Each project tells its own story. We've learned that working with harsh winters and dramatic seasonal shifts isn't about fighting nature - it's about finding that sweet spot where design and environment just click. Here's what we've been up to.
A collection of projects that've shaped Canada's northern landscape over the years
Each project tells its own story. We've learned that working with harsh winters and dramatic seasonal shifts isn't about fighting nature - it's about finding that sweet spot where design and environment just click. Here's what we've been up to.
Clients wanted a year-round home at 1,200 meters elevation where winter temps regularly hit -25C. They were adamant about passive solar but skeptical it'd work with that much snowfall. Honestly? So were we at first.
We spent a full year monitoring sun angles and snow accumulation patterns before touching the site. The south-facing wall's basically all glass, but here's the trick - we calculated the roof overhang to block summer sun while letting winter light flood in when it's actually needed. Triple-pane windows throughout, obviously.
The concrete floor acts as thermal mass, soaking up daytime heat and releasing it at night. Combined with a ground-source heat pump as backup, the place stays comfortable without conventional heating most of the winter. Roof design was critical - steep enough to shed snow but angled to work with those solar panels.
Three winters in, the homeowners are using 70% less energy than comparable mountain homes. The passive solar system handles about 60% of heating needs even in January. What I'm most proud of? They actually live there full-time now instead of just weekends.
A growing tech company needed 15,000 square feet of office space but wanted net-zero operation. In Kelowna's climate - scorching summers, freezing winters - that's not exactly straightforward. Plus they needed it fast, which usually means compromising on sustainability. We weren't gonna do that.
Geothermal was the backbone. We drilled a 40-well field that handles both heating and cooling - super efficient when you're dealing with temperature swings like Kelowna gets. The building envelope's airtight as we could make it, with continuous insulation and serious attention to thermal bridging.
Smart building systems control everything - HVAC zones adjust based on occupancy, automated blinds manage solar gain, LED lighting responds to natural light levels. The roof's covered in solar panels that generate about 110% of annual energy needs. That extra 10%? Goes back to the grid.
First year of operation, we hit net-zero. Actually went net-positive three months out of twelve. The client's using it as a recruiting tool now - turns out sustainable workspace matters to their employees. Utility costs are basically just the connection fees.
This 1892 brick building in Gastown was falling apart, literally. The owner wanted to convert it to mixed-use - retail below, offices above - while maintaining its heritage designation. Every beam, brick, and window was scrutinized by heritage committees. We had to thread a pretty narrow needle here.
We documented everything first - laser scans, archival research, even tracked down the original architect's drawings. The brick facade got painstaking restoration using period-appropriate mortar. Inside though, we had more freedom to modernize while respecting the character.
Old-growth timber beams were salvaged and reinforced where needed. We exposed the original brick walls wherever possible. Modern systems - HVAC, electrical, plumbing - got threaded through existing chases and hidden in new service corridors. Added seismic upgrades too, which wasn't cheap but necessary for Vancouver.
Windows were the toughest part. Had to match the original profiles exactly but improve energy performance. Ended up custom-manufacturing them with hidden modern glazing tech.
The building got heritage awards from both city and provincial levels. More importantly, it's fully leased and actually functional for modern tenants. Walking through there now, you'd swear it's always been this way - except for the energy bills being way lower than neighboring heritage buildings.
Building on Okanagan Lake means dealing with extremes. Summer temps hit 40C regularly, winter drops to -20C. Clients wanted a home that'd be comfortable year-round without astronomical energy costs. The lakefront location added complexity - strict environmental regulations and a tight building envelope to protect water quality.
Thermal mass became our best friend. We used poured concrete strategically throughout - floors, feature walls, even some interior partitions. During hot days it absorbs heat, keeping interiors cool. Winter nights, it radiates stored warmth back. Combined with radiant floor heating, the temperature stays remarkably stable.
The house is essentially two volumes - a solid stone base and a lighter wood-clad upper level. This wasn't just aesthetic; the stone anchors the thermal mass while the wood provides insulation where we needed it. Large overhangs block summer sun but let winter light penetrate deep into the space.
Water management was critical given the lake proximity. Green roof sections absorb runoff, rainwater collection feeds irrigation, and all site drainage gets filtered through bioswales before reaching the lake.
The thermal mass strategy works better than projected. Interior temps stay within 5 degrees year-round with minimal HVAC intervention. The clients actually use their air conditioning about 10 days per summer - unheard of for lakefront properties here. Environmental monitoring shows zero impact on local water quality.