What gh3* does

gh3* is a Toronto-based architecture and landscape architecture firm founded in 2005, operating as an integrated practice that designs buildings, parks, public spaces, and infrastructure across Canada. The firm serves three primary client segments: Canadian municipal governments (City of Edmonton, Toronto, Hamilton, Barrie, Mississauga), educational institutions (University of Toronto, York University), and real estate developers (Collecdev, Tridel, Choice Properties REIT, Metropia), with secondary work in private residential and hospitality. Its portfolio exceeds 100 projects and includes civic landmarks such as Borden Park Pavilion, O-day'min Park, the Kathleen Andrews Transit Garage, and Eglinton Crosstown LRT stations. Distinct technical capabilities include mass timber hybrid construction (CLT, glulam), Net Zero Energy parametric design with sub-139 EUI targets, and a proprietary Natural Swimming Experience ecosystem that delivered the first chemical-free public outdoor pool in North America.

The firm generates revenue through professional services fees structured as a percentage of construction cost or fixed project fees across schematic design, design development, construction documents, and contract administration phases. Its go-to-market is sales-led, relying primarily on winning open design competitions, direct RFP responses to government/institutional clients, and repeat engagements with developer clients. Marketing is brand-driven: the firm leverages a portfolio website, architectural press coverage (ArchDaily, Dezeen, Azure), social media (@gh3architects), and an unusually dense track record of awards — including two Governor General's Medals in Architecture (2018, 2026), the RAIC Gold Medal for founding principal Pat Hanson (2026), and multiple Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence.

The firm operates from a single Toronto headquarters at 55 Ossington Ave with 11-50 employees, serving clients primarily in Ontario and Alberta with occasional international projects (Paris, Moscow, Fogo Island). It is privately held by its founding partners with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional investors. As a professional services firm, gh3* monetizes design excellence and competition-winning capability rather than productized technology, making reputational capital (awards, principal recognition, competition wins) its primary economic asset.

Name

gh3*

Legal name

gh3*

Website

https://gh3.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Toronto-based architecture and landscape architecture firm providing sustainable design services across civic, residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors for Canadian municipal governments, universities, and real estate developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mass Timber & Structural Engineered Wood (CLT, Glulam, NLT/DLT) (IMADADAC)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Landscape architecture
• Sustainable building design
• Mass timber construction
• Civic architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Fees for architectural and landscape architectural design services on residential, commercial, civic, and infrastructure projects. Revenue is project-based, typically structured as a percentage of construction cost or fixed fee per project phase (schematic design, design development, construction documents, contract administration). Mixed project portfolio spanning private residential to large public infrastructure commissions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

gh3* is a Toronto-based architecture and landscape architecture firm providing full-service design for residential, commercial, civic, institutional, and infrastructure projects across Canada. The practice is distinguished by expertise in sustainable architecture, including mass timber hybrid construction, Net Zero Energy building design, and innovative landscape and public-realm work such as the Borden Park Natural Swimming Experience. Projects are delivered through schematic design, design development, construction documents, and contract administration phases, won primarily through open design competitions and direct commissions.

Product overview

gh3* is an architecture and landscape architecture firm operating as a single, unified practice rather than a platform with separate modules. The firm offers a comprehensive portfolio of architectural and landscape design services organized into distinct project typologies: Public Architecture (pavilions, community centres), Landscape Architecture (parks, public realm), Residential Architecture (houses, condominiums, rental buildings), Commercial Architecture (hotels, restaurants), Infrastructure Design (transit, civil works), Mass Timber Construction, Sustainable/Net-Zero Design, Urban Design (master planning), Heritage Restoration, and Interior Design. Projects range from small-scale pavilions and houses to large residential towers, transit infrastructure, and urban master plans, with a focus on sustainable, award-winning design across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Architecture Design and delivery of public buildings and civic spaces including pavilions, community centres, and civic infrastructure for government and institutional clients.
• Landscape Architecture Design of parks, public realm, plazas, and urban outdoor spaces integrating ecological and recreational programming for municipalities and developers.
• Residential Architecture Design of houses, condominiums, rental buildings, and large residential developments from single-family homes to high-rise towers for developers and private clients.
• Commercial Architecture Design of commercial buildings, hotels, restaurants, and mixed-use developments for hospitality and commercial operators.
• Infrastructure Design Transit stations, garages and shelters, rail infrastructure, and civil/environmental structures including sustainable wastewater and stormwater facilities.
• Mass Timber Construction Design Structural and architectural design using cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam, and other engineered wood systems for sustainable buildings and parking infrastructure.
• Sustainable / Net-Zero Energy Design Net-zero energy buildings, zero-emission facilities, and environmentally sustainable design approaches including parametric envelope optimization and embodied carbon reduction.
• Urban Design and Master Planning Master planning, civic precinct design, and large-scale urban regeneration projects for municipalities and developers.
• Heritage Restoration Adaptive reuse, restoration, and conservation of heritage buildings and cultural landmarks for institutional and private clients.
• Interior Design Interior architecture and space planning for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects including restaurants, hotels, and residences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple Governor General's Medals in Architecture (Canada's highest architectural honour) — for Borden Park Pavilion (2018) and O-day'min Park and Pavilion (2026)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA): Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm known for civic, recreational, and institutional projects. Directly comparable in scale, geography, and pursuit of community-oriented public architecture with sustainability goals.
• Shim-Sutcliffe Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm with award-winning residential, institutional, and civic work. Comparable to gh3* in design-excellence reputation, pursuit of architectural awards, and integrated landscape-architecture approach.
• B+H Architects: Toronto-headquartered global architecture firm with strong healthcare, hospitality, and mixed-use portfolios. Comparable to gh3* as a Canadian-rooted design firm pursuing international projects and complex multi-sector commissions.
• Diamond Schmitt Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm with a strong civic, institutional, and cultural portfolio including major transit and university projects. Directly comparable as a mid-to-large Canadian peer competing for the same government and developer commissions as gh3*.
• Teeple Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm recognized for sustainable design and award-winning civic and institutional buildings. Closely comparable to gh3* in design philosophy, sustainability focus, and Toronto civic portfolio.
• DIALOG: Canadian architecture, engineering, and urban design practice with integrated design capabilities across civic, healthcare, education, and residential projects. Comparable to gh3* in civic focus and Canadian geography, though broader in technical scope.
• Moriyama & Teshima Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm with a long-standing civic, institutional, and cultural portfolio. Comparable in geography, client mix (municipalities and universities), and pursuit of design excellence awards.
• Michael Green Architecture: Vancouver-based Canadian architecture firm specializing in mass timber and tall wood buildings. Closest direct comparable to gh3*'s mass timber expertise and sustainability positioning, with similar pursuit of engineered-wood innovation and civic commissions.
• KPMB Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm with recognized leadership in sustainable design and civic/institutional work. Highly comparable to gh3* in scale, geography, sustainability focus, and pursuit of academic, cultural, and public-sector commissions.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Large global architecture firm with a strong sustainability practice and significant Canadian presence. Competes with gh3* for civic and institutional commissions but operates at much greater scale with a broader portfolio across healthcare, education, and commercial sectors.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gh3architects
• Facebookfacebook.com/gh3architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/gh3architects/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gh3

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about gh3*