Our Work

The Challenge

Young family of four wanted a home that'd actually live up to the "net-zero" hype. They'd done their research and weren't interested in greenwashing - they wanted the real deal. Site was a corner lot in Westridge with mature trees we absolutely had to keep.

Our Approach

We went full Passive House certification, which isn't just about slapping some solar panels on the roof. We're talking airtight building envelope, triple-glazed European windows, HRV system that recovers 95% of heat, and 16-inch thick walls with continuous insulation. Positioned the house to maximize southern exposure while working around those big Douglas firs.

The mechanical systems are pretty slick - geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling, plus a 10kW solar array on the garage roof. Most months they're selling power back to BC Hydro.

The Results

Energy use is 90% lower than a code-built house. Annual heating costs are around $200. Yeah, you read that right. The family says the indoor air quality is noticeably better than anywhere they've lived before - that HRV system is constantly bringing in fresh filtered air.

One unexpected bonus: the house is incredibly quiet inside. That airtight envelope blocks out pretty much all street noise. Kids can practice piano without bothering anyone.

The Challenge

Tech company outgrowing their space wanted something that'd reflect their values - sustainability, collaboration, and not looking like every other sterile tech office. The building was a 1980s commercial box that needed serious help.

Our Approach

We stripped it back to the structural concrete and started fresh. Exposed the ceiling to gain height and show off the building's bones. Added floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side, which meant coordinating with structural engineers to reinforce things properly.

The interior's all about flexibility - movable walls, adjustable lighting, furniture on wheels. We installed living green walls in the central atrium that actually clean the air and provide acoustic dampening. The original brief said they wanted "biophilic design," which is fancy talk for bringing nature inside.

The Results

They've got space for 120 people now with room to grow. Employee satisfaction surveys went way up after the move. The green walls need weekly maintenance but they're worth it - air quality testing showed significant improvements in CO2 and VOC levels.

Building energy use dropped 40% compared to the old configuration. Those new windows and LED lighting made a huge difference.

The Challenge

Retired couple downsizing from a larger home wanted a single-level design that'd age well with them. The site had insane mountain views but also a steep slope and some tricky soil conditions. They were very clear: the views had to be the star of the show.

Our Approach

Minimalist design language - clean lines, simple materials, lots of glass. We oriented all the main living spaces toward those North Shore views. The tricky part was that cantilevered deck - it extends 12 feet from the house and needed some clever structural work to pull off.

Used local cedar for the exterior cladding that'll age to a nice silver-gray. Interior's pretty restrained - polished concrete floors with radiant heating, white oak millwork, and not much else. When the view's that good, you don't need to compete with it.

The Results

The house feels like it's floating on the hillside. That deck's become their favorite spot - morning coffee, evening wine, whatever. The single-level layout means they can age in place without worrying about stairs.

One thing we're proud of: despite all that glass, the house stays comfortable year-round. Strategic overhangs block summer sun but let winter light deep into the space.

The Challenge

Developer wanted to create a community hub - retail on the ground floor, co-working and creative studios above. The catch? They wanted it done sustainably and without breaking the bank. Oh, and the timeline was tight.

Our Approach

Mass timber construction was the answer. We used CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels for floors and walls, glulam beams for the structure. It's faster to build than concrete, stores carbon instead of producing it, and looks amazing without any finishes.

The ground floor's designed to be super flexible - the retail tenant spaces can be combined or divided depending on who leases them. Upstairs, we created a mix of private offices and open co-working areas. Big central staircase encourages people to actually use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Added a green roof that handles stormwater and provides extra insulation. Solar panels on the southern exposure. The whole building's wired for future EV charging expansion.

The Results

Construction came in on time and slightly under budget - the speed of timber assembly saved money on labor. The exposed wood ceilings are getting attention from architecture magazines. Tenants love the natural light and the fact that you can actually feel good about working there.

Building's performing really well energy-wise. The timber construction provided better thermal performance than we initially projected.