Our Sustainability Journey

Real talk - we've been obsessed with green building long before it was trendy. Here's how we're actually making it happen, project by project.

Why We're So Into This

Look, I'll be honest - when we started out back in the day, "sustainable architecture" wasn't even really a thing people talked about. But after watching too many buildings go up that were basically energy vampires, we knew something had to change.

Now it's not just about slapping some solar panels on a roof and calling it green. We're talking proper integrated design - where every material choice, every window placement, every mechanical system works together. It's kinda like conducting an orchestra, except the instruments are building components.

And yeah, sometimes clients push back on costs upfront. But when they see those utility bills drop by 40-60%? That's when the real conversation starts.

43%

Average energy reduction across our commercial projects

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

12

LEED certified buildings completed

100%

Projects incorporating passive design strategies

Project Deep Dives

Here's what actually happened when we put theory into practice

Before renovation
BEFORE
After renovation
AFTER
Commercial Retrofit

Richmond Street Office Complex

Timeline: March 2021 - November 2022

The Challenge

This 1970s office building was basically hemorrhaging money. Single-pane windows, ancient HVAC that sounded like a jet engine, and insulation that might as well have been newspaper. The owners were contemplating a complete tear-down, but we saw potential.

What We Actually Did
  • ✓ Installed triple-glazed curtain wall system (yeah, it was expensive, but worth it)
  • ✓ Replaced roof with cool membrane + 250kW solar array
  • ✓ Upgraded to VRF mechanical system with heat recovery
  • ✓ Added automated external shading on south facade
  • ✓ Rainwater harvesting for irrigation and toilet flushing
  • ✓ LED lighting with occupancy sensors throughout
Technical Results
Energy Consumption -58%
Water Usage -41%
Carbon Footprint -63%
ROI Period 8.2 years
Certification: LEED Gold
Before renovation
BEFORE
After renovation
AFTER
Residential

Rosedale Net-Zero Home

Timeline: June 2020 - April 2021

The Story

Family of four wanted to stay in their heritage neighborhood but couldn't stomach the heating bills anymore. The old Victorian had charm for days but zero thermal performance. We had to work within strict heritage guidelines while basically rebuilding everything you couldn't see.

Our Approach
  • ✓ Preserved original facade (heritage board requirement)
  • ✓ Spray foam insulation in all exterior walls (R-40 where we could fit it)
  • ✓ Ground-source heat pump for heating/cooling
  • ✓ Triple-pane windows matching original profiles
  • ✓ 8.5kW rooftop solar (hidden from street view)
  • ✓ HRV system for ventilation without energy loss
  • ✓ Reclaimed wood flooring throughout
Performance Metrics
Annual Energy Cost $147
Previous Cost $4,200
Heating Load -87%
Air Leakage 0.6 ACH50
Achievement: Net-Zero Ready (produces 98% of annual energy needs)
Before renovation
BEFORE
After renovation
AFTER
Adaptive Reuse

Liberty Village Warehouse Conversion

Timeline: September 2019 - August 2020

What We Were Up Against

Converting a 1920s industrial warehouse into modern residential lofts sounds cool until you realize there's literally no insulation, the windows are broken, and the roof leaks in like six places. But the bones were solid, and tearing it down would've been a waste of all that embodied carbon.

Key Interventions
  • ✓ Kept existing brick and timber structure (saved tons of demo waste)
  • ✓ Interior insulation on exterior walls (R-30)
  • ✓ New high-efficiency windows in original openings
  • ✓ Radiant floor heating throughout
  • ✓ Green roof with native plant species
  • ✓ Greywater system for landscape irrigation
  • ✓ Daylighting maximized through new skylights
Impact Numbers
Material Reuse 73%
Embodied Carbon Saved 450 tonnes
Energy vs New Build -35%
Stormwater Retention 12,000L
Recognition: Toronto Green Building Award 2021

Our Material Choices Matter

We're kinda nerdy about this stuff. Every material that goes into our projects gets vetted for environmental impact, durability, and yes - how it'll actually hold up in Toronto's crazy weather swings.

85%
Locally sourced materials (within 800km)
60%
Recycled content average
100%
FSC-certified wood products
Sustainable materials

Lessons We've Learned The Hard Way

Passive Design Isn't Optional

You can't tech your way out of bad orientation and poor envelope design. We learned this early on - if the fundamentals aren't right (building orientation, window placement, thermal mass), no amount of fancy mechanical systems will save you. Start with the basics, then layer in the technology.

Commissioning Is Everything

Had a project that should've been hitting net-zero but was underperforming. Turned out the HVAC controls were programmed wrong. Now we obsess over commissioning. A building only performs as well as it's set up and maintained - doesn't matter how good the design is on paper.

Clients Need Real Data

Early on, we'd throw around terms like "high performance" and "sustainable" without backing it up. Now we model everything, provide actual energy projections, and follow up post-occupancy. People appreciate honest numbers way more than vague promises.

Don't Overthink It

Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. More insulation, better windows, proper air sealing - these aren't sexy, but they work. We've seen projects chase fancy certifications while missing basic efficiency opportunities. Do the boring stuff really well first.

Planning session

Want to Talk About Your Project?

Whether you're thinking about a full renovation, new build, or just want to make your existing space more efficient - we've probably dealt with something similar. Let's chat about what's actually possible (and what's worth the investment).

Phone: (416) 555-0147
Email: info@quintharalvenros.info
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