Look, we're not here to preach about saving the planet with corporate jargon. We're architects who genuinely care about leaving things better than we found 'em. Been doing this for years in Vancouver, where nature basically shows up at your doorstep demanding respect.
Sustainability isn't some checkbox we tick off for marketing points. It's literally woven into everything we design. Our tagline mentions ancient wisdom for a reason - traditional builders knew how to work with nature, not against it. We've just added some modern tech to the mix.
We start with the basics - orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting. Spent a decade learning that the best tech is often no tech at all. Why run HVAC when proper window placement can do half the job? That's just common sense wrapped in fancy architectural speak.
We're obsessed with where stuff comes from. Local timber, reclaimed materials, low-VOC finishes. Had a client once ask why we couldn't use marble from Italy for a Vancouver project. Well, we could, but the carbon footprint would make you cringe. Found a beautiful BC stone instead - looked better anyway.
We've got the certificates, but more importantly, we've got the projects that prove it. Here's what we've accumulated over the years, and yeah, we're pretty proud of this collection.
Accredited Professional Building Design + Construction
Certified Passive House Designer
Challenge Trained Professional
Health & Wellness in Buildings
We're architects, not mathematicians, but these figures actually mean something. This is the real-world impact from our completed projects over the past five years.
Compared to conventional buildings of similar size and function. That's less money spent on heating, cooling, and lighting - which clients love, by the way.
Through rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and efficient fixtures. Vancouver gets plenty of rain - might as well put it to work.
Per year across all our sustainable projects. That's roughly equivalent to taking 260 cars off the road. Not bad for a studio our size.
From landfills through careful planning and material reuse. We literally map out where every scrap goes before we break ground.
Within 500km of project sites. Supporting regional economies while slashing transportation emissions. Win-win situation.
In all our projects since 2019. No exceptions. If we can't source it responsibly, we find an alternative material.
Here's what goes into a typical RuneShadow project. Not every building gets every feature, but this gives you an idea of our toolkit. We adapt based on site conditions, budget, and what actually makes sense for each project.
Our first Net-Zero building and honestly, one we're most proud of.
This was a challenge - a 3,200 sq meter community center that needed to produce as much energy as it consumed. Took us 18 months of design iteration, but we nailed it. The building's been operational for two years now and it's actually producing 8% more energy than it uses.
Vs. baseline building code
92 points achieved
Operational emissions
Occupied spaces
The material science game is evolving fast. Here's some stuff we've been experimenting with lately - some proven, some cutting-edge, all pretty cool.
CLT and glulam beams. Carbon-storing structural systems that are actually stronger than steel by weight. BC's got some of the best timber in the world - we're using it.
Concrete made with recycled concrete. Sounds weird but works great. Reduces embodied carbon by about 30% compared to virgin aggregate. Plus we're keeping demo waste out of landfills.
Carbon-negative insulation that actually gets stronger over time. Used it in a residential project last year - client was skeptical but now they're obsessed with how it regulates humidity naturally.
Salvaged brick, timber, steel - stuff with history and character. One person's demo material is our treasure. We've got connections with salvage yards across BC and source some incredible materials.
Got a project that needs a sustainable approach? Or just wanna chat about green building strategies? We're always up for a conversation about architecture that actually gives a damn.