Look, we've been designing with the planet in mind since way before it was trendy. It's just how we roll – because honestly, what's the point of creating beautiful spaces if we're trashing the environment while doing it?
LEED Certified Projects
% Energy Reduction Avg.
% Water Conservation
Tons CO2 Offset Annually
Real talk – sustainability isn't about slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. We dive deep into the whole lifecycle of a building, from where materials come from to how the space'll perform decades down the line.
Started implementing passive design strategies back in 2009, and man, the tech's come a long way since then. These days we're working with materials that'd blow your mind – reclaimed timber that's got more character than new stuff anyway, concrete alternatives that actually sequester carbon, insulation made from mushrooms (yeah, seriously).
"Every building we design should leave the site better than we found it. That's not idealism – it's just responsible practice."
- Quintharion Velthos, Founding Principal
We don't chase badges for the sake of it, but these standards keep us honest
Gold & Platinum Specialist
Been working with LEED since it actually meant something. We've got multiple APs on staff who know the system inside-out, and we've pushed 47 projects through certification – most hitting Gold or better.
Certified Designer
This one's tough but worth it. Passive House standards are no joke – ultra-tight building envelopes, mechanical ventilation, the works. Vancouver's climate makes it tricky, but we've cracked the code on several projects now.
Certified Professional
The Olympics of green building. Only attempted this twice because it's genuinely demanding – net-positive energy, water, waste. One's complete and certified, the other's in monitoring phase. Brutal but incredibly rewarding.
Gold Certified Builder
Local program that gets BC's unique climate and building practices. Great for residential projects where LEED might be overkill. Covers everything from site disturbance to indoor air quality.
AP Credentialed
People spend 90% of their time indoors, so why not make those spaces actually healthy? WELL focuses on human wellness – air quality, lighting, acoustics. It's where green building meets actual livability.
CaGBC Verified
Canada's pushing for all new buildings to be net-zero by 2030, so we're ahead of the curve here. Designing for near-zero energy consumption with renewable generation capacity built in from day one.
Numbers and certifications are great, but here's what that looks like in real life
Vancouver, BC | Completed 2023
Client wanted a showpiece office building that wouldn't cost a fortune to operate. We delivered a 12-story structure that uses 71% less energy than code requirements – and that's actual metered data after a year of operation, not projected savings.
Key Features: Geothermal heat exchange system, automated shading with daylight harvesting, greywater recycling, green roof with 40+ native plant species, EV charging infrastructure for 200 vehicles.
West Vancouver, BC | Completed 2022
Young family wanted a forever home that'd barely need heating despite Vancouver's rainy winters. Achieved Passive House certification – their heating bills for a 3,200 sq ft home run about $180 annually. Not monthly. Annually.
Key Features: Triple-pane windows (yeah, they're pricey but worth it), HRV system maintaining fresh air without losing heat, thermal bridge-free construction, natural fiber insulation, rainwater harvesting for irrigation.
Surrey, BC | Completed 2021
This one's our pride and joy – full Living Building Challenge certification. Generates more energy than it uses, treats all its own water, built with materials that don't poison people. Took four years from design to certification, but holy hell was it worth it.
Key Features: 85kW solar canopy, constructed wetland for blackwater treatment, composting toilets (yes, they work fine), mass timber structure storing 180 tons of carbon, bio-based insulation, zero VOC everything.
These aren't buzzwords – they're strategies we actually implement on every project
Orientation, shading, thermal mass – letting the sun do the heavy lifting for heating and lighting. Vancouver's got tricky weather, but proper south-facing glazing with overhangs makes a huge difference.
Cross-ventilation, stack effect, operable windows that actually work. Mechanical systems are great, but nothing beats fresh air when the weather cooperates – which it does here more than people think.
We get 1,200mm of rain annually – might as well use it. Harvesting systems, permeable paving, rain gardens, green roofs. Turn stormwater from a problem into an asset.
Low embodied carbon, local sourcing, durability, recyclability. We track every material's lifecycle impact – from extraction to end-of-life. FSC wood, recycled steel, bio-based alternatives wherever possible.
Airtight doesn't mean uptight. High R-values, thermal break details, quality windows. Vancouver's mild but humid – getting the envelope right prevents both energy waste and moisture issues.
Building automation, real-time monitoring, adaptive controls. Tech that actually saves energy rather than just looking cool. Occupancy sensors, automated shading, demand-based ventilation.
Buildings shouldn't be disposable. Designing for disassembly, adaptability, long life. Using materials that can be reclaimed. Thinking about what happens in 50 years, not just at ribbon-cutting.
Humans need nature – it's hardwired. Living walls, natural materials, views to greenery, daylighting. Not decoration, but actual wellness features backed by solid research.
Anyone can make claims about sustainability. Here's what we've actually achieved across our completed projects over the past 12 months:
