Our Sustainability Approach | Jade Valquinthorin Architecture

How We Actually Approach This

Look, I'll be straight with you - sustainable architecture isn't some magic formula. After fifteen years of doing this in Vancouver, I've learned it's really about understanding how buildings interact with their environment and making smart decisions at every step.

We start by listening. What's the site telling us? Where's the sun coming from? What's the wind doing? How does water move through this area? Sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this part and jump straight to the flashy stuff.

Then we dig into the details - material lifecycles, energy modeling, daylighting studies. The unglamorous work that actually makes a difference. Because honestly, a building covered in solar panels that leaks heat like crazy isn't sustainable, it's just expensive.

87%

Avg. Energy Reduction

34+

LEED Projects

100%

Net-Zero Capable

What We're Actually Certified In

LEED Accredited Professional

Been LEED certified since 2011, and I've worked on everything from Silver to Platinum projects. The certification process can be a headache, but we know how to navigate it without derailing your timeline or budget.

✓ LEED BD+C specialization
✓ 34 certified projects completed
✓ Average Gold certification level

Passive House Consultant

This is the gold standard for energy efficiency, and yeah, it's tough to achieve. We've done three Passive House commercial buildings in BC, and each one taught us something new about what works in our climate.

✓ Certified Passive House Designer
✓ PHPP modeling expertise
✓ Cold climate specialization

Living Building Challenge

This one's intense - probably the most demanding green building standard out there. We're currently working on our second LBC project, and honestly, it pushes us to think differently about everything.

✓ LBC Ambassador status
✓ Red List expertise
✓ Net-positive design experience

Built Green Canada

A homegrown Canadian standard that actually makes sense for our climate and building culture. We've been involved with Built Green since they started, and it's great for projects where LEED might be overkill.

✓ Built Green accredited
✓ Regional advisory board member
✓ 20+ certified projects

The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle

After years of doing this work, here's what I've found actually makes a measurable difference in a building's environmental footprint. These aren't trendy add-ons - they're proven strategies that pay off.

Energy Modeling From Day One

We run energy models right from the schematic phase, not as an afterthought. This lets us test different orientations, window ratios, and envelope strategies before you've committed to anything. Caught a design flaw last month that would've cost a client 40% more in heating - that's the kind of thing you want to know early.

Material Life Cycle Analysis

Every material has a story - how much energy went into making it, how it'll perform over time, what happens when the building's eventually demolished. We dig into the data and make choices based on total lifecycle impact, not just upfront cost. Sometimes the "green" option isn't actually greener when you do the math.

Real-World Performance Tracking

We don't just hand over the keys and disappear. For every project, we set up monitoring systems and actually check back in to see how the building's performing against our models. This feedback loop has made us way better at predicting real-world outcomes. Turns out, occupant behavior matters just as much as the building envelope.

Adaptive Reuse & Renovation

The greenest building is often the one that's already there. We've gotten really good at figuring out how to transform existing structures instead of tearing them down. Kept the embodied carbon, saved the demo costs, and usually end up with more character too. Win-win-win.

Passive Design Strategies

Before we start adding expensive mechanical systems, we ask what the building itself can do. Strategic window placement, thermal mass, natural ventilation - the stuff that's worked for centuries. Tech is great, but it shouldn't be doing work that good design can handle for free.

Occupant Well-Being Focus

Sustainable buildings need to work for the people using them, or they won't stay sustainable. We prioritize daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort - all the things that make people actually want to be in the space. A beautiful net-zero building that everyone hates isn't really sustainable in the long run.

Some Numbers That Matter

Real data from our completed projects over the past five years

2.8M kg

CO2 Avoided Annually

Compared to conventional construction standards, our projects are keeping this much carbon out of the atmosphere each year. That's equivalent to taking about 600 cars off the road.

68%

Water Use Reduction

Average reduction in potable water consumption through rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and efficient fixtures. Vancouver's getting wetter, might as well use it.

$4.2M

Energy Savings Generated

Total operational cost savings for our clients over the first five years post-construction. Sustainable design pays for itself, usually faster than people expect.

94%

Construction Waste Diverted

We're pretty obsessive about waste management during construction. Most of what doesn't go into the building gets recycled or repurposed instead of hitting the landfill.

23%

Local Material Sourcing

Average percentage of materials sourced within 800km. Not perfect, but we're working on it. Supporting local manufacturing and cutting transport emissions at the same time.

15

Net-Zero Ready Buildings

Projects designed to achieve net-zero energy with on-site renewables or ready for future solar installation. The grid's getting cleaner, but we're planning for energy independence.

Materials We're Excited About Right Now

The material science side of sustainable architecture is moving fast. Here's what's caught our attention lately and what we're actually specifying in projects.

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Mass timber is having a moment, and for good reason. We've used CLT on three projects now, and it's genuinely changing how we think about structural systems. Lower carbon footprint than concrete, faster construction, and honestly? It just looks and feels better to be in a space with exposed wood structure.

Recycled Content Insulation

Finally found insulation products that perform as well as the conventional stuff but with way less environmental baggage. Cellulose from recycled paper, mineral wool, even denim - yeah, recycled jeans in your walls. Works great and keeps textile waste out of landfills.

Low-Carbon Concrete Mixes

Look, sometimes you need concrete. But the industry's making progress on reducing the carbon intensity. We're specifying mixes with supplementary cementitious materials - fly ash, slag, even CO2-cured concrete. It's not perfect, but it's way better than it used to be.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you're aiming for net-zero, need help with LEED certification, or just want to make your building as efficient as possible, we'd love to hear what you're working on. No pressure, no sales pitch - just a real conversation about what's possible.

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