Look, we're not gonna pretend we've got all the answers. But after fifteen years of messing around with sustainable materials and passive design strategies, we've learned a thing or two about making buildings that don't trash the planet.
It's been a journey - from our first solar panel installation that almost killed us with permit applications, to now where we're doing full net-zero commercial builds. Here's the real story.
Our first serious attempt at net-zero residential. The clients wanted solar panels, we gave 'em that plus a complete passive solar redesign. Honestly? We over-engineered the hell out of it - but it worked. Their energy bills dropped by 87% and we learned what NOT to do next time.
"These guys literally redesigned our south-facing windows mid-project because they realized they could capture more winter sun. That kind of attention to detail is rare."
- Rebecca M., Homeowner
This one was tricky - a 1908 building that needed everything updated but couldn't lose its character. We sourced reclaimed timber from a demolished mill in Squamish, upgraded insulation without touching the facade, and somehow convinced the heritage committee to let us install modern HVAC. Took forever but damn, it turned out nice.
"They fought for this building like it was their own. Every material choice was about preserving history while making it livable for another century."
- David Chen, Building Owner
Our first proper commercial build with full greywater recycling and a living roof. The roof wasn't just for show either - it handles stormwater runoff, provides insulation, and gives the office workers an actual garden to hang out in during lunch. The rainwater harvesting system saves them about 40,000 liters annually.
"Our operating costs are 45% lower than projected, and that's just year one. The building practically runs itself."
- Patricia Wong, Facilities Manager
Cross-laminated timber was still kinda new to residential in BC, and convincing the clients to go with it instead of traditional framing took some doing. But once they understood the carbon sequestration benefits and saw how fast it went up? They became evangelists. This house stores about 28 tons of CO2 in its structure alone.
"We thought wood wouldn't work for a modern design. Boy, were we wrong. It's stunning and we feel good knowing our house is actually pulling carbon from the atmosphere."
- Michael & Sarah K., Homeowners
Taking a 1970s concrete box and making it net-zero was probably our biggest challenge yet. Geothermal heating, triple-pane windows, a complete envelope upgrade, LED everything, and a solar array that covers the parking lot. We're waiting on the full-year data, but six months in and they're producing more energy than they use.
"The community was skeptical about such a major renovation. Now we're getting tours from other municipalities wanting to know how we did it."
- James Liu, City Council Member
Still under construction but this is where we're putting everything we've learned together. Mass timber structure, passive house certified units, integrated solar, greywater recycling, and a community garden on the roof. It's ambitious as hell and honestly, some days I wonder if we bit off more than we can chew. But that's how you push things forward, right?
"This is the future of urban development in Vancouver. It's not just sustainable, it's setting a new standard."
- Greenest City Action Team Review
It shouldn't cost extra to not wreck the environment. We build green design into the budget from day one, not as an add-on. Sometimes that means getting creative with materials or sequencing, but it's always worth it.
The greenest building is usually the one that already exists. We've gotten pretty good at making old structures perform like new ones - and keeping their character intact while we're at it. Demo should be the last resort.
Nobody likes being lectured about their carbon footprint. We'd rather show you why a heat pump makes sense for YOUR wallet, or how passive solar actually works. Once people get it, they're usually on board.
We're obsessed with data. Energy modeling, post-occupancy studies, material life-cycle assessments - all of it. Can't improve what you don't measure. Plus it helps us prove to the next skeptical client that this stuff actually works.
kWh Energy Saved Annually
Tons CO2 Offset
Liters Water Conserved
Client Satisfaction Rate
Whether you're renovating a heritage home or starting from scratch, we'll figure out how to make it sustainable without compromising on design or budget. First consultation's on us - let's grab a coffee and talk about what's possible.