About Us | Jade Valorium Architecture

Who We Really Are

Look, we're not gonna pretend we've been around since the 1800s or that we started in someone's garage with just a dream. What we will say is this - we started Jade Valorium because we were tired of seeing buildings that looked great in magazines but felt completely disconnected from their surroundings.

Based right here in Vancouver, we've spent years figuring out how to make structures that don't just sit on the land - they work with it. It's been a learning curve, honestly. Some experiments worked better than others, but that's how you get good at this stuff.

How We Got Here

It's been quite the ride, let's just say that

2016

The Beginning

Started with three architects who couldn't find firms that matched their vision for sustainable design. So we figured, why not try it ourselves? First office was tiny - like really tiny.

2018

First Big Break

Won our first major residential project in North Van. Client took a chance on us even though we were relatively unknown. That project opened doors we didn't even know existed.

2020

Growing Pains

Expanded into commercial work and heritage restoration. Also learned the hard way that you can't do everything at once. Brought in specialists for areas where we needed more depth.

2022

Going All-In Green

Committed fully to sustainable practices across all projects. Started our green roof division because we kept seeing the potential but nobody was doing it right in our area.

2025

Where We're At Now

Team of 17, working on projects across BC and beyond. Still learning every day, still making mistakes, but getting better at this whole sustainable design thing. The journey continues.

The People Making It Happen

We're a mixed bunch - that's kind of the point

Maya Chen

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started her career restoring heritage buildings in Victoria before realizing sustainable design was where she needed to be. Still obsessed with preserving what's worth keeping while pushing for better materials and methods.

James Rodriguez

Design Director & Co-Founder

The guy who sketches on napkins and somehow those sketches become actual buildings. He's got this thing about natural light that borders on obsessive, but honestly, it works.

Sarah Nwosu

Sustainability Lead & Co-Founder

Joined us after getting frustrated with 'greenwashing' at bigger firms. She's the one who keeps us honest about what's actually sustainable vs. what just looks good in marketing.

Derek Williamson

Operations Director

Not one of the founders but might as well be. Came on in year two and basically keeps the whole operation from falling apart. Former contractor who got tired of fixing other architects' unrealistic designs.

Priya Sharma

Interior Space Planning Lead

Makes sure buildings work for actual humans, not just architectural portfolios. Has strong opinions about flow and function.

Marcus Thompson

Commercial Design Lead

Handles our bigger commercial projects. Used to work for corporate firms and brought that experience without the corporate mindset.

Elena Kovac

Green Roof Systems Specialist

Our resident plant nerd who figured out how to make roofs productive. Background in landscape architecture meets structural engineering.

What Actually Drives Us

We're not gonna claim we're saving the planet or revolutionizing architecture. What we do try to do is design buildings that make sense for the people using them and the environment they're sitting in.

Sustainability isn't just a checkbox for us - it's literally how we approach every project from day one. Sometimes that means telling clients things they don't wanna hear, like 'no, you can't have floor-to-ceiling glass on the south side without a proper shading system.'

We mess up sometimes. Projects don't always go as planned. But we're learning and adapting, and we're honest about what works and what doesn't. That's the best we can offer.

Check Out Our Work

Want to Work With Us?

We take on a limited number of projects each year so we can actually do them justice. If you're looking for sustainable design that's grounded in reality, let's talk.

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