Privacy Policy

Here's what we actually do with the info you share:

• Getting back to you: Responding to inquiries, setting up consultations, following up on project discussions
• Project work: Creating designs, preparing proposals, managing ongoing builds, coordinating with contractors and consultants
• Keeping you posted: Sending project updates, sharing relevant sustainability practices, occasional studio news (we're not spammy about it)
• Legal stuff: Meeting building code requirements, maintaining professional records, fulfilling our regulatory obligations as licensed architects
• Improving our game: Understanding what visitors look for on our site, refining our services based on client feedback
• Portfolio showcasing: With your explicit permission, featuring completed projects in our work gallery (we always ask first!)

Bottom line - we use your info to do our job well and keep you informed. That's it.

We take security seriously - probably more than we take our coffee orders. Here's what we've got in place:

• Encrypted connections: SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission - that little padlock in your browser matters
• Secure storage: Project files and client data stored on password-protected, encrypted servers with regular backups
• Limited access: Only team members who actually need to see your info can access it - no browsing for fun
• Vetted partners: When we work with consultants or contractors, we make sure they've got solid privacy practices too
• Regular updates: Keeping our systems patched and current with security protocols
• Physical security: Our office at 1420 West Pender Street has controlled access - can't just wander in and grab files

No system is 100% bulletproof, but we're doing everything reasonable to keep your info locked down tight.

We're not in the business of selling your data - that's just not our style. But there are times when we need to share info:

• Project collaborators: Engineers, contractors, landscape architects, and other consultants who need details to do their part of the work
• Municipal authorities: Building departments, planning offices - whoever needs permit applications and compliance docs
• Service providers: Companies that help us run the business (email hosting, cloud storage, payment processing) - they're contractually bound to keep things private
• Legal requirements: If the law says we gotta hand something over (court orders, regulatory requests), we'll comply but we'll let you know when we can
• Business transitions: If we ever merge with another firm or sell the practice (unlikely but you never know), your info would transfer with proper protections

Anyone we share with is either legally required to protect your privacy or contractually obligated to do so. We're picky about partners.

Yeah, we use cookies - the digital kind, not the tasty ones (though we've got those in the studio kitchen too).

What we use 'em for:

• Keeping you logged in if you're using our client portal
• Remembering your preferences so the site works better for you
• Understanding which pages people actually look at (helps us know what content matters)
• Seeing how folks found us - was it Google, a referral, social media?

Your choices:

Most browsers let you refuse cookies or alert you when they're being used. Just heads up - some site features might not work as smoothly if you block everything. We use Google Analytics to understand traffic patterns, but you can opt out of that with browser extensions if you're so inclined.

We're not doing anything sneaky with tracking - just trying to make the site better and understand how people use it.

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and all that), you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal info:

• Access: You can ask to see what info we've got about you - we'll send it over within a reasonable timeframe
• Corrections: If something's wrong or outdated, just let us know and we'll fix it
• Deletion: Want us to erase your data? We can do that, unless we're legally required to keep it (like project records for liability purposes)
• Opt-out: Don't wanna get our occasional updates? There's an unsubscribe link in every email, or just tell us directly
• Portability: Need your data in a format you can use elsewhere? We'll provide it in a reasonable format
• Withdraw consent: Changed your mind about us using your info? You can pull back consent anytime (might affect our ability to work together though)

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at studio@aetherialforge.info or call (604) 555-0847. We'll get back to you within 30 days - usually way faster.

If you're not happy with how we handle a request, you've got the right to complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd rather sort it out directly though.

We don't hoard data forever - that'd be weird and unnecessary. Here's our retention approach:

• Inquiry emails: If you reach out but we don't end up working together, we'll keep your contact info for about 2 years in case you circle back
• Project files: Active project data stays with us for the duration of the build plus 7-10 years after completion (professional liability requirements and all that)
• Financial records: Tax law says we gotta keep invoices and payment records for 7 years
• Marketing contacts: If you're on our occasional update list, we'll keep your info until you unsubscribe or the email starts bouncing
• Website analytics: Aggregate data gets kept indefinitely but it's anonymous - can't trace it back to individuals

Once we don't need your data anymore and there's no legal reason to keep it, we securely delete it. No point in keeping stuff around unnecessarily.

Our website and services aren't aimed at kids under 13. We don't knowingly collect personal info from children. If you're a parent and think your kid shared info with us, give us a shout and we'll delete it pronto.

Most of our clients are adults making decisions about property development or home design - definitely not kid territory. But if we somehow ended up with info from a minor, we'll handle it appropriately and quickly.

Sometimes our website might link to other sites - product manufacturers, sustainable building resources, local planning authorities, that sort of thing. Once you click through to another site, you're playing by their privacy rules, not ours.

We try to link to reputable places, but we can't control what they do with your data. Worth checking out their privacy policies if you're sharing info with them.

Privacy laws evolve, our practices might shift, technology changes - so yeah, we might update this policy from time to time. When we do make changes, we'll:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top
• Post the new version right here on this page
• If it's a big change that really matters, we'll send an email to active clients and maybe put a notice on the homepage

Worth checking back here once in a while if you're curious about how we're handling things. We're not gonna sneak in major changes without letting people know.