Sustainable Design | Ember Quintharis Architects

What We Actually Mean by 'Sustainable'

Look, we've been doing this for years, and honestly? The word 'sustainable' gets thrown around way too much these days. For us, it's pretty straightforward – we design buildings that don't cost the earth (literally) to run and won't become obsolete in 10 years.

Every project starts with understanding the site – where the sun hits, how the wind moves, what the neighbors are doing. You'd be surprised how many architects skip this part. We spend weeks just observing before we even sketch anything.

Our approach mixes old-school building wisdom (those heritage projects taught us a lot) with modern tech that actually makes sense. Not everything new is better, and not everything old needs replacing.

Our Certifications & Credentials

Yeah, we've got the papers to back it up

LEED

LEED Accredited Professional

We've got multiple LEED AP certifications on the team. Three Gold projects under our belt, working on our first Platinum right now – fingers crossed!

PHI

Passive House Designer

Passive House standards are tough – like, really tough. But when you nail it, the energy bills are basically nothing. We've completed 4 certified Passive House projects in Ontario.

CaGBC

Canada Green Building Council

Active members since 2015. We actually help write some of the guidelines now, which is pretty cool. Nice to have a say in where the industry's heading.

Materials We're Excited About

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Okay, so we're kinda obsessed with CLT right now. It's basically super-engineered wood that's strong as steel but way lighter and stores carbon instead of producing it. Plus it smells amazing during construction – seriously, best site visits ever.

We used it on a 6-story residential project last year, and the whole structure went up in 3 months. Clients loved it, and the carbon footprint was about 75% less than conventional steel frame.

Reclaimed & Recycled Everything

There's something satisfying about giving old materials new life. We've sourced century-old barn wood, factory bricks, even reclaimed steel beams from demolished warehouses. Each piece has its own story.

Pro tip: it takes longer to source and sometimes costs more upfront, but the character you get is impossible to replicate. Plus, zero embodied carbon for manufacturing.

Hempcrete & Bio-Based Insulation

Hempcrete is wild – it's a mix of hemp fibers and lime that actually gets stronger as it ages and absorbs CO2 from the air. We've used it on three projects so far, mostly for infill walls and insulation.

The thermal performance is great, it's naturally mold-resistant, and it breathes (which matters more than most people think). Only downside? You need specialized contractors who know what they're doing.

High-Performance Glazing Systems

Windows are where most buildings lose heat (or gain too much in summer). We're using triple-glazed units with argon or krypton gas fills, low-e coatings, and thermally broken frames as standard now.

Yeah, they cost more, but when your heating bill drops by 40%? Pays for itself in 5-7 years. Plus, you can actually sit next to the window in winter without freezing.

Real Numbers from Real Projects

We track everything because data doesn't lie

68%

Average Energy Reduction

Compared to conventional builds of similar size and function

2.1M

kg CO2 Offset

Total carbon saved across our completed sustainable projects

85%

Water Conservation

Through rainwater harvesting and greywater systems

92%

Construction Waste Diverted

From landfills through recycling and reuse programs

How We Actually Approach Projects

1

Site Analysis & Climate Study

We spend way more time here than most firms. Solar path studies, wind patterns, soil conditions, existing vegetation – all of it matters. One project we oriented 15 degrees off the grid just to catch better daylight. Made all the difference.

2

Energy Modeling & Simulation

Before we finalize anything, we run detailed energy models. Software's gotten really good – we can predict heating/cooling loads within 5% accuracy. Helps us tweak things before construction when changes are cheap.

3

Material Lifecycle Assessment

Every material gets vetted for embodied energy, source location, durability, and end-of-life recyclability. Sometimes the "green" option isn't actually greener when you account for shipping from overseas.

4

Construction Oversight

Sustainable design only works if it's built right. We're on-site regularly, doing blower door tests, thermal imaging, making sure air barriers are actually continuous. Details matter.

5

Commissioning & Testing

Once it's built, we test everything. HVAC systems, lighting controls, envelope performance. You'd be shocked how many buildings never get properly commissioned. Systems running at 60% efficiency 'cause nobody checked the settings.

6

Post-Occupancy Monitoring

We check in after a year to see how buildings are actually performing. Real-world data helps us get better on the next project. Plus, we can catch any issues early and fix 'em while they're small.

Honestly? It's Not Always Easy

Let's be real – sustainable design comes with challenges. Budgets get tight. Contractors push back on unfamiliar methods. Timelines stretch. Some materials have long lead times.

But here's the thing: we've been doing this long enough to know the workarounds. We've built relationships with suppliers who get it. We've trained contractors on new techniques. We've figured out how to value-engineer without compromising performance.

Most importantly, we don't do "greenwashing" – that superficial stuff that looks good in marketing but doesn't actually work. If we recommend something, it's because we've tested it, used it before, and know it'll perform.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Want to See What's Possible?

Check out our portfolio of completed sustainable projects, or better yet, let's grab coffee and talk about what you're planning. We love this stuff.

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