ThinkGiraffeCONSTRUCTION CONNECTIONS SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AUTOCAD DRAWINGS Without great builders design will remain just lines on paper. Our close partnership with selected contractors minimizes the risk homeowners take. We only recommend builders and suppliers with high ethical and workmanship standards who are current with new construction technology. thinkGiraffe mediates the relationship between you and the construction team. We prepare documentation to ensure accurate estimates, negotiate estimates and pricing, prepare fixture and finish schedules, do site inspections and issue contractor invoices only if completed work meets high standards. We take any concerns you might have to the contractor on your behalf. Only contractors with high ethical and workmanship standards are comfortable with this level of transparency and designer-contractor teamwork. |
Tel (905) 304-1496 thinkgiraffe@bellnet.ca |
LOCATIONDesign Studio located in Ancaster, Ontario Geographical areas served:
Cottage Areas in:
BIOGRAPHYBuilding entire towns on our pile of sand set the stage for my brother Jean, now an architect, and my careers. Almost all our childhood play involved lego, building houses from overturned chairs and blankets and playing in our sand pile. After having worked in the field of Environmental Psychology for two years I applied to the Environmental Design Program at the Ontario College of Art and Design. It was 1989 and my husband and I were twenty somethings having just emigrated to Canada from South Africa. I always liked working with building plans, architects and engineers during my short stint as an Environmental Researcher and I thought the move to a new country might be the best excuse to change my career path. One of the requirements during the interview process was to write an essay on why I should be a designer. Having come from a very academic girls high school and equally cerebral university program, I had no background in the arts and a limited portfolio. So I wrote an essay on childhood play. I was accepted. During the next few years at OCAD every pre-conceived notion on what space should be like would be shaken. The program taught me to approach each project with a totally open mind. I graduated in the middle of the early 1990's recession and decided to… start my own business called Lombard Design. I am still grateful to so many clients who gave my the opportunity to design my first large office space, first cottage, first addition. By the late 1990's I was acting as contractor with my own crew of selected subcontractors. With two small boys life was too busy and by 2003 I decided to solely focus on design. I spent a year working on larger commercial projects for Elemental Design in Waterloo. Eventually the entrepreneurial pull became too strong and I re-invented Lombard Design as thinkGiraffe. After more than a decade in the design and construction field, I have come to the conclusion that without good contractors, design becomes meaningless. I forged joint venture relationships with construction firms that I felt could really express thinkGiraffe's values of respect for the client, ethics and high standards of workmanship. thinkGiraffe today strives to break new ground. We want to re-invent the client - designer -contractor relationship. And above all we believe; think tall, think outside the box. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
thinkGiraffe is registered under Section 2.17 of the Ontario Building Code to prepare permit drawings for small buildings and houses PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONSARIDO (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario) based in Toronto NCIDQ (National Committee for Interior Design Qualification) based in Washington, DC BCIN (Building Code Identification number) issued by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of the Province of Ontario under Bill 124 SAMPLE PROJECTHorak Residence, Brant County. This 1,700 sq. ft. ICF, passive solar home with in-floor solar sourced heating has been designed in close partnership with the clients to be virtually energy cost free. Contact us for more information on the many options there are during a renovation or new construction to "go green". TESTIMONIALS"Because of the terrific crew you (recommended) the whole renovation was almost stress free". "Thank you for holding it all together". "Every problem is approached as a design challenge. It is a delightful experience." "We never would have thought of that…" "…we've been just bowled over by the glowing recommendations from your clients." "…we feel so comfortable working with you." "…with the details you are considering… the house is going to be beautiful!" "We received your plans with great delight and praise." "Thanks for today's meeting. You are doing great work." "…thank you for taking that risk; (it) made all of this possible…" "I would be more than pleased to recommend your services." "I cannot thank you enough for your encouragement, support and ability to be hopeful when things seemed doomed." "Thank you for being patient with us… moi particularly" "thanks… for helping me with this crucial part of my life". "I continue to be amazed at your creativity…" "…thanks for all your attention to detail - there is no way we could have done this on your own." "The transformation of the building has been an unqualified success and it would not have been possible without you". "You have given so much of your heart, passion and energy (and) I will never forget this." "We just read the article about you in the Spectator this morning. The description of how you care about your customers is very accurate…" The above quotes are taken from unsolicited e-mails and notes from thinkgiraffe clients and are available for verification. |
ThinkGiraffe |
Tel (905) 304-1496 thinkgiraffe@bellnet.ca |