Privacy Policy

We're pretty straightforward about this. Your information helps us:

• Work on Your Project: Can't design your space without knowing what you're after, right? We use your info to develop proposals, create designs, and keep the project moving.
• Stay in Touch: Updates on your project, answering questions, scheduling site visits - all that communication stuff.
• Improve Our Services: Understanding what clients need helps us get better at what we do. We analyze project patterns to refine our approach.
• Legal Compliance: Sometimes we've gotta keep records for contracts, permits, and regulatory requirements. Not exciting, but necessary.
• Send Relevant Updates: Occasionally we might share news about sustainable design practices or completed projects. You can opt out anytime - no hard feelings.

We're not selling your data to third parties or using it for anything sketchy. That's not how we roll.

We don't just hand out your info to anyone. Here's the limited situations where sharing happens:

• Project Partners: Sometimes we work with structural engineers, contractors, or consultants. They'll only get what's relevant to their part of the project.
• Service Providers: Companies that help us run the business - email hosting, cloud storage, accounting software. They're bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: If the law requires it or there's a court order, we'll comply. Hopefully that never happens.
• With Your Permission: If you want us to share your project in our portfolio or with specific third parties, we'll ask first.

Bottom line - we're protective of client information. It's part of maintaining trust in our professional relationships.

We take reasonable steps to keep your information secure:

• Encrypted Communications: Our website uses SSL encryption, and we prefer secure channels for sensitive project details.
• Access Controls: Only team members who need your information for your project can access it. We're not all digging through everyone's files.
• Secure Storage: Digital files are stored on protected servers with regular backups. Physical documents are kept in secure locations.
• Regular Updates: We keep our systems updated and monitor for any security issues.

That said, no system is 100% foolproof. We do our best, but can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a breach affecting your data, we'll let you know promptly.

We don't keep your information forever, but architecture projects have long lifecycles:

• Active Projects: Everything related to your project is retained throughout the design and construction phases.
• Completed Projects: We typically keep project files for 7-10 years after completion. This covers warranty periods and potential future reference needs.
• Inquiries That Didn't Move Forward: If you contacted us but didn't proceed with a project, we'll usually delete your info after 2 years unless you've asked to stay updated.
• Legal Requirements: Some records need to be kept longer for tax, liability, or regulatory reasons per Canadian law.

When we do delete data, we make sure it's properly destroyed - not just sitting in some forgotten backup somewhere.

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA), you've got rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can ask to see what information we have about you. We'll provide it within a reasonable timeframe.
• Corrections: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.
• Withdrawal of Consent: You can change your mind about how we use your information, though this might affect our ability to work on your project.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your information, subject to any legal obligations we have to keep it.
• Opt-Out: Don't want updates or newsletters? Just click unsubscribe or tell us directly.
• 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@glaiveatrift.info or give us a call. We'll handle it without making it complicated.

Yeah, we use cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately:

• Essential Cookies: These keep the website functioning - remembering your preferences, maintaining sessions. Can't really disable these without breaking things.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how people use the site - which pages get viewed, where folks spend time. We use this to improve the experience.
• No Advertising Cookies: We're not tracking you across the internet to serve targeted ads. That's not our style.

Most browsers let you control cookie settings. You can block or delete them, though some features might not work as smoothly.

Privacy laws and our practices evolve over time. When we update this policy, we'll:

• Post the new version here with an updated date at the top
• Notify active clients via email if the changes are significant
• Give you the option to review and accept major changes if they affect ongoing projects

We won't make sneaky changes that fundamentally alter how we handle your data without giving you a heads up.

Got questions about how we handle your information? Want to exercise your privacy rights? Just reach out:

We'll respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days, usually much faster. We're a small studio, so you'll be talking to actual humans who work on the projects, not some offshore call center.