Look, sustainability isn't just something we slap on our website to look good. It's literally how we've been doing things since day one. Here's the real story of our journey.
I'll be honest - when we started out, we weren't trying to save the planet or anything. We just noticed how much waste there was in traditional construction, and it bugged us. Fast forward a bunch of years, and turns out caring about efficiency and materials actually means you're doing sustainable architecture. Who knew?
These aren't projections or theoretical BS - this is what we've actually achieved with our completed projects
Average Energy Reduction
compared to standard buildsWater Usage Cut
through smart systemsConstruction Waste Diverted
from landfills since 2019kg CO2 Offset
annually from our portfolioThis timeline shows the actual evolution of our practice - the good, the messy, and everything in between
Started tracking material waste on a residential project in Leslieville. Realized we were tossing about 30% of materials straight into dumpsters. That felt wrong, so we changed our procurement process.
Completed our first intentionally sustainable commercial space in Liberty Village. Client was skeptical about costs but ended up saving $18K annually on utilities. That got people's attention.
Got our LEED AP credentials. Not gonna lie, the exam sucked, but having that official backing helped us push more ambitious projects through approval processes.
Started calculating embodied carbon for every project. It's tedious work but clients actually appreciate seeing the real environmental cost of their material choices. Changes conversations pretty quick.
COVID made everyone rethink indoor air quality and natural ventilation. Suddenly our "excessive" focus on fresh air systems didn't seem so excessive. Also perfected our energy modeling during all that work-from-home time.
Finished our first net-zero office building in the Distillery District. Took 14 months longer than planned and went slightly over budget, but it actually works. Building generates more power than it uses most months.
Started a materials reuse program with local demolition contractors. We salvage good materials from teardowns and incorporate them into new builds. Saves money and keeps stuff out of dumps. Win-win.
Got our Passive House Designer certification. These standards are nuts - way stricter than LEED. But the performance data from these buildings is incredible. We're talking heating bills under $200/year for a whole house.
Working on our most ambitious project yet - a mixed-use development targeting net-positive energy. Also developing our own building performance monitoring system because the existing options are kinda clunky.
These aren't just plaques on the wall - we actually use this stuff daily
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation. We've worked on 12 LEED projects so far, with 8 achieving Gold or higher.
Certified to design ultra-low energy buildings. The standard's tough but the results speak for themselves - clients love their utility bills.
Active member of Canada Green Building Council. We contribute to regional sustainability standards and learn from other practitioners.
Committed to diverting 90%+ of construction waste from landfills. Currently averaging 89% across all active projects.
Pushing every project toward net-zero energy consumption. Some clients bite, some don't, but we always present the option.
It's not always cheaper upfront. Sometimes it takes longer. The permits can be a pain. But every single client who's stuck with us through a sustainable build has told us it was worth it. Lower bills, healthier spaces, and yeah - feeling good about not trashing the planet doesn't hurt either.
Wanna talk about making your project more sustainable without the greenwashing? Let's chat about what actually works.
We'll give you a straight-up evaluation of what's possible with your project - no BS, no upselling.
Book a ConsultationTesting cross-laminated timber for mid-rise projects. The carbon sequestration potential is huge, plus it looks amazing.