Do you only take on residential projects?
While our core focus is residential design, we occasionally take on select small commercial projects—especially when sustainability is the driving force. We also collaborate with other teams as sustainability consultants, helping integrate low-carbon strategies, better material choices, and high-performance building practices into a wide range of projects.
How many projects do you take on each year?
We intentionally limit our workload to fewer than 15 projects annually. This allows us to go deeper—refining every detail, optimizing performance, and ensuring each project meets our high standards for energy efficiency, durability, and environmental responsibility.
Do you help guide projects through the Committee of Adjustment?
Absolutely. Many projects in Ontario require one or more hearings before reaching permit stage. We have extensive experience navigating these processes and advocating for thoughtful, sustainable design solutions—helping move projects forward while maintaining their integrity.
Can you assist with Tree, Conservation, and Heritage permits?
Yes. With over 35 years of experience, we understand the complexities of building within sensitive ecological and heritage contexts. Protecting mature trees, respecting conservation requirements, and working within heritage guidelines are all part of designing responsibly. When needed, we bring in trusted specialists from our network to ensure every aspect is handled with care and expertise.
Do you assemble the full project team, including builders?
We do. We’ve built strong relationships with consultants and builders who share our commitment to sustainable construction. That said, we believe the best teams are collaborative—so our clients play an active role in selecting the final group, ensuring alignment from vision to execution.
Do you manage the project through the permit process?
Yes. We coordinate all permit drawings and work closely with engineers and consultants to ensure everything is fully integrated, accurate, and aligned with both regulatory requirements and our performance goals. A well-coordinated permit set is essential to delivering a high-performing, low-carbon building.
Do you only work with certain builders?
We’re always open to new collaborations, but experience has shown that true sustainability requires more than good intentions. Builders need the knowledge and commitment to execute high-performance assemblies, airtight construction, and low-carbon detailing. Without that foundation, it becomes much harder to achieve the level of efficiency and environmental performance we aim for.
Do you have minimum standards for a project to be considered sustainable?
Yes—we set a high bar. Our work is grounded in the Passive House approach, adapted to real-world constraints like site conditions and budget. We target a maximum energy demand of 30 kWh/m²/year—significantly outperforming typical homes by roughly 75%.
We also prioritize:
Exceptional airtightness (under 1 air change per hour for deep retrofits)
Minimizing foam and high-impact materials
Using cellulose-based and low-carbon insulation wherever possible
Specifying high-performance triple-glazed windows with advanced sealing systems
The result is a home that’s not just energy efficient, but healthier, more durable, and dramatically lower in carbon impact.
