Privacy Policy

We're pretty straightforward about how we handle your info here at the studio. No fancy legalese - just honest talk about what we do with your data.

Last Updated

January 2024

Introduction

Look, we get it - privacy policies can be a slog to read through. But here's the thing: at Frostval Quinthyros, we actually care about your data. We're architects, not data miners. When you reach out about designing your mountain retreat or that commercial project you've been dreaming about, we only keep what's necessary to do our job well.

This policy covers our website and how we handle information when you're working with us on projects. We're based in Whistler, BC, so Canadian privacy laws apply - specifically PIPEDA, which is actually pretty solid when it comes to protecting your rights.

What We Collect

We're not gonna sugarcoat this - when you work with us or use our site, we do collect some information. But it's all stuff that helps us serve you better:

Contact Details

Your name, email, phone number, and address. Pretty standard stuff - we need this to actually talk to you about your project and send over drawings, proposals, that kind of thing.

Project Information

Details about what you're looking to build, site conditions, your budget range, timeline expectations. We keep notes from our conversations, design preferences you've shared, photos of sites you send us. All the nitty-gritty that goes into creating something meaningful.

Website Analytics

Basic stuff like what pages you visit, how long you stick around, what device you're using. We use this to figure out if our portfolio section's actually loading properly or if our sustainability page needs work. Nothing creepy.

Payment & Billing

When we're actually working together, we'll have your billing address, payment details for invoices. We don't store credit card numbers on our systems though - that goes through secure payment processors.

How We Use Your Information

Here's what we actually do with all that data:

  • Design & deliver your project - This is the main event. We use your info to create designs, coordinate with engineers and contractors, manage timelines, and generally bring your vision to life.
  • Communicate effectively - Sending updates, answering questions, scheduling site visits, sharing design iterations. Architecture's collaborative, so we'll be in touch fairly regularly during active projects.
  • Legal & contractual obligations - Keeping records for warranty purposes, building permits, professional liability requirements. We're legally required to maintain project documentation for several years.
  • Improve our services - Learning what works and what doesn't. If everyone's confused by our contact form, we'll fix it. If clients love our 3D renderings, we'll do more of those.
  • Occasional updates - Maybe a newsletter now and then about cold-climate building techniques or new sustainable materials we're excited about. You can opt out anytime - we won't be offended.

Who We Share Data With

We're not selling your info to random marketing companies, that's for sure. But architecture isn't a solo sport - we do need to share relevant details with:

Project Partners

Structural engineers, mechanical consultants, landscape architects, contractors. Everyone who needs specific project details to do their part properly. They're bound by their own professional confidentiality requirements.

Regulatory Bodies

Building departments, municipal planners, heritage committees when applicable. They need plans and project details for permits and approvals. It's part of the legal process.

Service Providers

Our cloud storage provider, email hosting service, accounting software. These companies help us run the business but they're not poking around in your data - they just provide the infrastructure.

Legal Requirements

If we're legally compelled to share information - court orders, regulatory investigations, that sort of thing. Hasn't happened yet, but we'd comply if required by law.

Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information. Don't be shy about exercising them:

Access: You can ask to see what information we have about you. We'll send over a summary within a reasonable timeframe.

Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accurate info helps everyone.

Deletion: Want us to delete your data? We can do that, though we might need to keep some records for legal or accounting purposes.

Opt-out: Don't want marketing emails? Click unsubscribe or drop us a line. No hard feelings.

Complaints: If you think we've mishandled your information, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd prefer to resolve things directly, but that option's always there.

Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to keep your information secure. Our systems are password-protected, we use encrypted connections for data transfer, and we're careful about who on our team has access to what. We back up regularly and keep sensitive project files on secure servers.

That said, nothing's 100% foolproof. We do our best, but we can't guarantee absolute security - no one can, really. If there's ever a data breach that affects your information, we'll let you know promptly and tell you what happened.

Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses a few cookies - mostly for basic functionality and analytics. Nothing invasive. We use Google Analytics to understand how people use the site, which pages are popular, that kind of thing. It's aggregated data, not personal tracking.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you want. The site'll still work, though some features might be a bit wonky. We're not gonna pop up annoying cookie banners every five seconds - we respect your time.

How Long We Keep Data

Different types of information get kept for different lengths of time:

  • Active project files: Throughout the project and for at least 7 years after completion. This is partly legal requirement, partly professional standard.
  • Correspondence: We keep emails and meeting notes for the duration of our working relationship, plus a reasonable period afterward in case questions come up.
  • Marketing contacts: Until you ask us to remove you, or if we haven't interacted in several years.
  • Financial records: 7 years minimum for tax and accounting purposes - that's a Canada Revenue Agency thing.
  • Portfolio materials: We'll always ask permission before using project photos or details in our portfolio. If you say yes, we'll keep those materials as long as they're relevant to our work.

Third-Party Links

Our site might link to other websites - maybe suppliers we work with, sustainable building resources, industry organizations. We're not responsible for their privacy practices. Once you click through to another site, their policies apply, not ours. Give their privacy policies a read if you're concerned.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this privacy policy from time to time - new laws, changes in how we operate, that kind of thing. When we make significant changes, we'll update the date at the top and let active clients know. For minor tweaks, we'll just update the page.

It's worth checking back occasionally if you're curious about how we're handling things.

Questions or Concerns?

If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we're handling your information, just reach out. We'd rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.

Get in Touch

Email: info@frostvalquinthyros.info

Phone: (604) 892-5847

Address: 1425 Whistler Village Boulevard, Whistler, BC V8E 0M5

We're here Monday through Friday, usually between 9am and 5pm Pacific Time. Sometimes we're out on site visits, but we'll get back to you within a day or two at most.