Building Green, Living Better
Real environmental impact through thoughtful design decisions
Real environmental impact through thoughtful design decisions
Look, sustainability isn't just a checkbox for us. After years of watching buildings get slapped together without a second thought about their footprint, we decided enough's enough.
Every project that leaves our studio has to answer one simple question: will this place make the world better or worse? It's not about preaching to clients - it's about showing them that green buildings just perform better, cost less to run, and honestly feel nicer to be in.
We've been LEED AP certified since 2015 and have guided 23 projects through certification - from Silver all the way to Platinum.
Numbers don't lie - here's what we've actually achieved
kWh Saved Annually
Across all completed projects from 2020-2023Tonnes CO2 Offset
Equivalent to taking 315 cars off the road yearlyAverage Energy Reduction
Compared to baseline code requirementsLEED Projects
5 Platinum, 11 Gold, 7 Silver certificationsNo magic formulas here - just solid strategies we've refined over the years
Before we even think about mechanical systems, we're obsessing over orientation, window placement, and thermal mass. Got a project facing south? That's free heating right there if you design it right.
We've cut HVAC loads by up to 40% just by being smart about where rooms go and how air moves naturally through a space. One of our residential projects in Rosedale barely needs AC because we nailed the cross-ventilation strategy.
Toronto gets plenty of rain - why aren't we using it? Every project we do now includes rainwater harvesting. We're talking toilet flushing, irrigation, even cooling tower makeup water for larger buildings.
Our commercial project on King Street cuts municipal water use by 55%. The client's utility bills? Down by about $18K annually. Plus, stormwater management becomes way easier when you're not dumping everything into the city system.
We're picky about what goes into our buildings. Local suppliers whenever possible, recycled content, low VOCs - but it's gotta be practical too. No point specifying some exotic sustainable material if it breaks the budget or takes six months to arrive.
Did a whole office renovation last year using 80% reclaimed materials. The exposed brick we uncovered? Already there. The wood beams? From a demolished barn outside Hamilton. Clients loved the character, planet loved the reduced embodied carbon.
Once we've done everything passive, then we spec the mechanicals. High-efficiency heat pumps, LED lighting with proper controls, smart building management systems that learn occupancy patterns.
We're big on solar where it makes sense - and in Toronto, with the current incentives, it usually does. One of our residential clients is now selling power back to the grid. Their energy bill last month? Negative $47.
We'll be honest - getting LEED certified can be a bit of a journey. But we've been through it enough times to make it pretty painless.
We sit down early - like, really early - and figure out what certification level makes sense. Platinum sounds cool but maybe Gold fits your timeline and budget better. No judgment either way.
Your whole team needs to be on board - architects, engineers, contractors. We run charrettes to get everyone thinking green from day one. It's way easier than trying to retrofit sustainability later.
Yeah, there's paperwork. Lots of it. But we've got systems that track everything as we go. Energy models, material specs, water calculations - we're collecting it all so nothing's a scramble at the end.
We submit to GBCI, they review it, sometimes they ask questions, we clarify, and boom - you've got your plaque. Average timeline is about 3-4 months after construction wraps. Worth the wait.
People always ask: "How much extra for LEED?" Honest answer? It depends, but probably less than you think.
Initial costs might run 2-5% higher, sure. But energy savings start day one. Most of our clients see payback within 5-7 years, sometimes faster. One commercial project we did hits positive ROI in 4 years thanks to provincial rebates and lower operating costs.
Plus there's stuff you can't really put a price on - better indoor air quality, happier occupants, higher property values. A LEED Gold office building in downtown Toronto? That's gonna lease faster and for more money than a conventional one.
Based on data from 23 completed projects (2018-2023)
LEED's great, but it's not the only game in town. We're also working with other frameworks that might fit your project better.
The Mount Everest of green building. We're working on our first LBC project right now - it's intense but fascinating. Net-positive energy, water, and waste? That's the goal.
Obsessive attention to the building envelope. We've completed 3 Passive House projects and they're unbelievably comfortable. Heating bills that make people do double-takes.
Focuses on human health and wellness. Air quality, lighting, acoustics - all the stuff that actually affects how people feel in a space. Especially relevant for offices post-pandemic.
Whether you're aiming for LEED certification or just want a building that doesn't cost a fortune to operate, we can help figure it out.
Every project's different. Maybe you're renovating a century home and want to respect its character while making it energy-efficient. Maybe you're building new and want to go all-in on net-zero. Whatever it is, let's talk through what makes sense for your situation.
We'll look at your project and give you honest feedback on what's achievable
Ontario's got tons of incentives - we'll help you access every dollar available