Sustainability - Quintharion Velros Architecture

Why We're All-In on Sustainability

Look, I'll be honest - when I started out in architecture fifteen years ago, "green building" was mostly greenwashing and overpriced solar panels that didn't make financial sense.

Things have changed. Big time. Now? We're living through climate chaos, and buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. That's... not great. So yeah, every project we touch gets the sustainability treatment - not because it's trendy, but because it's the only responsible way forward.

Our approach is pretty straightforward: design smarter, use less, choose better materials, and make buildings that actually work with nature instead of fighting it.

Our Green Credentials

★

LEED Accredited Professional

Been certified since 2016. We've shepherded 23 projects through LEED certification - from Silver to Platinum. The process can be a pain, but the results speak for themselves.

★

Passive House Certified

This German standard is no joke - super-insulated, airtight buildings that use 90% less heating energy. We've completed 8 Passive House projects across BC.

★

Living Building Challenge

The toughest green building standard out there. We're currently working on our second LBC project - it's ambitious, sometimes frustrating, but incredibly rewarding.

By The Numbers

67%

Average Energy Reduction

Compared to conventional builds. We're not talking about tiny tweaks here - this is real, measurable impact. Last year's residential project in North Van? Their heating bills dropped from $320/month to under $90.

89%

Locally Sourced Materials

We prioritize BC timber, local stone, and regional suppliers whenever possible. Yeah, sometimes it costs a bit more upfront, but you're supporting local industry and slashing transport emissions.

2,400

Tonnes of CO2 Offset Annually

Across all our completed projects. That's like taking 520 cars off the road every year. Not bad for a mid-sized architecture studio, if I do say so myself.

"The commercial building we designed in Richmond got its energy costs down so low that BC Hydro actually called to check if their meters were broken. They weren't. Just good design and proper execution."

- Project log, 2022

Materials We Actually Use

Reclaimed & FSC Timber

Old-growth reclaimed wood has character you can't buy new. Plus, FSC-certified lumber means forests aren't getting clear-cut for our projects.

Bamboo & Cork

Bamboo grows crazy fast and cork regenerates without killing the tree. Both are tough as nails and look great. Win-win.

Recycled Steel & Aluminum

Mining virgin metal is energy-intensive. Recycled metal performs identically and uses 95% less energy to produce. No-brainer.

BC Stone & Clay

Beautiful, durable, and literally from our backyard. We've got incredible stone quarries right here in BC - why ship granite from China?

Carbon Footprint: The Real Talk

We track embodied carbon in every project. That's all the CO2 released during manufacturing, transport, and construction - before the building even opens its doors.

Our current average? About 340 kgCO2/m² for residential projects. Industry standard is closer to 600. We're getting there.

Our 2025 Goal

Hit 250 kgCO2/m² on at least 70% of projects. Ambitious? Yeah. Impossible? Nah.

100%

Projects with solar panels since 2020

45%

Water use reduction on average

83%

Construction waste diverted from landfills

$4.2M

Energy costs saved for clients over 10 years

What We're Working On Next

Biophilic Design Integration

Turns out bringing nature indoors isn't just pretty - it actually improves mental health and productivity. We're experimenting with living walls, natural ventilation patterns, and views that connect occupants with the outdoors.

Mass Timber Construction

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is changing the game for mid-rise buildings. It's strong, sequesters carbon, and looks amazing. We're designing our first 6-story CLT building right now.

Net-Zero Retrofits

Vancouver's full of older buildings that leak energy like sieves. We're developing retrofit strategies that can bring heritage buildings up to near-Passive House standards without destroying their character.

Want to Build Something That Lasts?

Let's talk about making your project genuinely sustainable - not just checking boxes, but creating something that actually makes a difference.

Get In Touch