---
title: "Sustain Design Architects Inc. — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sustain-design-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~973162110
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~973162110.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Sustain Design Architects Inc."
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/03b3803a027bfd14_7558-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg
address: "1724 Queen Street, Toronto, Ontario M6R 1B3, Canada"
latitude: 43.6479
longitude: -79.446
phone: "(416) 516-7772"
website: http://altius.net/
rating: 5
review_count: 3
best_of_houzz_awards: 4
followers: 595
last_updated: 2026-09-16
---

# Sustain Design Architects Inc.

Original Houzz profile: [Sustain Design Architects Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sustain-design-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~973162110)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Toronto, ON
- **Serves:** Cottage Country, Ontario, Toronto
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2025), for Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Influencer
- 50,000 Ideabook Saves

Please contact Altius directly for all inquiries!
416-516-7772
www.altius.net

Altius is an award winning full service architecture, interior design and construction management firm. Spearheading environmental project initiatives Altius has a mandate to provide exceptional buildings with a focus on sustainability and continues to move towards a complete, holistic and collaborative approach to building. The firm subscribes to a team based process from the commencement of design where architects, engineers, consultants, constructors and clients come together to achieve something greater than the sum of their individual parts. Comprehensive involvement in the construction management process allows Altius to execute a high level of precision, craft and control of all details within each project.

Aiming to harmonize architecture with the surrounding landscape, the firm designs its projects for minimal impact on the environment. Architectural form emerges from the existing context of each project, as well as the diverse needs of occupants and future generations to come.

Expanding its expertise to include modular buildings, Altius partnered with Sustain Design Studio and together have been developing the miniHome, a world leader in ecological, self-contained, mobile modular housing solutions. As with all Altius projects the primary focus is on passive heating and cooling strategies, while the active systems provide supplemental energy when the passive measures are pushed to the limit. 

Moving forward with extensive experience, the firm has multiple other projects on the boards and several currently under construction. Altius is dedicated to the creation of innovative projects with a commitment to sustainability, designing modern, functional and flexible spaces while providing the highest degree of client service.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Home Remodeling
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Sustainable Design
- Universal Design
- Home Restoration
- Project Management
- Prefab Houses
- 3D Home Design
- Remodeling

### Areas Served

- Cottage Country
- Ontario
- Toronto

### Typical Job Cost

CAD 1,000,000 - CAD 10,000,000

Most of our projects have a construction cost of $400 per square foot and up. Fees for full design services, from conceptual design through to construction review typically range from 10-15% of total construction cost, depending upon the services provided.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Sustain Design Architects Inc. |
| Address | 1724 Queen Street, Toronto, Ontario M6R 1B3, Canada |
| Phone | (416) 516-7772 |
| Website | http://altius.net/ |
| Followers on Houzz | 595 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/AltiusInc
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/AltiusInc
- Blog — https://www.youtube.com/user/AltiusArchitecture

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Sustain Design Architects Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sustain-design-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~973162110)
- **Website:** http://altius.net/
- **Phone:** (416) 516-7772

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- OAA Best Emerging Practice AwardOAA Architectural ExcellenceGreen Toronto: Environmental Award of Excellence – Category Green DesignWoodWorks! Interior Wood Design AwardWoodWorks! Architect Wood Advocate Award

- **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2025), for Design.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews**

### All 3 reviews

**★★★★★ — HU-838501559, March 2019**

> We teamed up with Altius to design our new home. Having built before we wanted an architectural firm this time that we had a good fit with and be able to design this home with our personal lifestyle as the key component. We wanted a simplistic elegant and modern design.  Cathy and Dania were fantastic to work with and were a perfect fit and really understood our vision. We couldn't be happier with our outcome. They were the perfect choice and we enjoy our home each and every day.

**Comment from Sustain Design Architects Inc.:**

> Thank you so much! We enjoyed working with you very much as well.

**★★★★★ — Dino Gliosca, April 2017**

> Graham is not only a very capable and creative architect, but also a very practical minded construction professional that understands how projects are executed in the field.

**★★★★★ — louisec416, Sept. 2015**

> This is the most professional business I have ever dealt with.  They go above and beyond the level of service you would expect.  Their contractors arrive when scheduled and their work is beautiful and high quality.  We have a beautiful kitchen thanks to them.

## Selected projects

- [Lake of Bays Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-of-bays-cottage-pj-vj~6987510)
  - Location: Baysville, ON
  - Photos: 20
  - Description: Situated on a south-facing property on Lake of Bays near Baysville, Ontario, this two-storey home has a walkout basement on the lakeside, and was designed to take in the astonishing views year-round. With teenaged children and a large extended family, they wanted more space to accommodate guests and living areas on each floor for various activities. They also planned to spend more time there when they retired, and needed this flexibility. Their wish list included bedrooms for their children, a g…
- [Leaside House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/leaside-house-pj-vj~6987554)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: This new four-bedroom home satisfies the needs of a family of five and their guests, while incorporating barrier-free design principles and a distinct aesthetic appeal. The house is located in Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood, surrounded by traditional brick bay-and-gable houses. The desire to subtly integrate the building into the existing streetscape resulted in the selection of traditional building materials, such as brick and wood. The contemporary design was emphasized with distinctive grey-…
- [Lakeview in the Beaches](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeview-in-the-beaches-pj-vj~3047375)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: Overlooking Lake Ontario and Kew Gardens in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, this home takes full advantage of its surroundings from its tiny corner lot. Creating a serene oasis for its owners just a few blocks from busy Queen Street East, it feels both urban and cottage-y at the same time. With large windows on the south, east and west, and generous balconies on the west side, indoor spaces flow seamlessly to outdoor spaces, as sunlight fills the 2,760 square foot home throughout the day, while…
- [Grenadier House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grenadier-house-pj-vj~437311)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: With the backyard now a usable green space, this house accommodates a double car port and garage below the main living quarters of the house at the front of the lot, eliminating the need for a lengthy driveway. The garage creates a split level concept, with four stories at the back of the house and three at the front. The main living quarters are slightly elevated above street level, allowing sun into the south facing facade while maintaining privacy within the dwelling. At the rear, the main li…
- [Forest Hill Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forest-hill-residence-pj-vj~1492537)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 15
  - Description: Located in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighbourhood, the design for this 3-storey home was a response to the clients’ desire to create a comfortable, sustainable home for their growing family integrated within the unique conditions of the site. The building was conceived of as consisting of two nesting shells; one heavy, situated closer to the street, one light, facing the backyard. The outer heavy shell, clad in brick, provides a sense of shelter and privacy. The inner light shell, clad in wood, is…
- [Fairy Lake Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fairy-lake-cottage-pj-vj~6988518)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Situated on Fairy Lake, within the town limits of Huntsville, this residence pairs the relaxed lifestyle of Muskoka shoreline-living with the amenities of the largest town in the region. Because of the uniqueness of the site, we approached the design of this project differently from most of our other cottages. The lot is unusually flat and low in contrast to the steep granite topography typical throughout Muskoka. Being within municipal limits, lot size and setbacks are smaller than in more remo…
- [White Fish Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/white-fish-cottage-pj-vj~6991864)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Whitefish Lake Cottage is a compact compound built for two sisters and their young families. On a grandfathered site with tight zoning restrictions, the clients decided to use our in-house prefabrication capabilities to produce a hybrid cottage and solo bunkie. The cottage is part of our hybrid program that uses a combination of prefabricated modules and site-built space. The two modules angle away from each other, opening up towards the lake, and are connected by the living room space that was…
- [Kawartha Lakes Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kawartha-lakes-cottage-pj-vj~6622867)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Situated on a heavily treed, west-facing property on a beautiful lake, this year-round home replaced the family’s original 1950s cottage. Inspired by the idea of a simple sloping plane over a large open living space that flows from inside to outside, the home was designed to connect with the surroundings and take the full measure of views to the lake and forest. Originally conceived as two volumes connected by a breezeway, the home evolved into a two-level residence to meet both zoning requireme…
- [Whalon Bay Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whalon-bay-cottage-pj-vj~6622896)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 22
  - Description: This is a story about what happens when an architect is asked to build a cottage, but doesn’t have a client. “When we were commissioned to design and build this cottage for the open market, we brought 25 years of cottage-building experience to the job,” said Graham Smith, the architect and principal who designed the cottage on Whalon Bay. “Essentially, we designed the cottage as we would have designed it for ourselves, while infusing it with the myriad of successful features from previous, priva…
- [Big Rideau Lake Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/big-rideau-lake-cottage-pj-vj~6622848)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Situated on a west-facing 5.58-acre site on the Rocky Narrows, with over 250 feet of frontage on Big Rideau Lake, this year-round vacation home was designed to be a modern, sustainable cottage that fits into the surrounding landscape. Designed for a professional couple as an escape from the hustle and bustle of Ottawa, it was intended to be a warm, relaxing home with a strong attachment to nature. A large chef’s kitchen and formal dining space were designed to support everyday living. When guest…
- [Rosedale Georgian House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rosedale-georgian-house-pj-vj~6622838)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: This 1900s Georgian home underwent a dramatic transformation to become a comfortable, modern family residence. Respecting the heritage character of the neighbourhood and the architecture of the original home, the front façade was meticulously restored. Windows were replaced with matching triple-pane, double-hung windows and divided lights. Trim and moldings were restored, masonry cleaned, and chimneys rebuilt using brick from the rear of the property. On the inside, however, the home was upgrade…
- [McMaster House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mcmaster-house-pj-vj~6625999)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 17
- [Chandos Lake Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chandos-lake-cottage-pj-vj~3047354)
  - Location: Chandos Lake, ON
  - Photos: 16
  - Description: Situated on the original Chandos Estates property, this cottage replaced an old single-storey cottage that was hidden from view by a large perimeter hedge. The hedge was removed to reveal wonderful views of the lake, and a new home was designed to take advantage of this and connect with the landscaped spaces and the dock on the waterfront. The cottage features large social spaces designed to host the extended family. A spacious kitchen and dining room lead to the screened porch by way of a large…
- [Rosseau Falls Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rosseau-falls-cottage-pj-vj~6622862)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Don Mills Ravine Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/don-mills-ravine-home-pj-vj~5737323)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 8
- [King City House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/king-city-house-pj-vj~6991894)
  - Location: King City, ON
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: Set among the charming pastoral landscape of King township, this renovation is the perfect marriage of home and garden. A contemporary design blended with naturalized landscaping gives the homeowner the benefit of both a modern and rural experience. The original faux-Roman villa was quite different from the modern hilltop retreat existing today. It was an elaborately decorated (circa 1980) house with quirky aesthetics, a problematic layout, no relationship to the view, and numerous structural is…
- [Winnet House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/winnet-house-pj-vj~374640)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: This 3 Bedroom Single Family Residence brought new construction of an open concept to a challenging urban site. The 24′ centrally located double height home brings in natural light, casting dramatic shadows, marking the passage of time during the day whilst acting as a ‘lantern’ at night. When viewed from the street, the living room is projected forwards, while the adjoining bedrooms frame the interior stair core from behind. This staircase is the highest form in the structure and is centrally l…
- [Thorncrest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/thorncrest-house-pj-vj~435014)
  - Location: Toronto, ON
  - Photos: 21
  - Description: This new modern residence accommodates a family of 6 and their guests. Private spaces are arranged to allow for an open concept space with double height living room surrounded by a catwalk. Particular attention was paid to natural daylight exposure at the basement walk-out, easing its transition to grade via a sunken pool, deck and grass terraces. Shading is provided by deep roof overhangs and cantilevered volumes. The homes distinctive blue zinc cladding and spanish cedar accents create a uniqu…
- [Muskoka Modern Prefab](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/muskoka-modern-prefab-pj-vj~6624380)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: This residence was water access only, and was installed from the lake side. There was an existing cottage already on the site, and after consulting with the municipality and using some site sensitivity analysis, we decided to grandfather the location of the existing building. So, after removing the old cottage, we replaced it with this new bunkie on the same site. Given these two conditions—water access only, and not wanting to overly disturb the site—prefab was the obvious building technique. G…
- [Christie Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/christie-beach-house-pj-vj~12953)
  - Location: Christie Beach, ON
  - Photos: 33
  - Description: Design Set on the south shore of Georgian Bay, this residence seeks to harmonize with its surrounding landscape with minimal environmental impact, while accommodating the diverse needs of four generations of occupants. Integration with the site is achieved by setting the building low and shifting floor and roof planes so that it becomes embedded into the landscape. As the elevations shift between the deck, loft, upper patio, green roof and floor levels, intimate moments are created as each space…

[See all 38 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/sustain-design-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~973162110)

## Ideabooks

- [Glenellen Interiors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/145222936/list/glenellen-interiors) — 5 ideas
- [Riverview House Interiors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/143373693/list/riverview-house-interiors) — 1 idea
- [Sanger Island Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/134990637/list/sanger-island-cottage) — 12 ideas
- [Traditional Cottages](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118753284/list/traditional-cottages) — 25 ideas
- [Beach House Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/132572232/list/beach-house-ideas) — 42 ideas
- [Valecrest](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/121787638/list/valecrest) — 63 ideas
- [Walnut with Oak](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/116760086/list/walnut-with-oak) — 9 ideas
- [Bathroom ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22977633/list/bathroom-ideas) — 8 ideas
- [Living](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22977655/list/living) — 14 ideas
- [Additions](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29385126/list/additions) — 6 ideas
- [Fireplaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26862797/list/fireplaces) — 10 ideas
- [Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22977599/list/garden) — 7 ideas
- [Bedrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22977540/list/bedrooms) — 3 ideas
- [Cliff House](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/372950/list/cliff-house) — 5 ideas

[See all 14 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/altius)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Wood species off interior door & trim.** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you tell me the wood species of the interior doors & trim?  Also is there a stain or are they natural?

A: Douglas Fir.

**Q: door manufacture?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Which window,door co.was used?

A: LePage Millwork see: https://www.lepagemillwork.com/en-ca/

**Q: What make/model are the lights?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I am looking for a light like those in the ceiling here.  Can you tell me what they are and where I might find them?  Thanks!
Mary
mcforst@igc.org

A: Sorry I don't know the exact make and model but you can find something similar at Living Lighting (http://products.livinglighting.com/catalog?itemNumVal=&itemNumVal=artcraft+loft&go=Join) or even Home Depot (https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1-light-brushed-pewter-ceiling-mount-clear-glass.1000667813.html)

**Q: Please may you tell me the dimensions of this room? Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It's roughly 12' wide.  The slate tiles are 12" x 24".

**Q: Lighting** *(in Photo Questions)*

Where is the island lighting from?

A: http://www.hansenwholesale.com/lighting/et2/model.asp?Mfg=EC&ModelNo=EC-E23119-18&ItemID=128090

**Q: What decking material was used?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Ipe wood decking

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-16.*