Building Green, Living Better

We're not just talking sustainability - we're actually doing it, one project at a time

Sustainable design practices

Why We're Obsessed with Green Building

Look, I'll be honest - when we started this studio back in 2008, sustainability wasn't really the trendy thing yet. But after working on a heritage restoration project in Gastown and seeing how well those old buildings performed with just passive design, we kinda had an "aha" moment.

Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. That's huge. And as architects, we're literally shaping the spaces where people spend 90% of their lives. So yeah, we figured we better take this responsibility seriously.

It's not about being perfect or preachy - it's about making smarter choices that actually work for our clients AND the planet. Plus, green buildings just perform better. Lower energy bills, healthier indoor air, better resale value... it's a win-win situation.

89%

Energy Reduction Average

120+

Certified Projects

Certifications We Actually Use

Not just collecting badges - these frameworks guide our design process

LEED Certification

LEED Accredited

We've got three LEED APs on staff who've been doing this since before it was cool. Certified over 45 projects from Silver to Platinum.

Our first LEED Platinum project in Kitsilano still holds the record for lowest energy consumption in its category.

Passive House

Passive House Certified

This one's tough but worth it. We've completed 12 Passive House projects in BC, and honestly, the performance data blows everything else away.

One of our residential clients hasn't turned on their heating in two winters. Not kidding.

Living Building Challenge

Living Building Challenge

The toughest green building standard out there. We're currently pursuing full certification on two projects - fingers crossed!

Net-positive energy, water, and waste? Yeah, it's ambitious but that's kinda our thing.

Our Sustainability Journey

It's been a learning process, and we're still figuring things out as we go

2008 - The Beginning

Started with basic energy modeling and daylighting studies. Pretty standard stuff, but it got us thinking differently about design.

2011 - First LEED Project

That community center in North Van. Man, the paperwork was intense, but we learned SO much about material selection and indoor air quality. Gold certified on first try though!

2014 - Going Passive

Discovered Passive House principles at a conference in Seattle. Total game-changer. Spent the next year getting certified and haven't looked back since.

2017 - Embodied Carbon Focus

Started doing full lifecycle assessments on all projects. Realized operational energy is only half the story - what about the carbon from manufacturing all those materials?

2020 - Net-Zero Commitment

Pledged that all new builds would target net-zero energy by 2025. Ambitious? Yep. Doable? We're making it happen.

2023-Present - Regenerative Design

Not just reducing harm - actually creating positive environmental impact. Working with biophilic design, urban agriculture integration, and habitat restoration. This is where it gets really exciting.

By The Numbers

Real impact from real projects across BC

Carbon reduction

2,847

Tonnes CO2 Offset Annually

That's like taking 620 cars off the road
Water saved

38M

Liters Water Saved/Year

Through rainwater harvesting & greywater systems
Waste diverted

92%

Construction Waste Diverted

Average across all 2023 projects
Renewable energy

685kW

Solar Capacity Installed

Enough to power 98 homes

What We Actually Do Different

Material Transparency

Every material spec includes full lifecycle carbon data. No hiding behind greenwashing.

Local First

We source 80% of materials within 500km. BC's got amazing resources - might as well use 'em.

Performance Guarantees

We model energy performance upfront and guarantee it. If we miss the mark, we help fix it.

Post-Occupancy Checks

Come back after 1 year to verify everything's working as designed. Most firms don't do this.

Biophilic Integration

Nature isn't decoration - it's functional design. Living walls, natural ventilation, maximized daylighting.

Adaptive Reuse Priority

Renovation > demolition, always. Existing buildings have embodied carbon we can't afford to waste.

Sustainable practices
Our team commitment

We're Still Learning

Here's the thing - sustainable design is constantly evolving. What was cutting-edge five years ago is standard practice now. And honestly? We've made mistakes along the way.

Like that time we spec'd a "sustainable" material that turned out to have terrible embodied carbon when you looked at the full supply chain. Or when we over-complicated a mechanical system trying to be too clever, and it just confused the building operators.

But that's kinda the point, right? We stay curious, keep testing new approaches, and share what we learn - the good and the not-so-good. Every project makes us better at this.

If you're thinking about building or renovating, let's talk about what sustainability actually means for YOUR project. Not some generic checklist, but real solutions that fit your budget, timeline, and goals.

Let's Chat About Your Project