Who We Are

Where twilight meets innovation in architectural excellence

So here's the thing - we started Dusk Quintarion back in 2012 because honestly, we were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter designs everywhere. Toronto's got this amazing energy, y'know? And we felt like the buildings weren't really reflecting that. Our studio's tucked away on Queen West, and that's no accident. We wanted to be where the creative pulse is.

We're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers, but what we do have is this genuine obsession with making spaces that actually work for people while respecting the planet. Sustainable design isn't just a checkbox for us - it's literally how we think about every single project from day one. Sometimes that means convincing clients to go a different route than they initially imagined, but that's part of the conversation.

The Team

We're just a bunch of design nerds who take buildings way too seriously

Elena Quintarion

Principal Architect & Founder

Elena's been drawing buildings since she was like five years old - yeah, one of those kids. After spending way too many years in corporate firms, she realized she wanted to do things differently. Her background in environmental science actually shapes how she approaches every project. She's got this knack for seeing potential in spaces that others might overlook. Coffee addict, terrible at returning phone calls, but brilliant at translating messy ideas into actual buildable designs.

Marcus Chen

Design Director

Marcus joined us in 2015 after working on some pretty massive commercial projects in Vancouver. What makes him invaluable isn't just his technical chops - though he knows building codes like the back of his hand - it's that he actually listens. Clients love him because he doesn't talk down to anyone. He's the guy who'll spend three hours explaining why a particular window placement matters, or why that beam can't just disappear because it's "in the way." Weekend warrior cyclist who treats deadlines with respect.

Sarah Okonkwo

Sustainability Consultant

We honestly don't know how we functioned before Sarah came on board in 2018. She's the person who keeps us honest about our environmental commitments. Got her start in industrial design but switched to sustainable architecture after volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. She'll challenge every material choice, every energy assumption, and she's usually right. Her research into passive heating solutions has literally changed how we design residential projects. Runs a community garden on the side because of course she does.

James Rutherford

Project Manager & Heritage Specialist

James is our secret weapon for renovation projects. He's worked on heritage buildings across Ontario and knows the ins and outs of preservation standards like nobody else. What's cool about him is how he bridges old and new - he respects historical integrity but isn't afraid to introduce contemporary elements where they make sense. Can spot original crown molding from across a room. Keeps projects on track without being annoying about it, which is honestly a rare skill.

Priya Malhotra

Interior Architect

Priya's the newest addition to our crew, joining us last year from a boutique firm in Montreal. She's got this incredible eye for spatial flow and how people actually move through buildings - not just how they look in renderings. Her residential interiors feel lived-in from day one, which is exactly what we're after. She's also weirdly good at convincing contractors that yes, that detail really does matter. Collects vintage furniture and somehow makes it work in modern spaces.

Our Approach

Look, we're not gonna feed you some line about "reimagining spaces" or whatever. What we do is pretty straightforward - we listen to what you need, we think about the site and the environment, and then we figure out the best way to make it happen. Sometimes that's a complete ground-up build, sometimes it's renovating what's already there.

Every project's different because every client's different, every site's different, every budget's different. We're not trying to stamp our style on everything - we're trying to find the right solution for your specific situation. Yeah, we've got opinions and we'll share 'em, but at the end of the day, you're the one living or working in the space.

Why Toronto?

We're Toronto through and through. This city's changing faster than almost anywhere else in Canada, and that comes with challenges - densification, heritage preservation, sustainability concerns, affordability. These aren't abstract problems for us. We see them every day walking to the studio.

Being local means we know the neighborhoods, we know the municipal planning department folks, we know which contractors actually show up when they say they will. That local knowledge isn't just convenient - it's essential to doing good work here. Plus, we like being able to grab lunch with clients instead of just doing video calls.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for interesting projects. Whether you've got detailed plans already or you're just kicking around an idea, let's talk. First consultation's on us - we'll grab coffee and see if we're a good fit.

Get In Touch