Building Better, Not Just More

We've spent the last decade figuring out how to create spaces that don't cost the earth – literally. Here's what we've learned along the way.

Sustainable materials
Our Philosophy

It's Not About Being Perfect

Look, we're not gonna pretend every project hits net-zero or wins awards. What matters is making smart choices that actually work for real people living real lives. Over the years, we've learned that sustainability isn't some checkbox exercise – it's about understanding how buildings breathe, how people move through space, and yeah, how utility bills affect families.

We started incorporating passive design strategies back in 2015, mostly because clients were tired of outrageous heating costs. Turns out, orienting a building properly and thinking about sun angles isn't rocket science – it's just good design that somehow got forgotten along the way.

Passive Design First

Work with nature instead of against it

Local Materials

Support BC suppliers when it makes sense

Long-Term Thinking

Buildings that adapt over decades

Honest Budgets

No greenwashing, just real numbers

What We've Actually Achieved

These aren't projections or estimates – this is real data from completed projects

42%

Average energy reduction vs. baseline code

68K

Liters of water saved annually per building

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

23

Green building certifications earned

Green certifications
Credentials

Certified & Accredited

We've got the paperwork to back up what we do. But honestly? These certifications matter because they hold us accountable to measurable standards, not just good intentions.

LEED Accredited Professional

Been working with LEED since version 3, now up to v4.1

Passive House Designer

Completed training in 2018, applied to 7 projects so far

Built Green Canada

Gold and Platinum level certifications achieved

Real Projects, Real Results

Here's how sustainability played out in actual builds

Kitsilano Net-Zero Residence
Case Study

Kitsilano Net-Zero Residence

Family of four wanted to rebuild their 1960s bungalow. They weren't tree-huggers or anything – just tired of $400 winter gas bills. We designed around solar gain, added serious insulation, and spec'd a heat pump system. Two years in, their annual energy costs are under $300. Yeah, the upfront was about 15% more, but the payback period is looking like 8 years.

94%

Energy Reduction

2.1 kW

Solar Array

R-60

Roof Insulation

Triple

Glazed Windows

Key Strategy: Super-insulated envelope with airtight construction and strategic south-facing glazing

Yaletown Office Retrofit
Case Study

Yaletown Office Retrofit

This was a challenge – 1980s office building with single-pane windows and no insulation to speak of. Client wanted to upgrade without gutting everything. We focused on what'd make the biggest impact: new high-performance envelope, LED throughout, and a smart HVAC system that actually responds to occupancy. The building went from a D-rated energy hog to LEED Silver.

58%

Energy Savings

$42K

Annual Cost Reduction

100%

LED Lighting

LEED Silver

Certification

Key Strategy: Phased retrofit prioritizing envelope upgrades and smart building systems

Commercial Mass Timber Build
Case Study

Commercial Mass Timber Build

Developer wanted something different for a mixed-use project in Mount Pleasant. We pitched mass timber – cross-laminated timber to be specific. Took some convincing with the structural engineers, but it worked out. The carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel? About 40% lower. Plus it went up faster, which saved time and money on the construction schedule.

465 tonnes

CO2 Sequestered

6 weeks

Time Saved

100%

BC-Sourced Timber

5 storeys

CLT Structure

Key Strategy: Mass timber primary structure with exposed wood interiors and biophilic design elements

Our Design Process

How we integrate sustainability from concept to completion

1

Site Analysis

We walk the site at different times of day, check sun angles, prevailing winds, existing vegetation. Sounds basic but you'd be surprised how often this gets skipped.

2

Energy Modeling

Run simulations early, not as an afterthought. This tells us where to invest money for actual returns, not just what looks good in renderings.

3

Material Selection

Balance embodied carbon, durability, and cost. Sometimes the "greenest" material isn't practical. We're honest about trade-offs.

4

Post-Occupancy

Check back after a year to see if buildings perform as modeled. This feedback loop makes us better for the next project.

Materials & Tech We Actually Use

No theoretical stuff – this is what we've specified on recent projects

High-Performance Insulation

Mineral wool, closed-cell spray foam, and rigid foam boards depending on application. We're seeing R-40 walls become standard in our specs now.

Typical Cost Premium: 8-12%

Heat Recovery Ventilation

HRV and ERV systems that capture about 85% of heat from exhaust air. Game-changer for tight building envelopes that need controlled ventilation.

Typical Cost Premium: $4-7K installed

Solar Thermal & PV

Mix of solar hot water and photovoltaic panels. PV costs have dropped so much that it's almost a no-brainer on south-facing roofs in Vancouver.

Typical Cost Premium: $15-25K system

Rainwater Harvesting

Cistern systems for irrigation and toilet flushing. Vancouver gets enough rain that this actually makes sense, unlike drier climates.

Typical Cost Premium: $8-12K system

Air-Source Heat Pumps

Replacing gas furnaces with electric heat pumps. Tech has improved so much they work fine even in cold snaps. BC Hydro rebates help with costs too.

Typical Cost Premium: $8-15K vs gas