Building with Purpose
Our approach to creating spaces that actually give back
Look, we've been doing this since 2009, and honestly? The old way of just slapping up buildings without thinking about the planet feels pretty irresponsible now. Every project we take on has to answer one question: how do we make this better for everyone involved?
It's not just about solar panels and fancy certifications (though we've got those). It's about designing spaces where people actually want to live and work, that don't cost a fortune to heat or cool, and that'll still be standing strong decades from now.
We've watched Vancouver transform over the years, and we want to be part of making it greener, not grayer.
These aren't projections or best-case scenarios. This is what we've actually achieved across our projects.
Average decrease in energy consumption vs. conventional builds
Clean energy produced annually from our integrated solar systems
Reduction through rainwater harvesting and efficient fixtures
Carbon emissions prevented annually across our portfolio
We've got three LEED APs on staff who live and breathe green building standards. They're not just checking boxes – they're constantly pushing what's possible within the framework.
Yeah, we went there. Two of our team members completed the rigorous Passive House Designer training. Those German standards don't mess around, and neither do we when it comes to energy efficiency.
We've completed one full LBC project and have two more in the works. It's intense, it's demanding, but honestly? It's where architecture should be heading.
Our home turf certification. We know BC's climate inside out, and these standards reflect what actually works here in the Lower Mainland.
We're constantly hunting for materials that don't suck for the environment. Local sourcing whenever possible, reclaimed timber (BC's got some gorgeous old growth that deserves a second life), low-VOC everything, and manufacturers who can prove their sustainability claims.
Before we start adding tech, we get the basics right. Orientation, natural ventilation, thermal mass, daylighting – stuff that worked before we had HVAC systems and still works better than most active systems.
Then we layer in the smart stuff. High-efficiency mechanicals, solar PV arrays, greywater systems, smart building controls. But only where they actually make sense for the project and the client's budget.
Our first net-zero commercial building in downtown Vancouver
Client wanted a Class A office tower that would hit net-zero in Vancouver's climate. Not exactly easy when you're dealing with a high-rise and our rainy, cloudy winters.
Triple-glazed curtain wall with dynamic shading, geothermal heat pump system tied into the bedrock 400 feet down, and a clever PV array that wraps the mechanical penthouse. Plus, we spec'd locally-sourced mass timber for the interior structure – first time we'd done that at this scale.
Hit net-zero in year one, even with our occupancy running 15% higher than projected. LEED Platinum certified, and the tenants are seeing utility costs about 60% below comparable buildings downtown. Plus it just looks good – the timber lobby gets photographed constantly.
Because standing still isn't really our thing
We're working toward making every new project not just carbon-neutral but actually carbon-negative over its lifecycle. That means getting serious about embodied carbon in materials, construction processes, and end-of-life planning.
We're partnering with material recovery facilities and manufacturers to close the loop. Every project should contribute to a system where nothing's truly waste – it's just waiting for its next use.
Every project gets nature integrated from day one. Not as an add-on or nice-to-have, but as a fundamental requirement. Green walls, natural materials, views, natural light – the works.
We're developing workshops and resources to share what we've learned. Sustainability in architecture shouldn't be proprietary knowledge – the more firms doing this work, the better for everyone.
Got a project that needs to hit sustainability goals? Want to explore what's possible? We're always up for a conversation about pushing boundaries.
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