Building Green, Thinking Long-Term

We're not here to greenwash your project—we actually do the work that matters.

Look, sustainability isn't just slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. We've been doing this for years, and honestly? The best sustainable building is usually the one that's already standing. That's why we're obsessed with adaptive reuse and heritage work.

Sustainable industrial architecture

Embodied Carbon? Yeah, We Care About That

Here's something most people don't think about—every new building comes with a massive carbon footprint before anyone even walks through the door. All that concrete, steel, glass... it adds up fast.

When we restore an old warehouse or factory, we're essentially banking all that embodied energy. Sure, we upgrade the envelope, swap in efficient systems, but the bones? Those heavy timber beams and brick walls have already paid their carbon debt decades ago.

In our Toronto Distillery retrofit last year, we calculated that reusing the existing structure saved about 1,200 tonnes of CO2 compared to demolishing and rebuilding. That's like taking 260 cars off the road for a year.

We track embodied carbon on every project now. It's not optional anymore—it's fundamental to how we make design decisions.

Our Sustainability Framework

It's not rocket science, but it does take some serious commitment

Adaptive Reuse First

Core Philosophy

Before we even sketch a new building, we ask: what's already there? Old factories, warehouses, even underutilized office blocks—they've got potential that new construction just can't match.

What we look for:

  • Structural integrity (obviously)
  • Architectural character worth preserving
  • Location that makes sense for modern use
  • Existing infrastructure we can leverage

We've converted everything from 1920s automotive plants to mid-century distribution centers. Each one tells a different story, and each one kept tonnes of material out of landfills.

Energy Performance

Operational Focus

Old buildings can be energy hogs, no question. But with the right envelope upgrades, modern HVAC systems, and smart building tech? They can perform as well as new construction—sometimes better.

Our typical approach:

  • Super-insulated wall assemblies (without destroying character)
  • High-performance glazing systems
  • Geothermal or air-source heat pumps where feasible
  • LED throughout, with daylight harvesting controls
  • Solar-ready designs (even if panels come later)

We model everything before we build it. Energy consumption isn't a guessing game anymore—we know what the building's gonna use before anyone moves in.

Water Management

Resource Conservation

Water's gonna be a bigger deal every year, especially with how summers are going. We design buildings that use less, capture more, and handle stormwater responsibly.

Strategies we regularly implement:

  • Rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses
  • Green roofs and bioswales for stormwater management
  • Low-flow fixtures throughout
  • Greywater systems where codes allow
  • Permeable paving for hardscaped areas

On our last industrial conversion, we cut municipal water demand by 40% and eliminated all stormwater discharge to the combined sewer. The city loved us for that one.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Human Health

People spend most of their lives indoors. Shouldn't those spaces actually support their health instead of making 'em feel like crap by 3pm?

What we focus on:

  • Daylighting—real windows, not just token glazing
  • Views to exterior (it matters more than you'd think)
  • Fresh air ventilation, not just recirculated stuff
  • Low-VOC materials throughout
  • Acoustic design for concentration and collaboration
  • Thermal comfort zones with user control

We've seen productivity gains of 10-15% in buildings with good IEQ. That pays for itself pretty quickly when you think about it.

Certifications & Standards

We're not big on collecting plaques just for show, but third-party verification does keep everyone honest. Plus, some clients need it for financing or corporate mandates.

LEED Accredited

Our team includes multiple LEED APs. We've delivered Gold and Platinum projects across industrial and heritage sectors.

Zero Carbon Experience

We've worked on several projects targeting zero carbon operations—it's challenging but totally doable with the right approach.

Passive House Principles

While full certification isn't always feasible on heritage work, we apply Passive House concepts wherever possible.

WELL Building Standard

Because sustainability isn't just about carbon—it's about creating spaces where people actually thrive.

Green building certifications

Material Selection Philosophy

Not all sustainable materials are created equal—context matters

Local & Regional

Shipping materials across continents defeats the purpose. We source locally whenever possible—Ontario's got plenty of great suppliers.

Salvaged & Recycled

There's something honest about using reclaimed materials. Plus they've got character you can't manufacture in a factory.

Long-Lasting

The most sustainable material is the one that doesn't need replacing in 15 years. We design for durability, not trends.

Real Talk About Trade-Offs

Here's what they don't always tell you in architecture school—sometimes there isn't a perfect answer. You're gonna face trade-offs on pretty much every project.

Maybe the locally-sourced brick doesn't have the thermal performance of something manufactured overseas. Or that beautiful reclaimed timber needs more structural reinforcement than new engineered lumber. The FSC-certified wood costs 30% more and the client's freaking out.

We navigate this stuff every day. Our job isn't to be purists—it's to make the best possible decisions within real-world constraints. Budget matters. Schedule matters. Code compliance definitely matters.

What we won't do? Greenwash a project by making token gestures while ignoring the big-picture impacts. If we say a building's sustainable, we can back it up with data.

Industrial heritage building

The Heritage + Sustainability Connection

This is where we get really passionate—because it's where our two specialties come together

Why Heritage IS Sustainability

People sometimes think heritage preservation and sustainability are separate things. They're not—they're the same thing approached from different angles.

When you preserve a heritage industrial building, you're:

  • Keeping embodied carbon locked in existing materials
  • Avoiding demolition waste (which is massive)
  • Maintaining neighborhood character and cultural continuity
  • Using construction techniques that were often more durable than modern methods
  • Preserving the skills and knowledge of traditional building trades

The National Trust for Historic Preservation did a study—in almost every scenario, reusing an existing building is more environmentally responsible than demolishing it and building new, even with the latest green tech. Takes decades for a new building to make up for the carbon cost of construction.

The Challenge (And It's a Good One)

Making old buildings work for modern uses while respecting their heritage value? That's the sweet spot where we live. It's not always easy—historic designations come with restrictions, old systems weren't designed for today's loads, and sometimes the existing layout just doesn't work anymore.

But figuring out those puzzles? That's what gets us out of bed in the morning. There's nothing quite like seeing a 100-year-old factory humming with new life, performing to modern standards while still showing off its industrial bones.

Sustainable design process

Our Process

Sustainability isn't something we tack on at the end—it's baked into how we work from day one.

We start by understanding what you actually need vs. what you think you need. What are your operational goals? Budget realities? Regulatory requirements? Timeline pressures?

Then we establish clear sustainability targets. Not vague aspirations—measurable goals with accountability built in.

For existing buildings, we conduct thorough assessments—structural, envelope, systems, hazmat, the works. What's worth keeping? What needs to go? Where are the opportunities?

We also look at the site context—solar orientation, prevailing winds, stormwater patterns, transit access, neighborhood character. All this stuff informs the design.

We bring everyone to the table early—structural engineers, mechanical consultants, contractors, heritage consultants if needed. The best solutions come from collaboration, not silos.

Energy modeling happens in parallel with design development, not after everything's set in stone. We iterate, test assumptions, and optimize before anything gets built.

The greenest design in the world doesn't mean much if it's not built right. We're on site regularly, verifying that details are executed as designed.

We also track construction waste diversion and help contractors identify opportunities for material reuse and recycling.

Buildings don't automatically perform as designed—they need to be tuned and adjusted. We oversee commissioning to ensure all systems are calibrated properly.

And we follow up after occupancy. How's the building actually performing? Are occupants comfortable? What needs tweaking? This feedback loop makes our next project better.