About Us - Nethral Forge Architecture

Our Story

Look, we didn't start Nethral Forge to win awards or fill up Instagram feeds with fancy renders. We started it because Toronto needed someone who actually gives a damn about making buildings that work - both for the people inside them and the planet we're all sharing.

Back in 2018, our founder Sarah Chen was sitting in yet another meeting where "sustainable" meant slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. That's when she decided enough was enough. She grabbed a few like-minded architects from her network, rented a tiny office on King West, and Nethral Forge was born.

Seven years later, we've grown from three coffee-addicted dreamers to a team of eighteen passionate professionals. But honestly? We're still those same people who believe good architecture shouldn't cost the earth - literally.

We've tackled everything from converting old warehouses into thriving commercial spaces to designing industrial facilities that actually improve their surroundings. And yeah, we're pretty proud of that.

What Drives Us

Our philosophy isn't complicated - we just think buildings should make sense.

Sustainability That Actually Works

We're not here to greenwash projects. When we say sustainable, we mean it - from material sourcing to energy efficiency to how the building fits into its neighborhood. No shortcuts, no BS. Every decision we make has to answer one question: will this still make sense in 50 years?

Function Over Flash

Sure, we want our buildings to look good - who doesn't? But if it doesn't work for the people using it every day, then what's the point? We spend more time talking to end-users and understanding workflows than we do picking paint colors. Because a beautiful building that fails its purpose isn't architecture, it's just sculpture.

Honest Communication

We'll tell you when your timeline's unrealistic or your budget won't get you what you're picturing. No sugarcoating, no surprises three months in. Our clients appreciate knowing where they stand, even when the news isn't great. Trust us, it's way better than finding out later.

Respecting What Came Before

Toronto's got some incredible old buildings that deserve better than the wrecking ball. Heritage restoration isn't just about preserving history - it's about showing new structures can coexist with old ones. Plus, there's something satisfying about bringing a century-old building back to life while making it work for modern needs.

Meet The Team

The folks who actually do the work

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Founder

Sarah's the one who started all this. She's got 15 years under her belt and still gets excited about good insulation. When she's not redesigning Toronto's skyline, she's probably at a Raptors game or hiking the Escarpment.

Marcus Thompson

Senior Industrial Architect

Marcus came from the manufacturing world, so he actually understands how factories work. He's obsessed with workflow optimization and has never met a loading dock he couldn't improve. Also makes the best office coffee, which counts for a lot.

Aisha Patel

Sustainability Director

Aisha's the reason we can't take shortcuts on green building practices - and we're grateful for it. She's got her LEED certification and a bunch of other letters after her name, but more importantly, she knows how to make sustainability affordable.

David Kim

Commercial Projects Lead

David's background in commercial real estate means he understands the business side as well as the design side. He's the guy who can talk ROI with developers in the morning and design details with contractors in the afternoon.

Emily Rodriguez

Heritage Restoration Specialist

Emily's got a Masters in heritage conservation and an almost scary knowledge of Toronto's architectural history. She can tell you the original builder of pretty much any old structure in the city. Her restorations respect history while making buildings functional for today.

James Okonkwo

Visualization & Tech Lead

James makes our designs come alive before they're built. His 3D visualizations and VR walkthroughs help clients actually see what they're getting. He's also the reason our office tech doesn't fall apart - basically our IT department too.

Plus 12 More Amazing People

Our junior architects, interns, project coordinators, and administrative team who keep everything running smoothly. They're the backbone of what we do, even if they don't get the fancy bios up here.

Why Clients Stick With Us

We're not gonna pretend we're perfect. Projects run into problems, budgets get tight, and sometimes the city throws curveballs with permit requirements. But here's what we do differently:

We're honest when things go sideways and work to fix them fast
We return calls and emails - sounds basic, but you'd be surprised
We treat your budget like it's our own money
We listen more than we talk in initial meetings
We don't disappear after the ribbon cutting

About 70% of our work comes from repeat clients or referrals. That tells us we're doing something right.

Want To Work With Us?

We're always up for interesting projects, whether you're planning a new build, renovating an existing space, or just exploring ideas. Coffee's on us.

Get In Touch