3 Best Residential Architects in Ottawa, ON

Paul and his team are the model of professionalism, honesty, and creativity. Finding an architect who clearly, patiently listens and can then make a rough idea a reality was already a gift. But there is the equally important other side to the coin: Anyone who believes that even a small construction project will be hassle-free, is misguided. The reality is that between your budget and the completed design, there are innumerable supply chains, middle-men, (necessary) building codes, and then the dozens of workers needed to try to pull it all together. Kariouk Architects not only got me to the finish line, they got me there protecting my interests at every step. If you are seeking to work with an extremely original, gifted intellect, with profound integrity, hire Paul.

How lucky we were to find Paul and his team: professionals who are nice, smart and honest, with a sense of humour and love of animals—what more could one ask for when embarking on the design and birthing of a precious project. Paul was thoroughly invested in our plan to build the perfect little cottage on a modest budget. We worked together through many concepts and iterations, using drawings as well as models to develop what turned out to be a unique solution to our list of “must-haves”- especially a loft for our daughter. Chris Davis, one of the firm’s greatest assets, brought a welcome pragmatism to the table by helping to channel ideas into viable options with his easy, personable way. Building projects are rarely problem free and ours was no exception. Paul skillfully guided us over some challenging hurdles. We did not end up with the cottage we had envisioned, but with a superior jewel that speaks to the imagination, effort and energy of Paul and his team.

Paul is amazing and we are lucky that he was our architect, and now our friend. It was serendipity that brought my husband and I together with Paul; we live in Manhattan and found him in by searching for leading architects in Ottawa, which is close to our place in cottage country in the province of Quebec (see the "cross laminated timber (CLT) cottage") on Paul's website). From day one we just all understood each other. His design sensibility is incredible, and he personally took us through various design iterations before we settled on our chosen one. Given our back and forth life between NYC and Canada, Paul was always available, day and night, for us to ask questions, propose new innovations, and deal with inevitabilities that come up after construction started. He found us an amazing GC and Paul stayed with the project to the very end to make sure everything was perfect. The consummate psychologist, Paul's honesty, candor and creativity led us to a very happy place. We love our CLT summer home and are so pleased with the material due to it's sustainability, it's amazing R factor (perfect temps in heat and cold because the house is so well sealed) and it's design. I can't speak highly enough of Paul and his team and for the vision that created our forever summer home.

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