Sustainability isn't some checkbox we tick off. It's baked into how we think from day one - though honestly, sometimes clients push back on costs, or code requirements box us in, or we just can't find the right materials locally.
We've been doing this for over a decade now, and every project teaches us something new. Sometimes it's "wow, that passive cooling strategy worked better than expected" and sometimes it's "yeah, let's never spec that recycled material again."
Passive strategies before throwing tech at it. Orientation, insulation, smart glazing - the basics done right.
Rainwater harvesting, greywater when we can get approval, native landscaping that doesn't need constant watering.
Local when possible, recycled when it makes sense, low-VOC always. We keep a running list of suppliers who actually deliver.
Post-occupancy monitoring tells us if we actually hit our targets or just made pretty renderings.
Turning a 1920s warehouse into modern residential without losing its soul (or blowing the carbon budget)
Found this beauty on King Street East - 12,000 sq ft of neglected brick and timber. Previous owner wanted to demolish it, but we convinced the developer there was another way.
Kept 85% of the original structure. Those brick walls and timber beams? They stay. We just made 'em work harder.
Energy reduction vs. conventional renovation
CO2 avoided by reusing structure
Average annual energy cost per unit (6 units total)
The ground-source heat pump installation was a nightmare - hit more rock than expected, went over budget. Next time, we'd do better site analysis upfront. Also, we spec'd some reclaimed wood flooring that looked amazing but wasn't as durable as promised. Live and learn.
Can a commercial building in Canada actually produce as much energy as it uses? Well, we tried.
Client wanted a 25,000 sq ft office that wouldn't just be "green" but actually net-zero. In Ontario. Where winter exists.
They weren't messing around - full energy modeling required, monthly monitoring commitment, the works.
This is where it gets interesting. We couldn't rely on one solution, so we layered 'em:
Annual Energy Consumption
Solar Production
Net Energy Balance
Per sq ft annually (EUI)
We hit net-zero. Barely. That 3.8% surplus sounds great until you realize we were counting on 5% for buffer.
The good: Building envelope performed better than modeled. The automated shading system is chef's kiss - keeps summer cooling loads way down.
The challenging: Solar production in Dec-Jan was 40% below estimates (we underestimated snow accumulation issues). Client behavior matters more than we thought - people override systems. Also, the VRF system had some teething problems in year one, needed firmware updates.
High-end residential meets German engineering standards
Client came to us after attending a Passive House conference in Vancouver. They wanted the real deal - full certification, not just "passive house principles" or whatever watered-down version consultants sometimes sell.
These aren't suggestions. You hit these numbers or you don't get certified. Period.
Max 0.6 ACH50 (we hit 0.48)
Max 15 kWh/m2/year (we hit 13.2)
Max 120 kWh/m2/year (we hit 98)
Max 10% hours over 25C (we hit 7.3%)
