Look, we're not gonna pretend sustainability is just a checkbox we tick off. After 15+ years in this industry, we've seen firsthand how buildings impact everything around them - and honestly, there's no going back once you understand that responsibility.
Buildings account for nearly 40% of global energy consumption. That's not a stat we can ignore anymore. Every project we take on is a chance to reduce that number, even if just a little bit. And yeah, it's become kind of personal for our team.
We're talking real reductions here - not just paper promises. Our commercial projects average 35-45% less energy use than code requirements. It's about smart orientation, proper insulation, and tech that actually works.
Vancouver gets plenty of rain, so we design for it. Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, low-flow fixtures - they're all part of the conversation from day one. Plus, you'd be surprised how much clients save on utilities.
We're picky about what goes into our buildings. Local sourcing when possible, recycled content, low-VOC finishes. And we're getting better at designing for deconstruction - thinking about the building's life 50 years from now.
We didn't start out as sustainability experts - nobody does. It's been a learning process, and we're still picking up new tricks. Here's how our practice has evolved over the years.
Started incorporating basic energy modeling into projects. Honestly, the software crashed more than it helped back then, but we were figuring it out. Got our first LEED Silver certification and thought we'd reached the peak - spoiler: we hadn't.
This is when we really started nerding out on passive design. Took a few study trips to Europe, saw some incredible net-zero buildings. Began pushing our clients harder on performance targets. Some thought we were crazy - until they saw their first utility bills.
Became LEED APs, added Passive House certification to our toolkit. Started winning awards for our work, which was cool but mainly meant we were on the right track. Completed our first net-zero commercial building - that one still makes us proud.
Took on our first Living Building Challenge project. Not gonna lie, it was brutal. The documentation alone nearly killed us. But pushing those boundaries taught us more than any course could. Started consulting on BC's zero-carbon step code.
Now we're all about embodied carbon and circular design. Working with material reuse facilities, specifying bio-based materials, designing for adaptability. The climate crisis isn't waiting, so neither are we. Every project gets a full life-cycle analysis - it's just how we work now.
These aren't just badges to put on our website. Each certification system pushes us to think differently about design challenges. Here's what we're actively working with:
We've done everything from Silver to Platinum. It's a solid framework, though sometimes it feels like you're drowning in paperwork. Great for commercial clients who need recognized credentials.
This one's all about performance - no greenwashing possible here. Your building either hits the energy targets or it doesn't. Brutal but effective. The comfort levels in these buildings are unreal.
The Olympics of green building. Seriously challenging but incredibly rewarding. You gotta prove your building actually performs after it's built - which is how it should be, honestly.
BC's roadmap to net-zero buildings. We're working on Step 4 and 5 projects now. It's pushing the whole industry forward, which is exactly what we need.
People spend 90% of their time indoors - might as well make those spaces healthy. This one focuses on occupant wellness, and it's been eye-opening for how we think about interior environments.
We're not big on vague claims, so here's some actual data from projects we've completed in the last few years. Your results will vary, obviously, but this gives you an idea of what's achievable.
Average energy reduction vs. baseline code
LEED certified projects delivered
Construction waste diverted from landfill
Net-zero buildings completed
Whether you're aiming for a specific certification or just want to build smarter, we'd love to chat. Every project is different, and we're always up for a good challenge.