Building Better, Not Just Bigger

Look, we've been in this game long enough to know that 'sustainable' has become one of those words everyone throws around. But for us? It's literally how we design every single project. No greenwashing, just real work.

Sustainable materials

Why We're Kinda Obsessed With This Stuff

Here's the thing - we started focusing on sustainable design back in 2008, not because it was trendy (it wasn't really), but because we couldn't ignore what was happening to our environment. Vancouver's already dealing with climate change effects, and we figured our buildings should be part of the solution, not the problem.

Every project that leaves our studio in Suite 402 has been through our sustainability filter. That means we're thinking about energy use, material sourcing, water management, and how the building'll perform 20, 30, even 50 years down the line. It's more work upfront, yeah, but it's the right kind of work.

We're not perfect - nobody is. But we're constantly learning, adapting, and pushing ourselves to do better with each design.

The Numbers Don't Lie

These are actual results from projects we've completed over the past few years. Not projections or best-case scenarios - real data.

42%

Average energy reduction vs. conventional buildings

38%

Water usage decrease through smart systems

850+

Tons of CO2 offset annually across our portfolio

76%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

The Certifications We Actually Care About

Yeah, we've got the credentials. But here's what they really mean for your project:

LEED Accredited Professionals

Three of our team members are LEED APs. This means we know the ins and outs of the certification process and can navigate it without the usual headaches. We've gotten 12 projects LEED certified so far - Gold and Platinum levels.

Passive House Designers

This one's tough to get, and honestly, it's one we're most proud of. Passive House standards are no joke - they're the highest energy efficiency standards out there. We've completed 4 certified Passive House projects in BC.

Built Green Canada

As Built Green builders and designers, we're committed to third-party verification of our green building practices. It keeps us honest and gives clients independent confirmation that we're doing what we say we're doing.

Living Building Challenge

We're currently working on our first Living Building Challenge project - probably the most rigorous green building standard globally. It's intense, but we're learning a ton.

Green building certification Energy efficient design

How We Actually Do It

Site-Specific Design

We don't copy-paste designs. Each site in Vancouver or anywhere in BC has unique solar orientation, wind patterns, and microclimates. We study all that stuff before we even sketch the first line. Sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this step.

Material Transparency

We track where every major material comes from. Local sourcing when it makes sense, reclaimed materials when possible, and low-VOC everything. We've got relationships with suppliers who get what we're trying to do and don't charge you an arm and a leg for it.

Energy Modeling

We run detailed energy models on every project - not just to meet code, but to actually optimize performance. Sometimes small tweaks save huge amounts of energy. We geek out on this stuff so you don't have to.

Water Management

Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, low-flow fixtures - we integrate these from day one. Vancouver gets plenty of rain; might as well use it. Plus, water bills are only going up.

Indoor Air Quality

This one's personal for us. We spend 90% of our lives indoors. The materials we choose, the ventilation systems we design - they all impact your health. We prioritize healthy interiors just as much as energy efficiency.

Future-Proofing

Climate's changing whether we like it or not. We design buildings that'll handle hotter summers, wetter winters, and whatever else is coming. That means overhangs for shade, thermal mass for temperature regulation, and systems that can adapt.

Wanna See This Stuff In Action?

Check out our portfolio - we've got detailed case studies showing how these principles play out in real buildings with real budgets. No theoretical BS.

View Projects

Let's Be Real About The Challenges

Sustainable design isn't always easy, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. Here's what we run into:

Upfront Costs: Yeah, sometimes sustainable features cost more initially. But we're pretty good at showing clients the payback period - usually 5-8 years for most upgrades. Plus, BC has some solid rebate programs we help you navigate.

Material Availability: Not everything we want to spec is readily available in Vancouver. Sometimes we have to get creative or wait a bit longer for the right materials. We're upfront about lead times.

Contractor Education: Not all contractors are familiar with advanced green building techniques. We often spend extra time during construction making sure everyone's on the same page. It's worth it, but it takes patience.

Balancing Act: Sometimes sustainability goals conflict with other priorities - budget, timeline, aesthetics. We don't pretend these tensions don't exist. Instead, we work with you to find the right balance for YOUR project.

Sustainable design process

Resources We Actually Use

These aren't sponsored links or anything - just tools and organizations that've helped us get better at what we do.

Canada Green Building Council

Our go-to for LEED resources and staying updated on green building policy in Canada. They run solid workshops too.

Passive House Canada

For anyone serious about energy efficiency. Their technical resources are invaluable, even if you're not going for full certification.

Architecture 2030

These folks are tackling climate change head-on. Their research on building sector emissions keeps us focused on what matters most.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you're just curious about sustainable design or ready to dive in, we're here to chat. No pressure, no sales pitch - just honest conversation about what's possible.

Get In Touch (604) 555-3847