Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 21, 2025

Introduction

Look, we get it - nobody really enjoys reading privacy policies. But we're architects, not lawyers, so we've tried to keep this as straightforward as possible. At Lumare Thfield Architecture, we take your privacy seriously because trust matters in our business. Whether you're reaching out about a residential project or just browsing our portfolio, here's the real deal on how we handle your information.

This policy applies to all interactions with our firm - through our website, email correspondence, phone calls, or when you walk through our doors at our Vancouver office. We're committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with Canadian privacy laws, including PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

Information We Collect

We're not in the business of collecting unnecessary data. Here's what we actually need and why:

Personal Information You Give Us

When you reach out through our contact form, email us, or call about a project, we'll collect basics like your name, email address, phone number, and whatever details you share about your project. If you're a client, we'll need more - property addresses, budget ranges, timeline expectations - the stuff that helps us design spaces that actually work for you.

Automatically Collected Data

Our website uses standard tech to gather some info automatically - IP addresses, browser types, which pages you visit, how long you hang around. Nothing creepy, just the usual analytics that help us understand if our portfolio is loading properly or if our sustainability page is resonating with visitors.

Project-Related Information

During active projects, we'll collect and maintain technical documentation, site photos, design preferences, and correspondence. This stuff stays in our project files because it's essential for delivering quality architectural services and maintaining proper records.

How We Use Your Information

We're pretty straightforward about this:

  • Project Delivery: The main reason - to design your space, coordinate with contractors, handle permits, and see your project through from concept to completion.
  • Communication: To respond to inquiries, send project updates, share design revisions, and keep you in the loop on what's happening with your build.
  • Legal Obligations: Maintaining records for regulatory compliance, professional liability insurance, and meeting our obligations under various building codes and architectural standards.
  • Service Improvement: Understanding what types of projects interest people helps us showcase relevant work and improve our services.
  • Occasional Updates: If you've worked with us or expressed interest, we might send occasional updates about our firm - but we're not gonna spam you. We're too busy designing buildings.

Information Sharing

We don't sell your data - that's not our business model. But architectural projects involve collaboration, so here's who might see your information:

Project Partners

Engineers, contractors, consultants, municipal authorities - the team needed to bring a project to life. Everyone's bound by professional standards and confidentiality agreements.

Service Providers

Our website hosting company, email service, cloud storage for project files, accounting software - the digital infrastructure that keeps a modern architecture firm running. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.

Legal Requirements

If we're legally required to disclose information - court orders, regulatory investigations, that sort of thing - we'll comply. We'd also share info if necessary to protect someone's safety or our legal rights.

Portfolio Use

We love showcasing our work, but we always ask permission before featuring a project publicly. If you'd rather keep your project private, that's totally cool - just let us know.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Yeah, our website uses cookies - not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. Here's the breakdown:

Essential Cookies: These keep the site functioning properly - remembering your session, maintaining security, basic stuff that makes the website work.

Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how people use our site. Which projects get the most views? Are mobile visitors having trouble? This helps us improve the experience.

Your Control: Most browsers let you refuse cookies, though some parts of the site might not work as smoothly. You can usually find these settings in your browser preferences.

Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information - encrypted connections, secure servers, limited access to sensitive data within our team. Our project files are backed up regularly and stored securely.

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but we can't guarantee absolute security - that'd be dishonest. What we can promise is that we'll notify you promptly if there's ever a breach affecting your data, as required by law.

Physical documents are kept in locked cabinets at our Vancouver office. Digital files are password-protected and encrypted. We maintain these security practices throughout a project's lifecycle and for the required retention period afterward.

Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got several rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.
  • Deletion: You can request we delete your information, subject to legal and professional retention requirements (we've gotta keep some project records for liability purposes).
  • Withdrawal of Consent: You can withdraw consent for certain uses of your data, though this might affect our ability to provide services.
  • Complaint: If you're unhappy with how we've handled your data, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, just reach out to us using the contact info below. We'll respond within 30 days, as required by law.

Data Retention

We keep your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. For active clients, that means the duration of your project plus our professional retention period - typically 7-10 years for architectural records, as recommended by professional liability insurance requirements.

Inquiry information from potential clients is kept for a reasonable period (usually a couple years) in case you decide to move forward with a project later. Marketing preferences are maintained until you opt out.

Third-Party Websites

Our website might link to other sites - manufacturer specs, inspiration sources, partner firms. We're not responsible for their privacy practices. When you click away from our site, you're subject to that site's policies. Always good to give those a quick read too.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18, and we don't knowingly collect information from minors. If we discover we've inadvertently collected such information, we'll delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this policy occasionally - new regulations, changes in our practices, whatever makes sense. We'll post any updates here with a new "last updated" date. For significant changes, we'll notify active clients directly.

It's worth checking back occasionally if you're curious, though we're not planning any dramatic overhauls. Our approach to privacy is pretty consistent with how we approach architecture - thoughtful, straightforward, and focused on what actually matters.

Questions? Get in Touch

If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here and happy to chat about it.

Lumare Thfield Architecture

Address: 1250 West Pender Street, Suite 420, Vancouver, BC V6E 2S9

Phone: (604) 555-0187

Email: info@lumarethfield.info

For formal privacy complaints or concerns that we haven't resolved to your satisfaction, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 or through their website at priv.gc.ca.