Building Green Isn't Optional Anymore
It's just how we do things around here. No greenwashing, no fancy buzzwords - just honest, thoughtful design that actually works with nature instead of against it.
It's just how we do things around here. No greenwashing, no fancy buzzwords - just honest, thoughtful design that actually works with nature instead of against it.
Look, I'll be straight with you - when I started out fifteen years ago, "green building" was basically slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. We've learned a lot since then.
These days, sustainability isn't a feature you tack on at the end. It's baked into every single decision we make, from site orientation to material selection. And honestly? It makes the architecture better. Buildings that respond to their environment just... make more sense.
We've seen clients cut their energy bills by 60-70% compared to conventional builds. That's real money staying in their pockets instead of disappearing into heating costs. Plus, people actually feel better in spaces that have proper daylighting and natural ventilation. It's not rocket science, but it does take planning.
These aren't trendy add-ons. They're strategies we've tested on real projects across BC, tweaked when they didn't work, and kept using because they deliver results.
Proper orientation, thermal mass, natural ventilation - this stuff has been around forever because it works. We once turned a house 15 degrees and saved the owners about $800 a year just from better solar gain. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.
We're obsessed with sourcing local when possible. BC's got incredible timber, and shipping materials from overseas when you've got better options 50km away just seems silly. Plus, local suppliers actually care about callbacks.
Vancouver gets plenty of rain, so we might as well use it. Rainwater harvesting isn't just for hippies anymore - it's practical, especially for irrigation. We've also gotten pretty good at greywater systems that actually meet code.
Solar's gotten so much cheaper in the last five years that it's almost a no-brainer for most projects. We'll run the numbers honestly - sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't. But when it does, the payback period is usually under 10 years now.
We've worked with pretty much every green building standard out there. Each one has its strengths, and we'll help you figure out which makes sense for your project - if any.
Sometimes clients come in dead-set on LEED Platinum, and after we crunch the numbers, they realize they can get 95% of the environmental benefit for half the certification cost. Other times, having that plaque on the wall matters for resale or corporate goals. We're flexible.
Multiple projects across all rating levels
Rigorous energy efficiency standard
BC's own certification program
Designed for future carbon neutrality
Real buildings, real results. These aren't renders - they're actual projects where the sustainability features are working exactly as we planned.
Hit net-zero in its first full year. The owners are actually selling power back to BC Hydro most months. 2,400 sq ft, four bedrooms, and energy bills under $30/month even in winter.
Turned a 1920s warehouse into a modern workspace while keeping the character. 40% energy reduction from baseline.
12 units, shared geothermal system, green roofs on all buildings.
Our first certified Passive House. Heating bill last winter? $120 for the entire season.
Living green roof manages 80% of stormwater on-site. The rooftop garden's become a neighborhood hangout.
Let's talk money because that's usually the first question.
Initial costs are typically 3-8% higher for a seriously sustainable build compared to conventional construction. But here's the thing - most of that comes back through lower operating costs within 7-12 years. After that, you're just saving money every month.
We had a client who balked at spending an extra $35K on better insulation and air sealing. We showed them the numbers - they'd recoup that in energy savings in about 9 years, and their home would be way more comfortable in the meantime. They went for it and haven't regretted it once.
There are also rebates and incentives that can offset a chunk of the upfront costs. BC Hydro, FortisBC, and various municipal programs - we know them all and we'll help you navigate the paperwork.
The greenest building is the one that already exists. If you've got an older structure, we can often retrofit it to modern standards for less than new construction. Plus, you're not adding to landfills.
*Based on our completed projects in Metro Vancouver area, 2019-2024
The proof's in how people actually live in these spaces.
"We were skeptical about the whole 'net zero' thing, thought it was gonna be too complicated. But the team walked us through everything, and now our house basically pays for itself. Plus, it's just nicer to live in - stays cool in summer without AC."
"As a business owner, I needed the LEED certification for our corporate goals, but I didn't want it to feel like a corporate box. They nailed it - got us Gold certification and created a space our employees actually want to work in."