplants.

David Okonkwo

Senior Project Manager

The guy who actually makes sure things get built on time and budget. Been in construction management for 18 years, seen just about everything that can go wrong on a site. My job's keeping everyone sane when the unexpected happens - and it always does.

Former semi-pro soccer player, current hockey dad to three kids.

Emma Rodriguez

Interior Design Lead

Came from interior design but always felt limited. Joined Ignis because here, we think about interiors from the foundation up. I handle everything from material selection to that perfect shade of white (yes, there are like forty whites).

Vintage furniture collector and weekend flea market warrior.

James Park

Sustainability Specialist

I'm the person asking annoying questions about energy efficiency and carbon footprints. Someone's gotta do it. My background's in environmental engineering, and I work with the team to make sure our buildings don't just look good - they're actually responsible.

Urban farmer with a rooftop garden setup that's gotten slightly out of control.

Lisa Kowalski

Heritage Restoration Architect

Specializing in breathing new life into Toronto's older buildings without erasing their history. It's tricky work - you're balancing preservation with modern needs, and every building's got its own story to tell. I love the detective work involved.

History buff and regular at Toronto's architectural tours.

How We Actually Work

Forget the stuffy architect stereotype. Our office is more creative chaos than corporate polish. We've got standing desks next to traditional drafting tables, a wall covered in fabric and material samples, and way too many coffee makers.

Every Monday we do what we call "rough reviews" - basically tearing apart each other's work in the most constructive way possible. It's not personal, it's how we make sure everything leaving our office is actually good.

We're big on collaboration. Your project isn't just assigned to one person - it gets input from the whole team. Sarah might catch something Michael missed, or James will suggest a sustainable alternative that makes the whole design better.

Client meetings happen here, on-site, wherever works. We're not precious about it. Some of our best ideas have come from walking through spaces with clients and just talking through possibilities.

What We Believe

Design Should Surprise

Safe is boring. We push boundaries while still making sure everything actually functions. There's always a smarter, more interesting solution if you're willing to look for it.

People Come First

A building's gotta work for the humans using it. All the aesthetic awards in the world don't matter if the space doesn't actually improve people's lives.

Sustainability Isn't Optional

We've got one planet, and construction's a massive part of the climate problem. Every project's an opportunity to do better - sometimes in big ways, sometimes small.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for interesting projects and good conversations

Let's Talk