LEGAL

Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 17, 2025

Introduction

Look, we get it – nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But here's the thing: at Aetherion Valquinth, we're pretty serious about respecting your space, both physical and digital. This document breaks down how we handle your info when you interact with our studio, whether you're reaching out about a project, browsing our work, or just checking us out.

We're based in Vancouver, BC, and we follow Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA, specifically). We've tried to keep this straightforward without all the usual legal jargon that makes your eyes glaze over.

What Information We Collect

Personal Contact Details

When you reach out to us or fill in a consultation form, we'll typically grab your name, email, phone number, and the address where you're thinking about building or renovating. Can't really help design your dream space without knowing where it's gonna be, right?

Project Information

During consultations, we collect details about what you're looking for – budget ranges, timelines, design preferences, site photos, property documents. Basically everything we need to understand your vision and make it happen.

Website Analytics

Like most sites, we use analytics tools that pick up stuff like your IP address, browser type, which pages you looked at, and how long you stuck around. It's anonymous data that helps us figure out if people actually care about our heritage restoration work or if everyone's just here for the modern residential stuff.

Communications

We keep records of our conversations – emails, phone call notes, meeting summaries. It's how we remember that you mentioned wanting south-facing windows or that your partner's really into minimalist Scandinavian vibes.

How We Use Your Information

  • Project Development: Obviously, we need your info to actually work on your project. Design proposals, permit applications, contractor coordination – the whole nine yards.
  • Communication: Keeping you updated on progress, scheduling site visits, answering your questions about material choices or structural considerations.
  • Legal & Administrative: Contracts, invoicing, insurance requirements. The not-fun-but-necessary stuff.
  • Portfolio Development: With your explicit permission, we might photograph completed projects for our portfolio. We'll always ask first and respect your decision either way.
  • Service Improvement: Understanding what clients are looking for helps us get better at what we do. Maybe everyone's suddenly interested in passive house standards, and we should beef up that offering.
  • Occasional Updates: We might send newsletters about sustainable building trends or showcase recent projects. You can opt out anytime – we won't be offended.

Who We Share Data With

We're not in the business of selling your data. That's not our thing. However, architectural work involves collaboration, so here's where your info might go:

Project Partners

Engineers, contractors, consultants, municipal planning departments – basically the team needed to bring your project from concept to reality. They only get what's relevant to their part of the work.

Service Providers

Our email hosting, cloud storage for project files, accounting software. These companies have their own privacy policies and security measures in place.

Legal Requirements

If we're legally required to disclose information (court order, regulatory compliance, that kind of thing), we'll do so. Hasn't happened yet, knock on wood.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies – those little data files that remember you've been here before. Nothing creepy, just practical stuff:

  • Essential cookies: Keep the site functioning properly. Like remembering you're logged into our client portal if we gave you access to project files.
  • Analytics cookies: Help us see what content people find useful. If nobody ever clicks on our urban planning page, maybe we need better case studies there.
  • Preference cookies: Remember settings like language preferences or accessibility options.

Most browsers let you control cookie settings. Just know that blocking essential cookies might make parts of the site wonky.

Your Privacy Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got some solid rights regarding your personal data:

Access

See what information we have about you. Just ask and we'll provide it within a reasonable timeframe.

Correction

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accuracy matters in our line of work.

Deletion

Request we delete your info, though we might need to keep some stuff for legal or contractual reasons.

Opt-Out

Unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime. There's always an unsubscribe link, or just shoot us an email.

To exercise any of these rights, get in touch using the contact info at the bottom of this page. We'll verify your identity (gotta make sure we're giving info to the right person) and handle your request promptly.

Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. Here's what that looks like in practice:

  • Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) for data transmission
  • Secure cloud storage with reputable providers
  • Regular software updates and security patches
  • Limited access – only team members who need specific info can access it
  • Password-protected systems and two-factor authentication where available

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but we can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a data breach that affects your information, we'll let you know as required by law.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We don't hoard data forever. Here's generally how long we keep different types of information:

  • Active project files: Duration of the project plus 7 years (standard for architectural records and professional liability reasons)
  • Inquiry information: If you reach out but don't proceed with a project, we'll keep your basic info for about 2 years in case you circle back
  • Financial records: 7 years as required by tax law
  • Marketing communications: Until you unsubscribe or we notice you haven't engaged in ages
  • Website analytics: Usually aggregated and anonymized after 26 months

After the retention period, we securely delete or anonymize your information.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18. We don't knowingly collect personal information from minors. If a parent or guardian discovers that their kid has provided us with information without consent, please contact us and we'll delete it promptly.

If you're under 18 and somehow reading this, cool that you're interested in architecture, but you'll need a parent or guardian to handle any actual business with us.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws evolve, our practices might change, and occasionally we'll need to update this policy. When we make significant changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top and might send you a notification if you're on our mailing list.

We'd recommend checking back occasionally, especially if it's been a while. We promise to keep it as readable as privacy policies can be.

Questions About Your Privacy?

If you've got questions about this policy, want to exercise your privacy rights, or just need clarification on how we handle your information, we're here to help.

Mailing Address