About Us

“We help people navigate the chaos between a design idea and a completed construction project.”

Helping people navigate the chaos between an idea and a completed project.

We are vision driven designers. We infuse every design with natural light and creativity to craft unique spaces that engage the senses and lift the human spirit.

We are Custom Home Designers in Victoria BC that develop a style of architecture you feel good about living in and looking at, and craft you a home for liveability and comfort.

We design for the outside, the inside, and the spaces in-between. We are a team trained to help you tackle the chaos to make your space work well.

We take care of all aspects of your house design. We have a team of associates with whom we collaborate for your project. Our extended design team includes Surveyors, Engineers, Arborists and Biologists. We also work closely with Geotechs, Lawyers and Structural specialists to make sure your dreams come true. We plan to be on time and on budget, and aim for you to walk away satisfied as a great referral. This is what you want.

Our Award Winning Team is Here to Help.

Innovate Design is an award winning company with a reputation for consistent innovation at the highest level of design.

Principle Designer

Duane

Duane is the Lead Designer here at Innovate Design and has done a stellar job at creating a team of people to deliver top notch drawings that not only look good, but that the building officials love to see for their reviews.

Duane has an honors degree in Visual Arts from University of Victoria, in drawing, photography and sculpture, and has always been interested in the Arts; through painting, exploring creative expression and music.

Architecture was one of Duane's passions from a very young age, and when he came to Innovate Design, he developed a Design department to enhance the company’s already excellent profile. Design rapidly grew into a quality handpicked team of talented people to flex some creative muscles in a fresh way for the Island. Quality in the design and the build is an important aspect of our success and Duane has been delivering that to us and in co-ordination with the construction team’s build projects.

Duane also loves adventuring, time in the outdoors and reading. Just ask him about his Mountain biking adventures. There may be a tale or two he could describe to you about that.

Assistant Design & Design Technician

Dennys

Meet Dennys, a dedicated and motivated young man passionate about soccer, fitness, good food, and design (not necessarily in that order). Dennys watches the latest matches and keeps up with the latest news in the sport. He is also a dedicated gym-goer, working hard to maintain his strength and fitness.

His love of good food is equally matched by his passion for design, and he is particularly interested in both architectural and graphic design. With his keen eye for detail and his ability to turn ideas into reality, Dennys is a talented and creative individual who always strives to push himself.

Last but not least, Dennys is a loving and devoted family man, and he places a high value on the relationships he has with his loved ones. With his strong work ethic and positive attitude, he is a true inspiration to those around him. Dennys Rocks!

Design Technician

Jake

Jake recently joined Innovate Design as a design technician and is involved and various DP, DVP, Subdivision and Building Permit projects. He is another talented individual and loves to face different challenges that would provide learning, upgrade his skills, and develop his career. His thoughtfulness and attention to detail are a real asset for us and we love the time he puts into the design department’s various projects.

Jake spends a lot of his spare time reading books and articles but he also really enjoys playing computer games and watching movies. Jake likes to travel and experience different cultures, spending time with nature and water activities such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply beach bumming. Be sure to wave at him next time you see him soaking in the rays on a local beach.

Office Manager

Telsey

This is Telsey and she manages our HR, accounts, and office administration teams. She is a master at making people feel comfortable and has an ability to control a car on a racetrack like a pro F-1 driver! She is honest, reliable, capable and firm, and also the best listener around.

Telsey is happy to call Innovate Design her work home and really enjoys the people she gets to work with.

She is a mother of 4 which currently entails being a taxi driver (at normal speeds) and a cheerleader at all extracurricular activities! Being a mom is one of her greatest joys.

Telsey loves reading a good book, getting outside in nature, decorating her home, and traveling when the opportunity arises.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you provide?

Innovate Design is a company that specializes in complete design packages for custom single-family homes and renovations to take you all the way to permit stage.

We also offer packages for SSMUH (Small Scale Multi Unit Housing), rezoning, development permits, townhouse design, professional landscape design, small building design, tenant improvements, site planning, board of variance applications and interior design.

Our digital projects also regularly include 3D versions of the project and ‘camera shots’ to make it easy for you to understand the big picture.

How much time do I need to commit, and when?

Our process really dependent on your project complexity, and which municipality we will be working in.

Three months is a good starting point to think about, and when we hear about your project details, we can give you a better idea of timing for the design components of your project.

The initial meeting to view the site will help us to determine together what the scope of the project will be. From that point, we will typically schedule another meeting at our office to discuss in more detail other design considerations, such as general layout, non-negotiables, and style/finishes. If it’s a renovation, there will typically be a site measure where we send out a technician to measure your home. Once we develop the first draft concept, we can sit down together to walk through the design, so you see exactly what you will get.

What additional costs can I expect?

All third-party consultants are not included as part of our costs; however, we typically get preferred rates which we are happy to pass along to you. Consultants that we hire often are BC land surveyors, engineers, arborists, energy advisors. Other consultants we work with include arborists, geotechnical engineers, interior designers and biologists which all depend on the project. Either way, we will qualify which consultants we will need upon the initial site meeting. Other fees that are not included in our costs – large scale printing costs and municipal fees and permit fees.

Do you charge for the initial consultation? What information can I give to help you to help with the initial consultation/design?

We charge a $150 for an initial on-site consultation in town, however we do not charge for an initial consultation at our office. Some items that help during the initial site consultation would be: a survey or site plan, house blueprints, a realtor’s floor plan and/or idea books from Houzz or Pinterest.

Do you design energy efficient homes?

Your home should be comfortable, sustainable, and built for the future. We are experts in the BC Building Code and Step Code, but we don’t stop at the minimum requirements. Let’s talk about Net Zero and exceeding standards to create a tighter, more efficient home that offers superior comfort and lower operating costs.

Do you provide your services for custom homes outside of Victoria, BC?

Yes, we love working outside of Victoria! Our team has successfully delivered projects across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the BC Interior, and even internationally in California and even Asia. We’re also very experienced in working with clients who live abroad while building their home here. Thanks to modern video conferencing and digital screen-sharing tools, collaborating on your design and reviewing plans face-to-face is easy, efficient, and interactive, regardless of your time zone.

Can you help for those who lost their home in a fire?

Yes, we can help you rebuild. If you’ve experienced a home fire, we provide the expertise needed to navigate this difficult time. We assist in discussions with insurance companies and offer comprehensive design services—whether that means re-drawing your original home from scratch or creating a brand-new design. We also coordinate all required engineering to ensure smooth approval with your municipality.

What does the design process look like?

The design process consists of:

01 / Initial Consultation: Discovering your vision, budget, and project goals.

02 / Project Kick-Off: Aligning on details, scope, and initial timelines.

03 / Research & Concept Design: Exploring site possibilities and drafting your first floor plans.

04 / Refinement & Revisions: Fine-tuning the layout based on your feedback.

05 / Design Finalization: Locking in the approved concept before moving to technical drafting.

06 / Permit & Working Drawings: Creating the engineering-backed blueprints required for municipal approval.

Do I have to get involved with inspections/permit/development services?

Not at all. We provide a full-service experience, meaning we take care of the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

From initial zoning research to final municipal permit coordination and engineering alignment, we guide your project through the bureaucracy so you don’t have to.

How long has your company been in business?

We are celebrating 10 years of design excellence – Duane Ensing and innovate Design Collective has been helping clients bring their visions to life since 2016.

Our expertise spans custom home design, municipal permit coordination, and specialized subdivision and rezoning plans—offering a seamless, full-service experience from concept to approval.

Will you help me find a contractor to build this project?

We certainly can. A great design deserves a great build, which is why Innovate Design Collective collaborates with a wide range of local builders throughout BC.

Whether your project is on the Mainland or the Islands, we can connect you with trusted, reputable construction teams in your area to help bring our collaborative vision to life.

What makes Innovate Design different than other home design firms?

Our Foundation: Honesty & Communication
We stand out because of our transparent approach. We prioritize open, honest communication with our clients and maintain excellent working relationships with local municipal planning departments to ensure a smooth project flow.

Our Passion: Modern, Holistic Architecture
We specialize in custom contemporary design that solves complex site puzzles. We don’t just follow trends; we design for long-term well-being.

Our Standard: Future-Proof Living
Your perfect home should protect and nurture you. We intentionally integrate:

- Biophilic Design: Bringing natural elements indoors for peaceful, holistic living.
- Energy Efficiency: Building beyond code to reduce your footprint and utility bills.
- FireSmart Targets: Designing with wildfire resilience in mind to protect your investment.

Ready to see what makes us different? Give us a call today to discuss your vision.