Building Better, Not Just Bigger
For over 15 years, we've been pushing the boundaries of what architecture can do for communities and the planet. It's not just about drawing pretty buildings – it's about creating spaces that actually work for people while respecting the environment.
Founded in Vancouver, we bring together designers who genuinely care about sustainability without making it feel like a compromise. Because honestly? Green design should be the standard, not the exception.
Our Journey
The Beginning
Started out of a tiny shared office space on Granville Street with just three of us and way too much coffee. We landed our first residential project through a friend-of-a-friend connection – a laneway house that needed to fit on basically no footprint. Looking back, that constraint was the best thing that could've happened because it forced us to think differently from day one.
First Commercial Break
We got picked for a mixed-use development in Kitsilano that put us on the map locally. The client took a chance on our passive solar design approach, and when their energy bills came in 40% lower than projected, word spread fast. Suddenly we weren't just "those eco-architects" anymore – we were the team that delivered real savings.
Going Deep on Heritage
Won a restoration project for a 1920s warehouse in Gastown that changed our whole perspective. There's something humbling about working with structures that've already stood for a century. We started specializing in adaptive reuse because, honestly, the most sustainable building is often the one that's already there. Just gotta help it evolve.
Team Expansion
Moved into our current studio space and grew to 12 full-time team members. Added urban planning to our services after realizing we couldn't design great buildings in poorly planned neighborhoods. Started collaborating with environmental engineers right from the concept phase instead of bringing them in later as an afterthought.
Recognition & Responsibility
Received the BC Sustainable Architecture Award, which was cool but also felt like more responsibility than celebration. Started mentoring younger firms because we'd learned so much through trial and error – seemed wasteful not to share. Launched our consulting service to help other practices integrate sustainability without reinventing the wheel.
Present Day
Now working on projects across BC with a team of 18 passionate designers, planners, and sustainability specialists. We've completed over 120 projects, but every new one still gets us excited. Still learning, still adapting, still believing that architecture can be a genuine force for positive change when done with intention and integrity.
Meet the Team
A mix of dreamers, problem-solvers, and detail obsessives who actually enjoy talking about building codes.
Sarah Chen
Principal Architect
Leads our residential projects and has an uncanny ability to visualize space. Can sketch a floor plan on a napkin that'll work better than most CAD drawings.
Marcus Thompson
Sustainability Director
Our environmental conscience and energy modeling wizard. If there's a green certification you haven't heard of, Marcus probably helped write the standards for it.
Jennifer Kowalski
Senior Urban Planner
Thinks in neighborhoods, not just buildings. Has convinced more than one city council that density doesn't have to mean ugly, and walkability isn't a luxury.
David Patel
Heritage Specialist
Can date a building by looking at its brick mortar. Passionate about preserving architectural history while making old buildings functional for modern life.
Emma Lindstrom
Interior Design Lead
Believes that sustainable materials can be beautiful and comfortable. Her material library is legendary – swears she can find an eco-friendly alternative to anything.
Raj Malhotra
Senior Project Manager
Keeps everything on track and on budget, which in architecture is basically a superpower. Somehow maintains calm even when contractors text at 6am.
What Drives Us
These aren't just words on our website – they're the filters we run every decision through.
Environmental Integrity First
Every project starts with "how can we minimize impact?" not "how can we greenwash this?" We push for passive strategies, local materials, and designs that'll perform well in 50 years, not just pass inspection today. Sometimes this means having tough conversations with clients, but that's part of doing this work honestly.
People Over Aesthetics
A building that looks amazing on Instagram but makes its occupants miserable is a failure, full stop. We spend time understanding how people will actually use a space – not just how we think they should use it. Natural light, air quality, acoustic comfort – these aren't extras, they're essentials.
Context Matters
We're not trying to plop the same design language onto every site. Vancouver's neighborhoods have distinct characters, and good architecture respects that while still moving things forward. Heritage buildings deserve thoughtful updates, not demolition. New construction should contribute to its surroundings, not dominate them.
Honest Collaboration
Architecture's a team sport whether we like it or not. We work closely with engineers, contractors, and consultants from the start because their expertise makes our designs better. We also listen to our clients – they're gonna live or work in these spaces, so their input isn't just welcome, it's necessary.
Continuous Learning
Building science evolves, climate challenges shift, and material technology improves. We dedicate time to ongoing education, testing new approaches on smaller projects before rolling them out widely. Mistakes happen, but we try to make new ones instead of repeating old ones.
Ready to Start a Conversation?
Whether you've got a project in mind or just wanna chat about sustainable design possibilities, we're here.
Get In Touch