Our Sustainability Approach | Kytheron Quinthar Architectural Domains

Honestly? It Started With a Question

Back in 2015, we asked ourselves: "Why are we designing buildings that fight against nature instead of working with it?"

That question changed everything for us. Now we look at every project through a different lens - not just "Can we build this?" but "Should we build this, and how can we do it without messing things up for the next generation?"

What We Actually Mean by "Sustainable"

Look, we've all heard the buzzwords thrown around. But here's what sustainability means in our studio:

Using materials that don't require shipping halfway across the planet
Designing spaces that need way less heating and cooling (your wallet will thank us)
Keeping old buildings alive instead of bulldozing them for something "modern"
Making sure your grandkids can use the building without major renovations

Our Certifications & Credentials

Yeah, we've got the fancy letters - but more importantly, we know how to use them

L

LEED Accredited Professionals

Gold & Platinum Certified

We've got team members who've been LEED APs for over a decade. These aren't just certificates on the wall - they're part of how we think about every single design decision. From site selection to material sourcing, we're constantly running through the LEED checklist in our heads.

Fun fact: Three of our projects have hit LEED Platinum, and we're pretty proud of that.

P

Passive House Certified

CPHD & CPHC Designers

Passive House isn't for everyone, but when clients are serious about energy efficiency, this is where it's at. We're talking about buildings that use 90% less energy for heating and cooling. Sounds wild, but it's completely doable with the right approach.

One client's winter heating bill? About the same as their monthly Netflix subscription. No joke.

The Tech & Techniques We're Using

Here's the stuff we're genuinely excited about these days:

Geothermal Systems

Using the earth as a giant battery for heating and cooling. It's been around forever, but people are finally catching on. The upfront cost makes some folks nervous, but the long-term savings? Absolutely worth it.

Reclaimed & Recycled Materials

Old barn wood, recycled steel, reclaimed brick - this stuff has character that new materials just can't match. Plus, we're keeping it out of landfills. Win-win.

Smart Building Automation

We integrate systems that learn your patterns and adjust accordingly. Lights, HVAC, blinds - everything works together to minimize waste without you having to think about it.

Green Roofs & Living Walls

Not just because they look cool (though they do). These actually reduce stormwater runoff, improve insulation, and help with urban heat island effects. Toronto needs more of these.

Our Real-World Numbers

We track this stuff because it matters, not just for marketing materials

67%

Average energy reduction across our residential projects compared to code minimum

89%

Construction waste diverted from landfills on our last three major projects

12

Heritage buildings we've restored instead of demolished since 2018

The Heritage Connection

Here's something people don't always get: our heritage restoration work IS sustainability. Think about it - what's more sustainable than keeping a perfectly good building alive?

Those old buildings in Toronto? They were built when materials were expensive and labor was cheap, so they built them to last. Solid masonry walls, real wood timbers, craftsmanship you just don't see anymore. When we restore these buildings, we're not just preserving history - we're keeping tons of embodied carbon out of the atmosphere.

Plus, let's be real, they've got way more character than most modern buildings. There's something special about walking into a space with 100-year-old exposed brick and knowing it'll be around for another century.

What Clients Ask Us

Short answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Long answer: it depends on what you're comparing it to and how you're counting.

Yeah, some green tech has higher upfront costs. A geothermal system costs more than a basic furnace. But when you look at 20-year costs including energy bills, maintenance, and replacement? Green usually wins.

Plus, there are tons of sustainable strategies that don't cost extra - good orientation, natural ventilation, proper insulation. Smart design doesn't always mean expensive design.

To your utility bills? Absolutely. To the planet? Every bit helps, but let's be honest about scale.

One super-efficient house won't save the world. But if every new building in Toronto was designed with sustainability in mind? That's huge. Buildings account for about 40% of global energy consumption, so yeah, this stuff matters.

We're not gonna pretend one project changes everything, but we're also not gonna pretend it changes nothing. You do your part, we'll do ours, and hopefully more people join in.

Usually, yes! And honestly, retrofitting existing buildings is some of the most impactful work we do.

We've upgraded everything from 1920s warehouses to 1970s office buildings. It's trickier than new construction because you're working with what's already there, but that's what makes it interesting.

Sometimes we can't hit the same performance levels as new construction, but we can usually get you 60-70% of the way there - which is way better than demolishing and starting over.

Nope. That's outdated thinking from like 15 years ago.

Early green buildings sometimes looked... utilitarian. But we've figured out how to make efficient buildings that are also beautiful. In fact, some of our favorite design elements - exposed wood beams, lots of natural light, indoor-outdoor connections - are inherently sustainable.

Good design is good design. Adding sustainability to the mix just makes it smarter.

Want to Talk Green Building?

Whether you're planning a new build, thinking about a renovation, or just curious about making your space more sustainable, we'd love to chat.

We do free initial consultations where we can walk through your site, talk about your goals, and give you an honest assessment of what's possible. No pressure, no sales pitch - just real talk about sustainable design.

Get In Touch See Our Work

Quick Contact:

Phone: (416) 555-0142

Email: info@kytheronquinthar.info

Office: 1247 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6K 1L6