Look, we've been in this game long enough to see 'sustainable design' go from niche to mainstream. And honestly? It's about time. Every project we touch now has environmental impact baked into the foundation - literally and figuratively.
Real projects. Real results. No greenwashing here.
Here's the thing - sustainability isn't some add-on feature you slap onto a design at the end. We learned that the hard way back in 2015 with a commercial project that could've been way more efficient if we'd planned better from day one.
Now? Everything starts with the site. We spend weeks just understanding how the sun moves, where water flows, what the local climate's gonna throw at us. Sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this part.
Natural ventilation, thermal mass, proper orientation - the stuff that doesn't need electricity to work.
Local sourcing when possible, recycled content, low VOC everything. Your building shouldn't make people sick.
Solar panels are cool, but insulation's sexier. Seriously, a tight building envelope saves more than any tech addon.
Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, permeable surfaces. Water's getting expensive, folks.
How we've evolved our practice over the years
Started small with a 1960s bungalow that was bleeding energy like crazy. Owner's heating bills were insane - we're talking $400+ monthly in winter.
What we did: Deep energy retrofit, added 6" of exterior insulation, triple-pane windows, heat pump system. Kept the original character though, that was non-negotiable for the client.
"Our energy bills dropped by 73%. Seventy-three percent! And the house actually stays comfortable now. Worth every penny." - Margaret T.
This one was a game-changer for us. 12,000 sq ft of former industrial space turned into a net-zero ready office. The owner wanted LEED Gold minimum, we pushed for Platinum.
Key features: 85kW solar array on the roof, radiant floor heating/cooling, rainwater collection for all non-potable uses, daylighting in 90% of occupied spaces.
"Employee satisfaction went through the roof. Natural light, better air quality - people actually want to come to the office. Plus we're saving $28K annually on utilities." - David K., Property Manager
Probably our most ambitious project. 4-story mixed-use building with retail ground floor, offices, and residential units. Had to navigate some tricky zoning stuff but got there.
What made it special: Geothermal heating/cooling for the whole building, green roof with community garden space, bike parking for 60+ bikes, EV charging in every parking spot, reclaimed materials throughout.
"The community garden on the roof has become this amazing gathering spot. And my condo fees are lower than my old place because the building's so efficient. It's wild." - Jessica M., Resident
This one was tough but rewarding. 1920s warehouse with beautiful brick and timber that was falling apart. Heritage designation meant we had to preserve the character while bringing it up to modern standards.
The challenge: How do you insulate a heritage building? Can't touch the exterior brick, interior's all exposed. We used aerogel insulation in strategic spots, upgraded all systems to high-efficiency, added massive amounts of thermal mass in the floors.
"They respected the building's history while making it work for today. The exposed brick and beams look incredible, and somehow it stays comfortable year-round." - Robert L., Building Owner
Finally got our first Passive House certified project done. If you're not familiar, it's basically the gold standard for energy efficiency - ridiculously airtight, super-insulated, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
By the numbers: 90% reduction in heating/cooling energy compared to code-built homes. Air changes per hour at 50 pascals: 0.42 (code allows 3.0). Annual heating demand: 12 kWh/m². It's honestly remarkable.
"We heated our entire house last winter for less than $200. People don't believe me until I show them the bills. And the air quality is better than outside." - Sarah & Tom P.
Real transformations, real energy savings
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
Numbers that actually matter
Completed since 2016
Across all projects
Per year from our buildings
Gold and Platinum
No marketing fluff, just real feedback
"We were skeptical about the upfront costs, not gonna lie. But they walked us through the payback period and honestly, we're already ahead of schedule. Plus the house just feels better - can't really explain it, but you notice the difference."
Residential Client, Leslieville
"They didn't just design a building, they designed a system. Everything works together - the solar panels, the rainwater collection, even how the building's positioned on the lot. It's pretty impressive when you understand how much thought went into it."
Commercial Client, King West
"I appreciated that they didn't push the most expensive options just because. They gave us different scenarios with honest pros and cons for each. Ended up going with something in the middle and it's been perfect for our needs and budget."
Renovation Client, High Park
Let's talk about what sustainable design can do for your project. No pressure, just honest conversation about what's possible.
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