We've been obsessed with sustainable design since before it was cool. Here's what we're actually doing about climate change - one building at a time.
Look, we're not gonna pretend there's some magic formula here. After fifteen years of trial and error, we've learned that truly sustainable design means getting your hands dirty with the actual numbers - energy modeling, material lifecycles, the whole nine yards.
Every project starts with a simple question: how can this building actually give back more than it takes? Sometimes the answer's in passive solar design, sometimes it's about sourcing reclaimed materials from that warehouse demolition happening three blocks away.
We're not chasing certifications just to put badges on our website (though yeah, we've got those too). We're after buildings that'll still make sense fifty years from now.
Average Energy Reduction Across Our Projects
LEED & Green Building Certifications
Construction Waste Diverted from Landfills
kWh Saved Annually by Our Buildings
Gold & Platinum Levels
Net Zero Energy
Certified Designer
Partner Program
This one's pretty special - a four-story residential building that actually produces more energy than it uses. We integrated solar panels with a geothermal heat pump system, and honestly, the owner's energy bills are basically zero now.
Key Features: Solar PV array (45kW), triple-glazed windows, green roof with native plants, rainwater harvesting system, reclaimed timber framing
Converting an old warehouse into a modern office space gave us the chance to really push what's possible with adaptive reuse. We kept 85% of the existing structure - that alone saved something like 200 tons of CO2 compared to new construction.
Key Features: Daylighting optimization, high-efficiency HVAC with smart controls, low-VOC materials throughout, bike storage for 100+ employees, EV charging stations
Our first certified Passive House project - and man, was it a learning curve. The attention to detail required is insane, but the results speak for themselves. The heating bill for this 2,400 sq ft home? About $180 a year. In Vancouver. Yeah.
Key Features: Super-insulated envelope (R-60 walls), heat recovery ventilation, thermal bridge-free design, south-facing windows for solar gain, airtight construction
We're kind of obsessed with where stuff comes from. Every material choice is basically a vote for the kind of industry we wanna support, right?
BC's got amazing timber resources. Why ship wood from across the country when we've got sustainable forestry operations within 100km?
Old barn wood, recycled steel, salvaged brick - there's so much character in materials that've already lived a life. Plus, the embodied energy savings are massive.
We track the carbon footprint of everything. Sometimes spending a bit more for a product made with renewable energy just makes sense long-term.
The most sustainable material is the one that doesn't need replacing. We design for durability, not Instagram.
We start by really understanding the site - sun paths, wind patterns, existing vegetation. Nature's already done half the work if you pay attention.
We run simulations before putting a shovel in the ground. It's the only way to actually know what'll work instead of just guessing.
Every material gets vetted for lifecycle impact, sourcing, durability, and yeah - budget. It's always a balance.
We don't just hand over the keys and disappear. Post-occupancy monitoring tells us what's actually working and what needs tweaking.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is honestly a game-changer. It's strong enough for mid-rise buildings, sequesters carbon, and cuts construction time in half. We've got two projects in the works using BC-sourced CLT.
Why use drinking water to flush toilets? We're installing greywater recycling in more projects, reusing sink and shower water for irrigation and non-potable uses. Typical savings are around 30% on water bills.
AI-driven building management systems that learn occupancy patterns and optimize energy use automatically. Sounds fancy, but it's really just about not heating empty rooms.
Integrating living walls, indoor gardens, and natural materials isn't just pretty - studies show it reduces stress and improves air quality. Our latest office project has a full vertical garden in the atrium.
Whether you're thinking about a new build, renovation, or just wanna chat about what's possible with sustainable design, we're here for it. Let's figure out what makes sense for your project.
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