Meet the Team
We're not your typical suit-and-tie firm. Just a bunch of design nerds who happen to be really good at what we do.
Marcus Chen
Founding Principal
M.Arch, LEED AP BD+CStarted this thing back in 2012 with a laptop and way too much coffee. Twenty years in the game, and I still get excited about a good floor plan. Trained in Copenhagen, but Vancouver's where my heart's at. When I'm not sketching, you'll find me mountain biking or arguing about concrete mix designs.
Sarah Kowalski
Design Director
M.Arch, RAICThe one who makes sure our buildings don't just work on paper. Spent five years doing heritage work before joining us in 2015, which explains why I'm obsessed with details everyone else ignores. Pretty sure I've measured every heritage building in Gastown at this point. Also the team's resident plant mom – our office has never looked greener.
David Okafor
Sustainability Lead
M.Sc Environmental Design, LEED FellowJoined us in 2018 because, in his words, "you guys actually give a damn about the planet." He's not wrong. Dave's the reason we're hitting net-zero targets while other firms are still figuring out basic energy modeling. Previously worked on some massive green projects in Toronto. Runs ultra-marathons for fun, which tells you everything about his dedication levels.
Amélie Dubois
Senior Project Architect
M.Arch, OAAMontreal-trained, Vancouver-based, and somehow fluent in both building codes and contractor-speak. Been with us since 2019 and honestly don't know how we survived before her. She's the one who keeps projects on track when clients decide they want to change everything three weeks before permits are due. Makes a mean espresso too.
Plus Our Extended Crew
We've got twelve more talented folks on the team – junior architects, interns fresh out of school with wild ideas, BIM specialists who speak Revit better than English, and admin staff who somehow keep this circus organized. Everyone here brings something different to the table, which is kinda the point.
Our Story
Look, we're not gonna feed you some polished origin story about "passion meeting purpose" or whatever. Truth is, Onyx of Valorix started because Marcus got fed up working for firms that treated sustainability like a checkbox exercise. In 2012, he rented a tiny office above a noodle shop on Granville and started taking on projects that bigger firms wouldn't touch – adaptive reuse stuff, experimental green builds, clients with more vision than budget.
The name? That's actually a funny story. "Onyx" was Marcus's childhood cat, and "Valorix" was something that sounded cool after three beers. We've tried to come up with better explanations for clients, but honestly, that's it.
Fast forward thirteen years, and somehow we've grown into this thing. We've designed everything from passive house residential towers to net-zero office complexes. Won a few awards we're proud of. Built a team that actually enjoys coming to work most days. And we're still operating by the same principle – if it's not making buildings better for people AND the planet, we're not interested.
How We Got Here
2012 - The Beginning
One architect, one dream, one very optimistic business plan. First project was a residential renovation that turned into a full gut-and-rebuild. Client loved it, we nearly went broke, learned a ton.
2014 - Breaking Through
Landed our first commercial project – a boutique hotel in Yaletown. Press called it "refreshingly bold." Contractors called it complicated. Both were right. Started getting calls from developers who wanted "something different."
2016 - Growing Pains
Hired our first three team members. Moved into an actual office with windows and everything. Started specializing in sustainable commercial work because that's where the interesting problems were. Also learned that managing people is way harder than designing buildings.
2019 - Recognition
Won our first major award for the Harbour Green mixed-use complex. Suddenly we were the "sustainable design experts." Started getting invited to speak at conferences and stuff. Tried not to let it go to our heads. Mostly succeeded.
2021 - Pandemic Pivot
Like everyone else, figured out remote work real quick. But also saw an opportunity – people suddenly cared about indoor air quality and flexible spaces. Developed some new approaches to adaptive commercial design that we're still using today.
2023 - Net Zero Commitment
Decided we'd only take on projects targeting net-zero or better. Lost some clients, gained others who shared the vision. Best business decision we've made. Our portfolio now represents over 50,000 square meters of net-zero construction.
2025 - Today
Sixteen team members, dozens of completed projects, and we're just getting started. Working on our most ambitious projects yet – including a mass timber residential tower that's gonna turn some heads. Still in that same spirit of doing work that matters, just with better coffee now.
What We Actually Stand For
Sustainability Isn't Optional
Every project we touch has to make environmental sense. Not just LEED paperwork – actual, measurable impact. We model everything, question everything, and won't sign off on designs that don't move the needle.
People Use Buildings
Sounds obvious, right? But you'd be surprised how many architects forget this. We design for actual humans – how they move, work, live. Beautiful photos are nice. Buildings that improve people's daily lives? That's the goal.
Context Matters
We're not about slapping the same design template everywhere. Vancouver's different from Toronto, downtown's different from suburbs, heritage districts need different thinking than new developments. Our work reflects where it lives.
Honesty Over Hype
We'll tell you when your idea won't work. We'll explain why budgets matter. We'll admit when we don't know something. The construction industry has enough BS already – we're trying to do better.
Want to Work Together?
We're always up for interesting projects and good conversations. Let's see if we're a good fit.
Get In Touch