Look, we get it - nobody actually enjoys reading these things. But transparency matters to us at Onyx Thor Valquint, so we've tried to keep this as straightforward as possible. Basically, we collect what we need to work with you, we don't sell your info to anyone, and we protect it like we'd protect our own project blueprints.
Information We Collect
Personal Contact Details
When you reach out to us for a consultation or project inquiry, we'll collect your name, email, phone number, and mailing address. Pretty standard stuff. We need this to actually respond to you and keep in touch about your project. If you're working with us on a build, we'll also need financial and legal documentation - that's just how architecture contracts work in Canada.
Project Information
Site details, property documents, design preferences, sustainability goals - all that good stuff you share with us during our discovery phase. We store this securely because it's essentially the foundation of everything we design together.
Website Usage Data
Our website collects basic analytics - which pages you visit, how long you stick around, what device you're using. We use this to make the site better, not to track you across the internet. We're architects, not surveillance specialists. This data is anonymized and we use standard cookies for site functionality.
How We Use Your Information
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To communicate with you about your project, send proposals, updates, and answer questions
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To fulfill our contractual obligations and deliver architectural services
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To comply with professional regulations set by the Architectural Institute of British Columbia
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To process payments and maintain financial records (legally required for 7 years in Canada)
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To send occasional updates about our studio - but only if you've opted in, and you can unsubscribe anytime
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To showcase completed projects in our portfolio (always with explicit written permission first)
Information Sharing & Disclosure
We don't sell your data. Period. That's not our business model, and honestly, it'd feel pretty sketchy. Here's when we might share your information:
Project Collaborators
When working on your project, we'll share relevant info with engineers, contractors, consultants, and other professionals needed to bring your vision to life. They're bound by their own professional confidentiality agreements.
Legal Requirements
If we're legally required to - like by court order or regulatory bodies - we'll comply. Also, if there's a legitimate safety concern, we're gonna do what's right.
Service Providers
We use cloud storage, email services, and project management tools to run our practice efficiently. These providers have strict data protection agreements and are PIPEDA compliant.
Data Security
We take security seriously. Our digital files are encrypted, our physical documents are locked up, and we limit access to only team members who need it for your project. We use secure file transfer protocols, regular backups, and industry-standard security measures.
That said, let's be real - no system is 100% foolproof. We do everything reasonable to protect your data, but we can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a breach, we'll notify you promptly as required by Canadian privacy laws.
Your Rights
Under Canadian privacy law (specifically PIPEDA and BC's privacy legislation), you've got rights:
Access Your Info
You can request a copy of what personal data we hold about you
Correction Rights
If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it
Withdraw Consent
Unsubscribe from our updates anytime - no hard feelings
Data Deletion
Request deletion, though we might need to keep some records for legal or professional regulation reasons
Cookies & Tracking
We use cookies to keep the site functioning properly - things like remembering if you've visited before or keeping forms filled out if you navigate away. We also use analytics cookies to see how people use our site so we can improve it.
Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Blocking them might make some parts of our site not work as smoothly, but that's your call.
Data Retention
We keep your information as long as needed to fulfill the purposes outlined here. For active projects, that means throughout the design and construction process. After completion, we retain project files and financial records for at least 7 years as required by Canadian tax law and professional regulations.
Marketing info gets deleted if you unsubscribe or if you haven't engaged with us in 3 years. We're not gonna keep emailing you forever if you're not interested.
Third-Party Links
Our site might link to other websites - suppliers, consultants, inspiration sources, whatever. We're not responsible for their privacy practices. Once you click away from our site, their rules apply, not ours.
Children's Privacy
Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18. We don't knowingly collect information from kids. If you're a parent and think your child has given us information, reach out and we'll delete it immediately.
Changes to This Policy
Privacy laws evolve, and so might our practices. We'll update this policy when needed and post the new version here with an updated date at the top. For major changes, we'll notify active clients directly. Otherwise, checking back here occasionally isn't a bad idea.
Contact Us About Privacy
Questions about this policy or how we handle your data? Want to exercise your rights? Just reach out. We're here to help.
Note: If you're not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca