About Us - Halcyon Field Architecture

How We Got Started

Back in 2012, three of us were sitting in a cramped coffee shop on Commercial Drive, sketching ideas on napkins and complaining about how sterile modern buildings had become. We'd all worked at larger firms where sustainability was just a checkbox, and authenticity? Forget about it.

So yeah, we decided to do things differently. Started Halcyon Field in a converted warehouse space - ironic, right? - with the simple idea that buildings should actually feel good to be in. Not just look pretty in magazines, but work with the land, breathe with the seasons, and make people genuinely happy when they walk through the door.

Fast forward to today, and we've grown from that trio to a team of fifteen passionate folks who still argue about the best way to orient a window or which reclaimed timber tells the best story. Some things don't change.

Vancouver's given us incredible opportunities to experiment with green roofs, passive solar design, and materials that don't cost the earth - literally. Every project teaches us something new, and honestly, that's what keeps us coming back every Monday morning.

What Drives Us

Real Sustainability

Not the greenwashing kind. We're talking triple-glazed windows, thermal mass that actually works, and sourcing materials within 200km when we can.

Honesty in Design

We'll tell you straight up if your idea won't work with BC's climate or your budget. No point in fancy renderings that'll never see daylight.

Community Focus

Buildings don't exist in a vacuum. We spend time understanding neighborhoods, talking to future neighbors, and making sure our projects fit in organically.

Meet the Team

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Sarah's the one who'll spend three hours debating the perfect roof overhang. Trained at UBC and worked on social housing projects before we started this adventure. She's got this uncanny ability to see how light moves through a space before it's even built. Outside the studio, you'll find her hiking the North Shore trails or tinkering with her off-grid cabin on Gabriola Island.

Marcus Thompson

Design Director & Co-Founder

Marcus brings the wild ideas that somehow work. He's obsessed with biomimicry - looking at how nature solves problems and applying those solutions to buildings. Did a stint in Copenhagen learning about Scandinavian design, came back with way too many ideas about communal spaces. He's also our unofficial IT guy, which is both helpful and dangerous.

Raj Patel

Sustainability Consultant & Co-Founder

If Raj approves the material, you know it's legit. He's the conscience of our operation, with a background in environmental engineering. Knows everything about building science, thermal bridges, and why spray foam isn't always the answer. Runs marathons for fun, which explains his energy levels during site inspections.

Elena Rodriguez

Senior Architect

Elena joined us five years ago and basically runs the residential division now. She's got this gift for listening to what clients actually need versus what they think they want. Specializes in heritage restoration and somehow makes old buildings feel fresh without erasing their history. Massive coffee snob - don't get her started on espresso ratios.

Thomas Burkhardt

Landscape Integration Lead

Thomas makes sure our buildings don't just sit on the land - they're part of it. Trained as both an architect and landscape designer, he's always pushing us to think about native plantings, rainwater management, and how outdoor spaces can extend the usable area year-round. Keeps a ridiculous collection of seeds in his desk drawer.

Mika Yamamoto

Interior Space Designer

Mika's the newest principal on our team and she's already changed how we approach interiors. Believes that sustainability extends to furniture and fixtures too. She's introduced us to local craftspeople and reclaimed material sources we didn't know existed. Also makes the best matcha lattes during our Monday morning meetings.

The Rest of the Crew

Associate Architects & Support Team

We've got nine more talented folks who keep this ship running - junior architects, CAD specialists, project coordinators, and our office manager who somehow keeps us all organized. Everyone here brings something unique to the table, whether it's expertise in building codes, 3D visualization, or just knowing when someone needs a coffee break.

Our Process (The Real Version)

Forget the polished five-step diagrams. Here's actually how we work:

We Listen (A Lot)

First few meetings are just conversations. We wanna know how you actually live or work, not what Pinterest tells you to want.

Site Sleuthing

We visit at different times of day, check sun angles, feel the wind patterns, talk to neighbors. Sounds hippie, but it matters.

Sketch & Argue

We throw around ideas, debate, sketch on whiteboards. It's messy and loud, but good design comes from pushing back on easy answers.

Build It Right

We're on site regularly during construction. Details matter, and contractors appreciate when architects actually understand how things get built.

Why Vancouver?

Honestly, we couldn't imagine being anywhere else. This city's got challenges - rain, seismic concerns, sky-high land costs - but that's exactly what makes it interesting. Plus, there's this growing awareness here about building better, not just bigger.

We're surrounded by incredible natural beauty, which constantly reminds us why we do this work. Every project's an opportunity to create something that respects the landscape while meeting very real human needs.

And yeah, the craft beer scene doesn't hurt either.

Recognition & Stuff

Look, we're not gonna lie - it's nice when people notice the work. We've picked up a few AIBC Awards over the years, got featured in Azure Magazine a couple times, and one of our projects made it into a sustainable design exhibition in Toronto.

But honestly? The best recognition is when a client sends us a photo two years later showing how their garden's growing in around the building, or when they tell us their heating bills are actually what we predicted.

We're certified Passive House consultants, LEED accredited, and part of the Canada Green Building Council. That's not us bragging - it just means we keep learning and stay current with what actually works.

The real measure isn't awards on a shelf. It's buildings that age well and make people's lives genuinely better.

Wanna Work Together?

We're always up for interesting projects and good conversations.

Let's Talk

Our Story