Elena Kovač

Principal Architect & Founder

RAIC, LEED AP BD+C

15+ Years Experience

Our Story

We're not your typical studio

Started in 2010 with a simple belief - buildings shouldn't cost the earth. Literally.

Look, I'd spent years at big firms watching projects prioritize budget sheets over what actually matters. Got tired of designing buildings that'd be energy vampires for decades. So I took the leap and started Glaive Valor in my cramped Queen West apartment with two other architects who felt the same way.

We're based in Toronto but we've done work across Ontario and into BC. What drives us? Creating spaces that don't compromise - ones that look incredible, function beautifully, and actually help rather than hurt the environment. Sounds idealistic maybe, but we've proven it works time and again.

Our team's grown to 12 now - architects, designers, sustainability consultants who genuinely care about this stuff. We're not chasing awards (though we've gotten a few). We're chasing that moment when a client walks into their finished space and realizes we understood exactly what they needed, sometimes before they did.

Every project teaches us something new. That's what keeps it interesting after all these years.

150+

Projects Completed

87%

LEED Certified Builds

12

Team Members

Our Journey

Milestones that shaped us

Every project's been a learning curve, but some really changed how we approach design.

2010

Started in a 600 sq ft apartment

Three architects, one shared desk, and way too much coffee. Our first project was a small residential renovation that almost broke us - but taught us everything about attention to detail.

2013

First commercial breakthrough

Landed the Riverside Tech Campus project - 45,000 sq ft of sustainable office space. This one put us on the map. LEED Gold certified and came in under budget, which honestly surprised everyone including us.

2016

Moved to Queen West studio

Finally got a proper office space. Restored a 1920s heritage building and made it our home. Team grew to 8. Started taking on multiple projects simultaneously without losing our minds.

2019

Ontario Architecture Award

The Greenwood Residential Complex won big - recognized for innovation in sustainable multi-unit housing. That validation meant more to the team than I'd expected. Clients started seeking us out specifically for eco-conscious design.

2022

Expanded to BC projects

Took on our first Vancouver project - a mixed-use development that pushed our sustainable design philosophy even further. Working across provinces taught us how to adapt our approach to different climates and regulations.

2025

Still evolving, still learning

We're now 12 people strong, working on everything from heritage restorations to cutting-edge net-zero buildings. Every project still feels like we're proving something - that good design and environmental responsibility aren't mutually exclusive.

Our Philosophy

Design that doesn't cost the earth

We're pretty straightforward about what we do. Every building we design needs to tick three boxes: it's gotta look great, work perfectly for the people using it, and have minimal environmental impact. Miss one of those and we haven't done our job.

Sustainability isn't a buzzword here - it's literally how we start every conversation. What materials make sense? How can we maximize natural light? Where's the energy waste hiding? These questions come before we even think about aesthetics.

But here's the thing - we're not precious about our designs. Architecture serves people, not the other way around. We listen more than we talk during client meetings because you know your needs better than we ever will. Our job's translating that into spaces that work.

See Our Work