Our Sustainability Commitment | Faylene Orquinthal Architecture

Why We're Kinda Obsessed With This

Look, I've been doing this for nearly fifteen years now, and honestly? The way most buildings get designed and built is pretty wasteful. We knew there had to be a better approach.

It started small - specifying reclaimed wood here, optimizing window placement there - but once you start seeing the impact, you can't unsee it. Every project became an opportunity to prove that sustainable doesn't mean sacrificing style or breaking budgets.

These days, our whole team gets genuinely excited about things like passive solar design and high-performance building envelopes. Yeah, we're that kind of nerdy about it.

Our Promise: Every design we create considers lifecycle impact, energy performance, and how the building will interact with its environment for decades to come.

What We've Actually Achieved

Numbers don't lie - here's the real impact from our projects over the past five years

68%

Average energy reduction vs. standard code buildings

42

LEED certified projects completed

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

12

Net-zero energy buildings designed

Certifications & Street Cred

LEED Accredited Professional

Multiple team members holding LEED AP credentials with specializations in Building Design + Construction. We've been navigating LEED since before it was cool.

Certified Passive House Designer

Trained in the rigorous Passive House standard - probably the most demanding energy efficiency protocol out there. Our clients' heating bills speak for themselves.

Living Building Challenge

We've completed two LBC projects - which is kinda like the Olympics of green building. Tough as nails, but incredibly rewarding when you nail it.

How We Actually Do It

Site Analysis First

Before we even sketch anything, we're out there understanding sun paths, wind patterns, existing vegetation. Nature's been doing this longer than we have - might as well learn from it.

Material Honesty

We dig deep into where stuff comes from. Local suppliers when possible, reclaimed materials when it makes sense, and always considering the full lifecycle. No greenwashing nonsense.

Energy Modeling

We run detailed simulations on every project. It's not just about slapping solar panels on the roof - it's about creating buildings that need less energy in the first place.

Long-term Thinking

What's this building gonna look like in 50 years? Can it adapt? Is it built to last? These questions shape every decision we make.

Ready to Build Something That Actually Matters?

Let's talk about creating a space that's good for you AND the planet. No compromises needed.

Start Your Project

Recent Sustainability Wins

Kitsilano Net-Zero Residence

Achieved net-zero energy with a combination of passive design, solar PV, and geothermal. Owner's monthly energy bills? Under $10.

Gastown Mixed-Use LEED Platinum

First building in the neighborhood to hit Platinum. Green roof, rainwater harvesting, and 78% energy reduction from baseline.

The Bottom Line

Sustainable design isn't some luxury add-on or feel-good extra. It's just better architecture, period.

We've proven time and again that buildings can be beautiful, functional, affordable, AND environmentally responsible. Yeah, it takes more thought upfront. Yeah, it requires staying on top of new technologies and materials. But watching our clients save thousands on energy bills while living in healthier, more comfortable spaces? That's what gets us out of bed in the morning.

Climate change isn't waiting around, and neither should we. Every building we design is a chance to be part of the solution instead of the problem.

Want the nerdy details on our approach?

Give us a call at (604) 555-8923 - we could talk about building science for hours.