Who We Are

A tight-knit crew that's been reshaping Vancouver's architectural landscape since 2012

Look, we didn't start EmberFall to be just another design firm churning out glass boxes. We got together because honestly, we were tired of seeing the same cookie-cutter approaches to building design. There's this sweet spot between what looks good, what works for people, and what doesn't wreck the planet - and that's where we live.

Over the years, we've learned that the best projects happen when clients actually feel heard. We're not here to impose some signature style on every job. Instead, we dig into what you really need, what the site's telling us, and how we can make something that'll age well - both in function and aesthetics.

The Founding Team

Sarah Chen

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started out doing commercial high-rises in Toronto, but honestly? I got burned out by projects that prioritized square footage over actual human experience. Moved west in 2010 and haven't looked back.

Philosophy: Buildings should respond to their context, not fight it. I'm big on passive design strategies that actually work without fancy tech band-aids.

Marcus Okafor

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Spent my early career doing residential work that looked good in magazines but made zero sense for how people actually live. That disconnect always bugged me, so I decided to do something about it.

Philosophy: Good design isn't about showing off - it's about making spaces that feel right. I'm all about materiality that ages gracefully and details that you notice without them screaming at you.

Elena Rodriguez

Sustainability Director & Partner

Joined the team in 2014 after getting pretty disillusioned with greenwashing in the industry. If I see one more "eco-friendly" building that's just a regular building with solar panels slapped on, I might lose it.

Philosophy: Real sustainability isn't about certifications - it's baked into every decision from day one. I push for designs that'll still make sense in 50 years, not just next quarter.

David Park

Urban Design Lead & Partner

Came on board in 2016 after years in municipal planning. Got tired of seeing decent projects get watered down by bureaucracy and communities getting steamrolled by development.

Philosophy: Buildings don't exist in a vacuum - they're part of neighborhoods, streets, and communities. I'm focused on how our work fits into the larger urban fabric and actually contributes something meaningful.

Our Approach

We're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers. Every project teaches us something new, and we're cool with that. What we do bring is genuine curiosity about how spaces affect people, a solid understanding of building science, and enough experience to know when to push boundaries and when to respect them.

The team's grown since we started - we've got about 15 people now - but we've kept that same collaborative vibe. No egos, no rigid hierarchies, just folks who care about doing good work and learning from each other.

What Drives Us

Creating spaces that actually enhance how people live and work
Pushing for better building practices that don't cost the earth
Being straight with clients about what's possible and what's not
Learning from every project, even the challenging ones
Contributing positively to Vancouver's evolving character

Let's Talk About Your Project

We're always up for a conversation about new projects, whether it's a complete build or just bouncing around ideas

Get In Touch