Our Environmental Commitment

Building Better, Not Just Bigger

We're not here to preach about saving the planet with fancy buzzwords. We're here because honestly, buildings shouldn't wreck the environment they sit in. It's that simple.

Sustainable materials

Why We Actually Care About This Stuff

Look, when we started out, sustainability was just another checkbox on a form. But after restoring our 14th heritage building and watching how older structures naturally regulate temperature better than half the new builds out there, something clicked.

Those old buildings? They weren't trying to be sustainable. They just had to be smart because energy was expensive and materials were local. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that common sense.

Now we combine those time-tested principles with modern tech. Not because it sounds good in a brochure, but because it actually works better and costs less in the long run.

87%

Avg. Energy Reduction

34

LEED Projects

100%

Local Material Priority

Real Numbers from Real Projects

We're not fans of abstract sustainability goals. Here's what we've actually measured across our projects in the past five years.

2.4M

kWh Saved Annually

That's enough to power about 220 homes for a year

68%

Water Use Reduction

Rainwater harvesting and greywater systems

1,850

Tonnes CO2 Offset

Equivalent to taking 400 cars off the road

92%

Material Reuse Rate

In heritage restoration projects

Certifications We've Earned (And Actually Use)

There's a lot of green certifications out there. Some are worth the paper they're printed on, others... not so much. We focus on the ones that actually push us to design better buildings.

LEED Accredited Professional

Our whole design team is certified. It's not just about getting the plaque on the wall - it's about knowing what actually makes a difference.

Passive House Certified

Honestly? This one's tough to achieve. But buildings that meet this standard barely need heating or cooling. That's real efficiency.

Living Building Challenge

The most rigorous standard out there. We've got two projects pursuing this - it's basically asking your building to give back more than it takes.

Certified green building

Queen West Mixed-Use

LEED Platinum | Passive House | 2023

Transformations That Actually Matter

Sure, before and after photos look cool. But what really matters is the energy bills, the comfort levels, and whether people actually want to be in these spaces.

Before renovation
BEFORE
After renovation
AFTER
Liberty Village Warehouse Conversion

Energy Use

-73%

Natural Lighting

+420%

Water Usage

-61%

Occupant Satisfaction

9.2/10

This 1920s warehouse was basically an energy sieve. Now it's got triple-pane windows, a green roof, and geothermal heating. Tenants actually fight over spaces here.

Before restoration
BEFORE
After restoration
AFTER
Distillery District Heritage Building

Energy Use

-68%

Materials Salvaged

94%

Carbon Footprint

-82%

Heritage Score

A+ Preserved

Everyone wanted to gut this place. We kept the original brick, timber beams, and character while adding modern insulation and systems. Best of both worlds.

Want to See Your Building's Potential?

We offer free preliminary sustainability assessments for existing buildings. No sales pitch - just an honest look at what's possible and whether it makes sense for your situation.

Request Assessment

How We Actually Do This

There's no magic formula. Just a lot of attention to detail, some physics, and learning from what's worked (and what hasn't) over the years.

1
Site Analysis First

Before we draw a single line, we spend time understanding sun patterns, wind flow, and how the building sits in its environment. Work with nature, not against it.

2
Passive Design Principles

Proper orientation, thermal mass, and natural ventilation do more than fancy tech ever will. Get the basics right, then layer on the smart stuff.

3
Material Sourcing

We prioritize local suppliers within 500km. Not just for carbon reasons - local materials usually perform better in local climates anyway.

4
Energy Modeling

We run detailed simulations to test different scenarios. It's way cheaper to experiment digitally than to fix mistakes in real life.

5
Integrated Systems

HVAC, lighting, and water systems that talk to each other. Plus backup plans for when tech inevitably fails - because it will.

6
Post-Occupancy Monitoring

We track how buildings actually perform once people move in. Real data beats theoretical models every time. That's how we keep getting better.

Recent Green Projects

Green roof installation
Green Infrastructure
King Street Green Roof

3,200 sq ft living roof with native plants. Reduced stormwater runoff by