Our Approach
Using Integrated Design principles, we have developed a unique process and approach to designing some of the most advanced and highest-performing buildings in Canada. A blend of architectural and engineering disciplines, We Create Living Breathing BuildingsTM that far exceed industry standards, without increasing the cost to our clients. Our approach is rooted in our belief that architecture and design are evolving toward a passive model that reduces the complexity of mechanical and electrical systems while enhancing the quality and performance of the building.
We use advanced modeling tools for planning, measuring and monitoring energy and water use, air temperature and quality and the actual levels and quality of daylight, as well as the development’s carbon footprint and its potential eco-system. Our IDP approach and tools enable us to achieve top certification levels in LEED, PassivHaus, iisbe and other programs worldwide.
The Integrated Design Process involves eight iterative steps that provide a roadmap for any team, on any project, anywhere. By encouraging structured collaboration with all project participants, we find the optimal solution for every problem. As well, this approach enables us to establish and monitor costs right from the initial project feasibility through to all the design phases. If costs go up, we know immediately that we are going in the wrong direction and can adapt and simplify the design accordingly.
Step 1: Orientation and Massing allows the team to begin to understand the external impacts on the development including the physical aspects (sun, wind, biomass, water, shading, local eco systems) and the contextural impacts ( social and economic ) and to use this understanding to arrive at an optimal test massing for the development. This massing is modeled to determine its performance.
At step 2. Site Design and Water, the team looks at how the development might maintain, enhance or regenerate the natural eco-systems intrinsic to the site. Solutions for innovative use of water and the creation of green space are developed.
The next step 3. Envelope is where the development truly begins to take shape. Roofs, walls, windows and features are defined and modeled in response to the optimal massing and site design developed in the earlier stages. The dynamic effects of the forms are modeled.
Steps 4. Lighting and Power, 5. Ventilation, and 6. Heating and Cooling, involve the whole team working together to create Living Breathing Buildings. We create beautiful spaces sculpted by natural daylight and fed by 100% fresh air. We use the earth, the mass of the building and hydronic systems to dramatically improve comfort levels while reducing energy use by about 70% on average. We eliminate complex systems and replace them with architecturally integrated components that will last for the life of the building with very little maintenance. Our buildings are healthier and more comfortable and far more energy efficient than average as a result.
Step 7. Materials utilizes our in-house expertise in evaluating substantiation of materials claims regarding toxicity, third party certifications, manufacturing policies and component lists. We favour products possessing a cradle to cradle closed loop life cycle in which the waste stream becomes the production stream. We also incorporate art and cultural artifacts to support community more completely.
Step 8. Quality Assurance is an integral part of our practice. Every project is carefully peer reviewed and documented to ensure that the knowledge developed during the design phases is transferred through to the construction and operational teams. In this way we protect and preserve the high levels of quality developed during the design phases over the life of the development.
