Building Responsibly, Living Better

We're not just talking about slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. Real sustainability means rethinking how we design, build, and actually use spaces. It's been our core focus for over a decade now.

Sustainability Planning

Why We're Kinda Obsessed with Green Building

Look, I'll be honest - when I first got into architecture, the "sustainable" projects felt a bit... let's say uninspired. But after spending years watching how buildings actually perform and talking with people who live in them, something clicked.

We've seen firsthand how thoughtful design cuts energy bills by 40-60%. We've watched clients go from skeptical to evangelical about their net-zero homes. And honestly? There's nothing quite like designing a space that works WITH the environment instead of fighting against it.

Every project we take on now has sustainability baked into the DNA - not as an afterthought or marketing gimmick, but as the foundation of how we think about space, materials, and human comfort.

Our Green Building Dashboard

Real numbers from real projects - because sustainability without data is just good intentions.

23

LEED Certified Projects

Gold & Platinum levels

47%

Average Energy Reduction

vs. standard builds

2.8M

Gallons Water Saved

annually across projects

890

Tons CO2 Offset

per year, total portfolio

Calculate Your Project's Environmental Impact

Curious what going green could mean for your space? This calculator gives you a rough estimate based on what we've seen across dozens of projects. Not exact science, but it's a decent starting point for conversations.

Quick Sustainability Estimator

LEED Certification Levels

We've worked across all tiers - here's what they actually mean in practice.

LEED Certified

40-49 points - A solid foundation. You're hitting the basics: energy efficiency, water conservation, and decent material choices. Most clients see utility bills drop 25-35% compared to conventional buildings.

Typical Features: Low-flow fixtures, Energy Star appliances, recycled content materials, basic daylighting strategies

LEED Silver

50-59 points - Now we're getting somewhere. This is where design starts getting interesting. Better envelope performance, smarter HVAC systems, and more thoughtful site planning. Energy reductions typically hit 35-45%.

Typical Features: Enhanced commissioning, green roof elements, advanced water metering, improved indoor air quality protocols

LEED Gold

60-79 points - This is our sweet spot honestly. You're getting serious performance without going into crazy experimental territory. Renewable energy integration, advanced materials, site restoration. We're usually seeing 45-55% energy reductions here.

Typical Features: On-site renewables, rainwater harvesting, heat recovery systems, FSC-certified wood, extensive daylighting with automated controls

LEED Platinum

80+ points - The whole enchilada. Net-zero capable, cutting-edge tech, comprehensive ecological design. These projects push boundaries and yeah, they cost more upfront. But we've had Platinum buildings hit 60-70% energy reduction, sometimes more.

Typical Features: Net-zero energy potential, greywater systems, advanced building automation, living walls, triple-glazed windows, geothermal systems

Real Projects, Real Results

Case studies from buildings we've actually designed and watched perform over time.

Westbrook Residence
LEED Gold Residential

Westbrook Net-Zero Residence

A 3,200 sq ft family home that actually produces more energy than it uses. The clients were skeptical about the solar array aesthetics at first, but once they saw their first "negative" utility bill, they became our biggest advocates.

68%
Energy Reduction
$2,840
Annual Savings

Key Features: 9.2kW solar array, geothermal heating/cooling, triple-glazed windows, passive solar orientation, super-insulated envelope (R-40 walls), rainwater collection system

Maritime Office
LEED Platinum Commercial

Maritime Innovation Centre

This 42,000 sq ft office building was a challenge - the client wanted Platinum but had a tight budget. We got creative with passive strategies and local materials. Three years in, it's performing even better than our energy models predicted.

72%
Energy Reduction
$47K
Annual Savings

Key Features: Automated natural ventilation, 6,000 sq ft green roof, greywater recycling, reclaimed timber finishes, high-performance curtain wall, demand-controlled ventilation, EV charging infrastructure

Riverside Housing
LEED Gold Multi-Family

Riverside Affordable Housing

Proving that sustainable design isn't just for luxury projects. This 68-unit development keeps tenant utility costs low while providing healthier living spaces. We're particularly proud of how the passive solar design slashed heating costs.

54%
Energy Reduction
$890
Per Unit/Year

Key Features: Shared solar hot water system, heat recovery ventilators in each unit, low-VOC materials throughout, community garden with irrigation from collected rainwater, bike storage and repair facilities

Heritage Conversion
LEED Silver Heritage

Gastown Warehouse Conversion

Adaptive reuse is inherently sustainable - you're saving all that embodied carbon in existing materials. This 1912 warehouse became a mixed-use building with retail and offices. Working within heritage constraints while upgrading performance was tricky but rewarding.

46%
Energy Reduction
85%
Materials Retained

Key Features: Original timber structure preserved and exposed, insulation added behind new interior walls, high-efficiency mini-split HVAC, salvaged brick repurposed as interior feature walls, upgraded windows matching historic profiles

Let's Talk About Your Sustainable Project

Whether you're aiming for LEED certification or just wanna build smarter, we'd love to hear what you're thinking. First conversation's always informal - let's see if we're a good fit.

Get in Touch View More Projects