Look, we're not gonna claim we've solved climate change with some fancy glass towers. But we do think architecture has a real responsibility here - and honestly, it's become one of the parts of our work that keeps us up at night (in a good way).
Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. That's... kind of insane when you think about it. We got into this field because we love creating spaces, but somewhere along the way it became clear that designing beautiful buildings that trash the planet just doesn't cut it anymore.
Before throwing solar panels at everything, we think about orientation, natural ventilation, thermal mass. Basic stuff that somehow got forgotten in the race to look futuristic.
We're obsessed with where stuff comes from. Local sourcing when possible, reclaimed materials when it makes sense, and always asking if there's a lower-carbon alternative.
Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, drought-tolerant landscaping. Toronto's getting wetter winters and drier summers - we design for that reality.
The greenest building is often the one that already exists. We've done some of our best work transforming old warehouses and heritage buildings instead of demolishing them.
Here's how we're actually measuring and reducing our footprint - not just talking about it
85% renewable integration target
Net-zero ready designs, high-performance envelopes, smart HVAC systems that actually learn
72% low-carbon material use
Mass timber, recycled steel, low-VOC finishes, locally-sourced stone - we track embodied carbon religiously
68% water use reduction
Rainwater capture, greywater recycling, xeriscaping, low-flow everything without sacrificing comfort
91% native species in landscapes
Green roofs, pollinator gardens, bird-safe glass, habitat restoration - nature needs a seat at the table
Every project gets a full lifecycle carbon assessment - from material extraction through 50 years of operation. We're not perfect, but at least we know where we stand.
Third-party verified by Carbon Leadership Forum
Not sci-fi concepts or vaporware - this is the stuff we spec on real projects with real budgets
Beyond just looking cool, these systems reduce urban heat island effect, manage stormwater, and extend roof membrane life by decades. We've installed over 12,000 sq ft in the past two years.
CLT and glulam from sustainably-managed Canadian forests. Sequestering carbon while you work or live in the building. The engineering's gotten solid enough that we're confident going up to 8 stories now.
Yeah, the upfront cost is higher - won't sugarcoat that. But with Ontario's temperature swings, these systems pay back faster than people think. Plus Ontario's got incentive programs that help.
Sensors, AI-driven HVAC optimization, occupancy-based lighting. The building learns how it's actually used and adjusts. We've seen 30-40% energy reductions just from smarter controls.
Glass that tints automatically based on sun angle and heat gain. Still pricey, but for commercial projects with serious cooling loads, the math's starting to work. No more ugly blinds everywhere either.
Solar panels that ARE the building envelope - cladding, canopies, shading devices. More aesthetic than rooftop arrays, and every south-facing surface becomes an asset. Ontario's net metering helps too.
If we're being honest, sustainable design isn't always easy - and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. Here's what we're still figuring out:
Yeah, some green tech costs more upfront. We try to be transparent about ROI timelines and help clients access rebates and incentives. Sometimes we have to get creative with phasing.
Low-carbon materials aren't always available when you need them. Mass timber lead times can be brutal. We're building better supplier relationships, but it's still a work in progress.
Building codes are getting better but still behind the curve. Sometimes we're fighting for approval on solutions that've been proven elsewhere. Ontario's making progress though.