Privacy Policy

Who We Are & Why This Matters

Look, we get it - nobody really wants to read through pages of legal jargon. But here's the thing: we're architects, and just like we care about the spaces we design for you, we care about protecting your personal information. This isn't just some template we pulled off the internet. At Halvarion Thalquinth Architecture, located at 1420 West Georgia Street, Suite 850, Vancouver, BC V6G 2Z3, we've been handling client data for years, and we take that responsibility seriously.

When you reach out to us - whether it's through our website, a phone call to (604) 555-0147, or an email to studio@halvarionthalquinth.info - you're trusting us with your information. That trust isn't something we take lightly.

What Information We Actually Collect

We're not in the business of hoarding data. We only collect what we genuinely need to work with you:

• Contact Details: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Pretty standard stuff when you're starting a project with an architecture firm.
• Project Information: Details about your property, design preferences, budget considerations, and any specific requirements you've shared with us during consultations.
• Communication Records: Emails, phone call notes, and meeting summaries. We keep these so we don't forget what we discussed three months ago when decisions were made.
• Technical Data: If you visit our website, we collect basic stuff like your IP address, browser type, and which pages you looked at. This helps us understand how people use our site and where we need to improve.
• Photos & Site Documentation: Images of your property or site that you provide or that we take during site visits. These are essential for our design process.

How We Use Your Information

Here's the deal - everything we collect has a purpose:

• Project Delivery: Obviously, we need your information to actually design your building or restore that heritage property you've been dreaming about.
• Communication: Keeping you updated on project progress, scheduling site visits, sending drawings for review, and answering those 2 AM questions you emailed us.
• Legal Requirements: Building permits, heritage approvals, and other regulatory stuff require documentation. We're operating in Canada, so we follow Canadian privacy laws including PIPEDA.
• Portfolio Development: With your explicit permission, we might use project photos in our portfolio. We'll always ask first, and if you say no, that's totally fine.
• Improving Our Services: Understanding what works and what doesn't helps us get better at what we do.

Who We Share Your Information With

We're not selling your data to random marketing companies. But architecture isn't a solo sport, and sometimes we need to share information with:

• Contractors & Consultants: Engineers, builders, and specialists who are working on your project. They need the info to do their jobs properly.
• Regulatory Bodies: Building departments, heritage commissions, and other government agencies when permits and approvals are required.
• Professional Advisors: Our lawyers, accountants, and insurance providers when necessary for business operations.
• Service Providers: Cloud storage providers, email services, and project management software companies that help us run our practice efficiently.

Everyone we work with is bound by confidentiality agreements, and we make sure they understand the importance of protecting your privacy.

Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies - those little files that websites save on your computer. We use them to remember your preferences and understand how people interact with our site. You can disable cookies in your browser settings if you want, though some features might not work as smoothly.

We use analytics tools to see which pages get the most traffic and where visitors are coming from. This data is aggregated and anonymized - we're not tracking individual users around the internet like some creepy stalker.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We're not holding onto your information forever, but we do need to keep project files for a while. Here's the breakdown:

• Active Projects: We keep everything while we're working together and for at least 7 years after project completion. This is partly for legal reasons and partly because clients sometimes come back years later with questions.
• Inquiries That Don't Convert: If you reached out but we didn't end up working together, we'll keep your contact info for about 2 years in case you change your mind.
• Marketing Communications: If you've signed up for our newsletter or updates, we'll keep your email until you unsubscribe.

Your Rights & Control

It's your data, and you've got rights. Here's what you can do:

• Access: You can ask to see what personal information we have about you. We'll provide it within a reasonable timeframe.
• Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.
• Deletion: You can request that we delete your information, though we might need to keep some records for legal or regulatory reasons.
• Portability: If you want to take your data to another firm, we can provide it in a commonly used format.
• Withdrawal of Consent: If you've given us permission to use your information for something specific (like portfolio photos), you can change your mind.
• Complaints: If you think we've mishandled your data, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at studio@halvarionthalquinth.info or give us a call at (604) 555-0147.

Security Measures

We take security seriously. Our digital files are stored on encrypted servers with regular backups. Physical documents are kept in locked cabinets in our office. We use secure email services and VPNs when working remotely. Our team is trained on data protection best practices, and we limit access to sensitive information on a need-to-know basis.

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 ASAP and tell you what steps we're taking to fix things.

Third-Party Links

Our website might link to other sites - maybe supplier catalogs, building code resources, or inspiration boards. Once you click through to those sites, this privacy policy doesn't apply anymore. We're not responsible for how other websites handle your data, so check their policies if you're concerned.

Changes to This Policy

Laws change, our practices evolve, and sometimes we need to update this policy. When we do, we'll post the updated version here with a new "last updated" date at the top. If it's a significant change, we'll send an email to active clients letting them know what's different.

International Transfers

We're based in Canada, and most of our work happens here. However, some of our service providers (like cloud storage or email services) might have servers in other countries. When your data crosses borders, we make sure those providers offer adequate protection that meets Canadian standards.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at kids under 16, and we don't knowingly collect information from children. If you're a parent and think your child has given us information, please contact us and we'll delete it promptly.