Real projects, real results. Here's what happens when sustainability meets thoughtful design.
Whistler Mountain Retreat
Residential | 2023
Timber-frame design that basically hugs the mountainside without disturbing a single Douglas fir.
Gastown Tech Hub
Commercial | 2022
Five-story workspace that cut energy use by 60% while keeping that vintage Gastown character intact.
False Creek Passive House
Residential | 2023
Vancouver's toughest passive house certification met head-on with floor-to-ceiling water views.
Yaletown Heritage Conversion
Restoration | 2021
Turned a 1912 warehouse into modern lofts while keeping every brick and beam the heritage folks cared about.
Granville Island Market Pavilion
Commercial | 2022
Open-air structure using reclaimed BC timber that's become the island's new gathering spot.
Kitsilano Laneway Residence
Residential | 2023
Squeezed 850 sq ft of smart living into a laneway lot that neighbors actually complimented.
Main Street Plaza Redesign
Urban Planning | 2022
Community-led redesign that turned underused asphalt into Vancouver's most Instagrammed public space.
North Shore Wellness Centre
Commercial | 2021
Healing spaces designed around biophilic principles - patients literally feel better in natural light.
Orpheum Annex Revival
Restoration | 2020
Brought 1920s plasterwork back to life while sneaking in modern acoustics and HVAC systems.
West Vancouver Hillside Home
Residential | 2023
Cantilevered design that gave our clients ocean views without bulldozing the entire hillside.
Commercial Drive Green Corridor
Urban Planning | 2021
Two kilometers of protected bike lanes and rain gardens that actually work with the neighborhood vibe.
East Van Brewery Complex
Commercial | 2022
Industrial chic meets green tech - rainwater collection powers the entire brew operation.
Whistler Mountain Retreat
Residential Design | Completed 2023
Location: Whistler, BC
Size: 3,200 sq ft
Timeline: 14 months
Before: Raw alpine site
After: Integrated mountain retreat
The Challenge
Clients wanted their dream ski-in retreat, but the site was basically a minefield of protected trees and a slope that'd make your surveyor cry. Plus, Whistler's building regs are no joke when it comes to preserving that mountain character.
Our Approach
We worked with a structural engineer who specializes in crazy mountain builds - the kind of person who gets excited about cantilevers. Used locally-milled timber for the heavy frame, then tucked everything into the hillside contours. The whole structure sits on micro-piles that snake between tree roots without damaging them.
Floor-to-ceiling windows face southwest for passive solar heat (which actually matters up there), while the north side's basically a fortress of insulated mass timber. Added a green roof that blends into the alpine meadow above - you'd miss the house completely from the ski trail.
The Results
Zero trees lost during construction. Energy bills that shocked the clients (in a good way) - about 40% less than comparable Whistler homes. And honestly? The place feels like it's been there forever, which is exactly what we were going for.
Key Features
Heavy timber construction
Passive solar design
Green roof integration
Radiant floor heating
Greywater recycling system
Zero tree removal
Gastown Tech Hub
Commercial Design | Completed 2022
Location: Gastown, Vancouver
Size: 28,000 sq ft
Timeline: 18 months
Before: Dated commercial building
After: Net-zero ready workspace
The Challenge
Developer wanted a modern tech office that'd attract big-name tenants, but the building had heritage designation on the facade. Also needed to hit aggressive energy targets while keeping costs reasonable - not always an easy combo in Gastown where you're basically building inside a history book.
Our Approach
Kept the brick facade completely intact (heritage committee loved us for that), then gutted everything behind it. Added a high-performance envelope that doesn't show from the street - insulation, air barriers, the works. Rooftop solar array generates about 70% of the building's power needs.
The mechanical system's probably the coolest part - geothermal heat pumps tied to a bore field we drilled in the parking area. Fresh air system with heat recovery that actually works. Interior's all exposed mass timber and polished concrete, which fits the Gastown aesthetic but also provides thermal mass for passive climate control.
The Results
Fully leased within three months of completion. Energy consumption's down 60% compared to similar buildings in the area. And we got a heritage conservation award, which honestly meant more to the team than we expected.
