Building With Nature, Not Against It
Real numbers, honest approach, and a commitment that goes beyond marketing fluff
Real numbers, honest approach, and a commitment that goes beyond marketing fluff
Look, we're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers. But after fifteen years watching buildings go up around Vancouver, we realized something had to change. The construction industry's responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions - that's pretty brutal when you think about it.
So here's the thing: every project we take on now, we're asking ourselves how we can do better. Sometimes it's straightforward - better insulation, smarter window placement. Other times it's more complex, like sourcing reclaimed timber from old warehouses or figuring out greywater systems that actually work in BC's climate.
We've messed up along the way, learned some hard lessons, but that's part of it. Can't claim to be perfect, but we're committed to being better than we were yesterday.
Tonnes CO2 Offset
Since 2018 across all projectsWaste Diverted
From landfills through recycling & reuseLEED Projects
Gold & Platinum certificationsEnergy Reduction
Average vs. conventional buildings
We're kinda obsessed with where stuff comes from. Local timber from BC mills when possible, reclaimed materials that'd otherwise end up in a dump, and low-VOC finishes that won't make people sick. There's this salvage yard in Surrey we visit way too often - found some incredible old-growth beams there last month.
Before we spec any fancy tech, we're thinking about orientation, thermal mass, natural ventilation. It's old-school stuff that just works. South-facing windows for winter heat, overhangs for summer shade, cross-ventilation that actually moves air. Sometimes the best solution's been around for centuries.
Rainwater harvesting's become standard in our designs - Vancouver's got plenty of rain, might as well use it. Solar panels when the roof orientation works. Heat pumps are getting better every year. We've also been experimenting with greywater systems, though honestly, the permitting can be a pain.
Getting certified isn't just about putting logos on our website. It's about accountability, learning from others, and proving we're actually doing what we say we're doing.
Started getting serious about green building standards. The exam was brutal, not gonna lie, but it changed how we think about every design decision.
Took a deep dive into ultra-low energy design. The physics behind building envelopes is honestly fascinating once you get into it. Now we're kinda nerdy about air-tightness testing.
This one pushed us way outside our comfort zone. It's not just about efficiency - it's about regenerative design. Our first LBC project taught us more than the previous decade combined.
Sustainability's gotta include people's health too. Started focusing more on indoor air quality, natural light, and how buildings actually affect wellbeing. The pandemic really drove this home.
The newest addition to our toolkit. We're working towards carbon-neutral buildings throughout their entire lifecycle - from construction to demolition. It's ambitious, but that's the point.
Every year we set new targets. Some we hit, some we miss, but we're transparent about all of it. Here's what we're pushing for through 2026:
Whether you're thinking about LEED certification, passive house standards, or just want to build something that doesn't trash the planet - let's chat. We've probably faced whatever challenge you're dealing with.
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