who we are

Peter Braithwaite Studio is a multi-disciplinary architecture and design studio that is committed to designing thoughtful and environmentally responsible spaces. With experience working on several scales including single and multi-unit housing, commercial and hospitality, we strive to deliver projects that enrich the occupants’ lives. Since its establishment in 2014, Peter Braithwaite Studio has been a recipient of many awards and honours that have solidified the studio’s reputation as a leading Canadian architecture firm.

Sustainability as design

Energy Modelling and Thermal Envelope Design

Trained in the principals of net-zero and Passivhaus (Passive House), our work consistently exceeds code compliance with regard to thermal design and sustainable features. We choose to challenge the myth that sustainable design and aesthetic beauty are mutually exclusive endeavours, rather, we believe true design excellence is achieved when both exist in harmony.

Ecological Stewardship

We believe the current rate of habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss resulting from anthropogenic activity requires robust and interdisciplinary strategies that extend beyond the building scale. In pursuit of truly sustainable built environments, we view buildings as constituents within an overarching ecological system rather than independent design endeavours. If urban and peri-urban environments are to be successful in improving biodiversity, ecological principles should be better incorporated into design, construction and planning practices. Since our establishment, Peter Braithwaite Studio has explored alternative and novel approaches to project delivery that hold the sensitive integration of buildings within the natural environment as a fundamental guiding principle. These ambitions manifest themselves through exhaustive site studies, detailed construction logistics, vegetation transplant planning, and the application of fundamental ecological principals during all phases of design.

The Importance of Context

Understanding the subtle relationship between place, climate and material culture has defined our firm’s ethos and informed our fundamental design principles. As much an act of observation as an exercise in creation, we aspire to interpret the natural dynamics of each site prior to undertaking the design process. Whether we are working within generous means or humble budgets, our work is expressed through novel forms, contextual material palettes, and rigorous detailing. We aspire to create beautiful yet practical buildings that respect the natural landscape and forge new paths within Canadian architecture. 

Working primarily in Nova Scotia, Canada, where proposed projects tend to lack large budgets or extraordinary resources, our team pursues creative and unique approaches to otherwise ordinary vernacular assemblies. We draw inspiration from the place in which the work resides and strive to create engaging sensory experiences without the requirement of expensive materials or complicated assembles. Ingenuity, efficiency and endurance are representative of our firm’s design approach.

The Dance of Construction

We perceive building as the medium through which design ideas are expressed. With decades of experience within the construction industry as carpenters and contractors, we feel an integrated approach between architect and craftsperson encourages efficiency, quality, and ultimately the preservation of the natural environment. Our interdisciplinary team share the common ambition of exploring the benefits found at the intersection of design and construction. We challenge the notion that design is strictly a precursor to the act of construction. Our team works collaboratively from the initial project concept to the completion of the final building, providing the ability to meticulously monitor the sequencing, procedures, and logistics of construction.