Marcus Thfield
Founder & Principal Architect
MRAIC, LEED AP BD+C
With over 18 years in the field, Marcus brings a hands-on approach that's rooted in genuine curiosity about how people actually use spaces. He's not big on fancy jargon – just solid design that works.
How We Got Here
Started in a cramped Vancouver office back in 2014, Lumare Thfield wasn't exactly an overnight success story. Marcus had just left a larger firm where everything felt a bit too corporate, a bit too detached from what buildings are really supposed to do – serve the folks who use them every day.
The name itself? "Lumare" loosely translates to "illuminate" in Latin (yeah, we looked it up), combined with the family name. It sounded better than "Thfield & Associates" and actually meant something to us – shedding light on what makes a space truly functional and beautiful.
Those first couple years were rough, honestly. We took on projects that bigger firms wouldn't touch – small residential renovations, community spaces with tight budgets, heritage buildings that needed serious love. But that's where we learned the most. You can't hide behind fancy renderings when you're working with real constraints and real people.
What We're Actually About
We're not gonna pretend we're reinventing architecture here. What we do is listen more than we talk, question assumptions, and push back when something doesn't make sense – even if it's a client's idea. Buildings stick around for decades, so getting it right matters more than keeping everyone happy in the short term.
Sustainability isn't a buzzword for us – it's just common sense. Why wouldn't you design something that costs less to run and doesn't trash the environment? Vancouver's got enough challenges without adding wasteful buildings to the mix.
The Journey So Far
2014 - The Beginning
Started with just Marcus and a part-time intern in a 400 sq ft office. First project was a residential addition in Kitsilano that went way over schedule but taught us everything about managing expectations.
2016 - Finding Our Groove
Brought on Sarah Chen as associate architect. Her background in sustainable systems completely changed how we approached projects. Also moved to a proper office with windows and everything.
2018 - Recognition
Won our first regional design award for a mixed-use project in Gastown. Wasn't expecting it, but the recognition opened doors to larger commercial work. Team grew to eight people.
2020 - Pivot Year
Like everyone else, we figured out remote work pretty quick. Discovered we could actually serve clients better with more flexible arrangements. Started taking on heritage restoration projects that required serious detective work.
2022 - Expanding Focus
Added urban planning consultation to our services after getting frustrated with disconnected development proposals. If you're gonna design buildings, you better understand how they fit into the neighborhood.
2025 - Today
Fifteen people on the team now, working on everything from single-family homes to multi-unit residential and commercial projects across BC. Still learning, still making mistakes, still trying to do better with each project.
Our Approach
We've tried a lot of different ways to work over the years. Here's what's stuck around because it actually makes sense.
Real Conversations
We spend a lot of time just talking – about how you live, work, or want to use a space. Not questionnaires or forms, just actual conversations. You'd be surprised how much gets missed when architects don't ask enough questions.
Context Matters
Every site's got its own story – the neighborhood, the climate, what's already there. We're not dropping cookie-cutter designs everywhere. What works in Yaletown probably won't work in North Van, and that's perfectly fine.
Iteration Over Perfection
First drafts are usually pretty rough, and that's expected. We'd rather show you something early and adjust than spend weeks on a "perfect" design that misses the mark. Better to course-correct quickly than stay committed to a bad idea.
Long-term Thinking
Buildings don't exist in a vacuum – they need maintenance, they consume energy, they age. We design with the next 50 years in mind, not just the ribbon-cutting ceremony. That means durable materials, flexible layouts, and systems that won't bankrupt you to operate.
Want to Work Together?
We're always up for a conversation about potential projects. No pressure, no sales pitch – just an honest chat about whether we're a good fit for what you're trying to accomplish.
Get In Touch