About Us - BlightStormer Architecture Studio

Our Story

Started back in 2012 when three of us got tired of watching Toronto's industrial heritage getting bulldozed for cookie-cutter condos. We figured there had to be a better way - one that respects history while creating spaces people actually want to live and work in.

What began in a cramped office above a coffee shop on Queen West has grown into a team of 18 passionate designers, engineers, and urban planners. We've tackled everything from abandoned warehouses to contaminated brownfields, always asking "what if?" instead of "why bother?"

Sure, adaptive reuse is trendy now, but we've been doing it since before it was cool. And honestly? Every project still excites us like it's our first.

The Team

Elena Morrison

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started her career restoring heritage homes in Cabbagetown, now she's the brain behind our most complex brownfield rehabilitations. Can't stand waste - whether it's materials or potential.

Marcus Chen

Urban Planning Director

Grew up in Regent Park before the revitalization. He gets community development on a personal level that textbooks can't teach. Usually found sketching ideas on napkins during site visits.

Sarah Kowalski

Sustainability Lead

Former environmental engineer who jumped ship to architecture after seeing too many "green" buildings that were anything but. She's our reality check when designs get too ambitious or not ambitious enough.

James Rodriguez

Heritage Conservation Specialist

Obsessed with old buildings since childhood. He can date a brick by looking at it and knows every heritage designation bylaw in Ontario by heart. Basically our secret weapon when dealing with complicated restoration projects.

Priya Sharma

Mixed-Use Design Lead

Believes every building should do double duty. Her designs seamlessly blend residential, commercial, and community spaces without making them feel compartmentalized. Caffeine enthusiast.

Our Journey

From three dreamers to a full studio that's reshaped Toronto's urban landscape.

2012

Founded BlightStormer in a 400 sq ft office. First project was converting an old printing press into artist studios - barely broke even but learned everything we know about dealing with contaminated sites.

2014

Completed the Junction Warehouse transformation - 35,000 sq ft of mixed retail and residential. Won our first architecture award and suddenly people were returning our calls.

2017

Expanded to 12 team members. Started focusing exclusively on urban regeneration projects - turned down more suburban work than we took. Got LEED certification for adaptive reuse specialization.

2020

Pandemic hit but adaptive reuse became more relevant than ever. Completed three major brownfield rehabilitations. Moved to our current studio space - yep, in a converted factory.

2023

Hit 50+ completed projects milestone. Started mentoring younger firms interested in regenerative design. Published our first book on community-centered adaptive reuse - surprisingly it didn't put people to sleep.

2025

Now we're 18 strong with projects across Ontario. Still operating from Queen West because leaving feels like betraying our roots. Currently working on our most ambitious project yet - stay tuned.

Credentials & Recognition

LEED Accredited Professional

CaGBC Member

Heritage Conservation Certified

12+ Industry Awards

Certified B Corporation

Passive House Consultant

How We Work

We're not gonna lie - adaptive reuse is messier than new construction. You never know what you'll find behind those walls. Asbestos? Check. Mystery plumbing from 1923? Absolutely. But that's exactly why we love it.

Every project starts with us walking the site - and we mean really walking it, not just a quick tour. We talk to neighbors, check out local businesses, get a feel for the area's vibe. Then we dig into archives, old photos, building permits from decades ago.

Our design process is collaborative, sometimes painfully so. We bring everyone to the table - residents, business owners, city planners, even the skeptics who think the building should just be demolished. Best ideas often come from unexpected places.

50+

Projects Completed

18

Team Members

13

Years Experience

Ready to Talk About Your Project?

Whether it's a derelict warehouse or a neglected neighborhood, we're always up for a challenge.

Get In Touch