Building Green, Living Better

Honestly? We're kinda obsessed with making buildings that don't mess up the planet. It's not just a checkbox for us.

Sustainable materials
OUR PHILOSOPHY

Why We Actually Care About This Stuff

Look, we've been doing this for years now, and here's what we've learned - buildings use up about 40% of the world's energy. That's... a lot. And when you're spending your days designing spaces where people live and work, you start feeling responsible for that number.

We got into sustainable design not because it was trendy, but because we kept seeing how much waste traditional construction generates. Like, literal tons of it. Started asking ourselves if there wasn't a smarter way to do things.

So yeah, every project we take on now? We're thinking about energy consumption, material lifecycles, and how the building's gonna perform 20 years from now. It's just how we work at this point.

What We're Doing (The Real Numbers)

These aren't projections or goals - this is what we've actually achieved across our projects.

67%

Average energy reduction vs. standard builds

52%

Water use reduction through smart systems

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

3.2K

Tons of CO2 offset annually

Our Certifications & Partnerships

We've earned these the hard way - lots of late nights and even more coffee.

LEED Accredited Professionals

Multiple team members certified

Our lead designers hold LEED AP credentials. We've designed 14 LEED-certified projects so far, with 6 achieving Gold status. The certification process is pretty intense, but it keeps us sharp and up-to-date with the latest green building standards.

Canada Green Building Council

Active members since 2016

Being part of CaGBC gives us access to research and a network of folks who geek out over building performance as much as we do. We attend their conferences, contribute to working groups, and stay connected with the latest developments in Canadian sustainable architecture.

Passive House Institute

Certified designers

Passive House is probably the most rigorous energy standard out there. We've completed three Passive House projects and they're performing incredibly well - heating bills that make clients do a double-take. The attention to detail required is almost obsessive, but that's kinda our thing.

Energy Star Portfolio Manager

Performance tracking

We don't just design and walk away. We track how our buildings actually perform using Energy Star's tools. Sometimes the data surprises us (in good ways and bad), but it helps us keep learning and improving with each project.

How We Actually Build Sustainably

Here's our approach, broken down without the jargon. This is what happens on every project we take on.

1
Site Analysis That Actually Matters

We spend a lot of time on-site before drawing anything. Sun patterns, wind flow, existing vegetation - this stuff determines how well your building performs. Can't fake good orientation.

2
Material Selection We Can Stand Behind

Local materials when possible, recycled content when it makes sense, FSC-certified wood always. We've built relationships with suppliers who share our values. Also means shorter shipping distances and supporting local economies.

3
Energy Modeling Before We Break Ground

We run simulations on every design. Sounds fancy, but it's just smart planning - lets us predict energy use and tweak things before construction. Way cheaper to fix issues on a computer than on a job site.

4
Post-Occupancy Follow-Up

We check in after people move in. Are the systems working as designed? Any comfort issues? This feedback loop is how we keep getting better at what we do.

Sustainable building design Solar integration

Technologies We're Using Right Now

Not sci-fi stuff - these are proven systems we're integrating into projects today.

Solar Integration

Rooftop arrays, building-integrated PV, solar thermal - we're finding creative ways to capture energy. The ROI on solar in Ontario has gotten really compelling over the past few years.

Geothermal Systems

Ground-source heat pumps are incredible for Canadian climates. Higher upfront cost, sure, but the operational savings and reliability make them a no-brainer for the right projects.

Natural Ventilation

Designing for natural airflow reduces HVAC loads dramatically. We're talking thermal chimneys, stack ventilation, cross-flow designs - old principles with modern execution.

Rainwater Harvesting

Collecting and filtering rainwater for non-potable uses. We've installed systems handling everything from irrigation to toilet flushing. Water bills drop noticeably.

Smart Building Systems

Automated systems that optimize energy use based on occupancy and conditions. The data these systems generate also helps us understand building performance in real-time.

Green Roofs & Walls

Living systems that provide insulation, manage stormwater, and create habitat. Plus they look amazing. We've seen them reduce cooling loads by up to 30% in summer months.

Sustainable construction

The Construction Phase Matters Too

Everyone focuses on the design, but how you build is just as important. We work closely with contractors to minimize waste and environmental impact during construction.

  • Detailed waste management plans - we're tracking where materials go
  • Salvaging and reusing existing materials whenever possible
  • Low-VOC materials to keep indoor air quality high during and after construction
  • Erosion control and site protection - leaving the site better than we found it
  • Working with contractors who get what we're trying to accomplish

On our last commercial project, we diverted 92% of construction waste from landfills. The contractor thought we were crazy at first, but by the end they were finding new ways to separate and recycle materials.

Want to Build Something Sustainable?

Let's talk about your project. We're always up for a conversation about how to make buildings work better - for people and the planet.

Get In Touch