Look, we're not gonna sugarcoat it – architecture has a massive carbon footprint. But we've been working our butts off for years to change that, one project at a time. It's not just about slapping solar panels on roofs and calling it a day.
Forget the corporate jargon. Here's what sustainability means to us on the ground, dealing with real buildings and real budgets.
Before we even think about fancy tech, we orient buildings right. South-facing windows where they make sense, thermal mass that actually works with Toronto's climate, natural ventilation that doesn't freeze people out in winter. It's old-school physics, really.
We've got spreadsheets tracking embodied carbon of every material we spec. Reclaimed timber from Ontario barns, recycled steel, low-VOC everything. Yeah, sometimes clients push back on cost, but we've learned how to make it work without blowing budgets.
Heat pumps, solar arrays, geothermal when the site allows it. We're monitoring energy use post-occupancy because honestly, the gap between designed performance and actual performance keeps us up at night. Learning constantly from real-world data.
The greenest building is the one that's already built. We're kinda passionate about this – preserving heritage structures isn't just about history, it's about avoiding the carbon cost of demolition and new construction. Plus, those old buildings have character you can't replicate.
Our team includes LEED APs who've been through the certification process more times than we can count. Gold and Platinum aren't just badges – they're proof points.
We've gotten into Passive House certification lately – it's brutal to achieve but the energy performance is incredible. Worth the headache.
We're working toward our first LBC project. It's the most rigorous green building standard out there – net positive energy, water, waste. Ambitious? Yeah.
Sustainability isn't just environmental – it's about human health too. Air quality, lighting, acoustics. Buildings should make people feel good.
We track everything because if you can't measure it, you can't improve it. Here's what our sustainable design approach has achieved across completed projects.
That's enough to power about 220 average homes for a year. Not bad for what started as a side interest in energy modeling.
Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, efficient fixtures. Every liter counts, especially as water scarcity becomes more real.
Construction waste management plans that actually work. We've hit 85% diversion rates on recent projects through careful planning.
Equivalent to taking about 270 cars off the road annually. It's the combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and material choices that adds up.
Lower utility bills for our clients. Sustainable design pays for itself – usually within 7-10 years, sometimes faster. That's a solid ROI.
These aren't just materials – they're choices with consequences. We've tested, specified, and lived with these in real projects.
Old barn beams, factory joists – this stuff has character and a story. Plus, you're not cutting down new trees. Win-win.
Game changer for mid-rise construction. Strong as steel, stores carbon, and honestly just beautiful to look at when you leave it exposed.
When you need structural steel, go recycled. The performance is identical to virgin steel but uses 60% less energy to produce.
Cellulose, hemp, sheep's wool – sounds hippie but works incredibly well. Better moisture management than foam, and way lower embodied energy.
Concrete's a carbon nightmare, but new mixes with fly ash or slag can cut emissions by 40%. We're pushing suppliers hard on this.
Insulation, stormwater management, urban biodiversity, and they just look awesome. Maintenance isn't as scary as people think once they're established.
One of our favorite projects – a 1920s warehouse converted into mixed-use space. Challenge was keeping the heritage character while hitting Passive House standards. Spoiler: we did it.
Triple-pane windows hidden behind original frames, 16 inches of cellulose in the roof, heat recovery ventilation that actually works. The building envelope is so tight we worried about it being too quiet (weird problem to have).
Sustainability isn't a destination – it's an ongoing practice. Here's what we're pushing toward in the next few years.
All our new projects designed for net-zero operations. It's ambitious but we've got a roadmap.
Aiming for half our portfolio to be renovation projects instead of new construction.
Designing buildings that return more clean water than they use. Tech is almost there.
Sharing what we've learned with other firms. Rising tide lifts all boats, right?
Whether you're renovating a heritage property or planning new construction, we can help make it green without compromising on design or budget. Let's talk about what's actually possible.