Our Green Commitment

Real talk: we've been obsessed with sustainable design since way before it was cool. Every project we touch has to pass our 'would we build this for ourselves?' test.

Why We're Kinda Obsessed with Sustainability

Look, I'll be honest - when we started out about 8 years ago, green building wasn't exactly the hottest topic at dinner parties. But here's the thing: we couldn't shake this feeling that we were leaving way too much on the table. Not just energy savings (though yeah, those numbers add up fast), but the whole experience of living or working in a space that actually works WITH the environment instead of fighting it.

These days, pretty much every project that comes through our doors at the West Georgia studio gets the full sustainability treatment. It's not an add-on anymore - it's baked into how we think about space, materials, and flow from day one.

We've learned that sustainable design isn't about sacrificing style or comfort. Actually, it's the opposite. Our greenest projects tend to be the ones clients rave about most - better light, cleaner air, spaces that just feel... right.

"The best building is the one that doesn't need constant fixing, heating, or explaining. That's what sustainable architecture gives us - buildings that make sense."

Sustainable architecture design

What We Actually Do (Not Just Talk About)

Concrete actions we've been implementing across our projects

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Passive Design Strategies

We orient buildings to catch winter sun and dodge summer heat. Sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how often this gets overlooked. Natural ventilation paths are mapped out before we even think about HVAC.

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Energy Performance

Our latest commercial project cut energy use by 62% compared to baseline code. We're nerdy about envelope details, thermal bridging, and making sure what's on paper actually happens on site.

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Water Management

Rainwater harvesting isn't just for farms anymore. Grey water systems, low-flow fixtures, and native landscaping that doesn't need constant irrigation - it's all standard in our playbook now.

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Material Selection

Local sourcing when possible, reclaimed materials when it makes sense, and always checking the full lifecycle impact. We've got relationships with suppliers who get it.

Green building certification

LEED Certification (Yeah, We Do That)

We're accredited LEED professionals, which basically means we've spent way too many hours understanding the certification process so our clients don't have to. The paperwork's a beast, not gonna lie, but the end result? Worth it.

So far, we've guided 14 projects through LEED certification - ranging from Silver to Platinum. Each one taught us something new about pushing the envelope (pun intended). The Gold-certified office building on Burrard? That one nearly killed us, but man, seeing those energy bills afterwards made it all click.

14

LEED Projects

58%

Avg. Energy Reduction

3

Platinum Certifications

42%

Water Use Reduction

Real Numbers from Real Projects

West End Residential Complex
  • ✓ 64% reduction in heating costs vs. conventional design
  • ✓ All units get minimum 4 hours direct sunlight daily
  • ✓ Rooftop solar covers 35% of common area electricity
  • ✓ Rainwater system handles all landscape irrigation
  • ✓ LEED Gold certified, 2023
Downtown Office Retrofit
  • ✓ 71% energy use intensity improvement
  • ✓ Diverted 89% of demolition waste from landfill
  • ✓ Indoor air quality exceeds ASHRAE standards by 40%
  • ✓ Payback period: 6.2 years on green investments
  • ✓ LEED Platinum certified, 2024

Materials We're Into Right Now

Our material palette's evolved a lot over the years. Here's what we're specifying most often these days and why:

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Game-changer for mid-rise construction. Carbon sequestration, fast installation, and it looks gorgeous exposed. We've used it on 5 projects now and honestly can't get enough.

Recycled Steel Framing

Nearly identical performance to virgin steel, way better carbon footprint. Plus, most suppliers in BC stock it now, so lead times aren't an issue anymore.

Triple-Glazed Windows

Yeah, they cost more upfront. But the R-value difference in Vancouver's climate? Pays for itself faster than you'd think. And clients always notice how quiet their spaces are.

Low-VOC Everything

Paints, adhesives, sealants - if it off-gasses, we're finding a better option. Indoor air quality's become a huge deal, especially post-2020.

Sustainable building materials
Our Material Vetting Process
  1. Check embodied carbon and full lifecycle impact
  2. Verify local availability and lead times
  3. Review durability and maintenance requirements
  4. Compare cost vs. performance honestly
  5. Test samples when possible (especially finishes)
  6. Consider end-of-life recyclability or biodegradability

Let's Talk Green Building for Your Project

Whether you're aiming for LEED certification or just wanna build something that makes sense environmentally and financially, we've been through it enough times to make the process pretty painless. Coffee's on us.

Get In Touch

Stuff We're Working On

Sustainable design keeps evolving - here's what we're exploring and learning about right now:

Net-Zero Ready Design

We're pushing toward net-zero on every new build. It's ambitious, yeah, but the tech's finally catching up with the ambition. Three current projects are targeting full net-zero operation.

Biophilic Integration

Not just sticking plants everywhere (though we do that too). We're really digging into how natural patterns, materials, and connections to the outdoors affect how people feel in spaces.

Circular Economy Principles

Designing buildings where components can be disassembled and reused rather than demolished. It's a different way of thinking about connections and systems, but it's where things are heading.

Climate Adaptation Strategies

Vancouver's changing - hotter summers, wetter winters. We're designing for the climate we'll have in 2050, not the one we had in 2000. It matters more than you'd think.