Building with the Planet in Mind
Not because it's trendy, but 'cause it's the only way forward
Look, I'll be straight with you - when I started out in architecture back in 2009, sustainability was just another box to tick. But after watching Vancouver's skyline transform and seeing firsthand how buildings can either drain or energize a community, something clicked.
We've been deep in the sustainable design game since 2012, and honestly? There's no going back. Every project we touch now has to answer one question: how does this make the world better, not just look better?
It's not about perfection - it's about progress. Sometimes that means pushing clients out of their comfort zone, sometimes it means learning from our mistakes (yeah, we've had a few). But each building teaches us something new about what's possible.
Three of our team members hold LEED AP credentials - we live and breathe this stuff
Completed our first Passive House project in 2018 - game changer for energy efficiency
BC's homegrown standard - we've got 12 certified projects under our belt
Started seriously researching green building after a conventional project left me feeling... empty. Attended our first green building conference and realized we'd been doing things backwards.
Completed our first LEED Gold residential project in Kitsilano. The learning curve was brutal, not gonna lie - but watching those energy bills drop by 60% made every sleepless night worth it.
Switched our entire material sourcing approach. Started working with reclaimed wood suppliers, local manufacturers, and low-VOC everything. Our storage space became a chemistry lab for a while there.
Delivered our first Passive House in West Vancouver. The client thought we were crazy with all the air-tightness testing, but now they're paying almost nothing for heating. Sweet vindication.
Made our own studio operations carbon-neutral. If we're gonna preach it, gotta practice it. Solar panels on the roof, composting system, the whole nine yards.
Committed to designing all new projects to net-zero ready standards. Some clients push back on the upfront costs, but we show them the 20-year numbers and they get it.
Moving beyond "less bad" to actually regenerative - buildings that give back more than they take. It's ambitious as hell, but that's kinda our thing now.
We run energy simulations before we even finish the first sketch. No point designing something beautiful that's gonna cost a fortune to heat, right?
Vancouver gets plenty of rain - might as well use it. We design systems that capture, filter, and reuse rainwater for irrigation and non-potable uses.
We know exactly where every material comes from, what's in it, and how it'll age. No mystery chemicals, no greenwashing - just honest materials.
Free heating from the sun? Yeah, we'll take that. Every project gets analyzed for optimal solar orientation and natural daylighting strategies.
We've signed onto the Architecture 2030 Challenge - all our projects will be carbon-neutral by 2030. That's not some distant dream, that's five years away. It means making tough calls, having uncomfortable conversations, and sometimes turning down projects that don't align.
But here's the thing - we've seen what's possible when you stop making excuses and start making change. Every building is a chance to prove that sustainable design isn't about sacrifice, it's about intelligence.
Let's address the elephant in the room - yeah, sustainable design can cost more upfront. Usually about 3-8% more for a truly green project. But here's what that gets you:
Most of our clients break even within 7-10 years, then it's pure savings. Plus, you get to sleep better knowing you're not wrecking the planet for the next generation.
