MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects is primarily based in Halifax and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada with field offices in Oregon and Denver. The practice works locally and internationally on residential, cultural, and academic projects, providing full architectural, interior design and urban design services. There are four Principals: Brian MacKay-Lyons, Talbot Sweetapple, Melanie Hayne and Shane Andrews and two Senior Associates: Miranda Bailey and Tyler Reynolds.

Since 1985, the practice of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple has built an international reputation for design excellence confirmed by over 160 awards, including the prestigious 2017 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture; seven American Institute of Architects (AIA) National and International Honor Awards for Architecture; four Architectural Record Houses Awards; the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal to Brian MacKay-Lyons in 2015, the top award in Canada for lifetime contribution in architecture. The practice was also awarded the RAIC Firm Award in 2014; eight Governor General’s Medals, the most prestigious Canadian award that celebrates outstanding design in recently built projects; eighteen Lieutenant Governor’s Medals of Excellence; nine Canadian Architect Awards; and thirteen North American Wood Design & Building Awards. The work of the firm has been recognized in more than 900 publications including eight monographs. In addition, the work of the firm has been featured in over 100 exhibitions internationally.
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While the body of work of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple is known for its cultural responsiveness to local landscapes, climate and material culture, it also consistently possesses an archetypal quality which touches a global audience.