Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 21, 2025

~8 min read 12 sections

Hey there, thanks for stopping by

Look, we're gonna be straight with you about how we handle your info. No fancy legal speak that nobody actually reads.

At Obsidian Valor Architecture, we've been designing spaces around Vancouver for years, and we treat your personal data with the same care we'd treat our own project blueprints. This policy spells out what we collect, why we need it, and what we do with it. Pretty simple stuff, really.

Bottom line: We only grab what we need to work with you, keep it secure, and don't sell your details to random companies. That's it.


What Information We Actually Collect

When you reach out through our contact form or email us directly, we'll collect stuff like:

  • Your name (kinda important to know who we're talking to)
  • Email address and phone number (so we can actually get back to you)
  • Property address or project location (if you're asking about a specific site)
  • Project details, budget ranges, timelines – whatever you share with us
  • Any other info you decide to include in messages or consultation forms

We don't force you to give us anything you're not comfortable sharing, but obviously the more context we have, the better we can help.

Like pretty much every website out there, we automatically pick up some technical data when you browse around:

  • IP address and general location (city-level, not your exact address – we're not creepy)
  • Browser type and device info (helps us make sure the site works properly for everyone)
  • Pages you visit and how long you hang around
  • Where you came from (like if you clicked a link from Google or social media)
  • Date and time of your visits

This stuff helps us figure out if something's broken or if people can't find what they're looking for. Pretty standard web analytics.


What We Do With Your Info

We're not sitting here thinking of creative ways to use your data. It's actually pretty straightforward:

Communication

Responding to inquiries, sending project updates, answering questions about our services. Y'know, normal business stuff.

Project Work

Managing consultations, preparing proposals, coordinating with our team, keeping track of project milestones and deliverables.

Website Improvement

Understanding which portfolio pieces people like, fixing broken pages, making the site easier to navigate – that sort of thing.

Legal Stuff

Complying with Canadian privacy laws, maintaining records for contracts, protecting against fraud or security issues.

We won't randomly add you to marketing lists unless you specifically opt in. And even then, you can unsubscribe anytime – there's always a link at the bottom of emails.


Cookies & Tracking Tech

Yeah, we use cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind – the digital ones that help websites remember you.

Cookie Type What It Does Can You Block It?
Essential Keeps the site functioning, remembers your preferences during a session Not really – site won't work properly
Analytics Helps us see what's popular and what needs fixing Yep, through browser settings
Functionality Remembers choices like language or region settings Sure, but you'll have to reset stuff each visit

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Just search "how to disable cookies" plus your browser name – plenty of guides out there.


Who We Share Your Data With (Spoiler: Not Many People)

We're not in the business of selling your info. Here's the short list of who might see your data:

Service Providers

Companies that help us run the website (hosting providers), send emails (email services), or process analytics. They're bound by contracts to keep your info private.

Project Collaborators

If we're working on your project, we might need to share relevant details with engineers, contractors, or consultants. But only what's necessary for the job.

Legal Requirements

If a court order or law enforcement request comes through (hasn't happened yet), we'd have to comply. That's just how it works in Canada.

What we DON'T do: Sell your info to marketing companies, share it with unrelated third parties, or use it for anything sketchy. That's a promise.


How We Keep Your Data Safe

We take security seriously – kinda like how we make sure building structures are sound. Here's what we do:

  • SSL encryption: That little padlock in your browser bar? That's encrypting data between you and our servers.
  • Secure servers: Our hosting provider uses industry-standard security protocols and regular backups.
  • Access controls: Only team members who actually need access to client info have it. Not everyone in the office can see everything.
  • Regular updates: We keep our software and systems patched against known vulnerabilities.
  • Password protection: Strong passwords, secure file sharing, the usual best practices.

Real talk: No system is 100% hack-proof. We do everything we reasonably can, but if you're emailing us your social insurance number or credit card details (please don't), that's on you.


How Long We Keep Your Stuff

We don't hoard data forever. Here's the general approach:

Active Projects:

We keep everything throughout the project and for about 7 years after completion. That's standard practice in architecture for liability and warranty reasons.

Inquiries That Don't Move Forward:

If you reach out but decide not to work with us, we'll keep your initial contact info for about 2 years in case you change your mind. After that, it gets deleted.

Website Analytics:

Anonymous browsing data usually gets purged after 26 months. We don't need it forever.

If Canadian law requires us to keep something longer, we'll do that. Otherwise, once data's no longer useful, it gets permanently deleted.


Your Rights (aka What You Can Ask Us To Do)

Under Canadian privacy laws, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal info:

Access Your Data

Ask to see what personal info we have about you. We'll send it over in a readable format.

Correct Mistakes

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.

Delete Your Info

Request deletion of your data (unless we legally need to keep it, like for completed projects).

Opt Out

Unsubscribe from marketing emails or ask us to stop processing your data for certain purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at studio@obsidianvalor.info with "Privacy Request" in the subject line. We'll get back to you within 30 days.


Kids' Privacy

Our services aren't really aimed at children under 16. We don't knowingly collect info from kids. If you're a parent and think your child has shared personal info with us, reach out and we'll delete it ASAP.

Honestly, if a 12-year-old is browsing architecture portfolios and filling out consultation forms, that's pretty impressive – but we'd still need parental consent to work with them.


Links To Other Sites

Sometimes we'll link to other websites – maybe a supplier we like, a building product manufacturer, or project collaborators. Once you click those links, you're leaving our site and entering their world.

We can't control what those sites do with your data, so it's worth checking out their privacy policies if you're concerned. We try to only link to reputable places, but we're not responsible for their practices.


Updates To This Policy

We might tweak this privacy policy from time to time – maybe the law changes, or we add new features to the website. When we make significant changes, we'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top and might send an email to clients we're actively working with.

It's worth checking back here occasionally, especially if privacy stuff matters to you. We won't make sneaky changes without notice.


Questions? Get In Touch

If you've got questions about this privacy policy, want to exercise your rights, or just want to chat about how we handle data, we're here: