Kohn Shnier architects

I've worked with John and Marty on numerous projects over the past 10 years and highly recommend their services. Their lateral and quick thinking always offers multiple solutions when navigating through the winding path of a considered and cleverly designed / built product. This often includes the rethinking of everyday building materials and / or pushing the envelope with new ones. The final result is always a smart and beautiful building.

We had the pleasure of being selected to build a custom contemporary home for a client of Kohn Shnier Architect. Our goal was to execute the vision of the firm and the client whom were consummate professionals through-out the entire process. Their vision and foresight is unmatched in my 30+ years of building. Their design is both artistic and functional. We thank you for the opportunity and look forward to a long mutually rewarding relationship.

I had the pleasure of working with the Kohn Shnier team on a project recently in Toronto. While I am always weary of working with people for the first time and not knowing what to expect, this was a project where I can say I would gladly work with this team again. It's nice to work with Architects who have incredible vision and can help execute their vision in an efficient manner, while simultaneously being accommodating to any changes or ideas from outside sources. I look forward to working with them again on future projects.

We retained Martin Kohn of Kohn Shnier architects to assist us with converting our old Toronto detached home into the modern urban family home we desired. We had seen his home in a couple of publications and were interested in something similar-- particularly a main side entrance. This seemed like an ideal way to make the most of our narrow urban lot: 22' ft x 119' ft. He and his associate, Kelly Smith, did a great job. While we originally thought we would renovate, we ultimately decided to teardown and rebuild. This was a better value decision for us. We love our new home. It is space efficient, energy efficient and calming at the same time. Take a look. The home was featured-- unsolicited, in Designlines Magazine (http://designlinesmagazine.com/beside-point/).

I have worked with Kohn-Shnier on over a half dozen projects over many years. Martin, John, and the entire staff are a pleasure and privilege to work with. In my opinion they are a firm of the highest caliber, and their outstanding reputation and long list of awards are all well deserved. Their commitment to outstanding quality is unwavering and their standard in terms of execution of their designs could not be higher.

I have known and admired Kohn Shnier architects’ work for many years, so when the time came to rebuild and transform an old storefront into a single family dwelling, Kohn Shnier was our unequivocal and only choice. Throughout the year-long process, partner Martin Kohn guided us with a firm yet gentle hand. Working within a modest budget, he provided practical advice and sensible solutions, without ever compromising ours, and his, aspirations of a modern, casual and enduring home. Eschewing conspicuous opulence, his design approach is one of restraint, inventiveness and quiet elegance... a subtle luxury that is at once relaxed, refined and honed. We have settled in this house for over a year now, and as the seasons change, we have continued to discover details that thrill and delight us. It is a testament to Martin's commitment to his craft, and to his clients, that he created a house that we cannot wait to return to at day's end.

I have been working with KSa for almost 8 years, and on a variety of projects. KSa designed my house. With the pleasant experience and the excellent end product, KSa was again hired to redesign a series of common areas within the residential apartment towers managed by my company. Their design transformed the interiors of our 60's apartment buildings into modern and functional spaces ready to compete with new condos. Overall, our relationship with KSa as been positive and we continue to employ KSa on many of our 'flagship' buildings.

After reviewing some of their finished projects, KSa was hired to design and oversee a complete renovation of my home in North Toronto. Having now lived in a finished product for over 6 years, I continue to be fully satisfied with the aesthetic and functional aspects of KSas's design. It has been a pleasure to work with the principals of KSa, Martin and John, as well a number of their associates. We have been impressed by the quality of KSa's modern and functional design; their diligent project supervision; as well as their highly organized and pleasant staff.

The house that John Shnier of Kohn Shnier designed for us was our first venture into the design and construction of a completely custom house We had no idea prior to starting how much time and commitment was required to complete this undertaking, but at completion we felt that the effort that we put into it was well spent. We are absolutely delighted with outcome. Working with John was an education in design, and was far more complicated and extensive than we had anticipated. Who knew that there were so many details to consider? We learned a lot about design from John’s rigorous and restrained approach. He limits his palette of materials so that there is a coherent feel that extends throughout the house, and we will never forget his directive that “no part of the house should look impoverished”. He encouraged us, wherever possible, to maintain the same standards of finishing. At no point did we feel that John was in a hurry to complete our project and move on to the next one; on the other hand, he spent no end of time designing, and re-designing, even once construction had begun. His perfectionism is obvious. The house is rich in fine details throughout, and it requires careful observation to observe many of them, unless one is looking specifically. The large windows flood the house with light and bring the outside in so that our yard feels like an extension of the family room which leads to it. We continue to appreciate and enjoy the house after 5 years of occupancy. For us, the house exudes an air of understated luxury and is always a pleasure to return to whenever we have been away. As with any project, its success depends on the planning and we feel that the outcome is exactly as we had envisioned it prior to the commencement of construction. There is nothing that we wish we had done and equally important, nothing that we regret.