Building Green, Thinking Future

We're not just talking the talk—we've been walking it for years. Here's how we're actually making a difference, one structure at a time.

87%

Carbon Reduction
vs. Industry Average

23

LEED Certified
Projects Delivered

94%

Materials Salvaged
in Heritage Work

3.2M

kWh Annual Energy
Savings Generated

Our Green Credentials Aren't Just Wall Decorations

Look, we've earned these certifications because we actually believe in 'em. Every badge represents real hours of work, tough decisions, and yeah—sometimes heated debates about whether that vintage beam can handle a solar panel array.

We're proud members of the Canada Green Building Council, and our team holds multiple LEED AP credentials. But more than that, we've got dirt under our nails from sourcing reclaimed materials and grey hair from pushing suppliers toward better practices.

LEED Platinum

7 Projects

LEED Gold

11 Projects

LEED Silver

5 Projects

Net Zero Ready

Certified Designer

CaGBC Member

Since 2011

ENERGY STAR

Partner

How We're Powering Change

Renewable energy integration
Solar Integration
68%
1.8 MW Installed Capacity

We're obsessed with turning rooftops into power plants. Every industrial building's got that massive unused surface—might as well make it work for you.

Geothermal Systems
45%
12 Systems Deployed

Ground-source heat pumps aren't sexy, but they'll slash your HVAC costs by half. Trust us, we've got the utility bills to prove it.

Rainwater Harvesting
82%
420K Gallons/Year Saved

Toronto gets plenty of rain—why let it just run into the sewer? We're capturing it for irrigation, cooling towers, and non-potable uses.

Material Reuse
91%
Heritage Projects

That 120-year-old timber? It's stronger than anything you can buy today. We salvage, restore, and reimagine instead of tossing stuff in landfills.

Our Carbon Footprint Reality Check

We're not gonna pretend we're carbon neutral—construction has impact. But here's what we're doing to offset it.

Local Sourcing First

Average material transport distance: 47 km

Industry average: 310 km

We're practically allergic to shipping materials across continents. If we can't find it within a day's drive, we're asking ourselves why.

Embodied Carbon Tracking

Average project reduction: 34% below baseline

Total CO2 offset: 1,847 tonnes

We actually calculate the carbon cost of every material choice. Sometimes it means spending more upfront, but the planet doesn't take IOUs.

Construction Waste Diversion

Waste diverted from landfills: 89%

Materials donated/resold: 2,340 tonnes

Demo day doesn't mean dump day. We've got relationships with salvage yards, craftspeople, and community workshops who'll take what we can't use.

Operational Efficiency

Average building energy use: 62% below code

Client utility savings: $3.2M annually

Buildings we design don't just meet standards—they smash 'em. Your CFO will love the operating costs, and the environment gets a break too.

Heritage Restoration: The Ultimate Recycling Project

Standard Tear-Down Approach

  • Demo & Dump: 2,800 tonnes to landfill per project
  • New Materials: 100% virgin resources required
  • Carbon Cost: 420 tonnes CO2 embodied carbon
  • Character Loss: Historical integrity destroyed forever
  • Timeline: 18-24 months typical build
  • Community Impact: Neighborhood character eroded

Our Restoration Method

  • Salvage & Preserve: 94% material retention rate
  • Smart Additions: Only 15-30% new materials needed
  • Carbon Savings: 67% lower embodied carbon impact
  • Heritage Value: Original craftsmanship celebrated
  • Efficiency: 14-18 months with careful planning
  • Community Win: Cultural fabric preserved & enhanced

Here's the thing—those old industrial buildings were built to last centuries. The steel's better, the timber's denser, and the craftsmanship? You literally can't buy that anymore. Tearing 'em down is environmental vandalism disguised as progress.

Real Project, Real Results

Sustainability case study project

Location: The Junction, Toronto | Completed: 2022

Riverside Foundry Adaptive Reuse

A 1907 steel foundry that everyone said we should demolish. Instead, we kept 91% of the original structure, added rooftop solar, integrated geothermal, and turned it into a mixed-use space that generates more energy than it consumes.

LEED Platinum

82 Points

108%

Energy Independence

2,340 tonnes

Materials Salvaged

$87K/year

Energy Cost Savings

"We honestly thought Zephyr was crazy when they pitched keeping most of the old building. Two years later, our utility bills are basically zero, and the space has more character than anything new could've offered. Best decision we made."