Building Green Isn't Just a Trend

It's how we've been doing things since day one. Here's the honest truth about our environmental commitments.

Why We Actually Care About This Stuff

Look, we're not gonna feed you corporate green-washing nonsense. Truth is, sustainable design isn't some fancy add-on service we tack onto projects – it's literally how we approach every single job that comes through our door.

Been doing this for over 15 years now, and I've watched the industry shift from treating green building like some exotic specialty to... well, it's still not the default everywhere, which honestly drives me nuts. But we've made it our default because frankly, designing buildings that waste energy and resources just feels irresponsible at this point.

Solar integration

Energy That Makes Sense

We've integrated solar systems into 87% of our residential projects over the past 3 years. Not because clients always ask for it upfront (though more are), but because we show them the 20-year math and suddenly it clicks.

Average energy reduction: 64% across completed projects

Water systems

Water Systems That Work

Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, low-flow everything – yeah, it sounds like a hippie commune setup, but Toronto's water bills aren't getting cheaper. Plus, the infrastructure can handle it when you design it right from the start.

Average water savings: 48% in residential builds

23

LEED Certifications

Including 7 Gold and 3 Platinum ratings since 2018

91%

Material Sourcing

Of our materials come from within 800km – supporting local and cutting transport emissions

2.1M

kg CO2 Offset

Annual carbon reduction from our completed projects (verified 2024)

Certifications We Actually Pursue

There's a certification for everything these days. We focus on the ones that actually push us to design better buildings.

LEED Accredited

Four AP professionals on staff who know the system inside-out

Passive House

Certified designers – this standard is tough but worth it

Living Building

Currently working on our first full certification – it's ambitious

WELL Building

Because occupant health is just as important as energy efficiency

Material selection

The Material Question

Here's where things get real interesting. Everyone talks about using "sustainable materials" but what does that actually mean? We've spent years building relationships with suppliers who can prove their chain of custody.

Reclaimed & Salvaged First

That heritage restoration work? It's taught us a lot about reusing materials. We now spec salvaged elements into new builds whenever structurally sound.

FSC Certified Timber

Non-negotiable on our projects. Yeah, it costs a bit more upfront, but forests don't grow back overnight.

Low-VOC Everything

Paints, adhesives, finishes – indoor air quality matters more than most people realize. Had a client's kid with asthma once, changed how we thought about materials permanently.

Recycled Content

Steel, concrete, insulation – we track the recycled percentage of every major material. Current project average sits at 38% recycled content.

Environmental Impact by the Numbers

We track this stuff obsessively. Here's what our completed projects achieved in 2024:

1.8 GWh

Annual energy saved versus conventional builds

42M Liters

Water conserved through smart systems

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

624 Tons

CO2 saved via local material sourcing

Green roof

What We're Working On Next

Sustainability isn't a checkbox you tick off and forget about. The tech evolves, the climate science gets clearer, and honestly, we're always finding new ways to do better.

Right now we're deep into carbon sequestering materials – hempcrete, mycelium panels, that kind of thing. Some of it's still experimental, but we've got two pilot projects happening this year where we're testing these in real conditions.

Also working with U of T on a research project about thermal mass in Toronto's climate. Because copying solutions from California or Scandinavia doesn't always make sense here – we've got our own unique challenges with those humid summers and brutal winters.

"Every project teaches us something new about building greener. The day we think we know it all is the day we should probably retire."

- Jade Vornthal, Principal Architect

Want to Build Something Sustainable?

Whether you're aiming for a certification or just want to build responsibly, let's talk about what's actually feasible for your project and budget.

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