Who We Are
Real people designing spaces that actually matter
I didn't set out to save the world through architecture – that'd be a bit much, wouldn't it? But after spending years watching buildings go up that'd be energy hogs from day one, I figured there had to be a better way.
Started this practice back in 2011 after working with some of Vancouver's bigger firms. Don't get me wrong, I learned tons there, but the corporate machine wasn't really letting me push the sustainability angle as hard as I wanted. So I went out on my own, armed with a Masters in Sustainable Design from UBC and what my friends call "an unhealthy obsession" with passive solar design.
These days, we're a team of twelve – architects, designers, and environmental consultants who actually get along (most days). What drives us? Creating commercial spaces that don't cost the earth to run. Literally and figuratively.
I've watched too many business owners get hammered by utility bills because someone didn't think through the building envelope properly. That stuff keeps me up at night, so we make sure it doesn't happen to our clients.
MArch, LEED AP BD+C
University of British Columbia
The journey wasn't exactly a straight line, but that's what made it interesting
Started in a shared office space with one drafting table and a laptop that crashed more than it worked. First project was a small retail space in Gastown – the owner took a chance on me, and we managed to cut their energy costs by 40%. Word got around after that.
Hired our first three employees. Moved into a proper office on Pender Street. Started getting invited to speak at green building conferences, which was weird because I still felt like I was figuring stuff out as I went along.
Won our first major award for the Pacific Commerce Center project. Started consulting on urban planning initiatives. The team grew to eight people, and we had to get a bigger coffee machine.
We're now a full-service sustainable architecture firm working on projects across Western Canada. Still in that same Pender Street office, just took over another floor. Every project still gets the same obsessive attention we gave that first Gastown retail space.
A building can be the greenest thing on the planet, but if it doesn't work for the people using it every day, we've failed. We design spaces that make sense for how you actually operate, not how we think you should operate.
Forget the greenwashing. We're talking actual energy modeling, lifecycle assessments, and materials that won't off-gas for the next decade. If we can't back it up with data, we're not claiming it.
Sustainable doesn't mean unlimited budget. We work within real-world constraints and prioritize what'll give you the best return – both environmentally and financially. Sometimes that means getting creative.
The folks who turn sketches into buildings
Senior Architect
Been with us since 2015. Has an uncanny ability to spot structural issues before they become problems. Runs our commercial design division and drinks way too much espresso.
Sustainability Director
Environmental engineer who keeps us honest. If there's a greener way to do something, she'll find it. Leads all our LEED certification projects and actually enjoys reading building code updates.
Urban Planning Lead
Joined us in 2018 after working with the City of Vancouver. Knows zoning bylaws like the back of his hand. When he's not planning communities, he's cycling around them.
Plus nine more talented designers, technicians, and project coordinators who make everything actually happen. We're always looking for people who care about this stuff as much as we do – check back on our contact page if you're interested in joining the team.
People ask me this all the time. Residential's where the Instagram photos are, right? But commercial buildings – offices, retail spaces, mixed-use developments – they're where the real impact lives.
Think about it: these buildings run 12-16 hours a day, sometimes 24/7. The energy savings from good design aren't just nice to have, they're transformative for a business's bottom line. And when you're talking about a space that hundreds or thousands of people use daily, getting the indoor environment right actually affects community health.
There's something satisfying about watching a business thrive in a space we designed – knowing they're comfortable, productive, and not hemorrhaging money on utilities. That's the sweet spot we're always chasing.
We're pretty selective about projects, not gonna lie. We work best with clients who get what we're trying to do and are willing to invest in doing things right. If that sounds like you, let's talk.
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