Some countries erect wood buildings that last 800 years. In Canada wood buildings are often built to last 30 years. Why?
Sustainable construction
Sustainable construction is a vast, and growing, discipline. We have made sustainable building practices part of our core values, considering the impact of every process on both the people and the environment around the development.
Long before sustainable building became chic, we were helping our clients have a positive impact on their surroundings through sustainable, economical and striking homes and commercial spaces.
Here is a brief overview of just some of the considerations that go into our construction projects.
Location, land use and siting
Selecting the appropriate piece of land is vital, with considerations given to historical use, the surrounding environment, how the environs will evolve over time, modes of transportation and how the community will interact with the space.
Energy efficiency
Modern technology has been a boon to sustainable construction, giving us low-e windows, R24 insulation, solar heating and more. Technology's march ever-greenward continues and we build with the future in mind, ensuring the energy sources we install can be upgraded easily as new sources become available.
Material efficiency
Any construction project generates waste; our goal is to minimize that waste at every step. The best time to reduce waste is before ground is broken. Thoughtful pre-planning can have a dramatic effect in reducing waste on a construction project.
Operations and maintenance
No matter how much effort went into sustainable construction, the sustainability of a building's operation and maintenance determines its true sustainability. Responsible operation of the heating and cooling systems, water fixtures, roof, storm water systems and building structure will affect their efficiency and durability.
Community sustainability
We think of sustainable buildings as those constructed to exacting standards, like LEED. But over time it has become evident that sustainable buildings and community sustainability are tightly interwoven. Our communities are our buildings.
We are priviliged to work with individuals, companies and organizations who share this view.