Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 21, 2025

We take your privacy seriously. Here's how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our studio.

A Quick Note Before We Dive In

Look, we're architects, not lawyers - but we've gotta cover the legal stuff. We've tried to keep this as straightforward as possible. If something doesn't make sense, just shoot us an email at studio@luminarcitadel.info and we'll explain it in plain English.

When you reach out to us or work with our team, we collect information that helps us serve you better. This typically includes:

  • Contact Details: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Pretty standard stuff when you're getting in touch about a project.
  • Project Information: Details about what you're looking to build, renovate, or restore. Property addresses, budget ranges, timelines - the nuts and bolts of your vision.
  • Communication Records: Emails, notes from our meetings, sketches you share with us. We keep these so nothing falls through the cracks during your project.
  • Technical Data: When you visit our website, we collect some basic info like your IP address, browser type, and which pages you check out. This helps us improve the site experience.
  • Payment Information: If we're working together, we'll need billing details. Though honestly, our accounting software handles most of the sensitive payment stuff - we don't store full credit card numbers on our servers.

We don't collect anything we don't actually need. If we're asking for it, there's a good reason related to your project or our professional relationship.

We're not in the business of selling your data or spamming you with junk. Here's what we actually do with your info:

Project Delivery: This is the big one. We use your information to design, plan, and execute your architectural project. That means coordinating with contractors, pulling permits, ordering materials - all the behind-the-scenes work that brings your vision to life.

Communication: Keeping you updated on project progress, answering your questions, scheduling site visits. We might call, email, or text depending on what works best for you.

Legal & Professional Requirements: Architecture's a regulated profession in Ontario. We've gotta maintain certain records for liability purposes and compliance with the Ontario Association of Architects. It's boring but necessary.

Improving Our Services: We look at website analytics to see what folks are interested in. If everyone's checking out our heritage restoration work, that tells us something useful.

Marketing (With Your Permission): Sometimes we'll showcase completed projects in our portfolio or social media. But we always ask first, and we're happy to keep your project confidential if you prefer.

Financial Stuff: Invoicing, payment processing, tax records. You know, the fun part of running a business.

We don't hand out your information like candy on Halloween. But running an architecture studio means working with other professionals. Here's who might see your data:

  • Project Partners: Engineers, contractors, surveyors, and other consultants who are directly involved in your project. They need certain information to do their jobs properly.
  • Government Authorities: When we're pulling permits or dealing with zoning issues, we submit plans and documentation to municipal offices. That's just how the process works in Toronto.
  • Service Providers: Our cloud storage provider, email service, project management software - the tools we use to keep things organized. We only work with companies that take security seriously.
  • Legal & Financial Advisors: Our accountants, lawyers, and insurance company. They occasionally need access to project files for professional reasons.
  • Professional Bodies: The Ontario Association of Architects might request documentation during audits or if there's ever a complaint (hasn't happened yet, knock on wood).

We never sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. That's not our game.

Security's not just an IT thing for us - it's part of our professional responsibility. Here's what we do to keep your data safe:

Physical Security: Our office at Bay Street has controlled access. Project files are locked up when not in use. We don't leave sensitive documents lying around.

Digital Protection: We use encrypted cloud storage, secure email systems, and password-protected networks. Our team's trained on data security best practices - no sticky notes with passwords, that sort of thing.

Limited Access: Only team members working on your project can access your files. We operate on a need-to-know basis internally.

Regular Backups: We back up project files regularly so nothing gets lost if there's a technical hiccup.

Being Realistic: Look, no system is 100% hack-proof. We take reasonable precautions and stay current with security practices, but we can't guarantee absolute security. That's just honest.

We don't hold onto your information forever, but architecture's got some long timelines due to professional and legal requirements:

  • Active Projects: We keep everything current while we're working together. Plans, emails, meeting notes - it's all accessible and organized.
  • Completed Projects: Ontario regulations require us to maintain project records for at least 10 years after completion. This protects both you and us if questions come up down the road about permits, plans, or construction details.
  • Financial Records: Tax law means we've gotta keep invoices and payment records for 7 years. Fun times.
  • Initial Consultations: 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 change your mind. After that, it gets deleted unless you've asked us to stay in touch.
  • Marketing Materials: If you've given us permission to feature your project in our portfolio, we'll keep those photos and descriptions until you ask us to remove them.

Once the retention period's up and there's no legal reason to keep something, we securely delete or destroy it.

This is your data, and you've got rights under Canadian privacy law. Here's what you can do:

Access Your Information: Want to see what we've got on file about you? Just ask. We'll provide copies of your personal data within a reasonable timeframe.

Corrections: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accurate information makes our job easier anyway.

Deletion Requests: You can ask us to delete your information, though we might need to keep certain records for legal or professional reasons. We'll be upfront about what we can and can't delete.

Opt Out of Marketing: Don't want to receive our occasional project updates or newsletters? No problem. There's an unsubscribe link in every email, or just tell us directly.

Restrict Processing: You can ask us to limit how we use your data in certain situations. We'll work with you to find a solution that respects your wishes while still meeting our professional obligations.

Data Portability: If you want your information transferred to another firm, we can provide it in a commonly used format.

Withdraw Consent: If you've given us permission for something (like using your project in our portfolio), you can change your mind anytime.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at studio@luminarcitadel.info or call (416) 555-0142. We'll respond within 30 days.

Our website uses cookies - those little files that help websites remember you. Here's the breakdown:

Essential Cookies: These keep the site functioning properly. They remember your preferences as you navigate between pages. Can't really run a modern website without them.

Analytics Cookies: We use these to understand how visitors use our site. Which pages are popular? Where do people spend time? This helps us improve the experience. The data's anonymous - we're not tracking individuals.

What We Don't Use: We don't use advertising cookies or third-party tracking for marketing purposes. You won't see our ads following you around the internet.

Managing Cookies:

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can block them entirely, though that might affect how the site works. Check your browser's help section for instructions.

Our services are directed at adults. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you're a parent and think we've somehow collected info about your kid, please contact us immediately and we'll delete it.

We're based in Toronto and primarily serve Canadian clients. However, some of our service providers (like cloud storage companies) might have servers in other countries, including the United States. When your data's stored outside Canada, it's subject to the laws of that country. We only work with providers who maintain strong privacy protections, but you should be aware that different jurisdictions have different rules.

If you're concerned about where your data's stored, let us know and we can discuss options.

Privacy laws evolve, our business practices change, and we might need to update this policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we'll post a notice on our website and update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

For current clients with active projects, we'll send a direct notification if changes affect how we handle your specific information. It's worth checking back here occasionally to stay informed.

Got questions or concerns about how we handle your privacy?

We're here to help. Reach out to us at:

Email: studio@luminarcitadel.info
Phone: (416) 555-0142
Mail: 1250 Bay Street, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5R 2A4

We'll do our best to address your concerns promptly and fairly. Most issues can be resolved through a simple conversation.

Still not satisfied?

You have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Their contact info is available at priv.gc.ca. We'd prefer to work things out directly, but that option's always there if needed.

Still Have Questions?

Privacy policies can be dense. If you want something explained in plain language, we're happy to walk you through it.

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