Our Work Speaks Volumes

Project Overview

Location: Coal Harbour, Vancouver | Completed: 2022 | Size: 85,000 sq ft

The client - a tech company that's grown like crazy - needed a headquarters that could handle their growth but also align with their sustainability values. They'd been in a pretty standard office tower and wanted something different.

The Challenge

Vancouver's waterfront location meant dealing with some serious wind loads and salt air corrosion. Plus, they wanted floor-to-ceiling glass for views, which usually means massive AC bills. We had to figure out how to give them transparency without killing their energy budget.

Our Solution

We developed a double-skin facade system with automated louvers that respond to sun position and interior temperature. The gap between glass layers creates natural ventilation when it's cool enough, and provides insulation when it's not. Added solar panels on the roof that nobody sees from street level.

The interior layout's completely flexible - no permanent walls except around the core. They've already reconfigured twice since moving in.

Results

• 40% reduction in cooling costs vs. similar buildings
• LEED Gold certification
• Employee satisfaction scores went up 35% after the move
• Natural light reaches 95% of workspaces

Project Overview

Location: Fraser Valley | Ongoing: 2021-2026 | Area: 45 acres

This started as a pretty standard suburban development plan. But after we spent time with the community - and I mean actually listening, not just going through the motions - we realized they wanted something way different than what they'd been getting.

Community Input

Held 12 town halls over 8 months. People were tired of car-dependent sprawl. They wanted walkable streets, green spaces their kids could actually play in, and local businesses they could reach without driving.

The Plan

Created a network of green corridors - basically park pathways - connecting residential areas to commercial zones, schools, and transit. Mixed-use buildings along main streets so you've got shops on the ground floor, offices or apartments above. Parking's there but it's not dominating everything.

We're phasing it in over 5 years. Phase 1's done and people are already using those pathways way more than projected.

Impact

• 30% of trips now happen by foot or bike vs. 8% in surrounding areas
• 12 local businesses opened in Phase 1 commercial spaces
• Property values increased 22% above regional average
• Community satisfaction rating: 4.6/5

Project Overview

Location: Gastown, Vancouver | Completed: 2020 | Size: 42,000 sq ft

This 1923 warehouse was one permit away from demolition when we got involved. The developer took a chance on adaptive reuse instead. Turned out to be a great call - it's fully leased and won a heritage preservation award.

Preservation Approach

We kept the brick facade, original timber beams, and even some of the old freight elevator mechanisms as design features. But we had to completely redo the systems - electrical, plumbing, HVAC - none of it was anywhere near code.

The challenge was hiding modern infrastructure in a building that wasn't designed for it. Exposed brick looks cool but doesn't leave much room to run ducts.

Modern Integration

Added a glass atrium in the center courtyard that brings natural light to all four floors. Installed radiant floor heating because we couldn't do traditional forced air without destroying the character. Put in triple-pane windows that match the original proportions.

Outcome

• Heritage designation secured
• 65% less energy use than comparable new construction
• 100% occupancy within 3 months of completion
• Became a case study for heritage adaptive reuse in BC

Project Overview

Location: Burnaby | Completed: 2023 | Size: 120,000 sq ft across 3 buildings

Financial services company wanted to consolidate three separate offices into one campus. But they'