Building Responsibly in the North

Look, designing for -40°C weather isn't just about keeping folks warm—it's about doing it right for the planet too. We've been at this for years, and honestly, sustainable design in cold climates is where engineering meets common sense.

Why Sustainability Matters Up Here

When you're building in cold climates, every design choice hits harder. A poorly insulated wall doesn't just cost money—it's burning energy all winter long. We've seen projects where simple tweaks cut heating costs by 40%. That's real money staying in people's pockets and real carbon staying out of the air.

Our 2024 Impact

38% average energy reduction across projects

2,840 tonnes CO2 avoided annually

19 projects LEED certified this year

Sustainable cold climate architecture
Passive House Standards

We've completed 7 certified Passive House projects in northern Ontario. These buildings use 90% less heating energy than code minimum. No magic—just airtight construction, proper ventilation, and windows that actually work in winter.

LEED Gold & Platinum

Between 2020 and 2024, we've helped 43 projects achieve LEED certification. The process isn't always easy, but watching a building perform better than projected? That never gets old.

How We Actually Do This

Real talk—sustainable architecture isn't about slapping solar panels on everything. It's about understanding how buildings work in our climate and making smart choices from day one.

Energy efficiency analysis

Energy Modeling That Matters

We run thermal simulations on every project before breaking ground. Last month, we caught a design flaw that would've cost a client $8,000 annually in wasted heat. The modeling software paid for itself 10 times over.

  • ✓ Full building energy analysis
  • ✓ Thermal bridge identification
  • ✓ Daylighting optimization
  • ✓ HVAC system sizing
Green building materials

Materials Selection

We prioritize locally-sourced materials whenever possible—cuts transportation emissions and supports regional manufacturers. Plus, Canadian timber products are carbon negative when you factor in forest management practices.

Our material database tracks embodied carbon, durability in freeze-thaw cycles, and lifecycle costs. It's nerdy stuff, but it makes a difference over a building's 50-year lifespan.

The Numbers Don't Lie

156 kWh/m²
Average Energy Use

Our residential projects average 156 kWh per square meter annually. That's 42% below Ontario's average for similar buildings. The provincial average sits around 270 kWh/m²—we're not just beating code, we're crushing it.

0.15 ACH
Air Changes Per Hour

Our blower door tests typically hit 0.15 air changes per hour at 50 pascals. Code requires 2.5. Yeah, we're overachievers. Tighter buildings mean controlled ventilation and way less heat loss through cracks.

R-60
Typical Roof Insulation

We spec R-60 in roofs where code asks for R-40. Sounds excessive? Try heating a building at -35°C with minimal insulation. The upfront cost difference pays back in 4-6 years through energy savings.

Certifications We Work With

We've navigated pretty much every green building certification out there. Each one has its quirks, but they all push projects toward better performance. Here's what we're typically working on:

LEED v4 & v4.1

43 certified projects, 12 Gold, 5 Platinum

Passive House

7 certified, 3 in progress

WELL Building

2 completed, focus on occupant health

Net Zero Ready

15 projects designed for future carbon neutrality

Green building certification

What About Renewable Energy?

We get asked about solar panels constantly. Here's the thing—in northern climates, efficiency first, renewables second. A poorly-insulated building with solar panels is still wasting energy. Get the envelope right, then add generation.

That said, we've integrated solar thermal systems, ground-source heat pumps, and photovoltaic arrays on 28 projects. When it makes sense financially and technically, we're all for it. Just don't expect solar to save a bad design.

Renewable Installs
Solar PV 15 systems
Geothermal 8 systems
Solar Thermal 5 systems

Real Projects, Real Results

Commercial office project
Northwind Office Complex

LEED Gold | Completed 2023

45% reduction in energy use compared to baseline. The triple-pane windows were expensive but they're saving $23K annually in heating costs. Client's happy, we're happy.

Residential passive house
Lakeside Passive Residence

Passive House Certified | 2024

This one's special—heating bills under $600/year for 3,200 sq ft. The owners wear t-shirts indoors all winter. That's what proper design does.

Heritage restoration project
Queen Street Heritage Retrofit

Heritage Restoration | 2022

Brought a 1910 building up to modern standards while keeping its character. Cut energy use 52% without touching the facade. Tricky work but totally worth it.

Want to Build Something That Lasts?

Whether you're aiming for certification or just want a building that doesn't bleed energy, we can help. We've done this enough times to know what works in cold climates—and what's just greenwashing nonsense.

Let's Talk About Your Project