FAQs

THINKING ABOUT BUILDING OR RENOVATING YOUR HOME? HERE ARE SOME COMMON QUESTIONS HOMEOWNERS IN VANCOUVER, NORTH VANCOUVER, WEST VANCOUVER, WHISTLER, AND THE SUNSHINE COAST ARE ASKING US WHEN CONSIDERING A DESIGN FIRM.

Choosing the Right Designer

An Architect is registered with the AIBC and usually specializes in commercial or large-scale projects. A residential designer, on the other hand, may come from a range of educational and professional backgrounds. At Synthesis Design, our team includes designers with Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Engineering. We specialize in residential design — everything from style, floor plans to interior finishes. We create homes that are functional, beautiful, and tailored to your lifestyle, while ensuring they meet municipal bylaws and building codes.

Synthesis Design is an award-winning team with over 30 years of experience in custom homes, renovations, and interior design across the lower mainland, North Shore, Whistler, and the Sunshine Coast. Clients appreciate our transparent process, customer service, innovative design solutions, and collaborative approach. Clients value how we blend modern aesthetics with warmth, functionality, and livability, creating spaces that feel both timeless and tailored to the people who live in them.

Budget & Costs

Process & Timeline

Most projects take 1 to 2 months for the design process; the permitting process varies between different municipal governments, and we usually estimate 2 to 4 months. Depending on complexity, larger homes or projects requiring rezoning or other development permits may take longer. If your project includes interior design, such as kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, or furnishings, we integrate that into the timeline to ensure everything flows seamlessly. We’ll guide you through each step of the timeline, so you always know what to expect.

Services & Styles

Permits & Local Expertise

Trust & Experience

Yes. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations. We’re proud to be multi year finalists for the Western Living Designers of the Year Award. Our designs have also earned accolades from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and the HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence, including recognition for Best Custom Home and Best Whole Home Renovation. These honours celebrate not just our design team, but the builders, tradespeople, and clients who help bring each vision to life. In addition to awards, we have been published in several publications, including Style at Home, Western Living, Canadian Home Trends magazine, Toronto Home, Vancouver Home, and many others stories shared on our NEWS page.

Ready to Talk About Your Project?

Whether you’re building a custom home in North Vancouver, renovating in West Vancouver, creating a mountain retreat in Whistler, or a vacation home on the Sunshine Coast, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.