Sustainability & Green Building | Tundra Quinthorn Architecture

Honest Talk About Green Building

Look, designing for the Arctic isn't like anywhere else. You can't just slap some solar panels on a roof and call it sustainable when you've got six months of darkness and temperatures that'll freeze your coffee mid-pour.

We've spent years figuring out what actually works up north - not what looks good in magazines or wins awards down south. Real sustainability here means buildings that last, materials that make sense, and designs that respect both the land and the people who've been living here way longer than we have.

Every project teaches us something new. Some ideas flop. Others surprise us. That's just how it goes when you're working at the edge of what's comfortable.

Our Certifications & Commitments

These aren't just badges - they represent actual standards we hold ourselves to

LEED Accredited

Three of our team members are LEED AP certified. We've completed 12 LEED-certified projects across northern Canada, with 4 achieving Gold status.

That's about 60% of our portfolio, which honestly we're pretty proud of given the climate challenges.

Passive House Certified

Canadian Passive House Institute members since 2018. We've adapted passive house principles for Arctic conditions - it's tricky but doable.

Our Yellowknife residence project reduced heating costs by 85% compared to standard builds. No joke.

Net Zero Ready

Following Canada's Net Zero Energy Ready guidelines. Getting buildings to actually produce their own energy up north takes some creative thinking.

We're working on making this standard for all new builds by 2026, weather permitting.

Canada Green Building Council Member

Active since 2016, we participate in research initiatives for northern climate construction standards.

Built Green Canada Certified

Gold level builders, focusing on practical sustainability measures that work in extreme climates.

Environmental Impact by the Numbers

Real data from our projects over the past 5 years. Some wins, some work in progress.

68%

Average energy reduction compared to baseline Arctic buildings

That's measured, not estimated

420

Tonnes of CO2 offset annually across completed projects

Equivalent to taking 90 cars off the road

82%

Construction waste diverted from landfills through recycling programs

Still working on that other 18%

95%

Local or regional material sourcing when available

Shorter supply chains = less emissions

5-Year Project Impact Overview

Energy Efficiency Improvements 68%

Water Conservation Systems 54%

Sustainable Material Usage 76%

Indoor Air Quality Standards Met 91%

Renewable Energy Integration 43%

This one's tough in the Arctic - solar doesn't work half the year, and wind needs careful planning. We're getting there though.

Materials We Actually Use & Why

No greenwashing here - just what works in -40C winters and what doesn't

FSC-Certified Timber

Mostly sourced from BC and Alberta. Wood's got great insulation properties and it's renewable. We've been using locally-milled lumber for framing when we can get it - cuts transport emissions and supports regional mills.

Carbon footprint: -1.8 tonnes CO2 per cubic meter (it's actually carbon negative!)

Mineral Wool Insulation

Rockwool's our go-to. Yeah, it's manufactured, but it doesn't degrade in extreme cold, it's fire-resistant, and it lasts 50+ years. Fibreglass just doesn't cut it at -40C - we learned that the hard way.

R-value stays consistent even in Arctic conditions

Low-VOC Finishes

Indoor air quality matters more when buildings are sealed tight for months. We use zero or low-VOC paints, stains, and sealants. AFM Safecoat and Benjamin Moore Natura are regulars on our spec sheets.

VOC levels under 50 g/L - way below standard 200 g/L

Triple-Glazed Windows

Double-pane just doesn't work up north. We spec triple-glazed with argon or krypton fill, low-e coatings, and insulated frames. Expensive? Yeah. Worth it? Absolutely - heat loss through windows is killer in winter.

U-factor as low as 0.15 - that's seriously good insulation

Recycled Steel & Aluminum

For structural elements and cladding. Recycled content is usually 80-90%, it's durable as hell in freeze-thaw cycles, and it's 100% recyclable at end-of-life. Plus, it doesn't burn.

Embodied energy is 75% less than virgin steel production

Heat Recovery Ventilators

Not a material, but essential. HRV systems recover 60-95% of heat from exhaust air. You need fresh air in tight buildings, but you don't wanna heat the whole outdoors. These things are game-changers.

Can save 30-40% on heating costs annually

What We're Avoiding

PVC when alternatives exist - off-gassing issues in sealed spaces
Tropical hardwoods - just not ethical or necessary
Spray foam with high GWP blowing agents - newer alternatives are better
Materials with excessive embodied carbon when local options work just as well

The Renewable Energy Reality Check

Everyone wants to hear we're putting solar on everything and going 100% renewable. Here's the truth - it's complicated up north.

Solar Power

Solar works great... for about 6 months. Winter months have minimal sunlight, and panels can get buried in snow. We use them where they make sense - usually paired with battery systems and grid backup. Summer surplus can offset winter grid use.

Real example: Our Whitehorse project generates 110% of summer energy needs, but only 12% in December-January. Annual average: 65% solar coverage.

Wind Energy

Wind's more consistent year-round, but you need the right site and proper permitting. Small residential turbines are tricky - maintenance in extreme cold is no joke. We've had better luck with community-scale installations.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

These are honestly our favorite. Ground temp stays stable even when it's frigid outside. Installation costs are higher, but operational savings are huge. We've installed 18 systems in the past 3 years with great results.

The goal isn't perfect - it's progress. Every project gets us a bit closer to truly sustainable northern living.

Want to Build Something Better?

Whether you're planning a new home, renovation, or commercial project, let's talk about what's actually possible in your location and climate.

We'll shoot straight with you about what works, what doesn't, and what's worth the investment. No upselling on features that sound green but don't make practical sense.

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