How We Actually Build Green

Real talk about our sustainability practices - no greenwashing, just honest conversations about what works and what we're still figuring out

Solar installation project

Why We're Obsessed With This Stuff

Look, I'll be straight with you - when I started in architecture 15 years ago, "sustainable design" was basically just throwing some recycled materials into a project and calling it a day. It's gotten way more complex since then, and honestly? That's a good thing.

These days, we're looking at buildings as living systems. Every project we take on, we're thinking about energy performance from day one - not as an afterthought. Vancouver's climate gives us some unique opportunities (hello, rainwater harvesting), but it also means we gotta be smart about thermal bridging and moisture control.

We've messed up along the way, learned some hard lessons, and now we're at a point where sustainability isn't a separate checklist - it's just how we design.

Our Track Record (The Numbers Don't Lie)

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% Average Energy Reduction

vs. standard code buildings
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% Construction Waste Diverted

from landfills since 2020
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LEED Certified Projects

Gold or higher
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% Water Use Reduction

through smart fixture selection

Certifications We Actually Care About

Yeah, we've got the badges - but here's why they matter beyond looking good on our website

LEED AP

Got three team members with this designation. It keeps us current on green building standards and honestly forces us to think harder.

Passive House

The gold standard for energy efficiency. We've completed 7 Passive House projects and they perform incredibly well in Vancouver's climate.

Living Building

This one's tough - we're working on our first Living Building Challenge project right now. It's demanding but pushes boundaries.

Net Zero Ready

Designing for net-zero is where things are headed. We're getting buildings ready for solar even if panels aren't installed day one.

What We Actually Do (Beyond the Buzzwords)

Energy Modeling From Sketch Phase

We don't wait till construction docs to think about performance. Using software like IES-VE and WUFI, we're testing building envelope strategies while designs are still on napkins. Caught a thermal bridge issue last month that would've cost a client $8K annually in heating - just by running early simulations.

Rainwater as a Resource

Vancouver gets 1,150mm of rain yearly - might as well use it. We're designing systems that capture roof runoff for irrigation and toilet flushing. On a 5,000 sq ft residential project, that's roughly 60,000 liters annually that doesn't hit the storm sewer. Plus, clients save on water bills.

Material Life Cycle Analysis

We track embodied carbon now - not just operational energy. Sometimes that fancy imported tile has triple the carbon footprint of local options. We use tools like Tally to show clients the real environmental cost of material choices. It changes conversations pretty quick.

Natural Ventilation Strategy

Mechanical systems are great, but nothing beats fresh air when the weather allows. We design operable windows and stack effect ventilation so buildings can breathe on their own 6-7 months of the year in Vancouver. Reduces HVAC loads and honestly, people just feel better with real air movement.

High-Performance Envelopes

Triple-glazed windows, continuous insulation, airtight construction - yeah, it costs more upfront. But we've got data from completed projects showing 2-4 year payback periods through energy savings. The key is detailing those assemblies properly so they actually perform as designed.

Adaptive Reuse Prioritization

Tearing down an existing building and starting fresh? That's gotta be really justified these days. There's so much embodied energy in existing structures. We push clients to consider renovation and adaptive reuse first - often gets them better character and lower carbon impact.

Green roof installation

Where We're Headed Next

The BC Energy Step Code is pushing everyone forward, which is good. We're currently working on getting our first all-electric residential building through permitting - heat pumps for everything, no gas connection. It's gonna be interesting to see how it performs.

We're also diving deeper into biophilic design - not just green walls for instagram, but actual integration of nature into how buildings function. There's solid research showing this stuff impacts wellbeing and productivity.

And honestly? We're learning as much from our clients as they learn from us. The sustainability conversation has gotten way more sophisticated. People aren't just asking for "eco-friendly" anymore - they want specifics, data, and accountability.

"Every project is a chance to prove that sustainable design doesn't mean compromise - it means better buildings, period."

Wanna talk about making your project more sustainable?

We do free initial consultations to walk through what's actually feasible for your site and budget - no sales pitch, just real conversation about what might work.

Let's Chat