Whitehorse Passive House
Whitehorse, YT
This one's our pride and joy, honestly. Built for a family who wanted to prove you don't need to burn a fortune in heating bills just 'cause you live in the Yukon. Triple-glazed windows, 16-inch walls packed with cellulose, and a heat recovery system that's so efficient the owners joke they could heat the place with a hairdryer. We're talking 90% less energy than a standard home up there.
-45°C
Design TemperatureLEED Platinum
CertificationKey Features: Passive solar design, geothermal heating, locally-sourced timber framing, indigenous design consultation
Iqaluit Distribution Centre
Iqaluit, NU
A logistics company needed a warehouse that wouldn't buckle under permafrost shifts or turn into an ice cave every winter. We designed it on adjustable steel posts that compensate for ground movement, added insulated loading docks with vestibules, and put in radiant floor heating that keeps the concrete from cracking. Five years in, zero foundation issues.
Completed: 2021 | Size: 45,000 sq ft
Fort William Trading Post
Thunder Bay, ON
1820s fur trading post that was literally falling apart from freeze-thaw cycles. Had to use period-appropriate methods while sneaking in modern moisture barriers and insulation. The trick was getting the stone foundation properly drained without disturbing the original masonry. Now it's a museum that actually stays open in winter.
Completed: 2020 | Era: 1823 Original
Whistler Summit Lodge
Whistler, BC
They wanted a ski lodge that didn't look like every other timber box on the mountain. We gave 'em a design that sheds snow like crazy with those steep roof angles, has massive south-facing windows for passive solar gain, and uses the mountain itself as thermal mass. The whole structure's oriented to block those brutal west winds while catching every bit of winter sun. Guests keep asking why it's so much warmer than other lodges - that's just smart orientation and proper insulation, nothing fancy.
12,000 sq ft
Total Area60% Reduction
Energy Usage vs Standard
Muskoka Off-Grid Retreat
Muskoka, ON
Client wanted zero connection to the grid but didn't wanna rough it, y'know? Solar panels angled for maximum winter sun capture, a wood gasification boiler that burns super clean, battery bank that could power a small village. The insulation's so good they barely touch the boiler except in January.
Completed: 2022 | Energy: 100% Off-Grid
Inuvik Community School
Inuvik, NT
Schools up north face unique challenges - kids need natural light during those dark winters, but you can't waste heat through massive windows. We designed a system with clerestory windows that bounce daylight deep into classrooms while keeping the heat where it belongs. The ventilation system was tricky too - needed to bring in fresh air without freezing everyone out. Heat recovery ventilators solved that one. Plus we worked with the local Inuvialuit community to incorporate traditional design elements that actually serve thermal purposes.
Completed: 2023 | Capacity: 300 students | Award: Governor General's Medal
Churchill Brewing Co.
Churchill, MB
Ever tried to run a brewery where it's colder outside than your walk-in freezer most of the year? These folks did. We had to design a building that could handle extreme temperature differentials - you've got hot brewing equipment, refrigerated storage, and -50°C outside all at once. The vapor barriers alone took three layers. But the payoff is they use way less energy for refrigeration than breweries down south, and in winter, they just store kegs outside.
Project Highlights:
- Repurposed historic grain warehouse
- Geothermal cooling system
- Reclaimed timber interior
- 70% reduction in heating costs
Completed: 2021 | Size: 8,500 sq ft
Dawson Tiny Home Series
Dawson City, YT
Designed a prototype for affordable northern housing that's actually, y'know, warm. 400 square feet but built like a thermos. These have been replicated 15 times now across the territories.
St. Paul's Anglican Church
Dawson City, YT
1902 church that was basically a popsicle in winter. Added insulation in places you wouldn't expect, upgraded to storm windows that look original but perform like modern ones. Congregation's heating bill dropped by half.
Arctic Research Station
Cambridge Bay, NU
Research facility that needed to handle equipment, living quarters, and labs all while sitting on permafrost. Elevated design with adjustable foundation lets it adapt as the ground shifts with climate change.
Jasper Mountain Inn Retrofit
Jasper, AB
This 1960s hotel was hemorrhaging heat and money. The owners couldn't afford to shut down for a full reno, so we did it in phases over two winters. New building envelope, triple-pane windows, updated HVAC with zone controls. The guests didn't even notice the work happening, but they definitely noticed their rooms got quieter and more comfortable. Energy costs dropped 65% - paid for itself in four years.
Renovation Scope:
- Complete exterior insulation overhaul
- Window replacement (124 units)
- HVAC system modernization
- Solar thermal integration for hot water
- Heritage facade preservation