Building with Nature, Not Against It

Look, we're not gonna preach about saving the planet while designing glass boxes that cook like greenhouses. Our approach? It's gotta make sense—financially, environmentally, and yeah, it's gotta look damn good too.

LEED Certification
Our Track Record

Certifications That Actually Mean Something

We've been chasing LEED certifications since before it was trendy—back when people thought we were nuts for obsessing over air quality sensors and storm water management. Now? We've got 23 LEED-certified projects under our belt, including 7 Platinum ratings.

23

LEED Certified Projects

Including Gold and Platinum levels

7

LEED Platinum Buildings

Top-tier environmental performance

92%

Construction Waste Diverted

Average across recent projects

15yr

Green Building Experience

Since 2009 in Vancouver

Carbon Footprint: The Real Numbers

Forget the marketing fluff. Here's what we're actually doing to reduce embodied carbon and operational emissions. These aren't projections—they're measured results from completed buildings.

Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategy

Mass Timber Construction -40% CO2

Replacing steel and concrete with CLT panels where structurally viable

Recycled Steel Framing -28% CO2

Specifying 90%+ recycled content steel from local suppliers

Low-Carbon Concrete Mixes -35% CO2

Using SCMs and optimized mix designs without sacrificing performance

Local Material Sourcing -18% CO2

Materials sourced within 800km reduces transportation emissions significantly

Carbon tracking

Total Carbon Saved

8,420

Tonnes CO2 equivalent across portfolio

That's like taking 1,830 cars off the road for a year. Not bad, eh?

Energy systems
Operational Efficiency

Energy Performance That Pays Back

Our buildings aren't just sitting pretty—they're working machines that cut energy bills by an average of 45% compared to conventional construction. We're talking about real money saved every month, not just feel-good stats.

  • ● Passive Design First: Orientation, thermal mass, and natural ventilation before we even think about mechanical systems
  • ● Triple-Glazed Everything: Windows that actually insulate instead of bleeding heat (or cool air in summer)
  • ● Smart HVAC: Heat recovery ventilators and variable refrigerant flow systems that adapt to actual usage
  • ● Solar Integration: PV arrays designed into the architecture from day one, not slapped on as an afterthought

Water Management Done Right

Vancouver gets plenty of rain—might as well use it. Our buildings capture, filter, and reuse rainwater for everything from irrigation to toilet flushing. Combined with low-flow fixtures and greywater systems, we're cutting potable water use by around 60% on average.

Rainwater Harvesting

Average 45,000L storage capacity per commercial project

Greywater Recycling

Treating and reusing sink and shower water on-site

Permeable Surfaces

Reducing stormwater runoff and recharging groundwater

Native Landscaping

Plants that thrive without constant irrigation

Water systems

Material Choices & Lifecycle Thinking

Every material we specify has to answer three questions: Where'd it come from? How long will it last? What happens when it's done?

♻

Recycled Content

We're hitting 30-40% recycled content across most projects—steel, insulation, even acoustic panels from reclaimed materials

🌲

FSC Certified Wood

100% of our timber comes from responsibly managed forests. BC's got amazing lumber—let's keep those forests healthy

⚡

Low-VOC Everything

Paints, adhesives, sealants—all low or zero VOC. Indoor air quality isn't optional, it's baseline

🏗

Design for Disassembly

Bolted connections, modular systems—making it easier to adapt, reuse, or recycle components down the road

Real Talk About Green Building

Here's the thing—sustainable architecture isn't about making sacrifices or settling for less. When it's done properly, green buildings perform better, cost less to operate, and honestly? They're just more pleasant to be in. Better daylight, better air, better acoustics. The environmental stuff is crucial, sure, but it's gotta work for people too.

We've learned a lot over 15 years of doing this. Some systems work great in theory but fall apart in practice. Others seem simple but deliver huge impacts. The key is staying honest about what actually works—and being willing to adapt when better solutions come along.

Our approach
Awards and certifications

Recognition & Certifications

Awards are nice and all, but what really matters is that our clients see lower utility bills and healthier indoor environments. That said, here's some external validation that we're on the right track:

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

Three team members certified in BD+C specialty

Passive House Designer Certification

Trained in ultra-low energy building standards

Built Green Canada Member

Active in BC's residential green building program

CaGBC Vancouver Chapter

Contributing members since 2010

2022 SAB BC Award for Sustainable Design

Recognized for innovation in mass timber construction

Want to Talk Green Building?

Whether you're curious about LEED certification, wondering if solar makes sense for your project, or just want to chat about low-carbon concrete—we're here for it.

Get In Touch