What makes Stone's Throw Design Inc a sustainable architecture firm?
Stone’s Throw Design Inc. specializes in low-energy, natural residential architecture. Guided by building science and a deep respect for natural systems, we create homes that balance beauty, performance, and sustainability.
Our full-service firm works collaboratively with clients and consultants to deliver cost-effective, energy-smart designs that stand the test of time. Through an integrated design process, we tailor every project to its environment, ensuring that each solution reflects both craftsmanship and conscience.
Our Philosophy is
Conservation over Technology
Longevity over Fashion.
With over 35 years of experience, Stone’s Throw Design Inc. has guided projects of every scale and challenge across Ontario — successfully navigating the complexities of design, approvals, and construction in a multitude of jurisdictions. We’ve faced nearly every hurdle imaginable in the architectural realm and know how to move projects from vision to reality.
We do the legwork — the research, the coordination, the applications, the hearings, and the approvals — so our clients don’t have to. We assemble and guide the right team, work hand-in-hand with exceptional environmental builders, and provide comprehensive architectural and permit drawings that make green building easy.
Our team is tenacious and passionate about every stage of the process. We advocate relentlessly for our clients, pursuing permits and city approvals with persistence and integrity. Whether it’s calling chief building inspectors or even mayors to get projects moving, we don’t stop until the job is done.
Our track record speaks for itself:
First two-storey strawbale house permitted in downtown Toronto.
First insulated rammed earth home permitted in Ontario.
100% success rate in minor variance hearings for over a decade.
We design with intention — making every square metre count. We understand that each space carries both a monetary and environmental cost, and we use our problem-solving expertise to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. Whenever possible, we find creative solutions within the existing footprint, saving our clients from unnecessary additions and construction costs.
Our foundation in building science and natural material design means every project is healthier, more comfortable, and more efficient. We prioritize natural light, non-toxic materials, and energy performance to create spaces that are clean, enduring, and sustainable.
At Stone’s Throw Design, we combine pragmatism with passion, experience with innovation, and technical skill with a deep respect for nature — turning even the most complex projects into simple, successful realities.
At Stone’s Throw Design Inc., our clients share a passion for thoughtful, sustainable living. We work with people and organizations who value design that respects natural systems, minimizes energy use, and enhances everyday life.
Environmentally Conscious Homeowners
We design for homeowners across Ontario—primarily within two hours of Toronto and the Muskoka region—who want homes that embody their environmental values. Whether it’s a low-energy new build or a natural material showcase, these clients seek design excellence with integrity. We’ve proudly stretched our service area for exceptional green projects such as a rammed earth home in Kempenfelt and affordable CLT housing for the Pic Mobert First Nation near Wawa.
Homeowners Improving Existing Homes
Many of our clients love their neighbourhoods but want to live more comfortably and efficiently. We provide deep energy retrofits and well-integrated additions that improve livability, performance, and long-term resilience—reducing both energy costs and environmental impact.
Collaborative Homeowners Exploring Shared Living
We assist couples, families, and friends who want to create more attainable, flexible housing by developing multiple dwelling units on existing properties. From garden suites and secondary units to lot severances and multi-family conversions, we guide clients through design, zoning, and the approvals process to turn underused spaces into vibrant, multi-generational communities.
Small Business and Community Projects
Our approach also supports small businesses and organizations with creative, sustainable commercial solutions. Past projects include a large yoga studio and the retrofit of a four-storey government building into a STEM school—each demonstrating how good design can breathe new life into existing structures.
Our ideal client values design that is both practical and principled.
They are curious, open-minded, and willing to invest in quality and longevity over short-term trends. They see their home or building as a reflection of their environmental responsibility and personal values, and they choose Stone’s Throw Design because they trust our ability to merge building science with natural design—creating spaces that are efficient, enduring, and inspiring.
How can I navigate the overwhelming complexity of sustainable building?
Many homeowners dream of a home that is beautiful, natural, durable, and energy-efficient, but quickly become overwhelmed by the maze of decisions, technologies, and regulations involved in sustainable design and construction.
Stone’s Throw Design simplifies the process through integrated design — guiding clients from concept to completion with clarity, collaboration, and expertise in both building science and natural materials.
Am I stuck living in an uncomfortable, inefficient home?
Clients are often frustrated by drafty, poorly insulated houses that waste energy and feel uncomfortable year-round. Spaces may feel awkward or outdated, and energy bills keep rising.
We diagnose performance issues and design deep energy retrofits and thoughtful additions that dramatically improve comfort, flow, and efficiency — transforming existing homes into resilient, low-energy dwellings.
How can I have a healthier living environment in my home?
People are increasingly aware that indoor environments affect their health — from air quality to natural light to the materials around them — but they don’t know where to start.
We create homes built with non-toxic, breathable, and natural materials that promote well-being and connection to nature — making healthy living effortless, not complicated.
How do I navigate all the Greenwashing?
With so much conflicting information about sustainability, clients feel uncertain about what’s truly effective versus what’s just marketing.
We translate complex building science into practical, cost-effective strategies, helping clients make informed choices that align with their values and budgets.
Is sustainable design more expensive?
Many clients fear that sustainable or natural design will be too expensive or too unconventional for their needs.
We demonstrate that high performance and beauty can coexist within real-world budgets — prioritizing conservation over technology and longevity over fashion.
