Marcus Pyrocrest
Lead Architect & Founder
Started drawing buildings when I was like 8 years old. My parents thought it was cute. Turns out I never really stopped.
Got my degree from UBC back in 2007, spent a few years working for the big corporate firms downtown. Learned a ton, but honestly? Got tired of designing glass boxes that needed AC running 24/7 just to be livable.
Founded Pyrocrest Born in 2014 with a simple idea - what if buildings could actually help the environment instead of just... existing in it? Wild concept, right?
Credentials & Stuff
- ✓ AIBC Registered Architect
- ✓ LEED AP BD+C Certified
- ✓ Passive House Designer
- ✓ B.Arch, University of British Columbia
- ✓ 18+ years in the field
Our crew's grown to 12 talented folks - architects, designers, project managers who actually care about what we're building and why.
Our Journey
The Beginning
Started in a tiny office on Commercial Drive with just me, one intern, and way too much coffee. First project was a 1200 sq ft residential addition. The clients trusted us to try some experimental passive cooling techniques. It worked. They told their friends. Things kinda snowballed from there.
First Commercial Win
Landed our first big commercial gig - a 12,000 sq ft office building in Gastown. Client wanted LEED Gold minimum. We delivered Platinum. That project put us on the map with the commercial crowd. Suddenly we weren't just "those residential eco-nerds" anymore.
Moving On Up
Outgrew the Commercial Drive spot. Moved to our current digs on West 4th. Team had grown to 7 people by then. Started getting calls from other provinces asking if we'd consult on their sustainable projects. Pretty surreal, honestly.
Heritage Meets Modern
Got asked to restore a 1920s heritage building in Kerrisdale while bringing it up to modern energy standards. That was... challenging. But we figured it out. Now heritage restoration's become one of our specialties. There's something really satisfying about keeping old buildings alive instead of tearing 'em down.
Urban Planning Expansion
Started working with the City on some neighborhood development plans. Realized we couldn't just design individual buildings anymore - gotta think about the whole community, the transit connections, green spaces, all of it. Added urban planning consultation to our services. It's been a game-changer for how we approach projects.
Today & Tomorrow
We're 12 people strong now. Working on everything from single-family homes to mixed-use developments. Every project's different, but they all share that same core idea from day one - buildings should work with nature, not against it. Still learning, still experimenting, still trying to push what's possible with sustainable design.
Climate's not getting any friendlier out there. We've got work to do.